1
|
Sima H, Shao W. Advancements in the design and function of bispecific CAR-T cells targeting B Cell-Associated tumor antigens. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 142:113166. [PMID: 39298818 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113166] [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: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Single-targeted CAR-T has exhibited notable success in treating B-cell tumors, effectively improving patient outcomes. However, the recurrence rate among patients remains above fifty percent, primarily attributed to antigen escape and the diminished immune persistence of CAR-T cells. Over recent years, there has been a surge of interest in bispecific CAR-T cell therapies, marked by an increasing number of research articles and clinical applications annually. This paper undertakes a comprehensive review of influential studies on the design of bispecific CAR-T in recent years, examining their impact on bispecific CAR-T efficacy concerning disease classification, targeted antigens, and CAR design. Notable distinctions in antigen targeting within B-ALL, NHL, and MM are explored, along with an analysis of how CAR scFv, transmembrane region, hinge region, and co-stimulatory region design influence Bi-CAR-T efficacy across different tumors. The summary provided aims to serve as a reference for designing novel and improved CAR-Ts, facilitating more efficient treatment for B-cell malignant tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helin Sima
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenwei Shao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Medical School of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Diop MP, van der Stegen SJC. The Pluripotent path to immunotherapy. Exp Hematol 2024:104648. [PMID: 39251182 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) enhances the patient's own immune cells' ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells. Several immune cell types are currently being applied in autologous ACT, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages. The cells' inherent antitumor capacity can be used, or they can be targeted toward tumor-associated antigen through expression of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Although CAR-based ACT has achieved great results in hematologic malignancies, the accessibility of ACT is limited by the autologous nature of the therapy. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold the potential to address this challenge, because they can provide an unlimited source for the in vitro generation of immune cells. Various immune subsets have been generated from iPSC for the application in ACT, including several T-cell subsets (αβT cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, invariant NKT [iNKT] cells, and γδT cells), as well as NK cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. iPSC-derived αβT, NK, and iNKT cells are currently being tested in phase I clinical trials. The ability to perform (multiplexed) gene editing at the iPSC level and subsequent differentiation into effector population not only expands the arsenal of ACT but allows for development of ACT utilizing cell types which cannot be efficiently obtained from peripheral blood or engineered and expanded in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mame P Diop
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhu S. CAR-T in cancer therapeutics and updates. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2024; 4:189-194. [PMID: 39281717 PMCID: PMC11402450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in cancer treatment, utilizing the immune system's capabilities to combat malignancies. This innovative therapy involves extracting T-cells from a patient's blood, genetically modifying them to target specific cancer cells, and reinfusing them back into the patient's body. The genetically modified T-cells then seek out and eliminate cancer cells, offering a promising therapeutic strategy. Since its initial approval in 2017, CAR-T therapy has witnessed remarkable advancements and updates. Notably, CAR-T therapy, which was initially developed for hematological malignancies, has expanded its scope to target solid tumors. Currently, clinical trials are underway to explore the efficacy of CAR-T therapy in treating various solid tumors, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. These trials hold great potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and provide new hope to patients with challenging-to-treat solid tumors. In this mini-review, we present an overview of CAR-T therapy's mechanisms, emphasizing its role in targeting cancer cells and the potential therapeutic benefits. Additionally, we discuss the recent progress and updates in CAR-T therapy, particularly its application in treating solid tumors, and highlight the ongoing clinical trials aimed at broadening its therapeutic horizon. The evolving landscape of CAR-T therapy signifies a promising direction in cancer therapeutics, with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of both hematological and solid tumor malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shigui Zhu
- Cellular Biomedical Group, Inc., Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pouxvielh K, Marotel M, Drouillard A, Villard M, Moreews M, Bossan A, Poiget M, Khoryati L, Benezech S, Fallone L, Hamada S, Rousseaux N, Picq L, Rocca Y, Berton A, Teixeira M, Mathieu AL, Ainouze M, Hasan U, Fournier A, Thaunat O, Marçais A, Walzer T. Tumor-induced natural killer cell dysfunction is a rapid and reversible process uncoupled from the expression of immune checkpoints. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn0164. [PMID: 39196934 PMCID: PMC11352832 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells often become dysfunctional during tumor progression, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotype remain unclear. To explore this phenomenon, we set up mouse lymphoma models activating or not activating NK cells. Both tumor types elicited type I interferon production, leading to the expression of a T cell exhaustion-like signature in NK cells, which included immune checkpoint proteins (ICPs). However, NK cell dysfunction occurred exclusively in the tumor model that triggered NK cell activation. Moreover, ICP-positive NK cells demonstrated heightened reactivity compared to negative ones. Furthermore, the onset of NK cell dysfunction was swift and temporally dissociated from ICPs induction, which occurred as a later event during tumor growth. Last, NK cell responsiveness was restored when stimulation was discontinued, and interleukin-15 had a positive impact on this reversion. Therefore, our data demonstrate that the reactivity of NK cells is dynamically controlled and that NK cell dysfunction is a reversible process uncoupled from the expression of ICPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Pouxvielh
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
- Sanofi Oncology Research, Vitry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Marie Marotel
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Annabelle Drouillard
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marine Villard
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marion Moreews
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Anna Bossan
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Mathilde Poiget
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Liliane Khoryati
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Benezech
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Lucie Fallone
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Hamada
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Noémi Rousseaux
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Louis Picq
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Yamila Rocca
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Aurore Berton
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marine Teixeira
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Laure Mathieu
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Michelle Ainouze
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Uzma Hasan
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | | | - Olivier Thaunat
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Antoine Marçais
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Thierry Walzer
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Harrer DC, Eder M, Barden M, Pan H, Herr W, Abken H. Ectopic PU.1 Expression Provides Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells with Innate Cell Capacities Including IFN-β Release. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2737. [PMID: 39123467 PMCID: PMC11311516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved extraordinary success in eliminating B cell malignancies; however, so far, it has shown limited efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors, which is thought to be due to insufficient CAR T cell activation. We hypothesized that the transcription factor PU.1, a master regulator of innate cell functionality, may augment pro-inflammatory CAR T cell activation. T cells were engineered with a CEA-specific CAR together with the constitutive expression of PU.1. CAR-redirected T cell activation was recorded for canonical functionality in vitro under conditions of prolonged repetitive antigen exposure. Ectopic PU.1 expression in CAR T cells upregulated the costimulatory receptors CD40, CD80, CD86, and CD70, which, unexpectedly, did not augment effector functions but hampered the upregulation of 4-1BB, decreased IL-2 production, reduced CAR T cell proliferation, and impaired their cytotoxic capacities. Under "stress" conditions of repetitive engagement of cognate tumor cells, CAR T cells with ectopic PU.1 showed reduced persistence, and finally failed to control the growth of cancer cells. Mechanistically, PU.1 caused CAR T cells to secrete IFN-β, a cytokine known to promote CAR T cell attrition and apoptosis. Collectively, PU.1 can polarize the functional capacities of CAR T cells towards innate cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Department of Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (M.B.); (H.P.); (H.A.)
| | - Matthias Eder
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (M.B.); (H.P.); (H.A.)
| | - Markus Barden
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (M.B.); (H.P.); (H.A.)
| | - Hong Pan
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (M.B.); (H.P.); (H.A.)
