1
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Xin Q, Chen Y, Sun X, Li R, Wu Y, Huang X. CAR-T therapy for ovarian cancer: Recent advances and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116349. [PMID: 38852648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecological tumor with high mortality, which is difficult to control its progression with conventional treatments and is prone to recurrence. Recent studies have identified OC as an immunogenic tumor that can be recognized by the host immune system. Immunotherapy for OC is being evaluated, but approaches such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy, adoptive cell therapy is an alternative therapy, in which CAR(chimeric antigen receptor)-T therapy has been applied to the clinical treatment of hematological malignancies. In addition, CAR-NK and CAR-macrophage (CAR-M) have also shown great potential in the treatment of solid tumors. Here, we discuss recent advances in preclinical and clinical studies of CAR-T for OC treatment, introduce the efforts made by researchers to modify the structure of CAR in order to achieve effective OC immunotherapy, as well as the research status of CAR-NK and CAR-M, and highlight emerging therapeutic opportunities that can be utilized to improve the survival of patients with OC using CAR-based adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianling Xin
- Anhui Women and Children's Medical Center, Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yizhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojing Sun
- Anhui Women and Children's Medical Center, Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Ruilin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China.
| | - Yujing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Xuegui Huang
- Anhui Women and Children's Medical Center, Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, China.
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2
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Amit U, Uslu U, Verginadis II, Kim MM, Motlagh SAO, Diffenderfer ES, Assenmacher CA, Bicher S, Atoche SJ, Ben-Josef E, Young RM, June CH, Koumenis C. Proton radiation boosts the efficacy of mesothelin-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in pancreatic cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403002121. [PMID: 39047033 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403002121] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents a challenge in oncology, with limited treatment options for advanced-stage patients. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy targeting mesothelin (MSLN) shows promise, but challenges such as the hostile immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) hinder its efficacy. This study explores the synergistic potential of combining proton radiation therapy (RT) with MSLN-targeting CAR T therapy in a syngeneic PDAC model. Proton RT significantly increased MSLN expression in tumor cells and caused a significant increase in CAR T cell infiltration into tumors. The combination therapy reshaped the immunosuppressive TME, promoting antitumorigenic M1 polarized macrophages and reducing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In a flank PDAC model, the combination therapy demonstrated superior attenuation of tumor growth and improved survival compared to individual treatments alone. In an orthotopic PDAC model treated with image-guided proton RT, tumor growth was significantly reduced in the combination group compared to the RT treatment alone. Further, the combination therapy induced an abscopal effect in a dual-flank tumor model, with increased serum interferon-γ levels and enhanced proliferation of extratumoral CAR T cells. In conclusion, combining proton RT with MSLN-targeting CAR T therapy proves effective in modulating the TME, enhancing CAR T cell trafficking, and exerting systemic antitumor effects. Thus, this combinatorial approach could present a promising strategy for improving outcomes in unresectable PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Amit
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Ugur Uslu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ioannis I Verginadis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Michele M Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Seyyedeh Azar Oliaei Motlagh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Eric S Diffenderfer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Charles-Antoine Assenmacher
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Pathology Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sandra Bicher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sebastian J Atoche
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Edgar Ben-Josef
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Regina M Young
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Carl H June
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Constantinos Koumenis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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3
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Spiga M, Martini E, Maffia MC, Ciceri F, Ruggiero E, Potenza A, Bonini C. Harnessing the tumor microenvironment to boost adoptive T cell therapy with engineered lymphocytes for solid tumors. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:8. [PMID: 39060547 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) and T Cell Receptor (TCR) engineered T cells represents an innovative therapeutic approach for the treatment of hematological malignancies, yet its application for solid tumors is still suboptimal. The tumor microenvironment (TME) places several challenges to overcome for a satisfactory therapeutic effect, such as physical barriers (fibrotic capsule and stroma), and inhibitory signals impeding T cell function. Some of these obstacles can be faced by combining ACT with other anti-tumor approaches, such as chemo/radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors. On the other hand, cutting edge technological tools offer the opportunity to overcome and, in some cases, take advantage of TME intrinsic characteristics to boost ACT efficacy. These include: the exploitation of chemokine gradients and integrin expression for preferential T-cell homing and extravasation; metabolic changes that have direct or indirect effects on TCR-T and CAR-T cells by increasing antigen presentation and reshaping T cell phenotype; introduction of additional synthetic receptors on TCR-T and CAR-T cells with the aim of increasing T cells survival and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Spiga
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Martini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Maffia
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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4
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Butterfield LH, Najjar YG. Immunotherapy combination approaches: mechanisms, biomarkers and clinical observations. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:399-416. [PMID: 38057451 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The approval of the first immune checkpoint inhibitors provided a paradigm shift for the treatment of malignancies across a broad range of indications. Whereas initially, single-agent immune checkpoint inhibition was used, increasing numbers of patients are now treated with combination immune checkpoint blockade, where non-redundant mechanisms of action of the individual agents generally lead to higher response rates. Furthermore, immune checkpoint therapy has been combined with various other therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other immunotherapeutics such as vaccines, adoptive cellular therapies, cytokines and others, in an effort to maximize clinical efficacy. Currently, a large number of clinical trials test combination therapies with an immune checkpoint inhibitor as a backbone. However, proceeding without inclusion of broad, if initially exploratory, biomarker investigations may ultimately slow progress, as so far, few combinations have yielded clinical successes based on clinical data alone. Here, we present the rationale for combination therapies and discuss clinical data from clinical trials across the immuno-oncology spectrum. Moreover, we discuss the evolution of biomarker approaches and highlight the potential new directions that comprehensive biomarker studies can yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa H Butterfield
- University of California San Francisco, Microbiology and Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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5
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Son A, Baral I, Falduto GH, Schwartz DM. Locus of (IL-9) control: IL9 epigenetic regulation in cellular function and human disease. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1331-1339. [PMID: 38825637 PMCID: PMC11263352 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01241-y] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-9 (IL-9) is a multifunctional cytokine with roles in a broad cross-section of human diseases. Like many cytokines, IL-9 is transcriptionally regulated by a group of noncoding regulatory elements (REs) surrounding the IL9 gene. These REs modulate IL-9 transcription by forming 3D loops that recruit transcriptional machinery. IL-9-promoting transcription factors (TFs) can bind REs to increase locus accessibility and permit chromatin looping, or they can be recruited to already accessible chromatin to promote transcription. Ample mechanistic and genome-wide association studies implicate this interplay between IL-9-modulating TFs and IL9 cis-REs in human physiology, homeostasis, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aran Son
- Neuroscience Department, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, Trieste, 34136, Italy
| | - Ishita Baral
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Guido H Falduto
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniella M Schwartz
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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6
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Wang L, Sun F, Li Q, Ma H, Zhong J, Zhang H, Cheng S, Wu H, Zhao Y, Wang N, Xie Z, Zhao M, Zhu P, Zheng H. CytoSIP: an annotated structural atlas for interactions involving cytokines or cytokine receptors. Commun Biol 2024; 7:630. [PMID: 38789577 PMCID: PMC11126726 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06289-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic agents targeting cytokine-cytokine receptor (CK-CKR) interactions lead to the disruption in cellular signaling and are effective in treating many diseases including tumors. However, a lack of universal and quick access to annotated structural surface regions on CK/CKR has limited the progress of a structure-driven approach in developing targeted macromolecular drugs and precision medicine therapeutics. Herein we develop CytoSIP (Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Interface, and Phenotype), a rich internet application based on a database of atomic interactions around hotspots in experimentally determined CK/CKR structural complexes. CytoSIP contains: (1) SNPs on CK/CKR; (2) interactions involving CK/CKR domains, including CK/CKR interfaces, oligomeric interfaces, epitopes, or other drug targeting surfaces; and (3) diseases and phenotypes associated with CK/CKR or SNPs. The database framework introduces a unique tri-level SIP data model to bridge genetic variants (atomic level) to disease phenotypes (organism level) using protein structure (complexes) as an underlying framework (molecule level). Customized screening tools are implemented to retrieve relevant CK/CKR subset, which reduces the time and resources needed to interrogate large datasets involving CK/CKR surface hotspots and associated pathologies. CytoSIP portal is publicly accessible at https://CytoSIP.biocloud.top , facilitating the panoramic investigation of the context-dependent crosstalk between CK/CKR and the development of targeted therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410006, China
| | - Qianying Li
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Haojie Ma
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Juanhong Zhong
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Siyi Cheng
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Yanmin Zhao
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Nasui Wang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Zhongqiu Xie
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410006, China.
