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Lima AJF, Hajdu KL, Abdo L, Batista-Silva LR, de Oliveira Andrade C, Correia EM, Aragão EAA, Bonamino MH, Lourenzoni MR. In silico and in vivo analysis reveal impact of c-Myc tag in FMC63 scFv-CD19 protein interface and CAR-T cell efficacy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2375-2387. [PMID: 38873646 PMCID: PMC11170440 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.05.032] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy represents a breakthrough in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, and it is expected that this therapy modality will soon cover a range of solid tumors as well. Therefore, a universal cheap and sensitive method to detect CAR expression is of foremost importance. One possibility is the use of epitope tags such as c-Myc, HA or FLAG tags attached to the CAR extracellular domain, however, it is important to determine whether these tags can influence binding of the CAR with its target molecule. Here, we conducted in-silico structural modelling of an FMC63-based anti-CD19 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) with and without a c-Myc peptide tag added to the N-terminus portion and performed molecular dynamics simulation of the scFv with the CD19 target. We show that the c-Myc tag presence in the N-terminus portion does not affect the scFv's structural equilibrium and grants more stability to the scFv. However, intermolecular interaction potential (IIP) analysis reveals that the tag can approximate the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) present in the scFv and cause steric impediment, potentially disturbing interaction with the CD19 protein. We then tested this possibility with CAR-T cells generated from human donors in a Nalm-6 leukemia model, showing that CAR-T cells with the c-Myc tag have overall worse antitumor activity, which was also observed when the tag was added to the C-terminus position. Ultimately, our results suggest that tag addition is an important aspect of CAR design and can influence CAR-T cell function, therefore its use should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Julia Ferreira Lima
- Research Group on Protein Engineering and Health Solutions (GEPeSS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), São José, Precabura, 61773-270 Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
- Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Pici campus (Building 873), 60440-970 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Karina Lobo Hajdu
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiza Abdo
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Clara de Oliveira Andrade
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Mannarino Correia
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Martín Hernán Bonamino
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Vice - Presidency of Research and Biological Collections (VPPCB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Roberto Lourenzoni
- Research Group on Protein Engineering and Health Solutions (GEPeSS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), São José, Precabura, 61773-270 Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
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2
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Willyanto SE, Alimsjah YA, Tanjaya K, Tuekprakhon A, Pawestri AR. Comprehensive analysis of the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med 2024; 56:2349796. [PMID: 38738799 PMCID: PMC11095278 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2349796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relapse/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (r/r B-ALL) represents paediatric cancer with a challenging prognosis. CAR T-cell treatment, considered an advanced treatment, remains controversial due to high relapse rates and adverse events. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy for r/r B-ALL. METHODS The literature search was performed on four databases. Efficacy parameters included minimal residual disease negative complete remission (MRD-CR) and relapse rate (RR). Safety parameters constituted cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). RESULTS Anti-CD22 showed superior efficacy with the highest MRD-CR event rate and lowest RR, compared to anti-CD19. Combining CAR T-cell therapy with haploidentical stem cell transplantation improved RR. Safety-wise, bispecific anti-CD19/22 had the lowest CRS rate, and anti-CD22 showed the fewest ICANS. Analysis of the costimulatory receptors showed that adding CD28ζ to anti-CD19 CAR T-cell demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing relapses with favorable safety profiles. CONCLUSION Choosing a more efficacious and safer CAR T-cell treatment is crucial for improving overall survival in acute leukaemia. Beyond the promising anti-CD22 CAR T-cell, exploring costimulatory domains and new CD targets could enhance treatment effectiveness for r/r B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yohanes Audric Alimsjah
- Bachelor Study Program of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Krisanto Tanjaya
- Bachelor Study Program of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Aekkachai Tuekprakhon
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Aulia Rahmi Pawestri
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
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3
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Liu C, Wang Q, Li L, Gao F, Zhang Y, Zhu Y. The peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells target EGFR and tumor stroma for effective cancer therapy. Int J Pharm 2024; 663:124558. [PMID: 39111352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell for solid tumors is limited partially because of the lack of tumor-specific antigens and off-target effects. Low molecular weight peptides allowed CAR T cell to display several antigen receptors to reduce off-target effects. Here, we develop a peptide-based bispecific CAR for EGFR and tumor stroma, which are expressed in a variety of tumor types. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH AND KEY RESULTS The peptide-based CAR T cells show excellent proliferation, cytotoxicity activity and are only activated by tumor cells overexpressing EGFR instead of normal cells with low EGFR expressing. In mouse xenograft models, the peptide bispecific CAR T cells can be delivered into the inner of tumor masses and thus are effective in inhibiting tumor growth. Meanwhile, they show strong expansion capacity and the property of maintaining long-term function in vivo. During treatment, no off-tumor toxicity is observed on healthy organs expressing lower levels of EGFR. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS Our findings demonstrate that peptide-based bispecific CAR T holds great potential in solid tumor therapy due to an excellent targeting ability towards tumors and tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuijuan Liu
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China; The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Fan Gao
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yuanyue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
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4
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Becher B, Derfuss T, Liblau R. Targeting cytokine networks in neuroinflammatory diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024:10.1038/s41573-024-01026-y. [PMID: 39261632 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-01026-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
In neuroinflammatory diseases, systemic (blood-borne) leukocytes invade the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to tissue damage. A causal relationship between neuroinflammatory diseases and dysregulated cytokine networks is well established across several preclinical models. Cytokine dysregulation is also observed as an inadvertent effect of cancer immunotherapy, where it often leads to neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammatory diseases can be separated into those in which a pathogen is at the centre of the immune response and those of largely unknown aetiology. Here, we discuss the pathophysiology, cytokine networks and therapeutic landscape of 'sterile' neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), neurosarcoidosis and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) triggered by cancer immunotherapy. Despite successes in targeting cytokine networks in preclinical models of neuroinflammation, the clinical translation of targeting cytokines and their receptors has shown mixed and often paradoxical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burkhard Becher
- Institute of experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Tobias Derfuss
- Department of Neurology and Biomedicine, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Roland Liblau
- Institute for inflammatory and infectious diseases, INSERM UMR1291 - CNRS UMR505, Toulouse, France.