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (M.B.); (H.P.); (H.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xiong D, Yu H, Sun ZJ. Unlocking T cell exhaustion: Insights and implications for CAR-T cell therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:3416-3431. [PMID: 39220881 PMCID: PMC11365448 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.04.022] [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: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy as a form of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has shown significant promise in cancer treatment, demonstrated by the FDA-approved CAR-T cell therapies targeting CD19 or B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) for hematological malignancies, albeit with moderate outcomes in solid tumors. However, despite these advancements, the efficacy of CAR-T therapy is often compromised by T cell exhaustion, a phenomenon that impedes the persistence and effector function of CAR-T cells, leading to a relapse rate of up to 75% in patients treated with CD19 or CD22 CAR-T cells for hematological malignancies. Strategies to overcome CAR-T exhaustion employ state-of-the-art genomic engineering tools and single-cell sequencing technologies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest mechanistic insights into T cell exhaustion and their implications for the current efforts to optimize CAR-T cell therapy. These insights, combined with lessons learned from benchmarking CAR-T based products in recent clinical trials, aim to address the challenges posed by T cell exhaustion, potentially setting the stage for the development of tailored next-generation approaches to cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Hubei Province Cancer Clinical Study Center, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Thomas P, Paris P, Pecqueur C. Arming Vδ2 T Cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptors to Combat Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3105-3116. [PMID: 38747974 PMCID: PMC11292201 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3495] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach in the field of cancer treatment, with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy demonstrating remarkable success. However, challenges such as tumor antigen heterogeneity, immune evasion, and the limited persistence of CAR-T cells have prompted the exploration of alternative cell types for CAR-based strategies. Gamma delta T cells, a unique subset of lymphocytes with inherent tumor recognition capabilities and versatile immune functions, have garnered increasing attention in recent years. In this review, we present how arming Vδ2-T cells might be the basis for next-generation immunotherapies against solid tumors. Following a comprehensive overview of γδ T-cell biology and innovative CAR engineering strategies, we discuss the clinical potential of Vδ2 CAR-T cells in overcoming the current limitations of immunotherapy in solid tumors. Although the applications of Vδ2 CAR-T cells in cancer research are relatively in their infancy and many challenges are yet to be identified, Vδ2 CAR-T cells represent a promising breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Thomas
- Nantes Université, CRCI2NA, INSERM, CNRS, Nantes, France
| | - Pierre Paris
- Nantes Université, CRCI2NA, INSERM, CNRS, Nantes, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Balagopalan L, Moreno T, Qin H, Angeles BC, Kondo T, Yi J, McIntire KM, Alvinez N, Pallikkuth S, Lee ME, Yamane H, Tran AD, Youkharibache P, Cachau RE, Taylor N, Samelson LE. Generation of antitumor chimeric antigen receptors incorporating T cell signaling motifs. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadp8569. [PMID: 39042728 PMCID: PMC11389647 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adp8569] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been used to successfully treat various blood cancers, but adverse effects have limited their potential. Here, we developed chimeric adaptor proteins (CAPs) and CAR tyrosine kinases (CAR-TKs) in which the intracellular ζ T cell receptor (TCRζ) chain was replaced with intracellular protein domains to stimulate signaling downstream of the TCRζ chain. CAPs contain adaptor domains and the kinase domain of ZAP70, whereas CAR-TKs contain only ZAP70 domains. We hypothesized that CAPs and CAR-TKs would be more potent than CARs because they would bypass both the steps that define the signaling threshold of TCRζ and the inhibitory regulation of upstream molecules. CAPs were too potent and exhibited high tonic signaling in vitro. In contrast, CAR-TKs exhibited high antitumor efficacy and significantly enhanced long-term tumor clearance in leukemia-bearing NSG mice as compared with the conventional CD19-28ζ-CAR-T cells. CAR-TKs were activated in a manner independent of the kinase Lck and displayed slower phosphorylation kinetics and prolonged signaling compared with the 28ζ-CAR. Lck inhibition attenuated CAR-TK cell exhaustion and improved long-term function. The distinct signaling properties of CAR-TKs may therefore be harnessed to improve the in vivo efficacy of T cells engineered to express an antitumor chimeric receptor.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Humans
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Mice
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/metabolism
- ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/genetics
- ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Phosphorylation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Balagopalan
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Taylor Moreno
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Haiying Qin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin C Angeles
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Taisuke Kondo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jason Yi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Katherine M McIntire
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Neriah Alvinez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Sandeep Pallikkuth
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Mariah E Lee
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Hidehiro Yamane
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Andy D Tran
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics (CCR Microscopy Core), National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Philippe Youkharibache
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Raul E Cachau
- Integrated Data Science Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lawrence E Samelson
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tian M, Wei JS, Cheuk ATC, Milewski D, Zhang Z, Kim YY, Chou HC, Liu C, Badr S, Pope EG, Rahmy A, Wu JT, Kelly MC, Wen X, Khan J. CAR T-cells targeting FGFR4 and CD276 simultaneously show potent antitumor effect against childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6222. [PMID: 39043633 PMCID: PMC11266617 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50251-x] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 (FGFR4), a highly expressed surface tyrosine receptor in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), are already in the clinical phase of development, but tumour heterogeneity and suboptimal activation might hamper their potency. Here we report an optimization strategy of the co-stimulatory and targeting properties of a FGFR4 CAR. We replace the CD8 hinge and transmembrane domain and the 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain with those of CD28. The resulting CARs display enhanced anti-tumor activity in several RMS xenograft models except for an aggressive tumour cell line, RMS559. By searching for a direct target of the RMS core-regulatory transcription factor MYOD1, we identify another surface protein, CD276, as a potential target. Bicistronic CARs (BiCisCAR) targeting both FGFR4 and CD276, containing two distinct co-stimulatory domains, have superior prolonged persistent and invigorated anti-tumor activities compared to the optimized FGFR4-specific CAR and the other BiCisCAR with the same 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain. Our study thus lays down the proof-of-principle for a CAR T-cell therapy targeting both FGFR4 and CD276 in RMS.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/metabolism
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/genetics
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/therapy
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/immunology
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/genetics
- Humans
- Animals
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- B7 Antigens/metabolism
- B7 Antigens/immunology
- B7 Antigens/genetics
- MyoD Protein/metabolism
- MyoD Protein/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Child
- Female
- Mice, SCID
- Mice, Inbred NOD
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meijie Tian
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jun S Wei
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Adam Tai-Chi Cheuk
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David Milewski
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zhongmei Zhang
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yong Yean Kim
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Can Liu
- Multiscale Systems Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sherif Badr
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Eleanor G Pope
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Abdelrahman Rahmy
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jerry T Wu
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Xinyu Wen
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen Q, Sun Y, Li H. Application of CAR-T cell therapy targeting mesothelin in solid tumor treatment. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:289. [PMID: 39023820 PMCID: PMC11258118 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy is one of the most effective immunotherapies. CAR-T-cell therapy has achieved great success in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, due to the characteristics of solid malignant tumors, such as on-target effects, off-tumor toxicity, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and insufficient trafficking, CAR-T-cell therapy for solid tumors is still in the exploration stage. Mesothelin (MSLN) is a molecule expressed on the surface of various solid malignant tumor cells that is suitable as a target of tumor cells with high MSLN expression for CAR-T-cell therapy. This paper briefly described the development of CAR-T cell therapy and the structural features of MSLN, and especially summarized the strategies of structure optimization of MSLN-targeting CAR-T-cells and the enhancement methods of MSLN-targeting CAR-T cell anti-tumor efficacy by summarizing some preclinical experiment and clinical trials. When considering MSLN-targeting CAR-T-cell therapy as an example, this paper summarizes the efforts made by researchers in CAR-T-cell therapy for solid tumors and summarizes feasible treatment plans by integrating the existing research results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhong Chen
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Sun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ng BD, Rajagopalan A, Kousa AI, Fischman JS, Chen S, Massa A, Elias HK, Manuele D, Galiano M, Lemarquis AL, Boardman AP, DeWolf S, Pierce J, Bogen B, James SE, van den Brink MRM. IL-18-secreting multiantigen targeting CAR T cells eliminate antigen-low myeloma in an immunocompetent mouse model. Blood 2024; 144:171-186. [PMID: 38579288 PMCID: PMC11302468 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022293] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy that is currently incurable with conventional therapies. Following the success of CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in leukemia and lymphoma, CAR T cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) more recently demonstrated impressive activity in relapsed and refractory myeloma patients. However, BCMA-directed therapy can fail due to weak expression of BCMA on myeloma cells, suggesting that novel approaches to better address this antigen-low disease may improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that engineered secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) and multiantigen targeting could improve CAR T-cell activity against BCMA-low myeloma. In a syngeneic murine model of myeloma, CAR T cells targeting the myeloma-associated antigens BCMA and B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) failed to eliminate myeloma when these antigens were weakly expressed, whereas IL-18-secreting CAR T cells targeting these antigens promoted myeloma clearance. IL-18-secreting CAR T cells developed an effector-like T-cell phenotype, promoted interferon-gamma production, reprogrammed the myeloma bone marrow microenvironment through type-I/II interferon signaling, and activated macrophages to mediate antimyeloma activity. Simultaneous targeting of weakly-expressed BCMA and BAFF-R with dual-CAR T cells enhanced T-cell:target-cell avidity, increased overall CAR signal strength, and stimulated antimyeloma activity. Dual-antigen targeting augmented CAR T-cell secretion of engineered IL-18 and facilitated elimination of larger myeloma burdens in vivo. Our results demonstrate that combination of engineered IL-18 secretion and multiantigen targeting can eliminate myeloma with weak antigen expression through distinct mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D. Ng
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Adhithi Rajagopalan
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Anastasia I. Kousa
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Jacob S. Fischman
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Immunology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sophia Chen
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Alyssa Massa
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Harold K. Elias
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dylan Manuele
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Michael Galiano
- Molecular Cytology Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Andri L. Lemarquis
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Alexander P. Boardman
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Susan DeWolf
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jonah Pierce
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | | | - Scott E. James
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Marcel R. M. van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mog BJ, Marcou N, DiNapoli SR, Pearlman AH, Nichakawade TD, Hwang MS, Douglass J, Hsiue EHC, Glavaris S, Wright KM, Konig MF, Paul S, Wyhs N, Ge J, Miller MS, Azurmendi P, Watson E, Pardoll DM, Gabelli SB, Bettegowda C, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S. Preclinical studies show that Co-STARs combine the advantages of chimeric antigen and T cell receptors for the treatment of tumors with low antigen densities. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadg7123. [PMID: 38985855 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg7123] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Two types of engineered T cells have been successfully used to treat patients with cancer, one with an antigen recognition domain derived from antibodies [chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)] and the other derived from T cell receptors (TCRs). CARs use high-affinity antigen-binding domains and costimulatory domains to induce T cell activation but can only react against target cells with relatively high amounts of antigen. TCRs have a much lower affinity for their antigens but can react against target cells displaying only a few antigen molecules. Here, we describe a new type of receptor, called a Co-STAR (for costimulatory synthetic TCR and antigen receptor), that combines aspects of both CARs and TCRs. In Co-STARs, the antigen-recognizing components of TCRs are replaced by high-affinity antibody fragments, and costimulation is provided by two modules that drive NF-κB signaling (MyD88 and CD40). Using a TCR-mimic antibody fragment that targets a recurrent p53 neoantigen presented in a common human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele, we demonstrate that T cells equipped with Co-STARs can kill cancer cells bearing low densities of antigen better than T cells engineered with conventional CARs and patient-derived TCRs in vitro. In mouse models, we show that Co-STARs mediate more robust T cell expansion and more durable tumor regressions than TCRs similarly modified with MyD88 and CD40 costimulation. Our data suggest that Co-STARs may have utility for other peptide-HLA antigens in cancer and other targets where antigen density may limit the efficacy of engineered T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Mog
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Nikita Marcou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sarah R DiNapoli
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Alexander H Pearlman
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Tushar D Nichakawade
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael S Hwang
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jacqueline Douglass