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China.
| | - Heping Zheng
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan University College of Biology, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China.
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7
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Yang Q, Zhu X, Huang P, Li C, Han L, Han Y, Gan R, Xin B, Tu Y, Zhou S, Yuan T, Hao J, Li C, Zhang L, Shi L, Guo C. BCKDK modification enhances the anticancer efficacy of CAR-T cells by reprogramming branched chain amino acid metabolism. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00319-8. [PMID: 38734897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.017] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Altered branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are frequently observed in patients with advanced cancer. We evaluated the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-mediated cancer cell lysis potential in the immune microenvironment of BCAA supplementation and deletion. BCAA supplementation increased cancer cell killing percentage, while accelerating BCAA catabolism and decreasing BCAA transporter decreased cancer cell lysis efficacy. We thus designed BCKDK engineering CAR T cells for the reprogramming of BCAA metabolism in the tumor microenvironment based on the genotype and phenotype modification. BCKDK overexpression (OE) in CAR-T cells significantly improved cancer cell lysis, while BCKDK knockout (KO) resulted in inferior lysis potential. In an in vivo experiment, BCKDK-OE CAR-T cell treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing NALM6-GL cancer cells, with the differentiation of central memory cells and an increasing proportion of CAR-T cells in the peripheral circulation. BCKDK-KO CAR-T cell treatment resulted in shorter survival and a decreasing percentage of CAR-T cells in the peripheral circulation. In conclusion, BCKDK-engineered CAR-T cells exert a distinct phenotype for superior anticancer efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanjun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Xinting Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Chemical Glycobiology, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Sleep Disordered Breathing, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology Institute of Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yonglong Han
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Run Gan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Bo Xin
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yixing Tu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Shumin Zhou
- Institution of Microsurgery on Extremities, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ting Yuan
- Department of Bone Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Juan Hao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230 Baoding Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Chunqiong Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan 430060, China.
| | - Cheng Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China.
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8
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Uslu U, Sun L, Castelli S, Finck AV, Assenmacher CA, Young RM, Chen ZJ, June CH. The STING agonist IMSA101 enhances chimeric antigen receptor T cell function by inducing IL-18 secretion. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3933. [PMID: 38730243 PMCID: PMC11087554 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47692-9] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
As a strategy to improve the therapeutic success of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CART) directed against solid tumors, we here test the combinatorial use of CART and IMSA101, a newly developed stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist. In two syngeneic tumor models, improved overall survival is observed when mice are treated with intratumorally administered IMSA101 in addition to intravenous CART infusion. Transcriptomic analyses of CART isolated from tumors show elevated T cell activation, as well as upregulated cytokine pathway signatures, in particular IL-18, in the combination treatment group. Also, higher levels of IL-18 in serum and tumor are detected with IMSA101 treatment. Consistent with this, the use of IL-18 receptor negative CART impair anti-tumor responses in mice receiving combination treatment. In summary, we find that IMSA101 enhances CART function which is facilitated through STING agonist-induced IL-18 secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Uslu
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lijun Sun
- ImmuneSensor Therapeutics, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Sofia Castelli
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Amanda V Finck
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Charles-Antoine Assenmacher
- Comparative Pathology Core, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Regina M Young
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Zhijian J Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD20815, USA.
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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9
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Yuan G, Ye M, Zhang Y, Zeng X. Challenges and strategies in relation to effective CAR-T cell immunotherapy for solid tumors. Med Oncol 2024; 41:126. [PMID: 38652178 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02310-y] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but its application to solid tumors is limited. CAR-T cells have poor incapability of entering, surviving, proliferating, and finally exerting function in the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the main strategies related to enhancing the infiltration, efficacy, antigen recognition, and production of CAR-T in solid tumors. Additional applications of CAR-γδ T and macrophages are also discussed. We believe CAR-T will be a milestone in treating solid tumors once these problems are solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxun Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Mengke Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Xun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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10
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Johnston AC, Alicea GM, Lee CC, Patel PV, Hanna EA, Vaz E, Forjaz A, Wan Z, Nair PR, Lim Y, Chen T, Du W, Kim D, Nichakawade TD, Rebecca VW, Bonifant CL, Fan R, Kiemen AL, Wu PH, Wirtz D. Engineering self-propelled tumor-infiltrating CAR T cells using synthetic velocity receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.13.571595. [PMID: 38168186 PMCID: PMC10760159 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.13.571595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells express antigen-specific synthetic receptors, which upon binding to cancer cells, elicit T cell anti-tumor responses. CAR T cell therapy has enjoyed success in the clinic for hematological cancer indications, giving rise to decade-long remissions in some cases. However, CAR T therapy for patients with solid tumors has not seen similar success. Solid tumors constitute 90% of adult human cancers, representing an enormous unmet clinical need. Current approaches do not solve the central problem of limited ability of therapeutic cells to migrate through the stromal matrix. We discover that T cells at low and high density display low- and high-migration phenotypes, respectively. The highly migratory phenotype is mediated by a paracrine pathway from a group of self-produced cytokines that include IL5, TNFα, IFNγ, and IL8. We exploit this finding to "lock-in" a highly migratory phenotype by developing and expressing receptors, which we call velocity receptors (VRs). VRs target these cytokines and signal through these cytokines' cognate receptors to increase T cell motility and infiltrate lung, ovarian, and pancreatic tumors in large numbers and at doses for which control CAR T cells remain confined to the tumor periphery. In contrast to CAR therapy alone, VR-CAR T cells significantly attenuate tumor growth and extend overall survival. This work suggests that approaches to the design of immune cell receptors that focus on migration signaling will help current and future CAR cellular therapies to infiltrate deep into solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian C Johnston
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | | | - Cameron C Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Payal V Patel
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Eban A Hanna
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Eduarda Vaz
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - André Forjaz
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Zeqi Wan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Praful R Nair
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Yeongseo Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Tina Chen
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Wenxuan Du
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Dongjoo Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University
| | - Tushar D Nichakawade
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Vito W Rebecca
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Challice L Bonifant
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University
| | - Ashley L Kiemen
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Pei-Hsun Wu
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
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11
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Kagoya Y. Cytokine signaling in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Int Immunol 2024; 36:49-56. [PMID: 37591521 PMCID: PMC10872714 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy using chimeric antigen-receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells can induce robust antitumor responses against hematologic malignancies. However, its efficacy is not durable in the majority of the patients, warranting further improvement of T-cell functions. Cytokine signaling is one of the key cascades regulating T-cell survival and effector functions. In addition to cytokines that use the common γ chain as a receptor subunit, multiple cytokines regulate T-cell functions directly or indirectly. Modulating cytokine signaling in CAR-T cells by genetic engineering is one promising strategy to augment their therapeutic efficacy. These strategies include ectopic expression of cytokines, cytokine receptors, and synthetic molecules that mimic endogenous cytokine signaling. Alternatively, autocrine IL-2 signaling can be augmented through reprogramming of CAR-T cell properties through transcriptional and epigenetic modification. On the other hand, cytokine production by CAR-T cells triggers systemic inflammatory responses, which mainly manifest as adverse events such as cytokine-release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. In addition to inhibiting direct inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-1 released from activated macrophages, suppression of T-cell-derived cytokines associated with the priming of macrophages can be accomplished through genetic modification of CAR-T cells. In this review, I will outline recently developed synthetic biology approaches to exploit cytokine signaling to enhance CAR-T cell functions. I will also discuss therapeutic target molecules to prevent or alleviate CAR-T cell-related toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kagoya
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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12