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5
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Wellhausen N, Baek J, Gill SI, June CH. Enhancing cellular immunotherapies in cancer by engineering selective therapeutic resistance. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:614-628. [PMID: 39048767 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00723-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or transgenic T cell receptors (TCRs) to recognize and eliminate cancer cells have emerged as a promising approach for achieving long-term remissions in patients with cancer. To be effective, the engineered cells must persist at therapeutically relevant levels while avoiding off-tumour toxicities, which has been challenging to realize outside of B cell and plasma cell malignancies. This Review discusses concepts to enhance the efficacy, safety and accessibility of cellular immunotherapies by endowing cells with selective resistance to small-molecule drugs or antibody-based therapies to facilitate combination therapies with substances that would otherwise interfere with the functionality of the effector cells. We further explore the utility of engineering healthy haematopoietic stem cells to confer resistance to antigen-directed immunotherapies and small-molecule targeted therapies to expand the therapeutic index of said targeted anticancer agents as well as to facilitate in vivo selection of gene-edited haematopoietic stem cells for non-malignant applications. Lastly, we discuss approaches to evade immune rejection, which may be required in the setting of allogeneic cell therapies. Increasing confidence in the tools and outcomes of genetically modified cell therapy now paves the way for rational combinations that will open new therapeutic horizons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Wellhausen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joanne Baek
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Saar I Gill
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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6
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Montagna E, de Campos NSP, Porto VA, da Silva GCP, Suarez ER. CD19 CAR T cells for B cell malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis focused on clinical impacts of CAR structural domains, manufacturing conditions, cellular product, doses, patient's age, and tumor types. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:1037. [PMID: 39174908 PMCID: PMC11340198 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T cells are one of the most remarkable cellular therapies for managing B cell malignancies. However, long-term disease-free survival is still a challenge to overcome. Here, we evaluated the influence of different hinge, transmembrane (TM), and costimulatory CAR domains, as well as manufacturing conditions, cellular product type, doses, patient's age, and tumor types on the clinical outcomes of patients with B cell cancers treated with CD19 CAR T cells. The primary outcome was defined as the best complete response (BCR), and the secondary outcomes were the best objective response (BOR) and 12-month overall survival (OS). The covariates considered were the type of hinge, TM, and costimulatory domains in the CAR, CAR T cell manufacturing conditions, cell population transduced with the CAR, the number of CAR T cell infusions, amount of CAR T cells injected/Kg, CD19 CAR type (name), tumor type, and age. Fifty-six studies (3493 patients) were included in the systematic review and 46 (3421 patients) in the meta-analysis. The overall BCR rate was 56%, with 60% OS and 75% BOR. Younger patients displayed remarkably higher BCR prevalence without differences in OS. The presence of CD28 in the CAR's hinge, TM, and costimulatory domains improved all outcomes evaluated. Doses from one to 4.9 million cells/kg resulted in better clinical outcomes. Our data also suggest that regardless of whether patients have had high objective responses, they might have survival benefits from CD19 CAR T therapy. This meta-analysis is a critical hypothesis-generating instrument, capturing effects in the CD19 CAR T cells literature lacking randomized clinical trials and large observational studies.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Age Factors
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Leukemia, B-Cell/therapy
- Leukemia, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, B-Cell/mortality
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/immunology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/therapy
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/mortality
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Montagna
- Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André, 09060-870, SP, Brazil
| | - Najla Santos Pacheco de Campos
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, 09210-580, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-062, SP, Brazil
| | - Victoria Alves Porto
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, 09210-580, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Eloah Rabello Suarez
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, 09210-580, SP, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-062, SP, Brazil.
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7
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Serrano S, Barrio R, Martínez-Rubio Á, Belmonte-Beitia J, Pérez-García VM. Understanding the role of B cells in CAR T-cell therapy in leukemia through a mathematical model. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2024; 34:083142. [PMID: 39191245 DOI: 10.1063/5.0206341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy has been proven to be successful against a variety of leukemias and lymphomas. This paper undertakes an analytical and numerical study of a mathematical model describing the competition of CAR T, leukemia, tumor, and B cells. Considering its significance in sustaining anti-CD19 CAR T-cell stimulation, a B-cell source term is integrated into the model. Through stability and bifurcation analyses, the potential for tumor eradication, contingent on the continuous influx of B cells, has been revealed, showing a transcritical bifurcation at a critical B-cell input. Additionally, an almost heteroclinic cycle between equilibrium points is identified, providing a theoretical basis for understanding disease relapse. Analyzing the oscillatory behavior of the system, the time-dependent dynamics of CAR T cells and leukemic cells can be approximated, shedding light on the impact of initial tumor burden on therapeutic outcomes. In conclusion, the study provides insights into CAR T-cell therapy dynamics for acute lymphoblastic leukemias, offering a theoretical foundation for clinical observations and suggesting avenues for future immunotherapy modeling research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Serrano
- IUMA, CoDy and Department of Applied Mathematics, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
| | - Roberto Barrio
- IUMA, CoDy and Department of Applied Mathematics, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Rubio
- Department of Mathematics, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz 11510, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz 11002, Spain
| | - Juan Belmonte-Beitia
- Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), Departament of Mathematics, Instituto de Matemática Aplicada a la Ciencia y la Ingeniería, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real 13071, Spain
| | - Víctor M Pérez-García
- Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), Departament of Mathematics, Instituto de Matemática Aplicada a la Ciencia y la Ingeniería, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real 13071, Spain
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8
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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.
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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
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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.
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9
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Hughes AD, Teachey DT, Diorio C. Riding the storm: managing cytokine-related toxicities in CAR-T cell therapy. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:5. [PMID: 39012374 PMCID: PMC11252192 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01013-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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The advent of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) has been a paradigm shift in cancer immunotherapeutics, with remarkable outcomes reported for a growing catalog of malignancies. While CAR-T are highly effective in multiple diseases, salvaging patients who were considered incurable, they have unique toxicities which can be life-threatening. Understanding the biology and risk factors for these toxicities has led to targeted treatment approaches which can mitigate them successfully. The three toxicities of particular interest are cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-like syndrome (IEC-HS). Each of these is characterized by cytokine storm and hyperinflammation; however, they differ mechanistically with regard to the cytokines and immune cells that drive the pathophysiology. We summarize the current state of the field of CAR-T-associated toxicities, focusing on underlying biology and how this informs toxicity management and prevention. We also highlight several emerging agents showing promise in preclinical models and the clinic. Many of these established and emerging agents do not appear to impact the anti-tumor function of CAR-T, opening the door to additional and wider CAR-T applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Hughes
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David T Teachey
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Immune Dysregulation Frontier Program, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Diorio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Immune Dysregulation Frontier Program, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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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.
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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.
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11
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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.
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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
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12
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Zouali M. Engineered immune cells as therapeutics for autoimmune diseases. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:842-858. [PMID: 38368169 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.01.006] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Current treatment options for autoimmune disease (AID) are essentially immunosuppressive, inhibiting the inflammatory cascade, without curing the disease. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target B cells showed efficacy, emphasizing the importance of B lymphocytes in autoimmune pathogenesis. Treatments that eliminate more potently B cells would open a new therapeutic era for AID. Immune cells can now be bioengineered to express constructs that enable them to specifically eradicate pathogenic B lymphocytes. Engineered immune cells (EICs) have shown therapeutic promise in both experimental models and in clinical trials in AID. Next-generation platforms are under development to optimize their specificity and improve safety. The profound and durable B cell depletion achieved reinforces the view that this biotherapeutic option holds promise for treating AID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moncef Zouali
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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13
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Zhou L, Li Y, Zheng D, Zheng Y, Cui Y, Qin L, Tang Z, Peng D, Wu Q, Long Y, Yao Y, Wong N, Lau J, Li P. Bispecific CAR-T cells targeting FAP and GPC3 have the potential to treat hepatocellular carcinoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200817. [PMID: 38882528 PMCID: PMC11179089 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated robust efficacy against hematological malignancies, but there are still some challenges regarding treating solid tumors, including tumor heterogeneity, antigen escape, and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we found that SNU398, a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, exhibited high expression levels of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and Glypican 3 (GPC3), which were negatively correlated with patient prognosis. The HepG2 HCC cell line highly expressed GPC3, while the SNU387 cell line exhibited high expression of FAP. Thus, we developed bispecific CAR-T cells to simultaneously target FAP and GPC3 to address tumor heterogeneity in HCC. The anti-FAP-GPC3 bispecific CAR-T cells could recognize and be activated by FAP or GPC3 expressed by tumor cells. Compared with anti-FAP CAR-T cells or anti-GPC3 CAR-T cells, bispecific CAR-T cells achieved more robust activity against tumor cells expressing FAP and GPC3 in vitro. The anti-FAP-GPC3 bispecific CAR-T cells also exhibited superior antitumor efficacy and significantly prolonged the survival of mice compared with single-target CAR-T cells in vivo. Overall, the use of anti-FAP-GPC3 bispecific CAR-T cells is a promising treatment approach to reduce tumor recurrence caused by tumor antigen heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfu Zhou
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yao Li
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Diwei Zheng
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongfang Zheng
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuanbin Cui
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Le Qin
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong Zhaotai Cell Biology Technology Ltd., Foshan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Tang
- Guangdong Zhaotai Cell Biology Technology Ltd., Foshan, China
| | - Dongdong Peng
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiting Wu
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youguo Long
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Yao
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nathalie Wong
- Department of Surgery of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, China
| | - James Lau
- Department of Surgery of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, China
| | - Peng Li
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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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.