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emily Han-Chung Hsiue
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Stephanie Glavaris
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Katharine M Wright
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Maximilian F Konig
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Suman Paul
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Nicolas Wyhs
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jiaxin Ge
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Michelle S Miller
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - P Azurmendi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Evangeline Watson
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sandra B Gabelli
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nickolas Papadopoulos
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kenneth W Kinzler
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Bert Vogelstein
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shibin Zhou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Briones AC, Megino RF, Marin AV, Chacón-Arguedas D, García-Martinez E, Balastegui-Martín H, Reyburn HT, Henrickson SE, Rodríguez-Sainz C, Seoane-Reula E, Sanchez-Mateos P, Cardenas PP, Regueiro JR. Nonsense CD247 mutations show dominant-negative features in T-cell receptor expression and function. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024:S0091-6749(24)00678-X. [PMID: 38992472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.06.019] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The invariant TCR ζ/CD247 homodimer is crucial for TCR/CD3 expression and signaling through its 3 immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs). Homozygous null mutations in CD247 lead to immunodeficiency, while carriers exhibit 50% reduced surface CD3. It is unclear whether carriers of other CD247 variants show dominant-negative effects. OBJECTIVE We sought to analyze and model the potential impact on T-cell receptor (TCR) expression and function of heterozygous nonsense CD247 mutations found in patients with signs of immunodeficiency or autoimmunity. METHODS Jurkat T cells, either wild-type (WT) or CRISPR/Cas9-edited CD247-deficient (ZKO), were lentivirally transduced with WT CD247 or mutations ablating 1 (Q142X), 2 (Q101X), or 3 (Q70X) ITAMs. RESULTS Three patients from unrelated families were studied. Two heterozygous nonsense CD247 mutations were identified (p.Y152X and p.Q101X), which affected ITAM-3 and ITAM-2 and ITAM-3, respectively. Both mutations were associated with low surface CD3 expression and normal intracellular CD247 levels using a transmembrane-specific antibody, but very low intracellular CD247 levels using an ITAM-3-specific one, suggesting the presence of truncated variants in T cells. Transduction of the mutations lacking 1, 2, or 3 ITAMs into ZKO cells could not restore normal surface CD3 expression (only 60%, 22%, and 10%, respectively), whereas in WT cells, normal surface CD3 expression was reduced (to 39%, 19%, and 9% of normal levels), and both effects were dependent on ITAM number. All 6 transfectants showed reduced CD69 induction (25% to 50%), indicating that they were unable to signal downstream properly, neither isolated nor associated with WT CD247. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that CD247 variants lacking ITAMs due to nonsense, but not null, mutations are defective for normal TCR assembly and exert a dominant-negative effect on TCR expression and signaling in vitro. This, in turn, may correlate with clinical features in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro C Briones
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca F Megino
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana V Marin
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Chacón-Arguedas
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena García-Martinez
- Department of Immunology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Hugh T Reyburn
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Centre for Biotechnology, Spanish National Research Council (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sarah E Henrickson
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa; Department of Microbiology and Institute of Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Sainz
- Department of Immunology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Seoane-Reula
- Pediatric Immunodeficiency Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Sanchez-Mateos
- Department of Immunology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula P Cardenas
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose R Regueiro
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Blud D, Rubio-Reyes P, Perret R, Weinkove R. Tuning CAR T-cell therapies for efficacy and reduced toxicity. Semin Hematol 2024:S0037-1963(24)00082-9. [PMID: 39095226 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies are a standard of care for certain relapsed or refractory B-cell cancers. However, many patients do not respond to CAR T-cell therapy or relapse later, short- and long-term toxicities are common, and current CAR T-cell therapies have limited efficacy for solid cancers. The gene engineering inherent in CAR T-cell manufacture offers an unprecedented opportunity to control cellular characteristics and design products that may overcome these limitations. This review summarises available methods to "tune" CAR T-cells for optimal efficacy and safety. The components of a typical CAR, and the modifications that can influence CAR T-cell function are discussed. Methods of engineering passive, inducible or autonomous control mechanisms into CAR T-cells, allowing selective limitation or enhancement of CAR T-cell activity are reviewed. The impact of manufacturing processes on CAR T-cell function are considered, including methods of limiting CAR T-cell terminal differentiation and exhaustion, and the use of specific T-cell subsets as the CAR T starting material. We discuss the use of multicistronic transgenes and multiplexed gene editing. Finally, we highlight the need for innovative clinical trial designs if we are to make the most of the opportunities offered by CAR T-cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Blud
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Rubio-Reyes
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Rachel Perret
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Robert Weinkove
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand; Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Capital Coast & Hutt Valley, Wellington, New Zealand; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Shi Y, Kotchetkov IS, Dobrin A, Hanina SA, Rajasekhar VK, Healey JH, Sadelain M. GLUT1 overexpression enhances CAR T cell metabolic fitness and anti-tumor efficacy. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2393-2405. [PMID: 38720457 PMCID: PMC11286825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.006] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment presents many obstacles to effective chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, including glucose competition from tumor and myeloid cells. Using mouse models of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and glioblastoma (GBM), we show that enforced expression of the glucose transporter GLUT1 enhances anti-tumor efficacy and promotes favorable CAR-T cell phenotypes for two clinically relevant CAR designs, 19-28z and IL13Rα2-BBz. In the NALM6 ALL model, 19-28z-GLUT1 promotes T stem cell-like memory formation and prolongs survival. RNA sequencing of these CAR-T cells reveals that the overexpression of GLUT1, but not GLUT3, enriches for genes involved in glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and memory precursor phenotypes. Extending these data, 19-28z-GLUT1 CAR-T cells improve tumor control and response to rechallenge in an RCC patient-derived xenograft model. Furthermore, IL13Rα2-BBz CAR-T cells overexpressing GLUT1 prolong the survival of mice bearing orthotopic GBMs and exhibit decreased exhaustion markers. This novel engineering approach can offer a competitive advantage to CAR-T cells in harsh tumor environments where glucose is limiting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhe Shi
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ivan S Kotchetkov
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anton Dobrin
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sophie A Hanina
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Vinagolu K Rajasekhar
- Orthopedic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - John H Healey
- Orthopedic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Park J, Lia Palomba M, Perica K, Devlin S, Shah G, Dahi P, Lin R, Salles G, Scordo M, Nath K, Valtis Y, Lynch A, Cathcart E, Zhang H, Schöder H, Leithner D, Liotta K, Yu A, Stocker K, Li J, Dey A, Sellner L, Singh R, Sundaresan V, Zhao F, Mansilla-Soto J, He C, Meyerson J, Hosszu K, McAvoy D, Wang X, Riviere I, Sadelain M. Calibrated CAR Signaling Enables Low-Dose Therapy in Large B-Cell Lymphoma. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4619285. [PMID: 39011120 PMCID: PMC11247921 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4619285/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
We designed a CD19-targeted CAR comprising a calibrated signaling module, termed 1XX, that differs from that of conventional CD28/CD3z and 4-1BB/CD3z CARs. Here we report the first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial of 19(T2)28z-1XX CAR T cells in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma. We hypothesized that 1XX CAR T cells may be effective at low doses and investigated 4 doubling dose levels starting from 25×106 CAR T cells. The overall response rate (ORR) was 82% and complete response (CR) rate 71% in the entire cohort (n=28) and 88% ORR and 75% CR in 16 patients treated at 25×106. With the median follow-up of 24 months, the 1-year EFS was 61% (95% CI: 45-82%). Overall, grade ≥3 CRS and ICANS rates were low at 4% and 7%. The calibrated potency of the 1XX CAR affords excellent efficacy at low cell doses and may benefit the treatment of other hematological malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae Park
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gilles Salles
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Heiko Schöder
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Alina Yu
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | | | - Jia Li
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc
| | | | | | | | | | - Faye Zhao
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Casucci M. Putting together the pieces: CAR into CD3ζ locus. Blood 2024; 143:2562-2564. [PMID: 38900473 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2024024491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
|
19
|
Schlegel LS, Werbrouck C, Boettcher M, Schlegel P. Universal CAR 2.0 to overcome current limitations in CAR therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383894. [PMID: 38962014 PMCID: PMC11219820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has effectively complemented the treatment of advanced relapsed and refractory hematological cancers. The remarkable achievements of CD19- and BCMA-CAR T therapies have raised high expectations within the fields of hematology and oncology. These groundbreaking successes are propelling a collective aspiration to extend the reach of CAR therapies beyond B-lineage malignancies. Advanced CAR technologies have created a momentum to surmount the limitations of conventional CAR concepts. Most importantly, innovations that enable combinatorial targeting to address target antigen heterogeneity, using versatile adapter CAR concepts in conjunction with recent transformative next-generation CAR design, offer the promise to overcome both the bottleneck associated with CAR manufacturing and patient-individualized treatment regimens. In this comprehensive review, we delineate the fundamental prerequisites, navigate through pivotal challenges, and elucidate strategic approaches, all aimed at paving the way for the future establishment of multitargeted immunotherapies using universal CAR technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Sophie Schlegel
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Coralie Werbrouck
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Boettcher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Schlegel
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ali A, Zhang Y, DiPersio J. The invisible hand: How epigenetics shapes CAR T cell destiny. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1614-1616. [PMID: 38761798 PMCID: PMC11184405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Ali
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA; Center for Discovery and Innovation, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - John DiPersio
- Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ahn T, Bae EA, Seo H. Decoding and overcoming T cell exhaustion: Epigenetic and transcriptional dynamics in CAR-T cells against solid tumors. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1617-1627. [PMID: 38582965 PMCID: PMC11184340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell exhaustion, which is observed in various chronic infections and malignancies, is characterized by elevated expression of multiple inhibitory receptors, impaired effector functions, decreased proliferation, and reduced cytokine production. Notably, while adoptive T cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy, have shown promise in treating cancer and other diseases, the efficacy of these therapies is often compromised by T cell exhaustion. It is imperative, therefore, to understand the mechanisms underlying this exhaustion to promote advances in T cell-related therapies. Here, we divided exhausted T cells into three distinct subsets according to their developmental and functional profiles: stem-like progenitor cells, intermediately exhausted cells, and terminally exhausted cells. These subsets are carefully regulated by synergistic mechanisms that involve transcriptional and epigenetic modulators. Key transcription factors, such as TCF1, BACH2, and TOX, are crucial for defining and sustaining exhaustion phenotypes. Concurrently, epigenetic regulators, such as TET2 and DNMT3A, shape the chromatin dynamics that direct T cell fate. The interplay of these molecular drivers has recently been highlighted in CAR-T research, revealing promising therapeutic directions. Thus, a profound understanding of exhausted T cell hierarchies and their molecular complexities may reveal innovative and improved tumor treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taeyoung Ahn
- Laboratory of Cell & Gene Therapy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ah Bae
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungseok Seo
- Laboratory of Cell & Gene Therapy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Niu Q, Zhang H, Wang F, Xu X, Luo Y, He B, Shi M, Jiang E, Feng X. GSNOR overexpression enhances CAR-T cell stemness and anti-tumor function by enforcing mitochondrial fitness. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1875-1894. [PMID: 38549378 PMCID: PMC11184305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell has been developed as a promising agent for patients with refractory or relapsed lymphoma and leukemia, but not all the recipients could achieve a long-lasting remission. The limited capacity of in vivo expansion and memory differentiation post activation is one of the major reasons for suboptimal CAR-T therapeutic efficiency. Nitric oxide (NO) plays multifaceted roles in mitochondrial dynamics and T cell activation, but its function on CAR-T cell persistence and anti-tumor efficacy remains unknown. Herein, we found the continuous signaling from CAR not only promotes excessive NO production, but also suppressed S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) expression in T cells, which collectively led to increased protein S-nitrosylation, resulting in impaired mitochondrial fitness and deficiency of T cell stemness. Intriguingly, enforced expression of GSNOR promoted memory differentiation of CAR-T cell after immune activation, rendered CAR-T better resistance to mitochondrial dysfunction, further enhanced CAR-T cell expansion and anti-tumor capacity in vitro and in a mouse tumor model. Thus, we revealed a critical role of NO in restricting CAR-T cell persistence and functionality, and defined that GSNOR overexpression may provide a solution to combat NO stress and render patients with more durable protection from CAR-T therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Central Laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Haixiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Department of Hematology, Hematology Research Center of Yunnan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Xing Xu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yuechen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Baolin He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Mingxia Shi
- Department of Hematology, Hematology Research Center of Yunnan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Erlie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China.