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Garcia J, Daniels J, Lee Y, Zhu I, Cheng K, Liu Q, Goodman D, Burnett C, Law C, Thienpont C, Alavi J, Azimi C, Montgomery G, Roybal KT, Choi J. Naturally occurring T cell mutations enhance engineered T cell therapies. Nature 2024; 626:626-634. [PMID: 38326614 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07018-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapies have produced exceptional responses in a subset of patients with cancer. However, therapeutic efficacy can be hindered by poor T cell persistence and function1. In human T cell cancers, evolution of the disease positively selects for mutations that improve fitness of T cells in challenging situations analogous to those faced by therapeutic T cells. Therefore, we reasoned that these mutations could be co-opted to improve T cell therapies. Here we systematically screened the effects of 71 mutations from T cell neoplasms on T cell signalling, cytokine production and in vivo persistence in tumours. We identify a gene fusion, CARD11-PIK3R3, found in a CD4+ cutaneous T cell lymphoma2, that augments CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 complex signalling and anti-tumour efficacy of therapeutic T cells in several immunotherapy-refractory models in an antigen-dependent manner. Underscoring its potential to be deployed safely, CARD11-PIK3R3-expressing cells were followed up to 418 days after T cell transfer in vivo without evidence of malignant transformation. Collectively, our results indicate that exploiting naturally occurring mutations represents a promising approach to explore the extremes of T cell biology and discover how solutions derived from evolution of malignant T cells can improve a broad range of T cell therapies.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics
- CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytokines/immunology
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Evolution, Molecular
- Guanylate Cyclase/genetics
- Guanylate Cyclase/metabolism
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/genetics
- Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/immunology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/pathology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/therapy
- Mutation
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Moonlight Bio, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jay Daniels
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Moonlight Bio, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yujin Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Iowis Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel Goodman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Cassandra Burnett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Calvin Law
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chloë Thienpont
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Josef Alavi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Camillia Azimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Garrett Montgomery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kole T Roybal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Jaehyuk Choi
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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13
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Teng F, Cui T, Zhou L, Gao Q, Zhou Q, Li W. Programmable synthetic receptors: the next-generation of cell and gene therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:7. [PMID: 38167329 PMCID: PMC10761793 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01680-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases. However, concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential. Synthetic receptors, a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules, have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution. Delicately designed and engineered, they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities, i.e., to regulate production of dosed, bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers. This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research. With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors, we address the generalized strategies to design, construct and improve synthetic receptors. Meanwhile, we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Teng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Tongtong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qingqin Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Wei Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
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14
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Beltra JC, Abdel-Hakeem MS, Manne S, Zhang Z, Huang H, Kurachi M, Su L, Picton L, Ngiow SF, Muroyama Y, Casella V, Huang YJ, Giles JR, Mathew D, Belman J, Klapholz M, Decaluwe H, Huang AC, Berger SL, Garcia KC, Wherry EJ. Stat5 opposes the transcription factor Tox and rewires exhausted CD8 + T cells toward durable effector-like states during chronic antigen exposure. Immunity 2023; 56:2699-2718.e11. [PMID: 38091951 PMCID: PMC10752292 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Rewiring exhausted CD8+ T (Tex) cells toward functional states remains a therapeutic challenge. Tex cells are epigenetically programmed by the transcription factor Tox. However, epigenetic remodeling occurs as Tex cells transition from progenitor (Texprog) to intermediate (Texint) and terminal (Texterm) subsets, suggesting development flexibility. We examined epigenetic transitions between Tex cell subsets and revealed a reciprocally antagonistic circuit between Stat5a and Tox. Stat5 directed Texint cell formation and re-instigated partial effector biology during this Texprog-to-Texint cell transition. Constitutive Stat5a activity antagonized Tox and rewired CD8+ T cells from exhaustion to a durable effector and/or natural killer (NK)-like state with superior anti-tumor potential. Temporal induction of Stat5 activity in Tex cells using an orthogonal IL-2:IL2Rβ-pair fostered Texint cell accumulation, particularly upon PD-L1 blockade. Re-engaging Stat5 also partially reprogrammed the epigenetic landscape of exhaustion and restored polyfunctionality. These data highlight therapeutic opportunities of manipulating the IL-2-Stat5 axis to rewire Tex cells toward more durably protective states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Beltra
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hakeem
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Sasikanth Manne
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hua Huang
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Makoto Kurachi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Leon Su
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lora Picton
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shin Foong Ngiow
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuki Muroyama
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Valentina Casella
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yinghui J Huang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Josephine R Giles
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Divij Mathew
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan Belman
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Max Klapholz
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hélène Decaluwe
- Cytokines and Adaptive Immunity Laboratory, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Immunology and Rheumatology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexander C Huang
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shelley L Berger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, 1 Letterman Drive, Suite D3500, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - E John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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15
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Luo M, Gong W, Zhang Y, Li H, Ma D, Wu K, Gao Q, Fang Y. New insights into the stemness of adoptively transferred T cells by γc family cytokines. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:347. [PMID: 38049832 PMCID: PMC10694921 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell-based adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has exhibited excellent antitumoral efficacy exemplified by the clinical breakthrough of chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T) in hematologic malignancies. It relies on the pool of functional T cells to retain the developmental potential to serially kill targeted cells. However, failure in the continuous supply and persistence of functional T cells has been recognized as a critical barrier to sustainable responses. Conferring stemness on infused T cells, yielding stem cell-like memory T cells (TSCM) characterized by constant self-renewal and multilineage differentiation similar to pluripotent stem cells, is indeed necessary and promising for enhancing T cell function and sustaining antitumor immunity. Therefore, it is crucial to identify TSCM cell induction regulators and acquire more TSCM cells as resource cells during production and after infusion to improve antitumoral efficacy. Recently, four common cytokine receptor γ chain (γc) family cytokines, encompassing interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21, have been widely used in the development of long-lived adoptively transferred TSCM in vitro. However, challenges, including their non-specific toxicities and off-target effects, have led to substantial efforts for the development of engineered versions to unleash their full potential in the induction and maintenance of T cell stemness in ACT. In this review, we summarize the roles of the four γc family cytokines in the orchestration of adoptively transferred T cell stemness, introduce their engineered versions that modulate TSCM cell formation and demonstrate the potential of their various combinations. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Luo
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjian Gong
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuewen Zhang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huayi Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yong Fang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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16
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Smith EL. The Future of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2023; 37:1215-1219. [PMID: 37442674 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2023.06.005] [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] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 10 years CAR T cell therapies have been shown to be transformative for B- and plasma-cell malignancies, however the field is only beginning to realize the potential benefit to patients of such therapies. Over the next 10 years it is expected that advances will be made in durable response rates for patients with B/plasma cell malignancies; expansion to T-cell, myeloid, and solid malignancies; and in delivery and manufacturing to transform the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Smith
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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17
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Annapragada A, Sikora AG, Marathe H, Liu S, Demetriou M, Fong L, Gao J, Kufe D, Morris ZS, Vilar E, Sharon E, Hutson A, Odunsi K. The Cancer Moonshot Immuno-Oncology Translational Network at 5: accelerating cancer immunotherapies. J Natl Cancer Inst 2023; 115:1262-1270. [PMID: 37572314 PMCID: PMC10637038 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Immuno-Oncology Translational Network (IOTN) was established in 2018 as part of the Cancer Moonshot. In 2022, President Joe Biden set new goals to reduce the cancer death rate by half within 25 years and improve the lives of people with cancer and cancer survivors. The IOTN is focused on accelerating translation of cancer immunology research, from bench to bedside, and improving immunotherapy outcomes across a wide array of cancers in the adult population. The unique structure and team science approach of the IOTN is designed to accelerate discovery and evaluation of novel immune-based therapeutic and prevention strategies. In this article, we describe IOTN progress to date, including new initiatives and the development of a robust set of resources to advance cancer immunology research. We summarize new insights by IOTN researchers, some of which are ripe for translation for several types of cancers. Looking to the future, we identify barriers to the translation of immuno-oncology concepts into clinical trials and key areas for action and improvements that are suitable for high-yield investments. Based on these experiences, we recommend novel National Institutes of Health funding mechanisms and development of new resources to address these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananth Annapragada