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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
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15
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Caulier B, Joaquina S, Gelebart P, Dowling TH, Kaveh F, Thomas M, Tandaric L, Wernhoff P, Katyayini NU, Wogsland C, Gjerstad ME, Fløisand Y, Kvalheim G, Marr C, Kobold S, Enserink JM, Gjertsen BT, McCormack E, Inderberg EM, Wälchli S. CD37 is a safe chimeric antigen receptor target to treat acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101572. [PMID: 38754420 PMCID: PMC11228397 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101572] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by the accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. Nearly half of the AML patients relapse after standard induction therapy, and new forms of therapy are urgently needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy has so far not been successful in AML due to lack of efficacy and safety. Indeed, the most attractive antigen targets are stem cell markers such as CD33 or CD123. We demonstrate that CD37, a mature B cell marker, is expressed in AML samples, and its presence correlates with the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) 2017 risk stratification. We repurpose the anti-lymphoma CD37CAR for the treatment of AML and show that CD37CAR T cells specifically kill AML cells, secrete proinflammatory cytokines, and control cancer progression in vivo. Importantly, CD37CAR T cells display no toxicity toward hematopoietic stem cells. Thus, CD37 is a promising and safe CAR T cell AML target.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Animals
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Mice
- Tetraspanins/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/immunology
- Female
- Male
- Antigens, Neoplasm
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Caulier
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Center for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell), Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sandy Joaquina
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pascal Gelebart
- Department of Clinical Science, Precision Oncology Research Group, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tara Helén Dowling
- Department of Clinical Science, Precision Oncology Research Group, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Centre for Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Fatemeh Kaveh
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Moritz Thomas
- Institue of AI for Health, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Luka Tandaric
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Patrik Wernhoff
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Niveditha Umesh Katyayini
- Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Center for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell), Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cara Wogsland
- Department of Clinical Science, Precision Oncology Research Group, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - May Eriksen Gjerstad
- Department of Clinical Science, Precision Oncology Research Group, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Yngvar Fløisand
- Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunnar Kvalheim
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carsten Marr
- Institue of AI for Health, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany; Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jorrit M Enserink
- Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Center for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell), Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Section for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Tore Gjertsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Emmet McCormack
- Department of Clinical Science, Precision Oncology Research Group, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Centre for Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sébastien Wälchli
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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16
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Dias J, Garcia J, Agliardi G, Roddie C. CAR-T cell manufacturing landscape-Lessons from the past decade and considerations for early clinical development. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101250. [PMID: 38737799 PMCID: PMC11088187 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapies have consolidated their position over the last decade as an effective alternative to conventional chemotherapies for the treatment of a number of hematological malignancies. With an exponential increase in the number of commercial therapies and hundreds of phase 1 trials exploring CAR-T cell efficacy in different settings (including autoimmunity and solid tumors), demand for manufacturing capabilities in recent years has considerably increased. In this review, we explore the current landscape of CAR-T cell manufacturing and discuss some of the challenges limiting production capacity worldwide. We describe the latest technical developments in GMP production platform design to facilitate the delivery of a range of increasingly complex CAR-T cell products, and the challenges associated with translation of new scientific developments into clinical products for patients. We explore all aspects of the manufacturing process, namely early development, manufacturing technology, quality control, and the requirements for industrial scaling. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced as a small academic team, responsible for the delivery of a high number of innovative products to patients. We describe our experience in the setup of an effective bench-to-clinic pipeline, with a streamlined workflow, for implementation of a diverse portfolio of phase 1 trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Dias
- Centre for Cell, Gene and Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, UK
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - John Garcia
- Centre for Cell, Gene and Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, UK
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Giulia Agliardi
- Centre for Cell, Gene and Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, UK
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Claire Roddie
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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17
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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.
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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.
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18
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Alviano AM, Biondi M, Grassenis E, Biondi A, Serafini M, Tettamanti S. Fully equipped CARs to address tumor heterogeneity, enhance safety, and improve the functionality of cellular immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1407992. [PMID: 38887285 PMCID: PMC11180895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1407992] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Although adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells has achieved unprecedented response rates in patients with certain hematological malignancies, this therapeutic modality is still far from fulfilling its remarkable potential, especially in the context of solid cancers. Antigen escape variants, off-tumor destruction of healthy tissues expressing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), poor CAR-T cell persistence, and the occurrence of functional exhaustion represent some of the most prominent hurdles that limit CAR-T cell ability to induce long-lasting remissions with a tolerable adverse effect profile. In this review, we summarize the main approaches that have been developed to face such bottlenecks, including the adapter CAR (AdCAR) system, Boolean-logic gating, epitope editing, the modulation of cell-intrinsic signaling pathways, and the incorporation of safety switches to precisely control CAR-T cell activation. We also discuss the most pressing issues pertaining to the selection of co-stimulatory domains, with a focus on strategies aimed at promoting CAR-T cell persistence and optimal antitumor functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Maria Alviano
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Biondi
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Erica Grassenis
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Serafini
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Sarah Tettamanti
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
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19
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Freeman R, Shahid S, Khan AG, Mathew SC, Souness S, Burns ER, Um JS, Tanaka K, Cai W, Yoo S, Dunbar A, Park Y, McAvoy D, Hosszu KK, Levine RL, Boelens JJ, Lorenz IC, Brentjens RJ, Daniyan AF. Developing a membrane-proximal CD33-targeting CAR T cell. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009013. [PMID: 38772686 PMCID: PMC11110598 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD33 is a tractable target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, but clinical success is lacking. METHODS We developed 3P14HLh28Z, a novel CD33-directed CD28/CD3Z-based CAR T cell derived from a high-affinity binder obtained through membrane-proximal fragment immunization in humanized mice. RESULTS We found that immunization exclusively with the membrane-proximal domain of CD33 is necessary for identification of membrane-proximal binders in humanized mice. Compared with clinically validated lintuzumab-based CAR T cells targeting distal CD33 epitopes, 3P14HLh28Z showed enhanced in vitro functionality as well as superior tumor control and increased overall survival in both low antigen density and clinically relevant patient-derived xenograft models. Increased activation and enhanced polyfunctionality led to enhanced efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Showing for the first time that a membrane-proximal CAR is superior to a membrane-distal one in the setting of CD33 targeting, our results demonstrate the rationale for targeting membrane-proximal epitopes with high-affinity binders. We also demonstrate the importance of optimizing CAR T cells for functionality in settings of both low antigen density and clinically relevant patient-derived models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Freeman
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sanam Shahid
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Abdul G Khan
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Serena C Mathew
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sydney Souness
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Erin R Burns
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jasmine S Um
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kento Tanaka
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Winson Cai
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Yoo
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Dunbar
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Young Park
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Devin McAvoy
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kinga K Hosszu
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ross L Levine
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Ivo C Lorenz
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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20
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Martín-Martín L, Gutiérrez-Herrero S, Herrero-García M, Martín García-Sancho A, Yeguas A, Martín-López AÁ, López-Corral L, Pérez-López E, García-Blázquez M, Sánchez-Guijo F, Vidriales MB, Gaipa G, Orfao A. Impact of the kinetics of circulating anti-CD19 CAR-T cells and their populations on the outcome of DLBCL patients. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:83. [PMID: 38760376 PMCID: PMC11101460 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01065-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Martín-Martín
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Flow Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Gutiérrez-Herrero
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Flow Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Herrero-García
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Flow Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alejandro Martín García-Sancho
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana Yeguas
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana-África Martín-López
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lucía López-Corral
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Estefanía Pérez-López
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Fermín Sánchez-Guijo
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Belén Vidriales
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Gaipa
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
- Flow Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.