| | - Xiaoming Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Central Laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang Y, Li J, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wang T, Zhang M, Xia C, Zhang F, Huang D, Zhang L, Zhao Y, Liu L, Zhu Y, Qi H, Zhu X, Qian W, Hu F, Wang J. Comparison of seven CD19 CAR designs in engineering NK cells for enhancing anti-tumour activity. Cell Prolif 2024:e13683. [PMID: 38830795 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapy is emerging as a promising cancer treatment, with notable safety and source diversity benefits over CAR-T cells. This study focused on optimizing CAR constructs for NK cells to maximize their therapeutic potential. We designed seven CD19 CAR constructs and expressed them in NK cells using a retroviral system, assessing their tumour-killing efficacy and persistence. Results showed all constructs enhanced tumour-killing and prolonged survival in tumour-bearing mice. In particular, CAR1 (CD8 TMD-CD3ζ SD)-NK cells showed superior efficacy in treating tumour-bearing animals and exhibited enhanced persistence when combined with OX40 co-stimulatory domain. Of note, CAR1-NK cells were most effective at lower effector-to-target ratios, while CAR4 (CD8 TMD-OX40 CD- FcεRIγ SD) compromised NK cell expansion ability. Superior survival rates were noted in mice treated with CAR1-, CAR2 (CD8 TMD- FcεRIγ SD)-, CAR3 (CD8 TMD-OX40 CD- CD3ζ SD)- and CAR4-NK cells over those treated with CAR5 (CD28 TMD- FcεRIγ SD)-, CAR6 (CD8 TMD-4-1BB CD-CD3ζ 1-ITAM SD)- and CAR7 (CD8 TMD-OX40 CD-CD3ζ 1-ITAM SD)-NK cells, with CAR5-NK cells showing the weakest anti-tumour activity. Increased expression of exhaustion markers, especially in CAR7-NK cells, suggests that combining CAR-NK cells with immune checkpoint inhibitors might improve anti-tumour outcomes. These findings provide crucial insights for developing CAR-NK cell products for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhuan Li
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tongjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengxiang Xia
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dehao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Leqiang Zhang
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hanmeng Qi
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine & Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenbin Qian
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangxiao Hu
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang DKY, Brockman JM, Adu-Berchie K, Liu Y, Binenbaum Y, de Lázaro I, Sobral MC, Tresa R, Mooney DJ. Subcutaneous biodegradable scaffolds for restimulating the antitumour activity of pre-administered CAR-T cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01216-4. [PMID: 38831041 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01216-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies based on chimaeric antigen receptors (CARs) is limited by the poor proliferation and persistence of the engineered T cells. Here we show that a subcutaneously injected biodegradable scaffold that facilitates the infiltration and egress of specific T-cell subpopulations, which forms a microenvironment mimicking features of physiological T-cell activation, enhances the antitumour activity of pre-administered CAR-T cells. CAR-T-cell expansion, differentiation and cytotoxicity were driven by the scaffold's incorporation of co-stimulatory bound ligands and soluble molecules, and depended on the types of co-stimulatory molecules and the context in which they were presented. In mice with aggressive lymphoma, a single, local injection of the scaffold following non-curative CAR-T-cell dosing led to more persistent memory-like T cells and extended animal survival. Injectable biomaterials with optimized ligand presentation may boost the therapeutic performance of CAR-T-cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David K Y Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua M Brockman
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kwasi Adu-Berchie
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yutong Liu
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yoav Binenbaum
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irene de Lázaro
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miguel C Sobral
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rea Tresa
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David J Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Utkarsh K, Srivastava N, Kumar S, Khan A, Dagar G, Kumar M, Singh M, Haque S. CAR-T cell therapy: a game-changer in cancer treatment and beyond. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:1300-1318. [PMID: 38244129 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03368-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, cancer has become one of the primary causes of mortality, approximately 10 million deaths worldwide each year. The most advanced, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy has turned out as a promising treatment for cancer. CAR-T cell therapy involves the genetic modification of T cells obtained from the patient's blood, and infusion back to the patients. CAR-T cell immunotherapy has led to a significant improvement in the remission rates of hematological cancers. CAR-T cell therapy presently limited to hematological cancers, there are ongoing efforts to develop additional CAR constructs such as bispecific CAR, tandem CAR, inhibitory CAR, combined antigens, CRISPR gene-editing, and nanoparticle delivery. With these advancements, CAR-T cell therapy holds promise concerning potential to improve upon traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation while reducing associated toxicities. This review covers recent advances and advantages of CAR-T cell immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Utkarsh
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Namita Srivastava
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Azhar Khan
- Faculty of Applied Science and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Gunjan Dagar
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shabirul Haque
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350, Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang L, Zhang L, Dunmall LC, Wang YY, Fan Z, Cheng Z, Wang Y. The dilemmas and possible solutions for CAR-T cell therapy application in solid tumors. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216871. [PMID: 38604310 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, as an adoptive immunotherapy, is playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of malignant tumors. CAR-T cells are referred to as "living drugs" as they not only target tumor cells directly, but also induce long-term immune memory that has the potential to provide long-lasting protection. CD19.CAR-T cells have achieved complete response rates of over 90 % for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and over 60 % for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, the response rate of CAR-T cells in the treatment of solid tumors remains extremely low and the side effects potentially severe. In this review, we discuss the limitations that the solid tumor microenvironment poses for CAR-T application and the solutions that are being developed to address these limitations, in the hope that in the near future, CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors can attain the same success rates as are now being seen clinically for hematological malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, China; National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lufang Zhang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Louisa Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers & Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Yang Wang
- Department of General Pediatrics, Newham General Hospital, E13 8SL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zaiwen Fan
- Department of Oncology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenguo Cheng
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Centre for Cancer Biomarkers & Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gordon KS, Perez CR, Garmilla A, Lam MSY, Aw JJ, Datta A, Lauffenburger DA, Pavesi A, Birnbaum ME. Pooled screening for CAR function identifies novel IL13Rα2-targeted CARs for treatment of glioblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.586240. [PMID: 38766252 PMCID: PMC11100612 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.586240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor therapies have demonstrated potent efficacy in treating B cell malignancies, but have yet to meaningfully translate to solid tumors. Here, we utilize our pooled screening platform, CARPOOL, to expedite the discovery of CARs with anti-tumor functions necessary for solid tumor efficacy. We performed selections in primary human T cells expressing a library of 1.3×10 6 3 rd generation CARs targeting IL13Rα2, a cancer testis antigen commonly expressed in glioblastoma. Selections were performed for cytotoxicity, proliferation, memory formation, and persistence upon repeated antigen challenge. Each enriched CAR robustly produced the phenotype for which it was selected, and one enriched CAR triggered potent cytotoxicity and long-term proliferation upon in vitro tumor rechallenge. It also showed significantly improved persistence and comparable antigen-specific tumor control in a microphysiological human in vitro model and a xenograft model of human glioblastoma. Taken together, this work demonstrates the utility of extending CARPOOL to diseases beyond hematological malignancies and represents the largest exploration of signaling combinations in human primary cells to date.
Collapse
|
28
|
Perez CR, Garmilla A, Nilsson A, Baghdassarian HM, Gordon KS, Lima LG, Smith BE, Maus MV, Lauffenburger DA, Birnbaum ME. Library-based single-cell analysis of CAR signaling reveals drivers of in vivo persistence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.29.591541. [PMID: 38746119 PMCID: PMC11092467 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.29.591541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The anti-tumor function of engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is dependent on signals transduced through intracellular signaling domains (ICDs). Different ICDs are known to drive distinct phenotypes, but systematic investigations into how ICD architectures direct T cell function-particularly at the molecular level-are lacking. Here, we use single-cell sequencing to map diverse signaling inputs to transcriptional outputs, focusing on a defined library of clinically relevant ICD architectures. Informed by these observations, we functionally characterize transcriptionally distinct ICD variants across various contexts to build comprehensive maps from ICD composition to phenotypic output. We identify a unique tonic signaling signature associated with a subset of ICD architectures that drives durable in vivo persistence and efficacy in liquid, but not solid, tumors. Our findings work toward decoding CAR signaling design principles, with implications for the rational design of next-generation ICD architectures optimized for in vivo function.