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew G Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Himangi Marathe
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael Demetriou
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lawrence Fong
- Department Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jinming Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary S Morris
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Eduardo Vilar
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elad Sharon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan Hutson
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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18
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Makri Pistikou AM, Cremers GAO, Nathalia BL, Meuleman TJ, Bögels BWA, Eijkens BV, de Dreu A, Bezembinder MTH, Stassen OMJA, Bouten CCV, Merkx M, Jerala R, de Greef TFA. Engineering a scalable and orthogonal platform for synthetic communication in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7001. [PMID: 37919273 PMCID: PMC10622552 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42810-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The rational design and implementation of synthetic mammalian communication systems can unravel fundamental design principles of cell communication circuits and offer a framework for engineering of designer cell consortia with potential applications in cell therapeutics. Here, we develop the foundations of an orthogonal, and scalable mammalian synthetic communication platform that exploits the programmability of synthetic receptors and selective affinity and tunability of diffusing coiled-coil peptides. Leveraging the ability of coiled-coils to exclusively bind to a cognate receptor, we demonstrate orthogonal receptor activation and Boolean logic operations at the receptor level. We show intercellular communication based on synthetic receptors and secreted multidomain coiled-coils and demonstrate a three-cell population system that can perform AND gate logic. Finally, we show CC-GEMS receptor-dependent therapeutic protein expression. Our work provides a modular and scalable framework for the engineering of complex cell consortia, with the potential to expand the aptitude of cell therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Makri Pistikou
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Glenn A O Cremers
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bryan L Nathalia
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Theodorus J Meuleman
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Center for Living Technologies, Eindhoven-Wageningen-Utrecht Alliance, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bas W A Bögels
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno V Eijkens
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anne de Dreu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten T H Bezembinder
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar M J A Stassen
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn C V Bouten
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Merkx
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tom F A de Greef
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Center for Living Technologies, Eindhoven-Wageningen-Utrecht Alliance, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
T cells can acquire a broad spectrum of differentiation states following activation. At the extreme ends of this continuum are short-lived cells equipped with effector machinery and more quiescent, long-lived cells with heightened proliferative potential and stem cell-like developmental plasticity. The latter encompass stem-like exhausted T cells and memory T cells, both of which have recently emerged as key determinants of cancer immunity and response to immunotherapy. Here, we discuss key similarities and differences in the regulation and function of stem-like exhausted CD8+ T cells and memory CD8+ T cells, and consider their context-specific contributions to protective immunity in diverse outcomes of cancer, including tumour escape, long-term control and eradication. Finally, we emphasize how recent advances in the understanding of the molecular regulation of stem-like exhausted T cells and memory T cells are being explored for clinical benefit in cancer immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibition, adoptive cell therapy and vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gebhardt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Simone L Park
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ian A Parish
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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20
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Tang L, Pan S, Wei X, Xu X, Wei Q. Arming CAR-T cells with cytokines and more: Innovations in the fourth-generation CAR-T development. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3146-3162. [PMID: 37803832 PMCID: PMC10638038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy has shown great potential in tumor treatment. However, many factors impair the efficacy of CAR-T therapy, such as antigenic heterogeneity and loss, limited potency and persistence, poor infiltration capacity, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome these obstacles, recent studies have reported a new generation of CAR-T cells expressing cytokines called armored CAR-T, TRUCK-T, or the fourth-generation CAR-T. Here we summarize the strategies of arming CAR-T cells with natural or synthetic cytokine signals to enhance their anti-tumor capacity. Moreover, we summarize the advances in CAR-T cells expressing non-cytokine proteins, such as membrane receptors, antibodies, enzymes, co-stimulatory molecules, and transcriptional factors. Furthermore, we discuss several prospective strategies for armored CAR-T therapy development. Altogether, these ideas may provide new insights for the innovations of the next-generation CAR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Sheng Pan
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Qiang Wei
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
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21
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Wei J, Lin X, Han W. Optimized collaboration of the first and third signals endows robust activity to T cells within the immunocompetent tumor microenvironment. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1393-1394. [PMID: 37308558 PMCID: PMC10616268 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01050-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jianshu Wei
- Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, 102206, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, 102206, Beijing, China.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, 100084, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, China.
| | - Weidong Han
- Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, 102206, Beijing, China.
- Department of Biotherapy, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100853, Beijing, China.
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22
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Orcutt-Jahns B, Emmel PC, Snyder EM, Taylor SD, Meyer AS. Multivalent, asymmetric IL-2-Fc fusions show enhanced selectivity for regulatory T cells. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadg0699. [PMID: 37847758 PMCID: PMC10658882 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adg0699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) has the potential to treat autoimmune disease but is limited by its modest specificity toward immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells. IL-2 receptors consist of combinations of α, β, and γ chains of variable affinity and cell specificity. Engineering IL-2 to treat autoimmunity has primarily focused on retaining binding to the relatively Treg-selective, high-affinity receptor while reducing binding to the less selective, low-affinity receptor. However, we found that refining the designs to focus on targeting the high-affinity receptor through avidity effects is key to optimizing Treg selectivity. We profiled the dynamics and dose dependency of signaling responses in primary human immune cells induced by engineered fusions composed of either wild-type IL-2 or mutant forms with altered affinity, valency, and fusion to the antibody Fc region for stability. Treg selectivity and signaling response variations were explained by a model of multivalent binding and dimer-enhanced avidity-a combined measure of the strength, number, and conformation of interaction sites-from which we designed tetravalent IL-2-Fc fusions that had greater Treg selectivity in culture than do current designs. Biasing avidity toward IL2Rα with an asymmetrical multivalent design consisting of one α/β chain-binding and one α chain-binding mutant further enhanced Treg selectivity. Comparative analysis revealed that IL2Rα was the optimal cell surface target for Treg selectivity, indicating that avidity for IL2Rα may be the optimal route to producing IL-2 variants that selectively target Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Orcutt-Jahns
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Peter C. Emmel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eli M. Snyder
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Scott D. Taylor
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aaron S. Meyer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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23
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Qiao YL, Zhu MW, Xu S, Jiao WE, Ni HF, Tao ZZ, Chen SM. Allergen-induced CD11c + dendritic cell pyroptosis aggravates allergic rhinitis. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:281. [PMID: 37817225 PMCID: PMC10566027 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01309-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyroptosis is crucial for controlling various immune cells. However, the role of allergen-induced CD11c + dendritic cell (DC) pyroptosis in allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear. METHODS Mice were grouped into the control group, AR group and necrosulfonamide-treated AR group (AR + NSA group). The allergic symptom scores, OVA-sIgE titres, serum IL-1β/IL-18 levels, histopathological characteristics and T-helper cell-related cytokines were evaluated. CD11c/GSDMD-N-positive cells were examined by immunofluorescence analysis. Murine CD11c + bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) were induced in vitro, stimulated with OVA/HDM, treated with necrosulfonamide (NSA), and further cocultured with lymphocytes to assess BMDC function. An adoptive transfer murine model was used to study the role of BMDC pyroptosis in allergic rhinitis. RESULTS Inhibiting GSDMD-N-mediated pyroptosis markedly protected against Th1/Th2/Th17 imbalance and alleviated inflammatory responses in the AR model. GSDMD-N was mainly coexpressed with CD11c (a DC marker) in AR mice. In vitro, OVA/HDM stimulation increased pyroptotic morphological abnormalities and increased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in a dose-dependent manner; moreover, inhibiting pyroptosis significantly decreased pyroptotic morphology and NLRP3, C-Caspase1 and GSDMD-N expression. In addition, OVA-induced BMDC pyroptosis affected CD4 + T-cell differentiation and related cytokine levels, leading to Th1/Th2/Th17 cell imbalance. However, the Th1/Th2/Th17 cell immune imbalance was significantly reversed by NSA. Adoptive transfer of OVA-loaded BMDCs promoted allergic inflammation, while the administration of NSA to OVA-loaded BMDCs significantly reduced AR inflammation. CONCLUSION Allergen-induced dendritic cell pyroptosis promotes the development of allergic rhinitis through GSDMD-N-mediated pyroptosis, which provides a clue to allergic disease interventions. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Long Qiao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Wan Zhu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Shan Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Wo-Er Jiao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Feng Ni
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, P.R. China
| | - Ze-Zhang Tao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Institute of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.