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21
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Satapathy BP, Sheoran P, Yadav R, Chettri D, Sonowal D, Dash CP, Dhaka P, Uttam V, Yadav R, Jain M, Jain A. The synergistic immunotherapeutic impact of engineered CAR-T cells with PD-1 blockade in lymphomas and solid tumors: a systematic review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1389971. [PMID: 38799440 PMCID: PMC11116574 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1389971] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor-T Cell (CAR-T) and immune checkpoint inhibitors like programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockers are showing promising results for numerous cancer patients. However, significant advancements are required before CAR-T therapies become readily available as off-the-shelf treatments, particularly for solid tumors and lymphomas. In this review, we have systematically analyzed the combination therapy involving engineered CAR-T cells and anti PD-1 agents. This approach aims at overcoming the limitations of current treatments and offers potential advantages such as enhanced tumor inhibition, alleviated T-cell exhaustion, heightened T-cell activation, and minimized toxicity. The integration of CAR-T therapy, which targets tumor-associated antigens, with PD-1 blockade augments T-cell function and mitigates immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment. To assess the impact of combination therapy on various tumors and lymphomas, we categorized them based on six major tumor-associated antigens: mesothelin, disialoganglioside GD-2, CD-19, CD-22, CD-133, and CD-30, which are present in different tumor types. We evaluated the efficacy, complete and partial responses, and progression-free survival in both pre-clinical and clinical models. Additionally, we discussed potential implications, including the feasibility of combination immunotherapies, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research to optimize treatment strategies and improve outcomes for cancer patients. Overall, we believe combining CAR-T therapy with PD-1 blockade holds promise for the next generation of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhu Prasad Satapathy
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Pooja Sheoran
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Rohit Yadav
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dewan Chettri
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dhruba Sonowal
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Chinmayee Priyadarsini Dash
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Prachi Dhaka
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Vivek Uttam
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Ritu Yadav
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Manju Jain
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Aklank Jain
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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22
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Grauwet K, Berger T, Kann MC, Silva H, Larson R, Leick MB, Bailey SR, Bouffard AA, Millar D, Gallagher K, Turtle CJ, Frigault MJ, Maus MV. Stealth transgenes enable CAR-T cells to evade host immune responses. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008417. [PMID: 38724463 PMCID: PMC11086422 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive cell therapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, has improved patient outcomes for hematological malignancies. Currently, four of the six FDA-approved CAR-T cell products use the FMC63-based αCD19 single-chain variable fragment, derived from a murine monoclonal antibody, as the extracellular binding domain. Clinical studies demonstrate that patients develop humoral and cellular immune responses to the non-self CAR components of autologous CAR-T cells or donor-specific antigens of allogeneic CAR-T cells, which is thought to potentially limit CAR-T cell persistence and the success of repeated dosing. METHODS In this study, we implemented a one-shot approach to prevent rejection of engineered T cells by simultaneously reducing antigen presentation and the surface expression of both Classes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) via expression of the viral inhibitors of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAPi) in combination with a transgene coding for shRNA targeting class II MHC transactivator (CIITA). The optimal combination was screened in vitro by flow cytometric analysis and mixed lymphocyte reaction assays and was validated in vivo in mouse models of leukemia and lymphoma. Functionality was assessed in an autologous setting using patient samples and in an allogeneic setting using an allogeneic mouse model. RESULTS The combination of the Epstein-Barr virus TAPi and an shRNA targeting CIITA was efficient and effective at reducing cell surface MHC classes I and II in αCD19 'stealth' CAR-T cells while retaining in vitro and in vivo antitumor functionality. Mixed lymphocyte reaction assays and IFNγ ELISpot assays performed with T cells from patients previously treated with autologous αCD19 CAR-T cells confirm that CAR T cells expressing the stealth transgenes evade allogeneic and autologous anti-CAR responses, which was further validated in vivo. Importantly, we noted anti-CAR-T cell responses in patients who had received multiple CAR-T cell infusions, and this response was reduced on in vitro restimulation with autologous CARs containing the stealth transgenes. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data suggest that the proposed stealth transgenes may reduce the immunogenicity of autologous and allogeneic cellular therapeutics. Moreover, patient data indicate that repeated doses of autologous FMC63-based αCD19 CAR-T cells significantly increased the anti-CAR T cell responses in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korneel Grauwet
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trisha Berger
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael C Kann
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Harrison Silva
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark B Leick
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amanda A Bouffard
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Millar
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen Gallagher
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cameron J Turtle
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Matthew J Frigault
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hosptial, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Brillembourg H, Martínez-Cibrián N, Bachiller M, Alserawan L, Ortiz-Maldonado V, Guedan S, Delgado J. The role of chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting more than one antigen in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:1649-1659. [PMID: 38362778 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19348] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Several products containing chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting CD19 (CART19) have been approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Despite very impressive response rates, a significant percentage of patients experience disease relapse and die of progressive disease. A major cause of CART19 failure is loss or downregulation of CD19 expression in tumour cells, which has prompted a myriad of novel strategies aimed at targeting more than one antigen (e.g. CD19 and CD20 or CD22). Dual targeting can the accomplished through co-administration of two separate products, co-transduction with two different vectors, bicistronic cassettes or tandem receptors. In this manuscript, we review the pros and cons of each strategy and the clinical results obtained so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Núria Martínez-Cibrián
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Oncology and Haematology Area, FRCB-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Bachiller
- Oncology and Haematology Area, FRCB-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Valentín Ortiz-Maldonado
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Oncology and Haematology Area, FRCB-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sònia Guedan
- Oncology and Haematology Area, FRCB-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Delgado
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Oncology and Haematology Area, FRCB-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Andreu-Saumell I, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Mühlgrabner V, Gimenez-Alejandre M, Marzal B, Castellsagué J, Brasó-Maristany F, Calderon H, Angelats L, Colell S, Nuding M, Soria-Castellano M, Barbao P, Prat A, Urbano-Ispizua A, Huppa JB, Guedan S. CAR affinity modulates the sensitivity of CAR-T cells to PD-1/PD-L1-mediated inhibition. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3552. [PMID: 38670972 PMCID: PMC11053011 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47799-z] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for solid tumors faces significant hurdles, including T-cell inhibition mediated by the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. The effects of disrupting this pathway on T-cells are being actively explored and controversial outcomes have been reported. Here, we hypothesize that CAR-antigen affinity may be a key factor modulating T-cell susceptibility towards the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. We systematically interrogate CAR-T cells targeting HER2 with either low (LA) or high affinity (HA) in various preclinical models. Our results reveal an increased sensitivity of LA CAR-T cells to PD-L1-mediated inhibition when compared to their HA counterparts by using in vitro models of tumor cell lines and supported lipid bilayers modified to display varying PD-L1 densities. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout (KO) of PD-1 enhances LA CAR-T cell cytokine secretion and polyfunctionality in vitro and antitumor effect in vivo and results in the downregulation of gene signatures related to T-cell exhaustion. By contrast, HA CAR-T cell features remain unaffected following PD-1 KO. This behavior holds true for CD28 and ICOS but not 4-1BB co-stimulated CAR-T cells, which are less sensitive to PD-L1 inhibition albeit targeting the antigen with LA. Our findings may inform CAR-T therapies involving disruption of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway tailored in particular for effective treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Andreu-Saumell
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Rodriguez-Garcia
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Vanessa Mühlgrabner
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marta Gimenez-Alejandre
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berta Marzal
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Castellsagué
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fara Brasó-Maristany
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hugo Calderon
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Angelats
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salut Colell
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Nuding
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Soria-Castellano
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Barbao
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleix Prat
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Cancer and Blood Diseases, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Urbano-Ispizua