Collapse
|
29
|
Lew-Derivry L, Lamrani L, Alcantara M, Alanio C. [Optimizing efficacy and security of CAR-T cells, and immune monitoring]. Med Sci (Paris) 2024; 40:445-453. [PMID: 38819280 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2024058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a critical role in the control and eradication of tumors. A better understanding of the anti-tumor immune mechanisms over the last decade has led to the development of immunotherapies, including cellular therapies such as those using CAR-T cells. These therapies have been remarkably effective in hematological malignancies. However, their application to solid tumors requires some optimization. Many efforts are being made in this regard, both to increase the efficacy of CAR-T cells, and to make them more secure. For the former goal, there is a need for the identification of new targets, better activation strategies, or arming T cells in a way that makes them able to overcome intra-tumoral barriers. For the latter goal, dose adjustment, locoregional administration or use of suicide genes are currently investigated as ways to mitigate the risks of this therapy. Together, these adjustments will permit larger applicability of CAR-T cells, in anti-tumor immunity, but also in the context of auto-immune diseases or fibrolytic therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucille Lew-Derivry
- AP-HP, service d'oncologie et d'hématologie pédiatrique, Hôpital A. Trousseau, Paris, France - Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunité et cancer, Paris, France - Laboratoire d'immunologie clinique et d'immunomonitoring, Institut Curie, Paris, France - CellAction, Institut Curie, Suresnes, France
| | - Lamia Lamrani
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunité et cancer, Paris, France - Laboratoire d'immunologie clinique et d'immunomonitoring, Institut Curie, Paris, France - CellAction, Institut Curie, Suresnes, France
| | | | - Cécile Alanio
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunité et cancer, Paris, France - Laboratoire d'immunologie clinique et d'immunomonitoring, Institut Curie, Paris, France - CellAction, Institut Curie, Suresnes, France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chen Y, Gao J, Ma M, Wang K, Liu F, Yang F, Zou X, Cheng Z, Wu D. The potential role of CMC1 as an immunometabolic checkpoint in T cell immunity. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2344905. [PMID: 38659649 PMCID: PMC11042068 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2344905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell immunity is critical for human defensive immune response. Exploring the key molecules during the process provides new targets for T cell-based immunotherapies. CMC1 is a mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex IV chaperon protein. By establishing in-vitro cell culture system and Cmc1 gene knock out mice, we evaluated the role of CMC1 in T cell activation and differentiation. The B16-OVA tumor model was used to test the possibility of targeting CMC1 for improving T cell anti-tumor immunity. We identified CMC1 as a positive regulator in CD8+T cells activation and terminal differentiation. Meanwhile, we found that CMC1 increasingly expressed in exhausted T (Tex) cells. Genetic lost of Cmc1 inhibits the development of CD8+T cell exhaustion in mice. Instead, deletion of Cmc1 in T cells prompts cells to differentiate into metabolically and functionally quiescent cells with increased memory-like features and tolerance to cell death upon repetitive or prolonged T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Further, the in-vitro mechanistic study revealed that environmental lactate enhances CMC1 expression by inducing USP7, mediated stabilization and de-ubiquitination of CMC1 protein, in which a mechanism we propose here that the lactate-enriched tumor microenvironment (TME) drives CD8+TILs dysfunction through CMC1 regulatory effects on T cells. Taken together, our study unraveled the novel role of CMC1 as a T cell regulator and its possibility to be utilized for anti-tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Chen
- Jinshan Hospital Center for Tumor Diagnosis & Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Lung Inflammation and Injury, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyue Ma
- Institute of Metabolism and Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Jinshan Hospital Center for Tumor Diagnosis & Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangming Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Lung Inflammation and Injury, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feiyu Yang
- Center of Emergency and Critical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zou
- Jinshan Hospital Center for Tumor Diagnosis & Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhouli Cheng
- Jinshan Hospital Center for Tumor Diagnosis & Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Duojiao Wu
- Jinshan Hospital Center for Tumor Diagnosis & Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Lung Inflammation and Injury, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Rojas-Quintero J, Díaz MP, Palmar J, Galan-Freyle NJ, Morillo V, Escalona D, González-Torres HJ, Torres W, Navarro-Quiroz E, Rivera-Porras D, Bermúdez V. Car T Cells in Solid Tumors: Overcoming Obstacles. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4170. [PMID: 38673757 PMCID: PMC11050550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084170] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T cell) therapy has emerged as a prominent adoptive cell therapy and a therapeutic approach of great interest in the fight against cancer. This approach has shown notorious efficacy in refractory hematological neoplasm, which has bolstered its exploration in the field of solid cancers. However, successfully managing solid tumors presents considerable intrinsic challenges, which include the necessity of guiding the modified cells toward the tumoral region, assuring their penetration and survival in adverse microenvironments, and addressing the complexity of identifying the specific antigens for each type of cancer. This review focuses on outlining the challenges faced by CAR T cell therapy when used in the treatment of solid tumors, as well as presenting optimizations and emergent approaches directed at improving its efficacy in this particular context. From precise localization to the modulation of the tumoral microenvironment and the adaptation of antigen recognition strategies, diverse pathways will be examined to overcome the current limitations and buttress the therapeutic potential of CAR T cells in the fight against solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rojas-Quintero
- Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - María P. Díaz
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrino—Metabólicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo 4001, Venezuela (J.P.); (V.M.); (D.E.); (W.T.)
| | - Jim Palmar
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrino—Metabólicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo 4001, Venezuela (J.P.); (V.M.); (D.E.); (W.T.)
| | - Nataly J. Galan-Freyle
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia; (N.J.G.-F.); (E.N.-Q.)
| | - Valery Morillo
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrino—Metabólicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo 4001, Venezuela (J.P.); (V.M.); (D.E.); (W.T.)
| | - Daniel Escalona
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrino—Metabólicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo 4001, Venezuela (J.P.); (V.M.); (D.E.); (W.T.)
| | | | - Wheeler Torres
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrino—Metabólicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo 4001, Venezuela (J.P.); (V.M.); (D.E.); (W.T.)
| | - Elkin Navarro-Quiroz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia; (N.J.G.-F.); (E.N.-Q.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Biomédicas, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Diego Rivera-Porras
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Cúcuta 540001, Colombia;
| | - Valmore Bermúdez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia; (N.J.G.-F.); (E.N.-Q.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia;
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhang T, Tai Z, Miao F, Zhang X, Li J, Zhu Q, Wei H, Chen Z. Adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors beyond CAR-T: Current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. J Control Release 2024; 368:372-396. [PMID: 38408567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a highly specific anti-tumor immunotherapy that has shown promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there has been a slow progress toward the treatment of solid tumors owing to the complex tumor microenvironment that affects the localization and killing ability of the CAR cells. Solid tumors with a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment and complex vascular system are unaffected by CAR cell infiltration and attack. To improve their efficacy toward solid tumors, CAR cells have been modified and upgraded by "decorating" and "pruning". This review focuses on the structure and function of CARs, the immune cells that can be engineered by CARs and the transformation strategies to overcome solid tumors, with a view to broadening ideas for the better application of CAR cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China; Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fengze Miao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Jiadong Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Yu T, Jiang W, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Jiao J, Wu M. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells in the treatment of osteosarcoma (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:40. [PMID: 38390935 PMCID: PMC10919759 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a frequently occurring primary bone tumor, mostly affecting children, adolescents and young adults. Before 1970, surgical resection was the main treatment method for OS, but the clinical results were not promising. Subsequently, the advent of chemotherapy has improved the prognosis of patients with OS. However, there is still a high incidence of metastasis or recurrence, and chemotherapy has several side effects, thus making the 5‑year survival rate markedly low. Recently, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR‑T) cell therapy represents an alternative immunotherapy approach with significant potential for hematologic malignancies. Nevertheless, the application of CAR‑T cells in the treatment of OS faces numerous challenges. The present review focused on the advances in the development of CAR‑T cells to improve their clinical efficacy, and discussed ways to overcome the difficulties faced by CAR T‑cell therapy for OS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
| | - Weibo Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Operating Room, The Third Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066000, P.R. China
| | - Jianhang Jiao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
| | - Minfei Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhu L, Man CW, Harrison RE, Wu Z, Limsakul P, Peng Q, Hashimoto M, Mamaril AP, Xu H, Liu L, Wang Y. Engineering a Programmed Death-Ligand 1-Targeting Monobody Via Directed Evolution for SynNotch-Gated Cell Therapy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:8531-8545. [PMID: 38456901 PMCID: PMC10958600 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy due to its ability to inhibit T cell activation; however, its expression on various noncancer cells may cause on-target off-tumor toxicity when designing PD-L1-targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Combining rational design and directed evolution of the human fibronectin-derived monobody scaffold, "PDbody" was engineered to bind to PD-L1 with a preference for a slightly lower pH, which is typical in the tumor microenvironment. PDbody was further utilized as a CAR to target the PD-L1-expressing triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. To mitigate on-target off-tumor toxicity associated with targeting PD-L1, a Cluster of Differentiation 19 (CD19)-recognizing SynNotch IF THEN gate was integrated into the system. This CD19-SynNotch PDbody-CAR system was then expressed in primary human T cells to target CD19-expressing MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. These CD19-SynNotch PDbody-CAR T cells demonstrated both specificity and efficacy in vitro, accurately eradicating cancer targets in cytotoxicity assays. Moreover, in an in vivo bilateral murine tumor model, they exhibited the capability to effectively restrain tumor growth. Overall, CD19-SynNotch PDbody-CAR T cells represent a distinct development over previously published designs due to their increased efficacy, proliferative capability, and mitigation of off-tumor toxicity for solid tumor treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Zhu