| | - Shi-Ming Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Institute of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.
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24
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Singh N, Maus MV. Synthetic manipulation of the cancer-immunity cycle: CAR-T cell therapy. Immunity 2023; 56:2296-2310. [PMID: 37820585 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic immunity to cancer has been pioneered by the application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering into autologous T cells. CAR T cell therapy is highly amenable to molecular engineering to bypass barriers of the cancer immunity cycle, such as endogenous antigen presentation, immune priming, and natural checkpoints that constrain immune responses. Here, we review CAR T cell design and the mechanisms that drive sustained CAR T cell effector activity and anti-tumor function. We discuss engineering approaches aimed at improving anti-tumor function through a variety of mechanistic interventions for both hematologic and solid tumors. The ability to engineer T cells in such a variety of ways, including by modifying their trafficking, antigen recognition, costimulation, and addition of synthetic genes, circuits, knockouts and base edits to finely tune complex functions, is arguably the most powerful way to manipulate the cancer immunity cycle in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Singh
- Division of Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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25
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Leonard WJ, Lin JX. Strategies to therapeutically modulate cytokine action. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:827-854. [PMID: 37542128 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are secreted or membrane-presented molecules that mediate broad cellular functions, including development, differentiation, growth and survival. Accordingly, the regulation of cytokine activity is extraordinarily important both physiologically and pathologically. Cytokine and/or cytokine receptor engineering is being widely investigated to safely and effectively modulate cytokine activity for therapeutic benefit. IL-2 in particular has been extensively engineered, to create IL-2 variants that differentially exhibit activities on regulatory T cells to potentially treat autoimmune disease versus effector T cells to augment antitumour effects. Additionally, engineering approaches are being applied to many other cytokines such as IL-10, interferons and IL-1 family cytokines, given their immunosuppressive and/or antiviral and anticancer effects. In modulating the actions of cytokines, the strategies used have been broad, including altering affinities of cytokines for their receptors, prolonging cytokine half-lives in vivo and fine-tuning cytokine actions. The field is rapidly expanding, with extensive efforts to create improved therapeutics for a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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26
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He S, Zhang H, Yin S, Hao X, Yang Y, Shang S. Characterization of chicken interleukin-9 receptor alpha chain. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102965. [PMID: 37562135 PMCID: PMC10432844 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102965] [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: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-9 receptor alpha chain (IL-9Rα) is the ligand-binding subunit of IL-9R that plays roles in IL-9-mediated allergy, inflammation, infection, and tumor immunity. While mammalian IL-9Rαs have been extensively investigated, avian IL-9Rα has not yet been identified and characterized. In this study, we cloned chicken IL-9Rα (chIL-9Rα) and performed a phylogenetic analysis, analyzed its tissue distribution, characterized the expression form of natural chIL-9Rα. Phylogenetic analysis showed that chIL-9Rα has less than 25% amino acid homology with mammalian IL-9Rαs. The chIL-9Rα mRNA was abundantly detected only in heart and mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, 4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against chIL-9Rα were generated using prokaryotic recombinant chIL-9Rα (rchIL-9Rα). Using anti-chIL-9Rα mAbs, natural chIL-9Rα expressed on the splenocytes of chickens was observed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and its molecular weight of 51 kDa was identified by Western blotting. Overall, our study reveals for the first time the presence of IL-9Rα in birds, and provides immunological tools for further investigating the roles of chIL-9 in diseases and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangjiang He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Huining Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shi Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiaoli Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shaobin Shang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; International Corporation Laboratory of Agriculture and Agricultural Products Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
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27
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Zheng C, Zhong Q, Yi K, Kong H, Cao F, Zhuo C, Xu Y, Shi R, Ju E, Song W, Tao Y, Chen X, Li M. Anti-phagocytosis-blocking repolarization-resistant membrane-fusogenic liposome (ARMFUL) for adoptive cell immunotherapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh2413. [PMID: 37556535 PMCID: PMC10411906 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Equipping multiple functionalities on adoptive effector cells is essential to overcome the complex immunological barriers in solid tumors for superior antitumor efficacy. However, current cell engineering technologies cannot endow these functionalities to cells within a single step because of the different spatial distributions of targets in one cell. Here, we present a core-shell anti-phagocytosis-blocking repolarization-resistant membrane-fusogenic liposome (ARMFUL) to achieve one-step multiplexing cell engineering for multifunctional cell construction. Through fusing with the M1 macrophage membrane, ARMFUL inserts an anti-CD47 (aCD47)-modified lipid shell onto the surface and simultaneously delivers colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor BLZ945-loaded core into the cytoplasm. The surface-presenting aCD47 boosts macrophage's phagocytosis against the tumor by blocking CD47. The cytoplasm-located BLZ945 prompts its polarization resistance to M2 phenotype in the immunosuppressive microenvironment via inactivating the intracellular M2 polarization signaling pathway. This ARMFUL provides a versatile cell engineering platform to customize multimodal cellular functions for enhanced adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiong Zheng
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Qingguo Zhong
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ke Yi
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Huimin Kong
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Fangfang Cao
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Chenya Zhuo
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yanteng Xu
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Run Shi
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Enguo Ju
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Wantong Song
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Yu Tao
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Mingqiang Li
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Center for Nanomedicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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28
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Lin RJ, Sutton J, Bentley T, Vargas-Inchaustegui DA, Nguyen D, Cheng HY, Yoon H, Van Blarcom TJ, Sasu BJ, Panowski SH, Sommer C. Constitutive Turbodomains enhance expansion and antitumor activity of allogeneic BCMA CAR T cells in preclinical models. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg8694. [PMID: 37540748 PMCID: PMC10403208 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The magnitude of CAR T cell expansion has been associated with clinical efficacy. Although cytokines can augment CAR T cell proliferation, systemically administered cytokines can result in toxicities. To gain the benefits of cytokine signaling while mitigating toxicities, we designed constitutively active synthetic cytokine receptor chimeras (constitutive Turbodomains) that signal in a CAR T cell-specific manner. The modular design of Turbodomains enables diverse cytokine signaling outputs from a single homodimeric receptor chimera and allows multiplexing of different cytokine signals. Turbodomains containing an IL-2/15Rβ-derived signaling domain closely mimicked IL-15 signaling and enhanced CAR T cell potency. Allogeneic TurboCAR T cells targeting BCMA showed no evidence of aberrant proliferation yet displayed enhanced expansion and antitumor activity, prolonging survival and preventing extramedullary relapses in mouse models. These results illustrate the potential of constitutive Turbodomains to achieve selective potentiation of CAR T cells and demonstrate the safety and efficacy of allogeneic BCMA TurboCAR T cells, supporting clinical evaluation in multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina J. Lin
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Janette Sutton
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Trevor Bentley