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Fundació Clínic Recerca Biomédica- IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
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25
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Zhu W, Zhang Z, Chen J, Chen X, Huang L, Zhang X, Huang X, Ma N, Xu W, Yi X, Lu X, Fu X, Li S, Mo G, Wang Y, Yuan G, Zang M, Li Q, Jiang X, He Y, Wu S, He Y, Li Y, Hou J. A novel engineered IL-21 receptor arms T-cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T cells) against hepatocellular carcinoma. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:101. [PMID: 38643203 PMCID: PMC11032311 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Strategies to improve T cell therapy efficacy in solid tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are urgently needed. The common cytokine receptor γ chain (γc) family cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21 play fundamental roles in T cell development, differentiation and effector phases. This study aims to determine the combination effects of IL-21 in T cell therapy against HCC and investigate optimized strategies to utilize the effect of IL-21 signal in T cell therapy. The antitumor function of AFP-specific T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T) was augmented by exogenous IL-21 in vitro and in vivo. IL-21 enhanced proliferation capacity, promoted memory differentiation, downregulated PD-1 expression and alleviated apoptosis in TCR-T after activation. A novel engineered IL-21 receptor was established, and TCR-T armed with the novel engineered IL-21 receptors (IL-21R-TCR-T) showed upregulated phosphorylated STAT3 expression without exogenous IL-21 ligand. IL-21R-TCR-T showed better proliferation upon activation and superior antitumor function in vitro and in vivo. IL-21R-TCR-T exhibited a less differentiated, exhausted and apoptotic phenotype than conventional TCR-T upon repetitive tumor antigen stimulation. The novel IL-21 receptor in our study programs powerful TCR-T and can avoid side effects induced by IL-21 systemic utilization. The novel IL-21 receptor creates new opportunities for next-generation TCR-T against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinzhang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle, UK
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Ma
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Weikang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoheng Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guosheng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengya Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotao Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajing He
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sha Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Demonstration Center for Experimental Education of Basic Medical Sciences of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yukai He
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jinlin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Hanssens H, Meeus F, De Vlaeminck Y, Lecocq Q, Puttemans J, Debie P, De Groof TWM, Goyvaerts C, De Veirman K, Breckpot K, Devoogdt N. Scrutiny of chimeric antigen receptor activation by the extracellular domain: experience with single domain antibodies targeting multiple myeloma cells highlights the need for case-by-case optimization. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1389018. [PMID: 38720898 PMCID: PMC11077437 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1389018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable, despite the advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy. This unfulfilled potential can be attributed to two untackled issues: the lack of suitable CAR targets and formats. In relation to the former, the target should be highly expressed and reluctant to shedding; two characteristics that are attributed to the CS1-antigen. Furthermore, conventional CARs rely on scFvs for antigen recognition, yet this withholds disadvantages, mainly caused by the intrinsic instability of this format. VHHs have been proposed as valid scFv alternatives. We therefore intended to develop VHH-based CAR-T cells, targeting CS1, and to identify VHHs that induce optimal CAR-T cell activation together with the VHH parameters required to achieve this. Methods CS1-specific VHHs were generated, identified and fully characterized, in vitro and in vivo. Next, they were incorporated into second-generation CARs that only differ in their antigen-binding moiety. Reporter T-cell lines were lentivirally transduced with the different VHH-CARs and CAR-T cell activation kinetics were evaluated side-by-side. Affinity, cell-binding capacity, epitope location, in vivo behavior, binding distance, and orientation of the CAR-T:MM cell interaction pair were investigated as predictive parameters for CAR-T cell activation. Results Our data show that the VHHs affinity for its target antigen is relatively predictive for its in vivo tumor-tracing capacity, as tumor uptake generally decreased with decreasing affinity in an in vivo model of MM. This does not hold true for their CAR-T cell activation potential, as some intermediate affinity-binding VHHs proved surprisingly potent, while some higher affinity VHHs failed to induce equal levels of T-cell activation. This could not be attributed to cell-binding capacity, in vivo VHH behavior, epitope location, cell-to-cell distance or binding orientation. Hence, none of the investigated parameters proved to have significant predictive value for the extent of CAR-T cell activation. Conclusions We gained insight into the predictive parameters of VHHs in the CAR-context using a VHH library against CS1, a highly relevant MM antigen. As none of the studied VHH parameters had predictive value, defining VHHs for optimal CAR-T cell activation remains bound to serendipity. These findings highlight the importance of screening multiple candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen Hanssens
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fien Meeus
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Janik Puttemans
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pieterjan Debie
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Timo W. M. De Groof
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Translational Oncology Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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27
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Oporto Espuelas M, Burridge S, Kirkwood AA, Bonney D, Watts K, Shenton G, Jalowiec KA, O'Reilly MA, Roddie C, Castleton A, Clesham K, Nicholson E, Alajangi R, Prabhu S, George L, Uttenthal B, Gabelli M, Neill L, Besley C, Chaganti S, Wynn RF, Bartram J, Chiesa R, Lucchini G, Pavasovic V, Rao A, Rao K, Silva J, Samarasinghe S, Vora A, Clark P, Cummins M, Marks DI, Amrolia P, Hough R, Ghorashian S. Intention-to-treat outcomes utilising a stringent event definition in children and young people treated with tisagenlecleucel for r/r ALL through a national access scheme. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:66. [PMID: 38622139 PMCID: PMC11018620 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01038-2] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T-cell therapy has transformed relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) management and outcomes, but following CAR T infusion, interventions are often needed. In a UK multicentre study, we retrospectively evaluated tisagenlecleucel outcomes in all eligible patients, analysing overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) with standard and stringent definitions, the latter including measurable residual disease (MRD) emergence and further anti-leukaemic therapy. Both intention-to-treat and infused cohorts were considered. We collected data on feasibility of delivery, manufacture, toxicity, cause of therapy failure and followed patients until death from any cause. Of 142 eligible patients, 125 received tisagenlecleucel, 115/125 (92%) achieved complete remission (CR/CRi). Severe cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity occurred in 16/123 (13%) and 10/123 (8.1%), procedural mortality was 3/126 (2.4%). The 2-year intent to treat OS and EFS were 65.2% (95%CI 57.2-74.2%) and 46.5% (95%CI 37.6-57.6%), 2-year intent to treat stringent EFS was 35.6% (95%CI 28.1-44.9%). Median OS was not reached. Sixty-two responding patients experienced CAR T failure by the stringent event definition. Post failure, 1-year OS and standard EFS were 61.2% (95%CI 49.3-75.8) and 55.3% (95%CI 43.6-70.2). Investigation of CAR T-cell therapy for B-ALL delivered on a country-wide basis, including following patients beyond therapy failure, provides clinicians with robust outcome measures. Previously, outcomes post CAR T-cell therapy failure were under-reported. Our data show that patients can be successfully salvaged in this context with good short-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Oporto Espuelas
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, UCL Great Ormond Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
| | - Saskia Burridge
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Amy A Kirkwood
- Cancer Research UK & Cancer Trials Centre, UCL, London, UK
| | - Denise Bonney
- Department of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Kelly Watts
- Department of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Geoff Shenton
- Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Katarzyna A Jalowiec
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Maeve A O'Reilly
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Claire Roddie
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anna Castleton
- Department of Haematology, The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Katherine Clesham
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma Nicholson
- Department of Haematology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Rajesh Alajangi
- Department of Haematology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Shilpa Prabhu
- Department of Haematology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Lindsay George
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ben Uttenthal
- Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Gabelli
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
- Pediatric Onco-hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Woman and Child Health Department, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Lorna Neill
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Caroline Besley
- Department of Haematology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Sridhar Chaganti
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robert F Wynn
- Department of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Jack Bartram
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robert Chiesa
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Giovanna Lucchini
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Vesna Pavasovic
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anupama Rao
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kanchan Rao
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Juliana Silva
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Ajay Vora
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | - David I Marks
- Department of Haematology, University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Persis Amrolia