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Chi-Wei Man
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093 United States
| | - Reed E.S. Harrison
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Zhuohang Wu
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Praopim Limsakul
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Division
of Physical Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Songkhla, Thailand
- Center of
Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensor, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Qin Peng
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Institute
of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen
Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, P.R. China
| | - Matthew Hashimoto
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Anthony P. Mamaril
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Hongquan Xu
- Department
of Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Longwei Liu
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Gascoigne NRJ. TCR-like antibody and GITR signaling lead to effective CAR-T against solid tumor. Mol Ther 2024; 32:569-571. [PMID: 38382528 PMCID: PMC10928281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R J Gascoigne
- Immunology Translational Research Programme and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Yi F, Cohen T, Zimmerman N, Dündar F, Zumbo P, Eltilib R, Brophy EJ, Arkin H, Feucht J, Gormally MV, Hackett CS, Kropp KN, Etxeberria I, Chandran SS, Park JH, Hsu KC, Sadelain M, Betel D, Klebanoff CA. CAR-engineered lymphocyte persistence is governed by a FAS ligand/FAS auto-regulatory circuit. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582108. [PMID: 38464085 PMCID: PMC10925151 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T and NK cells can cause durable remission of B-cell malignancies; however, limited persistence restrains the full potential of these therapies in many patients. The FAS ligand (FAS-L)/FAS pathway governs naturally-occurring lymphocyte homeostasis, yet knowledge of which cells express FAS-L in patients and whether these sources compromise CAR persistence remains incomplete. Here, we constructed a single-cell atlas of diverse cancer types to identify cellular subsets expressing FASLG, the gene encoding FAS-L. We discovered that FASLG is limited primarily to endogenous T cells, NK cells, and CAR-T cells while tumor and stromal cells express minimal FASLG. To establish whether CAR-T/NK cell survival is regulated through FAS-L, we performed competitive fitness assays using lymphocytes modified with or without a FAS dominant negative receptor (ΔFAS). Following adoptive transfer, ΔFAS-expressing CAR-T and CAR-NK cells became enriched across multiple tissues, a phenomenon that mechanistically was reverted through FASLG knockout. By contrast, FASLG was dispensable for CAR-mediated tumor killing. In multiple models, ΔFAS co-expression by CAR-T and CAR-NK enhanced antitumor efficacy compared with CAR cells alone. Together, these findings reveal that CAR-engineered lymphocyte persistence is governed by a FAS-L/FAS auto-regulatory circuit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Tal Cohen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Zimmerman
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Friederike Dündar
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Zumbo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Razan Eltilib
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Erica J. Brophy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Hannah Arkin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Judith Feucht
- Center for Cell Engineering, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael V. Gormally
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Cell Therapy Service, Department of Medicine, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Korbinian N. Kropp
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Inaki Etxeberria
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Smita S. Chandran
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Jae H. Park
- Center for Cell Engineering, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Cell Therapy Service, Department of Medicine, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katharine C. Hsu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Center for Cell Engineering, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Immunology, Sloan Kettering Institute, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher A. Klebanoff
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Center for Cell Engineering, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Cell Therapy Service, Department of Medicine, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Amor C, Fernández-Maestre I, Chowdhury S, Ho YJ, Nadella S, Graham C, Carrasco SE, Nnuji-John E, Feucht J, Hinterleitner C, Barthet VJA, Boyer JA, Mezzadra R, Wereski MG, Tuveson DA, Levine RL, Jones LW, Sadelain M, Lowe SW. Prophylactic and long-lasting efficacy of senolytic CAR T cells against age-related metabolic dysfunction. NATURE AGING 2024; 4:336-349. [PMID: 38267706 PMCID: PMC10950785 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00560-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Senescent cells, which accumulate in organisms over time, contribute to age-related tissue decline. Genetic ablation of senescent cells can ameliorate various age-related pathologies, including metabolic dysfunction and decreased physical fitness. While small-molecule drugs that eliminate senescent cells ('senolytics') partially replicate these phenotypes, they require continuous administration. We have developed a senolytic therapy based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting the senescence-associated protein urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), and we previously showed these can safely eliminate senescent cells in young animals. We now show that uPAR-positive senescent cells accumulate during aging and that they can be safely targeted with senolytic CAR T cells. Treatment with anti-uPAR CAR T cells improves exercise capacity in physiological aging, and it ameliorates metabolic dysfunction (for example, improving glucose tolerance) in aged mice and in mice on a high-fat diet. Importantly, a single administration of these senolytic CAR T cells is sufficient to achieve long-term therapeutic and preventive effects.
Collapse
Grants
- R01 CA190092 NCI NIH HHS
- DP5 OD033055 NIH HHS
- U01 CA224013 NCI NIH HHS
- R35 CA197594 NCI NIH HHS
- P30 CA045508 NCI NIH HHS
- U01 AG077921 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 CA188134 NCI NIH HHS
- R01 AG065396 NIA NIH HHS
- R01 CA229699 NCI NIH HHS
- P30 CA008748 NCI NIH HHS
- R01 AG082800 NIA NIH HHS
- U01 AG077925 NIA NIH HHS
- S10 OD028632 NIH HHS
- U01 CA210240 NCI NIH HHS
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- NIH-NIA: 1R01 AG082800-01 NIH-Common Fund: 1DP5OD033055-01 Longevity Impetus Grant
- European Research Council (ERC-StG-949667).
- JLM Benevolent Fund. Cancer Research Institute.
- Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Cancer Research Institute
- Lustgarten Foundation, Thompson Foundation, the Pershing Square Foundation, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Northwell Health Affiliation, the Northwell Health Tissue Donation Program, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association, the Simons Foundation (552716), and the National Institutes of Health (5P30CA45508, U01CA210240, R01CA229699, U01CA224013, 1R01CA188134, and 1R01CA190092).
- NIH-NCI (R35CA197594) NIH-NIA (U01AG077925)
- NIH: S10OD028632-01 and P30 CA008748 NIH-NIA: AG065396 Pasteur-Weizmann/Servier Award Leopold Griffuel Award Stephen and Barbara Friedman Chair at MSKCC
- NIH: S10OD028632-01 and P30 CA008748 NIH-NIA: AG065396 Technology Development Fund project grant from MSKCC Geoffrey Beene Chair of Cancer Biology at MSKCC Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- La Caixa Foundation.Mark Foundation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corina Amor
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
| | - Inés Fernández-Maestre
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Yu-Jui Ho
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Courtenay Graham
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian E Carrasco
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology. Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emmanuella Nnuji-John
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
- Cold Spring Harbor School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Judith Feucht
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT, University Children's Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Clemens Hinterleitner
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentin J A Barthet
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacob A Boyer
- Lewis Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Riccardo Mezzadra
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew G Wereski
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ross L Levine
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lee W Jones
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott W Lowe
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Dey S, Devender M, Rani S, Pandey RK. Recent advances in CAR T-cell engineering using synthetic biology: Paving the way for next-generation cancer treatment. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:91-156. [PMID: 38762281 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
This book chapter highlights a comprehensive exploration of the transformative innovations in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to treat cancer by reprogramming a patient immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This chapter underscores the critical role of synthetic biology in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies. It begins by emphasizing the growing importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment, emphasizing the shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to patient-specific solutions. Synthetic biology, a multidisciplinary field, has been instrumental in customizing CAR T-cell therapies, allowing for fine-tuned precision and minimizing unwanted side effects. The chapter highlights recent advances in gene editing, synthetic gene circuits, and molecular engineering, showcasing how these technologies are optimizing CAR T-cell function. In summary, this book chapter sheds light on the remarkable progress made in the development of CAR T-cell therapies using synthetic biology, providing hope for cancer patients and hinting at a future where highly personalized and effective cancer treatments are the norm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Dey
- CSO Department, Cellworks Research India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Moodu Devender
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Swati Rani
- ICAR, National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajan Kumar Pandey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Liu Z, Lei W, Wang H, Liu X, Fu R. Challenges and strategies associated with CAR-T cell therapy in blood malignancies. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:22. [PMID: 38402232 PMCID: PMC10893672 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T cells, has shown potential in the improvement of outcomes in patients with refractory and recurrent malignancies of the blood. However, achieving sustainable long-term complete remission for blood cancer remains a challenge, with resistance and relapse being expected outcomes for many patients. Although many studies have attempted to clarify the mechanisms of CAR-T cell therapy failure, the mechanism remains unclear. In this article, we discuss and describe the current state of knowledge regarding these factors, which include elements that influence the CAR-T cell, cancer cells as a whole, and the microenvironment surrounding the tumor. In addition, we propose prospective approaches to overcome these obstacles in an effort to decrease recurrence rates and extend patient survival subsequent to CAR-T cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China.