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Duy Nguyen
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hsin-Yuan Cheng
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hayung Yoon
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Barbra J. Sasu
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Siler H. Panowski
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Cesar Sommer
- Allogene Therapeutics Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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29
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Zhu I, Piraner DI, Roybal KT. Synthesizing a Smarter CAR T Cell: Advanced Engineering of T-cell Immunotherapies. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1030-1043. [PMID: 37429007 PMCID: PMC10527511 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0962] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The immune system includes an array of specialized cells that keep us healthy by responding to pathogenic cues. Investigations into the mechanisms behind immune cell behavior have led to the development of powerful immunotherapies, including chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Although CAR T cells have demonstrated efficacy in treating blood cancers, issues regarding their safety and potency have hindered the use of immunotherapies in a wider spectrum of diseases. Efforts to integrate developments in synthetic biology into immunotherapy have led to several advancements with the potential to expand the range of treatable diseases, fine-tune the desired immune response, and improve therapeutic cell potency. Here, we examine current synthetic biology advances that aim to improve on existing technologies and discuss the promise of the next generation of engineered immune cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iowis Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Dan I. Piraner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Kole T. Roybal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA 8Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone UCSF Institute for Genetic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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30
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Brightman SE, Becker A, Thota RR, Naradikian MS, Chihab L, Zavala KS, Ramamoorthy Premlal AL, Griswold RQ, Dolina JS, Cohen EEW, Miller AM, Peters B, Schoenberger SP. Neoantigen-specific stem cell memory-like CD4 + T cells mediate CD8 + T cell-dependent immunotherapy of MHC class II-negative solid tumors. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1345-1357. [PMID: 37400675 PMCID: PMC10382322 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01543-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play key roles in a range of immune responses, either as direct effectors or through accessory cells, including CD8+ T lymphocytes. In cancer, neoantigen (NeoAg)-specific CD8+ T cells capable of direct tumor recognition have been extensively studied, whereas the role of NeoAg-specific CD4+ T cells is less well understood. We have characterized the murine CD4+ T cell response against a validated NeoAg (CLTCH129>Q) expressed by the MHC-II-deficient squamous cell carcinoma tumor model (SCC VII) at the level of single T cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes and in the setting of adoptive immunotherapy. We find that the natural CLTCH129>Q-specific repertoire is diverse and contains TCRs with distinct avidities as measured by tetramer-binding assays and CD4 dependence. Despite these differences, CD4+ T cells expressing high or moderate avidity TCRs undergo comparable in vivo proliferation to cross-presented antigen from growing tumors and drive similar levels of therapeutic immunity that is dependent on CD8+ T cells and CD40L signaling. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) with NeoAg-specific CD4+ T cells is most effective when TCR-engineered cells are differentiated ex vivo with IL-7 and IL-15 rather than IL-2 and this was associated with both increased expansion as well as the acquisition and stable maintenance of a T stem cell memory (TSCM)-like phenotype in tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs). ACT with TSCM-like CD4+ T cells results in lower PD-1 expression by CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment and an increased frequency of PD-1+CD8+ T cells in tdLNs. These findings illuminate the role of NeoAg-specific CD4+ T cells in mediating antitumor immunity via providing help to CD8+ T cells and highlight their therapeutic potential in ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer E Brightman
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Angelica Becker
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rukman R Thota
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Martin S Naradikian
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leila Chihab
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karla Soria Zavala
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Ryan Q Griswold
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joseph S Dolina
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ezra E W Cohen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aaron M Miller
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stephen P Schoenberger
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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31
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Li J, Zhou W, Li D, Huang Y, Yang X, Jiang L, Hu X, Yang J, Fu M, Zhang M, Wang F, Li J, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Yan F, Gao H, Wang W. Co-infusion of CAR T cells with aAPCs expressing chemokines and costimulatory ligands enhances the anti-tumor efficacy in mice. Cancer Lett 2023:216287. [PMID: 37392990 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cell therapy has shown curable efficacy for treating hematological malignancies, while in solid tumors, the immunosuppressive microenvironment causes poor activation, expansion and survival of CAR-T cells, accounting mainly for the unsatisfactory efficacy. The artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) have been used for ex vivo expansion and manufacturing of CAR-T cells. Here, we constructed a K562 cell-based aAPCs expressing human epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), chemokines (CCL19 and CCL21) and co-stimulatory molecular ligands (CD80 and 4-1BBL). Our data demonstrated that the novel aAPCs enhanced the expansion, and increased the immune memory phenotype and cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells recognizing EpCAM, in vitro. Of note, co-infusion CAR-T and aAPC enhances the infiltration of CAR-T cells in solid tumors, which has certain potential for the treatment of solid tumors Moreover, IL-2-9-21, a cytokine cocktail, prevents CAR-T cells from entering the state of exhaustion prematurely following continuous antigen engagement and boosts the anti-tumor activity of CAR-T cells co-infused with aAPCs. These data provide a new strategy to enhance the therapeutic potential of CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Weilin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yong Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiaoyi Hu
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Jinrong Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Department of Hematology, Hematology Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Maorong Fu
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Mengxi Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Fengling Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jiaqian Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yalan Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yuening Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Feiyang Yan
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Haozhan Gao
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China.
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32
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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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33
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Hecht JR, Mitchell J, Morelli MP, Anandappa G, Yang JC. Next-Generation Approaches to Immuno-Oncology in GI Cancers. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2023; 43:e389072. [PMID: 37290032 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_389072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has only had a modest impact on the treatment of advanced GI malignancies. Microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the most common GI tumors, have not benefited from treatment with standard immune checkpoint inhibitors. With this huge unmet need, multiple approaches are being tried to overcome barriers to better anticancer outcomes. This article reviews a number of novel approaches to immunotherapy for these tumors. These include the use of novel checkpoint inhibitors such as a modified anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 antibody and antibodies to lymphocyte-activation gene 3, T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains, T-cell immunoglobulin-3, CD47, and combinations with signal transduction inhibitors. We will discuss other trials that aim to elicit an antitumor T-cell response using cancer vaccines and oncolytic viruses. Finally, we review attempts to replicate in GI cancers the frequent and durable responses seen in hematologic malignancies with immune cell therapies.