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, UCL Great Ormond Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rachael Hough
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sara Ghorashian
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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28
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Cochrane RW, Robino RA, Granger B, Allen E, Vaena S, Romeo MJ, de Cubas AA, Berto S, Ferreira LM. High affinity chimeric antigen receptor signaling induces an inflammatory program in human regulatory T cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.31.587467. [PMID: 38617240 PMCID: PMC11014479 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.31.587467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are promising cellular therapies to induce immune tolerance in organ transplantation and autoimmune disease. The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for cancer has sparked interest in using CARs to generate antigen-specific Tregs. Here, we compared CAR with endogenous T cell receptor (TCR)/CD28 activation in human Tregs. Strikingly, CAR Tregs displayed increased cytotoxicity and diminished suppression of antigen-presenting cells and effector T (Teff) cells compared with TCR/CD28 activated Tregs. RNA sequencing revealed that CAR Tregs activate Teff cell gene programs. Indeed, CAR Tregs secreted high levels of inflammatory cytokines, with a subset of FOXP3+ CAR Tregs uniquely acquiring CD40L surface expression and producing IFNγ. Interestingly, decreasing CAR antigen affinity reduced Teff cell gene expression and inflammatory cytokine production by CAR Tregs. Our findings showcase the impact of engineered receptor activation on Treg biology and support tailoring CAR constructs to Tregs for maximal therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell W. Cochrane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rob A. Robino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Bryan Granger
- Bioinformatics Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Eva Allen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Silvia Vaena
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Martin J. Romeo
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Aguirre A. de Cubas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stefano Berto
- Bioinformatics Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Leonardo M.R. Ferreira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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29
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McComb S, Arbabi-Ghahroudi M, Hay KA, Keller BA, Faulkes S, Rutherford M, Nguyen T, Shepherd A, Wu C, Marcil A, Aubry A, Hussack G, Pinto DM, Ryan S, Raphael S, van Faassen H, Zafer A, Zhu Q, Maclean S, Chattopadhyay A, Gurnani K, Gilbert R, Gadoury C, Iqbal U, Fatehi D, Jezierski A, Huang J, Pon RA, Sigrist M, Holt RA, Nelson BH, Atkins H, Kekre N, Yung E, Webb J, Nielsen JS, Weeratna RD. Discovery and preclinical development of a therapeutically active nanobody-based chimeric antigen receptor targeting human CD22. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200775. [PMID: 38596311 PMCID: PMC10914482 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies targeting B cell-restricted antigens CD19, CD20, or CD22 can produce potent clinical responses for some B cell malignancies, but relapse remains common. Camelid single-domain antibodies (sdAbs or nanobodies) are smaller, simpler, and easier to recombine than single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) used in most CARs, but fewer sdAb-CARs have been reported. Thus, we sought to identify a therapeutically active sdAb-CAR targeting human CD22. Immunization of an adult Llama glama with CD22 protein, sdAb-cDNA library construction, and phage panning yielded >20 sdAbs with diverse epitope and binding properties. Expressing CD22-sdAb-CAR in Jurkat cells drove varying CD22-specific reactivity not correlated with antibody affinity. Changing CD28- to CD8-transmembrane design increased CAR persistence and expression in vitro. CD22-sdAb-CAR candidates showed similar CD22-dependent CAR-T expansion in vitro, although only membrane-proximal epitope targeting CD22-sdAb-CARs activated direct cytolytic killing and extended survival in a lymphoma xenograft model. Based on enhanced survival in blinded xenograft studies, a lead CD22sdCAR-T was selected, achieving comparable complete responses to a benchmark short linker m971-scFv CAR-T in high-dose experiments. Finally, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry confirm tissue and cellular-level specificity of the lead CD22-sdAb. This presents a complete report on preclinical development of a novel CD22sdCAR therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott McComb
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mehdi Arbabi-Ghahroudi
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin A. Hay
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brian A. Keller
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, The Ottawa Hospital/University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sharlene Faulkes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Rutherford
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, The Ottawa Hospital/University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Hematopathology and Transfusion Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital/University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tina Nguyen
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alex Shepherd
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cunle Wu
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Marcil
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Annie Aubry
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Greg Hussack
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Devanand M. Pinto
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shannon Ryan
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shalini Raphael
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Henk van Faassen
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmed Zafer
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Qin Zhu
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Maclean
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anindita Chattopadhyay
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Komal Gurnani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rénald Gilbert
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christine Gadoury
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Umar Iqbal
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dorothy Fatehi
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Jezierski
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jez Huang
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Robert A. Pon
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mhairi Sigrist
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert A. Holt
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Brad H. Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Harold Atkins
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Natasha Kekre
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Yung
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - John Webb
- Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Julie S. Nielsen
- Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Risini D. Weeratna
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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30
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Appelbaum J, Price AE, Oda K, Zhang J, Leung WH, Tampella G, Xia D, So PP, Hilton SK, Evandy C, Sarkar S, Martin U, Krostag AR, Leonardi M, Zak DE, Logan R, Lewis P, Franke-Welch S, Ngwenyama N, Fitzgerald M, Tulberg N, Rawlings-Rhea S, Gardner RA, Jones K, Sanabria A, Crago W, Timmer J, Hollands A, Eckelman B, Bilic S, Woodworth J, Lamble A, Gregory PD, Jarjour J, Pogson M, Gustafson JA, Astrakhan A, Jensen MC. Drug-regulated CD33-targeted CAR T cells control AML using clinically optimized rapamycin dosing. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e162593. [PMID: 38502193 PMCID: PMC11060733 DOI: 10.1172/jci162593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) designs that incorporate pharmacologic control are desirable; however, designs suitable for clinical translation are needed. We designed a fully human, rapamycin-regulated drug product for targeting CD33+ tumors called dimerizaing agent-regulated immunoreceptor complex (DARIC33). T cell products demonstrated target-specific and rapamycin-dependent cytokine release, transcriptional responses, cytotoxicity, and in vivo antileukemic activity in the presence of as little as 1 nM rapamycin. Rapamycin withdrawal paused DARIC33-stimulated T cell effector functions, which were restored following reexposure to rapamycin, demonstrating reversible effector function control. While rapamycin-regulated DARIC33 T cells were highly sensitive to target antigen, CD34+ stem cell colony-forming capacity was not impacted. We benchmarked DARIC33 potency relative to CD19 CAR T cells to estimate a T cell dose for clinical testing. In addition, we integrated in vitro and preclinical in vivo drug concentration thresholds for off-on state transitions, as well as murine and human rapamycin pharmacokinetics, to estimate a clinically applicable rapamycin dosing schedule. A phase I DARIC33 trial has been initiated (PLAT-08, NCT05105152), with initial evidence of rapamycin-regulated T cell activation and antitumor impact. Our findings provide evidence that the DARIC platform exhibits sensitive regulation and potency needed for clinical application to other important immunotherapy targets.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3/immunology
- Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3/metabolism
- Sirolimus/pharmacology
- Sirolimus/administration & dosage
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Appelbaum
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Kaori Oda
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joy Zhang
- 2seventy bio, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Giacomo Tampella
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dong Xia
- 2seventy bio, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Claudya Evandy
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Semanti Sarkar
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Marissa Leonardi
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Rachael Logan
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Michael Fitzgerald
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Niklas Tulberg
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stephanie Rawlings-Rhea
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Gardner
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kyle Jones
- Inhibrx, Torrey Pines Science Park, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - William Crago
- Inhibrx, Torrey Pines Science Park, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - John Timmer
- Inhibrx, Torrey Pines Science Park, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Andrew Hollands
- Inhibrx, Torrey Pines Science Park, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Adam Lamble
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Joshua A. Gustafson
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Michael C. Jensen
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
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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.