| | - Wenhui Lei
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
- Department of Nephrology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Smirnov S, Mateikovich P, Samochernykh K, Shlyakhto E. Recent advances on CAR-T signaling pave the way for prolonged persistence and new modalities in clinic. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1335424. [PMID: 38455066 PMCID: PMC10918004 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1335424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies. The importance of the receptor costimulatory domain for long-term CAR-T cell engraftment and therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated with second-generation CAR-T cells. Fifth generation CAR-T cells are currently in preclinical trials. At the same time, the processes that orchestrate the activation and differentiation of CAR-T cells into a specific phenotype that predisposes them to long-term persistence are not fully understood. This review highlights ongoing research aimed at elucidating the role of CAR domains and T-cell signaling molecules involved in these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Smirnov
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Personalized Medicine Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Polina Mateikovich
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Personalized Medicine Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Konstantin Samochernykh
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Personalized Medicine Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evgeny Shlyakhto
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Personalized Medicine Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ong SY, Chen Y, Tan MSY, Ho AYL, Hwang WYK, Lim FLWI. Current perspectives on resistance to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and strategies to improve efficacy in B-cell lymphoma. Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:144-152. [PMID: 36987995 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13964] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in patients with chemo-refractory B-cell lymphoma, a significant portion is refractory or relapse. Resistance is a major barrier to improving treatment efficacy and long-term survival in CAR T-cell therapy, and clinicians have very limited tools to discriminate a priori patients who will or will not respond to treatment. While CD19-negative relapses due to loss of target antigen is well described, it accounts for only about 30% of cases with treatment failure. Recent efforts have shed light on mechanisms of CD19-positive relapse due to tumor intrinsic resistance, T-cell quality/manufacturing, or CAR T-cell exhaustion mediated by hostile tumor microenvironment. Here, we review the latest updates of preclinical and clinical trials to investigate the mechanisms of resistance and relapse post CAR T-cell therapy in B cell lymphoma and discuss novel treatment strategies to overcome resistance as well as advances that are useful for a CAR T therapist to optimize and personalize CAR T-cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shin Yeu Ong
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunxin Chen
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Melinda Si Yun Tan
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - William Ying Khee Hwang
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wang SY, Scurti GM, Dalheim AV, Quinn S, Stiff PJ, Nishimura MI. Nonactivated and IL-7 cultured CD19-specific CAR T cells are enriched in stem cell phenotypes and functionally superior. Blood Adv 2024; 8:324-335. [PMID: 37967375 PMCID: PMC10788799 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010607] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated impressive responses in patients with relapsed and refractory B cell malignancies. However, many patients relapse or fail to respond to CD19 CAR T cells, demonstrating the need to improve its efficacy and durability. Current protocols for generating CAR T cells involve T cell activation through CD3 stimulation to facilitate efficient CAR transfer followed by ex vivo expansion with exogenous cytokines to obtain adequate cell numbers for treatment. Both T cell activation and expansion inevitably lead to terminal differentiation and replicative senescence, which are suboptimal for therapy. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) was previously shown to allow for lentiviral transduction of T cells in the absence of activation. In these studies, we used IL-7 to generate CD19 CAR T cells without stimulating CD3. Nonactivated and IL-7 cultured (NICE) CD19 CAR T cells were enriched with the T memory stem cell population, retained novel markers of stemness, had lower expression of exhaustion markers, and increased proliferative potential. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with engraftment of NICE CD19 CAR T cells and demonstrate a superior therapeutic response in both intraperitoneal and subcutaneous in vivo B cell lymphoma models. These results suggest that NICE CD19 CAR T cells may improve outcomes for B cell malignancies and warrant clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siao-Yi Wang
- Department of Medicine, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Gina M. Scurti
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Annika V. Dalheim
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Suzanne Quinn
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Patrick J. Stiff
- Department of Medicine, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Michael I. Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Jain N, Zhao Z, Koche RP, Antelope C, Gozlan Y, Montalbano A, Brocks D, Lopez M, Dobrin A, Shi Y, Gunset G, Giavridis T, Sadelain M. Disruption of SUV39H1-Mediated H3K9 Methylation Sustains CAR T-cell Function. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:142-157. [PMID: 37934007 PMCID: PMC10880746 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Suboptimal functional persistence limits the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies. CD28-based chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) impart potent effector function to T cells but with a limited lifespan. We show here that the genetic disruption of SUV39H1, which encodes a histone-3, lysine-9 methyl-transferase, enhances the early expansion, long-term persistence, and overall antitumor efficacy of human CAR T cells in leukemia and prostate cancer models. Persisting SUV39H1-edited CAR T cells demonstrate improved expansion and tumor rejection upon multiple rechallenges. Transcriptional and genome accessibility profiling of repeatedly challenged CAR T cells shows improved expression and accessibility of memory transcription factors in SUV39H1-edited CAR T cells. SUV39H1 editing also reduces expression of inhibitory receptors and limits exhaustion in CAR T cells that have undergone multiple rechallenges. Our findings thus demonstrate the potential of epigenetic programming of CAR T cells to balance their function and persistence for improved adoptive cell therapies. SIGNIFICANCE T cells engineered with CD28-based CARs possess robust effector function and antigen sensitivity but are hampered by limited persistence, which may result in tumor relapse. We report an epigenetic strategy involving disruption of the SUV39H1-mediated histone-silencing program that promotes the functional persistence of CD28-based CAR T cells. See related article by López-Cobo et al., p. 120. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nayan Jain
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Zeguo Zhao
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Richard P. Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Lopez
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anton Dobrin
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yuzhe Shi
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gertrude Gunset
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
López-Cobo S, Fuentealba JR, Gueguen P, Bonté PE, Tsalkitzi K, Chacón I, Glauzy S, Bohineust A, Biquand A, Silva L, Gouveia Z, Goudot C, Perez F, Saitakis M, Amigorena S. SUV39H1 Ablation Enhances Long-term CAR T Function in Solid Tumors. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:120-141. [PMID: 37934001 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Failure of adoptive T-cell therapies in patients with cancer is linked to limited T-cell expansion and persistence, even in memory-prone 41BB-(BBz)-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. We show here that BBz-CAR T-cell stem/memory differentiation and persistence can be enhanced through epigenetic manipulation of the histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) pathway. Inactivation of the H3K9 trimethyltransferase SUV39H1 enhances BBz-CAR T cell long-term persistence, protecting mice against tumor relapses and rechallenges in lung and disseminated solid tumor models up to several months after CAR T-cell infusion. Single-cell transcriptomic (single-cell RNA sequencing) and chromatin opening (single-cell assay for transposase accessible chromatin) analyses of tumor-infiltrating CAR T cells show early reprogramming into self-renewing, stemlike populations with decreased expression of dysfunction genes in all T-cell subpopulations. Therefore, epigenetic manipulation of H3K9 methylation by SUV39H1 optimizes the long-term functional persistence of BBz-CAR T cells, limiting relapses, and providing protection against tumor rechallenges. SIGNIFICANCE Limited CAR T-cell expansion and persistence hinders therapeutic responses in solid cancer patients. We show that targeting SUV39H1 histone methyltransferase enhances 41BB-based CAR T-cell long-term protection against tumor relapses and rechallenges by increasing stemness/memory differentiation. This opens a safe path to enhancing adoptive cell therapies for solid tumors. See related article by Jain et al., p. 142. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheila López-Cobo
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Jaime R Fuentealba
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Paul Gueguen
- Department of Oncology, UNIL CHUV and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Kyriaki Tsalkitzi
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
- Mnemo Therapeutics, Paris, France
| | - Irena Chacón
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Salomé Glauzy
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Lisseth Silva
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Zelia Gouveia
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris, France
| | - Christel Goudot
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Franck Perez
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris, France
| | - Michael Saitakis
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
- Mnemo Therapeutics, Paris, France
| | - Sebastian Amigorena
- Institut Curie, PSL University, Inserm U932, Immunity and Cancer, Paris, France
- Mnemo Therapeutics, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ebbinghaus M, Wittich K, Bancher B, Lebedeva V, Appelshoffer A, Femel J, Helm MS, Kollet J, Hardt O, Pfeifer R. Endogenous Signaling Molecule Activating (ESMA) CARs: A Novel CAR Design Showing a Favorable Risk to Potency Ratio for the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:615. [PMID: 38203786 PMCID: PMC10779313 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010615] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
As chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy continues to gain attention as a valuable treatment option against different cancers, strategies to improve its potency and decrease the side effects associated with this therapy have become increasingly relevant. Herein, we report an alternative CAR design that incorporates transmembrane domains with the ability to recruit endogenous signaling molecules, eliminating the need for stimulatory signals within the CAR structure. These endogenous signaling molecule activating (ESMA) CARs triggered robust cytotoxic activity and proliferation of the T cells when directed against the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231 while exhibiting reduced cytokine secretion and exhaustion marker expression compared to their cognate standard second generation CARs. In a NOD SCID Gamma (NSG) MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse model, the lead candidate maintained longitudinal therapeutic efficacy and an enhanced T cell memory phenotype. Profound tumor infiltration by activated T cells repressed tumor growth, further manifesting the proliferative capacity of the ESMA CAR T cell therapy. Consequently, ESMA CAR T cells entail promising features for improved clinical outcome as a solid tumor treatment option.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mira Ebbinghaus
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
- School of Applied Biosciences and Chemistry, HAN University of Applied Sciences, 6525 EM Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina Wittich
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Benjamin Bancher
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Valeriia Lebedeva
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Anijutta Appelshoffer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Julia Femel
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Martin S. Helm
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jutta Kollet
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Olaf Hardt
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Rita Pfeifer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Schmidt R, Ward CC, Dajani R, Armour-Garb Z, Ota M, Allain V, Hernandez R, Layeghi M, Xing G, Goudy L, Dorovskyi D, Wang C, Chen YY, Ye CJ, Shy BR, Gilbert LA, Eyquem J, Pritchard JK, Dodgson SE, Marson A. Base-editing mutagenesis maps alleles to tune human T cell functions. Nature 2024; 625:805-812. [PMID: 38093011 PMCID: PMC11065414 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-enabled screening is a powerful tool for the discovery of genes that control T cell function and has nominated candidate targets for immunotherapies1-6. However, new approaches are required to probe specific nucleotide sequences within key genes. Systematic mutagenesis in primary human T cells could reveal alleles that tune specific phenotypes. DNA base editors are powerful tools for introducing targeted mutations with high efficiency7,8. Here we develop a large-scale base-editing mutagenesis platform with the goal of pinpointing nucleotides that encode amino acid residues that tune primary human T cell activation responses. We generated a library of around 117,000 single guide RNA molecules targeting base editors to protein-coding sites across 385 genes implicated in T cell function and systematically identified protein domains and specific amino acid residues that regulate T cell activation and cytokine production. We found a broad spectrum of alleles with variants encoding critical residues in proteins including PIK3CD, VAV1, LCP2, PLCG1 and DGKZ, including both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations. We validated the functional effects of many alleles and further demonstrated that base-editing hits could positively and negatively tune T cell cytotoxic function. Finally, higher-resolution screening using a base editor with relaxed protospacer-adjacent motif requirements9 (NG versus NGG) revealed specific structural domains and protein-protein interaction sites that can be targeted to tune T cell functions. Base-editing screens in primary immune cells thus provide biochemical insights with the potential to accelerate immunotherapy design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Schmidt
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Carl C Ward
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Rama Dajani
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zev Armour-Garb
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mineto Ota
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Allain
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR976, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Rosmely Hernandez
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Madeline Layeghi
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Galen Xing
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Laine Goudy
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dmytro Dorovskyi
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Charlotte Wang
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yan Yi Chen
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chun Jimmie Ye
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics (IHG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brian R Shy
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Luke A Gilbert
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Justin Eyquem
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics (IHG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan K Pritchard
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stacie E Dodgson
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Marson
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for Human Genetics (IHG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zhai Y, Du Y, Li G, Yu M, Hu H, Pan C, Wang D, Shi Z, Yan X, Li X, Jiang T, Zhang W. Trogocytosis of CAR molecule regulates CAR-T cell dysfunction and tumor antigen escape. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:457. [PMID: 38143263 PMCID: PMC10749292 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01708-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has demonstrated clinical response in treating both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Although instances of rapid tumor remissions have been observed in animal models and clinical trials, tumor relapses occur with multiple therapeutic resistance mechanisms. Furthermore, while the mechanisms underlying the long-term therapeutic resistance are well-known, short-term adaptation remains less understood. However, more views shed light on short-term adaptation and hold that it provides an opportunity window for long-term resistance. In this study, we explore a previously unreported mechanism in which tumor cells employ trogocytosis to acquire CAR molecules from CAR-T cells, a reversal of previously documented processes. This mechanism results in the depletion of CAR molecules and subsequent CAR-T cell dysfunction, also leading to short-term antigen loss and antigen masking. Such type of intercellular communication is independent of CAR downstream signaling, CAR-T cell condition, target antigen, and tumor cell type. However, it is mainly dependent on antigen density and CAR sensitivity, and is associated with tumor cell cholesterol metabolism. Partial mitigation of this trogocytosis-induced CAR molecule transfer can be achieved by adaptively administering CAR-T cells with antigen density-individualized CAR sensitivities. Together, our study reveals a dynamic process of CAR molecule transfer and refining the framework of clinical CAR-T therapy for solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Zhai
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yicong Du
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, Peking University, National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guanzhang Li
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Mingchen Yu
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Huimin Hu
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Changqing Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhongfang Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xu Yan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xuesong Li
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, Peking University, National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, PR China.