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34
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Harrer DC, Bezler V, Hartley J, Herr W, Abken H. IRF4 downregulation improves sensitivity and endurance of CAR T cell functional capacities. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1185618. [PMID: 37287982 PMCID: PMC10243527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1185618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells can induce complete remissions in patients with advanced hematological malignancies. Nevertheless, the efficacy is mostly transient and remains so far poor in the treatment of solid tumors. Crucial barriers to long-term CAR T cell success encompass loss of functional capacities known as "exhaustion", among others. To extend CAR T cell functionality, we reduced interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) levels in CAR T cells using a one-vector system encoding a specific short-hairpin (sh) RNA along with constitutive CAR expression. At baseline, CAR T cells with downregulated IRF4 showed equal cytotoxicity and cytokine release compared to conventional CAR T cells. However, under conditions of repetitive antigen encounter, IRF4low CAR T cells displayed enhanced functionality with superior cancer cell control in the long-term compared with conventional CAR T cells. Mechanistically, the downregulation of IRF4 in CAR T cells resulted in prolonged functional capacities and upregulation of CD27. Moreover, IRF4low CAR T cells were more sensitive to cancer cells with low levels of target antigen. Overall, IRF4 downregulation capacitates CAR T cells to recognize and respond to target cells with improved sensitivity and endurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Dept. Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic III Internal Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Valerie Bezler
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jordan Hartley
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Dept. Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic III Internal Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
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35
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Zhang J, Lei F, Tan H. The development of CD8 T-cell exhaustion heterogeneity and the therapeutic potentials in cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166128. [PMID: 37275913 PMCID: PMC10232978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166128] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are essential lymphocytes with cytotoxic properties for antitumor immunotherapy. However, during chronic infection or tumorigenesis, these cells often become dysfunctional with a gradually depleted ability to release cytokines and the exhibition of reduced cytotoxicity, the state referred to as "T-cell exhaustion" (Tex). This unique state was characterized by the increasing expression of inhibitory checkpoint receptors, and interventions targeting immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) have been considered as a promising strategy to stimulate T-cell killing. Recent investigations have demonstrated that exhausted T cells not only display functional, metabolic, transcriptional, and epigenetic differences but also comprise a heterogeneous group of cells. In this review, we summarize the current findings on dynamic differentiation process during Tex heterogeneity development in cancer and chronic infection. We discuss how the responses to immunotherapy are determined by these distinct subsets and highlight prospective approaches for improving the efficacy of ICB therapy for cancer by leveraging the heterogeneity of T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Zhang
- Department of Basic Research, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Lei
- Lab of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Huabing Tan
- Lab of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
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36
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Niu A, Zou J, Hu X, Zhang Z, Su L, Wang J, Lu X, Zhang W, Chen W, Zhang X. Differences in the phenotypes and transcriptomic signatures of chimeric antigen receptor T lymphocytes manufactured via electroporation or lentiviral transfection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1068625. [PMID: 37228617 PMCID: PMC10203401 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1068625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is an innovative treatment for CD19-expressing lymphomas. CAR-T cells are primarily manufactured via lentivirus transfection or transposon electroporation. While anti-tumor efficacy comparisons between the two methods have been conducted, there is a current dearth of studies investigating the phenotypes and transcriptome alterations induced in T cells by the two distinct manufacturing methods. Here, we established CAR-T signatures using fluorescent imaging, flow cytometry, and RNA-sequencing. A small fraction of CAR-T cells that were produced using the PiggyBac transposon (PB CAR-T cells) exhibited much higher expression of CAR than those produced using a lentivirus (Lenti CAR-T cells). PB and Lenti CAR-T cells contained more cytotoxic T cell subsets than control T cells, and Lenti CAR-T cells presented a more pronounced memory phenotype. RNA-sequencing further revealed vast disparities between the two CAR-T cell groups, with PB CAR-T cells exhibiting greater upregulation of cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors. Intriguingly, PB CAR-T cells singularly expressed IL-9 and fewer cytokine release syndrome-associated cytokines when activated by target cells. In addition, PB CAR-T cells exerted faster in vitro cytotoxicity against CD19-expressing K562 cells but similar in vivo anti-tumor efficacy with Lenti CAR-T. Taken together, these data provide insights into the phenotypic alterations induced by lentiviral transfection or transposon electroporation and will attract more attention to the clinical influence of different manufacturing procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Niu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Jintao Zou
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Hu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyu Su
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Lu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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37
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Corria-Osorio J, Carmona SJ, Stefanidis E, Andreatta M, Ortiz-Miranda Y, Muller T, Rota IA, Crespo I, Seijo B, Castro W, Jimenez-Luna C, Scarpellino L, Ronet C, Spill A, Lanitis E, Romero P, Luther SA, Irving M, Coukos G. Orthogonal cytokine engineering enables novel synthetic effector states escaping canonical exhaustion in tumor-rejecting CD8 + T cells. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:869-883. [PMID: 37081150 PMCID: PMC10154250 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01477-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
To date, no immunotherapy approaches have managed to fully overcome T-cell exhaustion, which remains a mandatory fate for chronically activated effector cells and a major therapeutic challenge. Understanding how to reprogram CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes away from exhausted effector states remains an elusive goal. Our work provides evidence that orthogonal gene engineering of T cells to secrete an interleukin (IL)-2 variant binding the IL-2Rβγ receptor and the alarmin IL-33 reprogrammed adoptively transferred T cells to acquire a novel, synthetic effector state, which deviated from canonical exhaustion and displayed superior effector functions. These cells successfully overcame homeostatic barriers in the host and led-in the absence of lymphodepletion or exogenous cytokine support-to high levels of engraftment and tumor regression. Our work unlocks a new opportunity of rationally engineering synthetic CD8+ T-cell states endowed with the ability to avoid exhaustion and control advanced solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Corria-Osorio
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland.
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Santiago J Carmona
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Evangelos Stefanidis
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Andreatta
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yaquelin Ortiz-Miranda
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tania Muller
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ioanna A Rota
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isaac Crespo
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bili Seijo
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wilson Castro
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Jimenez-Luna
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Catherine Ronet
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aodrenn Spill
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Evripidis Lanitis
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Romero
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sanjiv A Luther
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - George Coukos
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne; and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Epalinges, Switzerland.
- AGORA Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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38
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Gene-based delivery of immune-activating cytokines for cancer treatment. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:329-342. [PMID: 36828711 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Tumors evolve together with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and reshape it towards immunosuppression. Immunostimulating cytokines can be used to revert this state leading to effective antitumor immune responses, but their exploitation as anticancer drugs has been hampered by severe toxicity associated with systemic administration. Local, TME-targeted delivery of immune activating cytokines can deploy their antitumoral function more effectively than systemic administration while, at the same time, avoiding exposure of healthy organs and limiting toxicity. Here, we review different gene and cell therapy platforms developed for tumor-directed cytokine delivery highlighting their potential for clinical translation.