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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
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32
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Wang Y, Buck A, Piel B, Zerefa L, Murugan N, Coherd CD, Miklosi AG, Johal H, Bastos RN, Huang K, Ficial M, Laimon YN, Signoretti S, Zhong Z, Hoang SM, Kastrunes GM, Grimaud M, Fayed A, Yuan HC, Nguyen QD, Thai T, Ivanova EV, Paweletz CP, Wu MR, Choueiri TK, Wee JO, Freeman GJ, Barbie DA, Marasco WA. Affinity fine-tuning anti-CAIX CAR-T cells mitigate on-target off-tumor side effects. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:56. [PMID: 38491381 PMCID: PMC10943873 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01952-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the major hurdles that has hindered the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies against solid tumors is on-target off-tumor (OTOT) toxicity due to sharing of the same epitopes on normal tissues. To elevate the safety profile of CAR-T cells, an affinity/avidity fine-tuned CAR was designed enabling CAR-T cell activation only in the presence of a highly expressed tumor associated antigen (TAA) but not when recognizing the same antigen at a physiological level on healthy cells. Using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) which provides single-molecule resolution, and flow cytometry, we identified high carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) density on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patient samples and low-density expression on healthy bile duct tissues. A Tet-On doxycycline-inducible CAIX expressing cell line was established to mimic various CAIX densities, providing coverage from CAIX-high skrc-59 tumor cells to CAIX-low MMNK-1 cholangiocytes. Assessing the killing of CAR-T cells, we demonstrated that low-affinity/high-avidity fine-tuned G9 CAR-T has a wider therapeutic window compared to high-affinity/high-avidity G250 that was used in the first anti-CAIX CAR-T clinical trial but displayed serious OTOT effects. To assess the therapeutic effect of G9 on patient samples, we generated ccRCC patient derived organotypic tumor spheroid (PDOTS) ex vivo cultures and demonstrated that G9 CAR-T cells exhibited superior efficacy, migration and cytokine release in these miniature tumors. Moreover, in an RCC orthotopic mouse model, G9 CAR-T cells showed enhanced tumor control compared to G250. In summary, G9 has successfully mitigated OTOT side effects and in doing so has made CAIX a druggable immunotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alicia Buck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Brandon Piel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Luann Zerefa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nithyassree Murugan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Christian D Coherd
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kun Huang
- Molecular Imaging Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Miriam Ficial
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yasmin Nabil Laimon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sabina Signoretti
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | | | - Gabriella M Kastrunes
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marion Grimaud
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Atef Fayed
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Hsien-Chi Yuan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Quang-De Nguyen
- Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Tran Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Elena V Ivanova
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center of Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Cloud P Paweletz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center of Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Toni K Choueiri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jon O Wee
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Gordon J Freeman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - David A Barbie
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center of Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Wayne A Marasco
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Knight E T, Oluwole O, Kitko C. The Implementation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy in Pediatric Patients: Where Did We Come From, Where Are We Now, and Where are We Going? Clin Hematol Int 2024; 6:96-115. [PMID: 38817691 PMCID: PMC11108586 DOI: 10.46989/001c.94386] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
CD19-directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Somewhat uniquely among oncologic clinical trials, early clinical development occurred simultaneously in both children and adults. In subsequent years however, the larger number of adult patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) malignancies has led to accelerated development of multiple CAR T-cell products that target a variety of malignancies, resulting in six currently FDA-approved for adult patients. By comparison, only a single CAR-T cell therapy is approved by the FDA for pediatric patients: tisagenlecleucel, which is approved for patients ≤ 25 years with refractory B-cell precursor ALL, or B-cell ALL in second or later relapse. Tisagenlecleucel is also under evaluation in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but is not yet been approved for this indication. All the other FDA-approved CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies available for adult patients (axicabtagene ciloleucel, brexucabtagene autoleucel, and lisocabtagene maraleucel) are currently under investigations among children, with preliminary results available in some cases. As the volume and complexity of data continue to grow, so too does the necessity of rapid assimilation and implementation of those data. This is particularly true when considering "atypical" situations, e.g. those arising when patients do not precisely conform to the profile of those included in pivotal clinical trials, or when alternative treatment options (e.g. hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or bispecific T-cell engagers (BITEs)) are also available. We have therefore developed a relevant summary of the currently available literature pertaining to the use of CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies in pediatric patients, and sought to provide guidance for clinicians seeking additional data about specific clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olalekan Oluwole
- Medicine Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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34
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Pan C, Zhai Y, Wang C, Liao Z, Wang D, Yu M, Wu F, Yin Y, Shi Z, Li G, Jiang T, Zhang W. Poliovirus receptor-based chimeric antigen receptor T cells combined with NK-92 cells exert potent activity against glioblastoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 2024; 116:389-400. [PMID: 37944044 PMCID: PMC10919341 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poliovirus receptor interacts with 3 receptors: T-cell immunoglobulin immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif, CD96, and DNAX accessory molecule 1, which are predominantly expressed on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Many solid tumors, including IDH wild-type glioblastoma, have been reported to overexpress poliovirus receptor, and this overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. However, there are no preclinical or clinical trials investigating the use of cell-based immunotherapies targeting poliovirus receptor in IDH wild-type glioblastoma. METHODS We analyzed poliovirus receptor expression in transcriptome sequencing databases and specimens from IDH wild-type glioblastoma patients. We developed poliovirus receptor targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells using lentivirus. The antitumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells was demonstrated in patient-derived glioma stem cells, intracranial and subcutaneous mouse xenograft models. RESULTS We verified poliovirus receptor expression in primary glioma stem cells, surgical specimens from IDH wild-type glioblastoma patients, and organoids. Accordingly, we developed poliovirus receptor-based second-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells. The antitumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells was demonstrated in glioma stem cells and xenograft models. Tumor recurrence occurred in intracranial xenograft models because of antigen loss. The combinational therapy of tyrosine-based inhibitory motif extracellular domain-based chimeric antigen receptor T cells and NK-92 cells markedly suppressed tumor recurrence and prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS Poliovirus receptor-based chimeric antigen receptor T cells were capable of killing glioma stem cells and suppressing tumor recurrence when combined with NK-92 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - You Zhai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhiyi Liao
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Di Wang
- 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
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yiyun Yin
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhongfang Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guanzhang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network and Asian Glioma Genome Atlas Network, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network and Asian Glioma Genome Atlas Network, 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
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network and Asian Glioma Genome Atlas Network, 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
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35
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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.
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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.
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36
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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.
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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.