- Center of Brain Tumor, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, PR China.
- Research Unit of Accurate Diagnosis, Treatment, and Translational Medicine of Brain Tumors, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
- Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network (CGGA) and Asian Glioma Genome Atlas Network (AGGA), Beijing, PR China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, PR China.
- Center of Brain Tumor, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, PR China.
- Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network (CGGA) and Asian Glioma Genome Atlas Network (AGGA), Beijing, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhang Y, Fang H, Wang G, Yuan G, Dong R, Luo J, Lyu Y, Wang Y, Li P, Zhou C, Yin W, Xiao H, Sun J, Zeng X. Cyclosporine A-resistant CAR-T cells mediate antitumour immunity in the presence of allogeneic cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8491. [PMID: 38123592 PMCID: PMC10733396 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44176-0] [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: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy requires autologous T lymphocytes from cancer patients, a process that is both costly and complex. Universal CAR-T cell treatment from allogeneic sources can overcome this limitation but is impeded by graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and host versus-graft rejection (HvGR). Here, we introduce a mutated calcineurin subunit A (CNA) and a CD19-specific CAR into the T cell receptor α constant (TRAC) locus to generate cells that are resistant to the widely used immunosuppressant, cyclosporine A (CsA). These immunosuppressant-resistant universal (IRU) CAR-T cells display improved effector function in vitro and anti-tumour efficacy in a leukemia xenograft mouse model in the presence of CsA, compared with CAR-T cells carrying wild-type CNA. Moreover, IRU CAR-T cells retain effector function in vitro and in vivo in the presence of both allogeneic T cells and CsA. Lastly, CsA withdrawal restores HvGR, acting as a safety switch that can eliminate IRU CAR-T cells. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of CsA-resistant CAR-T cells as a universal, 'off-the-shelf' treatment option.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 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
- Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Hongyu Fang
- 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
- Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Guocan Wang
- 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
- Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - 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
- Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ruoyu Dong
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jijun Luo
- 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
- Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yu Lyu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Li
- Puluoting Health Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Chun Zhou
- School of Public Health & Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Weiwei Yin
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Haowen Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Jie Sun
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, 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.
- Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lu LL, Xiao SX, Lin ZY, Bai JJ, Li W, Song ZQ, Zhou YH, Lu B, Wu WZ. GPC3-IL7-CCL19-CAR-T primes immune microenvironment reconstitution for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:3101-3119. [PMID: 37853185 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09821-w] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy is a revolutionary treatment that has become a mainstay of advanced cancer treatment. Conventional glypican-3 (GPC3)-CAR-T cells have not produced ideal clinical outcomes in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the mechanism is unclear. This study aims to investigate the clinical utility of novel GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells constructed by our team and to explore the mechanisms underlying their antitumor effects. METHODS We engineered a novel GPC3-targeting CAR including an anti-GPC3 scFv, CD3ζ, CD28 and 4-1BB that induces co-expression of IL-7 at a moderate level (500 pg/mL) and CCL19 at a high level (15000 pg /mL) and transduced it into human T cells. In vitro, cell killing efficacy was validated by the xCELLigence RTCA system, LDH nonradioactive cytotoxicity assay and was confirmed in primary HCC organoid models employing a 3D microfluid chip. In vivo, the antitumor capacity was assessed in a humanized NSG mouse xenograft model. Finally, we initiated a phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effect of GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells in the clinic. RESULTS GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells had 1.5-2 times higher killing efficiency than GPC3-CAR-T cells. The tumor formation rates in GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells treated model were reduced (3/5vs.5/5), and the average tumor volumes were 0.74 cm3 ± 1.17 vs. 0.34 cm3 ± 0.25. Of note, increased proportion of CD4+ TEM and CD8+ TCM cells was infiltrated in GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells group. GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells obviously reversed the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by reducing polymorphonuclear (PMN)-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T (Treg) cells infiltration and recruiting more dendritic cells (DCs) to HCC xenograft tumor tissues. In one patient with advanced HCC, GPC3-7-19-CAR-T-cell treatment resulted in tumor reduction 56 days after intravenous infusion. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells achieved antitumor effects superior to those of conventional GPC3-CAR-T cells by reconstructing the TME induced by the dominant CD4+ TEM and CD8+ TCM cell subsets. Most importantly, GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells exhibited good safety and antitumor efficacy in HCC patients in the clinic. ► Novel GPC3-7-19-CAR-T cells designed with mediate level of IL-7 secretion and high level of CCL19 secretion, which could recruit more mature DCs to assist killing on GPC3+HCCs. ►DC cells recruited by CCL19 could interact with CD4+ T cells and promote the differentiation of CD4+TEFF cells into CD4+TEM and CD8+TCM subsets, leading a better anti-tumor effect on GPC3+HCCs. ►Compared with conventional GPC3-CAR-T, GPC3-7-CCL19-CAR-T cells could reverse tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment by reducing PMN-MDSC and Treg cell infiltration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Lu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shu-Xiu Xiao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Lin
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin-Jin Bai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zheng-Qing Song
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu-Hong Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacy School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Wei-Zhong Wu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Haydar D, Ibañez-Vega J, Crawford JC, Chou CH, Guy CS, Meehl M, Yi Z, Perry S, Laxton J, Cunningham T, Langfitt D, Vogel P, DeRenzo C, Gottschalk S, Roussel MF, Thomas PG, Krenciute G. CAR T-cell Design-dependent Remodeling of the Brain Tumor Immune Microenvironment Modulates Tumor-associated Macrophages and Anti-glioma Activity. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2430-2446. [PMID: 37971169 PMCID: PMC10689147 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the intricate dynamics between adoptively transferred immune cells and the brain tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is crucial for the development of effective T cell-based immunotherapies. In this study, we investigated the influence of the TIME and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) design on the anti-glioma activity of B7-H3-specific CAR T-cells. Using an immunocompetent glioma model, we evaluated a panel of seven fully murine B7-H3 CARs with variations in transmembrane, costimulatory, and activation domains. We then investigated changes in the TIME following CAR T-cell therapy using high-dimensional flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. Our results show that five out of six B7-H3 CARs with single costimulatory domains demonstrated robust functionality in vitro. However, these CARs had significantly varied levels of antitumor activity in vivo. To enhance therapeutic effectiveness and persistence, we incorporated 41BB and CD28 costimulation through transgenic expression of 41BBL on CD28-based CAR T-cells. This CAR design was associated with significantly improved anti-glioma efficacy in vitro but did not result in similar improvements in vivo. Analysis of the TIME revealed that CAR T-cell therapy influenced the composition of the TIME, with the recruitment and activation of distinct macrophage and endogenous T-cell subsets crucial for successful antitumor responses. Indeed, complete brain macrophage depletion using a CSF1R inhibitor abrogated CAR T-cell antitumor activity. In sum, our study highlights the critical role of CAR design and its modulation of the TIME in mediating the efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy for high-grade glioma. SIGNIFICANCE CAR T-cell immunotherapies hold great potential for treating brain cancers; however, they are hindered by a challenging immune environment that dampens their effectiveness. In this study, we show that the CAR design influences the makeup of the immune environment in brain tumors, underscoring the need to target specific immune components to improve CAR T-cell performance, and highlighting the significance of using models with functional immune systems to optimize this therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Haydar
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
- Children's National Hospital, Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jorge Ibañez-Vega
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Ching-Heng Chou
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Clifford S. Guy
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Michaela Meehl
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
- Department of Microbiology Immunology Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Zhongzhen Yi
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
- Children's National Hospital, Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Scott Perry
- Flow Cytometry Core, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jonathan Laxton
- Flow Cytometry Core, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Trevor Cunningham
- Flow Cytometry Core, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Deanna Langfitt
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Peter Vogel
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Martine F. Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Paul G. Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Giedre Krenciute
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Memphis, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|