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Andreu-Sanz D, Kobold S. Role and Potential of Different T Helper Cell Subsets in Adoptive Cell Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061650. [PMID: 36980536 PMCID: PMC10046829 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061650] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Historically, CD8+ T cells have been considered the most relevant effector cells involved in the immune response against tumors and have therefore been the focus of most cancer immunotherapy approaches. However, CD4+ T cells and their secreted factors also play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment and can orchestrate both pro- and antitumoral immune responses. Depending on the cytokine milieu to which they are exposed, CD4+ T cells can differentiate into several phenotypically different subsets with very divergent effects on tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge about the role of the different T helper subsets in the immune system, with special emphasis on their implication in antitumoral immune responses. Furthermore, we also summarize therapeutic applications of each subset and its associated cytokines in the adoptive cell therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Andreu-Sanz
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Lindwurmstrasse 2a, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Lindwurmstrasse 2a, 80337 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Munich, Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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40
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Foy SP, Jacoby K, Bota DA, Hunter T, Pan Z, Stawiski E, Ma Y, Lu W, Peng S, Wang CL, Yuen B, Dalmas O, Heeringa K, Sennino B, Conroy A, Bethune MT, Mende I, White W, Kukreja M, Gunturu S, Humphrey E, Hussaini A, An D, Litterman AJ, Quach BB, Ng AHC, Lu Y, Smith C, Campbell KM, Anaya D, Skrdlant L, Huang EYH, Mendoza V, Mathur J, Dengler L, Purandare B, Moot R, Yi MC, Funke R, Sibley A, Stallings-Schmitt T, Oh DY, Chmielowski B, Abedi M, Yuan Y, Sosman JA, Lee SM, Schoenfeld AJ, Baltimore D, Heath JR, Franzusoff A, Ribas A, Rao AV, Mandl SJ. Non-viral precision T cell receptor replacement for personalized cell therapy. Nature 2023; 615:687-696. [PMID: 36356599 PMCID: PMC9768791 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05531-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
T cell receptors (TCRs) enable T cells to specifically recognize mutations in cancer cells1-3. Here we developed a clinical-grade approach based on CRISPR-Cas9 non-viral precision genome-editing to simultaneously knockout the two endogenous TCR genes TRAC (which encodes TCRα) and TRBC (which encodes TCRβ). We also inserted into the TRAC locus two chains of a neoantigen-specific TCR (neoTCR) isolated from circulating T cells of patients. The neoTCRs were isolated using a personalized library of soluble predicted neoantigen-HLA capture reagents. Sixteen patients with different refractory solid cancers received up to three distinct neoTCR transgenic cell products. Each product expressed a patient-specific neoTCR and was administered in a cell-dose-escalation, first-in-human phase I clinical trial ( NCT03970382 ). One patient had grade 1 cytokine release syndrome and one patient had grade 3 encephalitis. All participants had the expected side effects from the lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Five patients had stable disease and the other eleven had disease progression as the best response on the therapy. neoTCR transgenic T cells were detected in tumour biopsy samples after infusion at frequencies higher than the native TCRs before infusion. This study demonstrates the feasibility of isolating and cloning multiple TCRs that recognize mutational neoantigens. Moreover, simultaneous knockout of the endogenous TCR and knock-in of neoTCRs using single-step, non-viral precision genome-editing are achieved. The manufacture of neoTCR engineered T cells at clinical grade, the safety of infusing up to three gene-edited neoTCR T cell products and the ability of the transgenic T cells to traffic to the tumours of patients are also demonstrated.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Biopsy
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/adverse effects
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/methods
- Cytokine Release Syndrome/complications
- Disease Progression
- Encephalitis/complications
- Gene Editing
- Gene Knock-In Techniques
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor alpha
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta
- Mutation
- Neoplasms/complications
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Patient Safety
- Precision Medicine/adverse effects
- Precision Medicine/methods
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Transgenes/genetics
- HLA Antigens/immunology
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniela A Bota
- Department of Neurology and Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Zheng Pan
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Yan Ma
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William Lu
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ines Mende
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Duo An
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yue Lu
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chad Smith
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katie M Campbell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Roel Funke
- PACT Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David Y Oh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bartosz Chmielowski
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mehrdad Abedi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Sosman
- Department of Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Sylvia M Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adam J Schoenfeld
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Baltimore
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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41
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Labanieh L, Mackall CL. CAR immune cells: design principles, resistance and the next generation. Nature 2023; 614:635-648. [PMID: 36813894 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 145.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The remarkable clinical activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapies in B cell and plasma cell malignancies has validated the use of this therapeutic class for liquid cancers, but resistance and limited access remain as barriers to broader application. Here we review the immunobiology and design principles of current prototype CARs and present emerging platforms that are anticipated to drive future clinical advances. The field is witnessing a rapid expansion of next-generation CAR immune cell technologies designed to enhance efficacy, safety and access. Substantial progress has been made in augmenting immune cell fitness, activating endogenous immunity, arming cells to resist suppression via the tumour microenvironment and developing approaches to modulate antigen density thresholds. Increasingly sophisticated multispecific, logic-gated and regulatable CARs display the potential to overcome resistance and increase safety. Early signs of progress with stealth, virus-free and in vivo gene delivery platforms provide potential paths for reduced costs and increased access of cell therapies in the future. The continuing clinical success of CAR T cells in liquid cancers is driving the development of increasingly sophisticated immune cell therapies that are poised to translate to treatments for solid cancers and non-malignant diseases in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louai Labanieh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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42
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Qin YT, Li YP, He XW, Wang X, Li WY, Zhang YK. Biomaterials promote in vivo generation and immunotherapy of CAR-T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1165576. [PMID: 37153571 PMCID: PMC10157406 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1165576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy based on functional immune cell transfer is showing a booming situation. However, complex manufacturing processes, high costs, and disappointing results in the treatment of solid tumors have limited its use. Encouragingly, it has facilitated the development of new strategies that fuse immunology, cell biology, and biomaterials to overcome these obstacles. In recent years, CAR-T engineering assisted by properly designed biomaterials has improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects, providing a sustainable strategy for improving cancer immunotherapy. At the same time, the low cost and diversity of biomaterials also offer the possibility of industrial production and commercialization. Here, we summarize the role of biomaterials as gene delivery vehicles in the generation of CAR-T cells and highlight the advantages of in-situ construction in vivo. Then, we focused on how biomaterials can be combined with CAR-T cells to better enable synergistic immunotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors. Finally, we describe biomaterials' potential challenges and prospects in CAR-T therapy. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of biomaterial-based CAR-T tumor immunotherapy to help investigators reference and customize biomaterials for CAR-T therapy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Qin
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ya-Ping Li
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi-Wen He
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xi Wang, ; Wen-You Li,
| | - Wen-You Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xi Wang, ; Wen-You Li,
| | - Yu-Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- National Chromatographic Research and Analysis Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
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43
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Cancer immunotherapy with CAR T cells: well-trodden paths and journey along lesser-known routes. Radiol Oncol 2022; 56:409-419. [PMID: 36503716 PMCID: PMC9784369 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2022-0049] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a clinically approved cancer immunotherapy approach using genetically engineered T cells. The success of CAR T cells has been met with challenges regarding efficacy and safety. Although a broad spectrum of CAR T cell variants and applications is emerging, this review focuses on CAR T cells for the treatment of cancer. In the first part, the general principles of adoptive cell transfer, the architecture of the CAR molecule, and the effects of design on function are presented. The second part describes five conceptual challenges that hinder the success of CAR T cells; immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, T cell intrinsic properties, tumour targeting, manufacturing cellular product, and immune-related adverse events. Throughout the review, selected current approaches to address these issues are presented. CONCLUSIONS Cancer immunotherapy with CAR T cells represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of certain blood cancers that do not respond to other available treatment options. Well-trodden paths taken by pioneers led to the first clinical approval, and now the journey continues down lesser-known paths to treat a variety of cancers and other serious diseases with CAR T cells.
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44
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Abstract
Immune cells are being engineered to recognize and respond to disease states, acting as a "living drug" when transferred into patients. Therapies based on engineered immune cells are now a clinical reality, with multiple engineered T cell therapies approved for treatment of hematologic malignancies. Ongoing preclinical and clinical studies are testing diverse strategies to modify the fate and function of immune cells for applications in cancer, infectious disease, and beyond. Here, we discuss current progress in treating human disease with immune cell therapeutics, emerging strategies for immune cell engineering, and challenges facing the field, with a particular emphasis on the treatment of cancer, where the most effort has been applied to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell J. Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V. Maus
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - David J. Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, U.S.A
| | - Wilson W. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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45
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Kishton RJ, Restifo NP. Fine-tuning T cell function through engineered orthogonal chimeric cytokine receptors. Cell Res 2022; 32:967-968. [PMID: 36002586 PMCID: PMC9652410 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00715-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rigel J Kishton
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Nicholas P Restifo
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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46
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Cancer Resistance to Immunotherapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Tackling Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810906. [PMID: 36142818 PMCID: PMC9513751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810906] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has fundamentally altered cancer treatment; however, its efficacy is limited to a subset of patients in most clinical settings. The immune system plays a key role in cancer progression from tumor initiation to the metastatic state. Throughout the treatment course, communications between the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the immune macroenvironment, as well as interactions between the immune system and cancer cells, are dynamic and constantly evolving. To improve the clinical benefit for patients who do not respond completely to immunotherapy, the molecular mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy must be elucidated in order to develop effective strategies to overcome resistance. In an attempt to improve and update the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that hinder immunotherapy, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of cancer resistance to immunotherapy and the available treatment strategies.
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