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37
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Liao YM, Hsu SH, Chiou SS. Harnessing the Transcriptional Signatures of CAR-T-Cells and Leukemia/Lymphoma Using Single-Cell Sequencing Technologies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2416. [PMID: 38397092 PMCID: PMC10889174 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042416] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has greatly improved outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory hematological malignancies. However, challenges such as treatment resistance, relapse, and severe toxicity still hinder its widespread clinical application. Traditional transcriptome analysis has provided limited insights into the complex transcriptional landscape of both leukemia cells and engineered CAR-T-cells, as well as their interactions within the tumor microenvironment. However, with the advent of single-cell sequencing techniques, a paradigm shift has occurred, providing robust tools to unravel the complexities of these factors. These techniques enable an unbiased analysis of cellular heterogeneity and molecular patterns. These insights are invaluable for precise receptor design, guiding gene-based T-cell modification, and optimizing manufacturing conditions. Consequently, this review utilizes modern single-cell sequencing techniques to clarify the transcriptional intricacies of leukemia cells and CAR-Ts. The aim of this manuscript is to discuss the potential mechanisms that contribute to the clinical failures of CAR-T immunotherapy. We examine the biological characteristics of CAR-Ts, the mechanisms that govern clinical responses, and the intricacies of adverse events. By exploring these aspects, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of CAR-T therapy, which will ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes and broader therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Mei Liao
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Shih-Hsien Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Shin Chiou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Tao Z, Zhao X, Wang H, Zhang J, Jiang G, Yu B, Chen Y, Zhu M, Long J, Yin L, Zhang X, Liu M, He L. A method for rapid nanobody screening with no bias of the library diversity. iScience 2024; 27:108966. [PMID: 38327779 PMCID: PMC10847680 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108966] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobody, referred to the variable domain of heavy-chain-only antibodies, has several advantages such as small size and feasible Escherichia coli expression, making them promising for scientific research and therapies. Conventional nanobody screening and expression methods often suffer from the need for subcloning into expression vectors and amplification-induced diversity loss. Here, we developed an integrated method for simultaneous screening and expression. Nanobody libraries were cloned and secretly expressed in the culture medium. Target-specific nanobodies were isolated through 1-3 rounds of dilution and regrowth following the Poisson distribution. This ensured no dismissal of positive clones, with populations of positive clones increasing over 10-fold in each dilution round. Ultimately, we isolated 5 nanobodies against death domain receptor 5 and 5 against Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase directly from their immunized libraries. Notably, our approach enables nanobody screening without specialized instruments, demonstrating broad applicability in routine monoclonal nanobody production for diverse biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqing Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430061, China
- Qinhe Life Science Ltd, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Huan Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430061, China
| | - Guosheng Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Bin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingjun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junli Long
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430072, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Maili Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Lichun He
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Shishido SN, Hart O, Jeong S, Moriarty A, Heeke D, Rossi J, Bot A, Kuhn P. Liquid biopsy approach to monitor the efficacy and response to CAR-T cell therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e007329. [PMID: 38350684 PMCID: PMC10862257 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are approved for use in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Axicabtagene ciloleucel (YESCARTA) and brexucabtagene autoleucel (TECARTUS) genetically modified autologous T cells expressing an anti-CD19 scFv based on the FMC63 clone have shown impressive response rates for the treatment of CD19+B cell malignancies, but there remain challenges in monitoring long-term persistence as well as the functional characterization of low-level persisting CAR-T cells in patients. Furthermore, due to CD19-negative driven relapse, having the capability to monitor patients with simultaneous detection of the B cell malignancy and persisting CAR-T cells in patient peripheral blood is important for ensuring timely treatment optionality and understanding relapse. METHODS This study demonstrates the development and technical validation of a comprehensive liquid biopsy, high-definition single cell assay (HDSCA)-HemeCAR for (1) KTE-X19 CAR-T cell identification and analysis and (2) simultaneously monitoring the CD19-epitope landscape on neoplastic B cells in cryopreserved or fresh peripheral blood. Proprietary anti-CD19 CAR reagents, healthy donor transduced CAR-T cells, and patient samples consisting of malignant B cell fractions from manufacturing were used for assay development. RESULTS The CAR-T assay showed an approximate limit of detection at 1 cell in 3 million with a sensitivity of 91%. Genomic analysis was additionally used to confirm the presence of the CAR transgene. This study additionally reports the successful completion of two B cell assays with multiple CD19 variants (FMC63 and LE-CD19) and a unique fourth channel biomarker (CD20 or CD22). In patient samples, we observed that CD19 isoforms were highly heterogeneous both intrapatient and interpatient. CONCLUSIONS With the simultaneous detection of the CAR-T cells and the B cell malignancy in patient peripheral blood, the HDSCA-HemeCAR workflow may be considered for risk monitoring and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Shishido
- Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Olivia Hart
- Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sujin Jeong
- Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Aidan Moriarty
- Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Darren Heeke
- Kite A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - John Rossi
- Kite A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Adrian Bot
- Kite A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Peter Kuhn
- Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Institute of Urology, Catherine & Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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40
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Kaneko MK, Suzuki H, Ohishi T, Nakamura T, Tanaka T, Kato Y. A Cancer-Specific Monoclonal Antibody against HER2 Exerts Antitumor Activities in Human Breast Cancer Xenograft Models. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1941. [PMID: 38339219 PMCID: PMC10856767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031941] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based and/or cell-based immunotherapies provide innovative approaches to cancer treatments. However, safety concerns over targeting normal cells expressing reactive antigens still exist. Therefore, the development of cancer-specific mAbs (CasMabs) that recognize cancer-specific antigens with in vivo antitumor efficacy is required to minimize the adverse effects. We previously screened anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mAbs and successfully established a cancer-specific anti-HER2 mAb, H2Mab-250/H2CasMab-2 (IgG1, kappa). In this study, we showed that H2Mab-250 reacted with HER2-positive breast cancer cells but did not show reactivity to normal epithelial cells in flow cytometry. In contrast, a clinically approved anti-HER2 mAb, trastuzumab, recognized both breast cancer and normal epithelial cells. We further compared the affinity, effector activation, and antitumor effect of H2Mab-250 with trastuzumab. The results showed that H2Mab-250 exerted a comparable antitumor effect with trastuzumab in the mouse xenograft models of BT-474 and SK-BR-3, although H2Mab-250 possessed a lower affinity and effector activation than trastuzumab in vitro. H2Mab-250 could contribute to the development of chimeric antigen receptor-T or antibody-drug conjugates without adverse effects for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika K. Kaneko
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan; (M.K.K.); (H.S.); (T.N.); (T.T.)
| | - Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan; (M.K.K.); (H.S.); (T.N.); (T.T.)
| | - Tomokazu Ohishi
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, 18-24 Miyamoto, Numazu 410-0301, Japan;
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, 3-14-23 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan; (M.K.K.); (H.S.); (T.N.); (T.T.)
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan; (M.K.K.); (H.S.); (T.N.); (T.T.)
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan; (M.K.K.); (H.S.); (T.N.); (T.T.)
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Ye L, Lam SZ, Yang L, Suzuki K, Zou Y, Lin Q, Zhang Y, Clark P, Peng L, Chen S. AAV-mediated delivery of a Sleeping Beauty transposon and an mRNA-encoded transposase for the engineering of therapeutic immune cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:132-148. [PMID: 37430157 PMCID: PMC11320892 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Engineering cells for adoptive therapy requires overcoming limitations in cell viability and, in the efficiency of transgene delivery, the duration of transgene expression and the stability of genomic integration. Here we report a gene-delivery system consisting of a Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposase encoded into a messenger RNA delivered by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding an SB transposon that includes the desired transgene, for mediating the permanent integration of the transgene. Compared with lentiviral vectors and with the electroporation of plasmids of transposon DNA or minicircle DNA, the gene-delivery system, which we named MAJESTIC (for 'mRNA AAV-SB joint engineering of stable therapeutic immune cells'), offers prolonged transgene expression, as well as higher transgene expression, therapeutic-cell yield and cell viability. MAJESTIC can deliver chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) into T cells (which we show lead to strong anti-tumour activity in vivo) and also transduce natural killer cells, myeloid cells and induced pluripotent stem cells with bi-specific CARs, kill-switch CARs and synthetic T-cell receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lupeng Ye
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Stanley Z Lam
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luojia Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kazushi Suzuki
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongji Zou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Qianqian Lin
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yueqi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul Clark
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lei Peng
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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42
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Colina AS, Shah V, Shah RK, Kozlik T, Dash RK, Terhune S, Zamora AE. Current advances in experimental and computational approaches to enhance CAR T cell manufacturing protocols and improve clinical efficacy. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2024; 4:1310002. [PMID: 39086435 PMCID: PMC11285593 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2024.1310002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Since the FDA's approval of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in 2017, significant improvements have been made in the design of chimeric antigen receptor constructs and in the manufacturing of CAR T cell therapies resulting in increased in vivo CAR T cell persistence and improved clinical outcome in certain hematological malignancies. Despite the remarkable clinical response seen in some patients, challenges remain in achieving durable long-term tumor-free survival, reducing therapy associated malignancies and toxicities, and expanding on the types of cancers that can be treated with this therapeutic modality. Careful analysis of the biological factors demarcating efficacious from suboptimal CAR T cell responses will be of paramount importance to address these shortcomings. With the ever-expanding toolbox of experimental approaches, single-cell technologies, and computational resources, there is renowned interest in discovering new ways to streamline the development and validation of new CAR T cell products. Better and more accurate prognostic and predictive models can be developed to help guide and inform clinical decision making by incorporating these approaches into translational and clinical workflows. In this review, we provide a brief overview of recent advancements in CAR T cell manufacturing and describe the strategies used to selectively expand specific phenotypic subsets. Additionally, we review experimental approaches to assess CAR T cell functionality and summarize current in silico methods which have the potential to improve CAR T cell manufacturing and predict clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo S. Colina
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Viren Shah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ravi K. Shah
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Tanya Kozlik
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ranjan K. Dash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Scott Terhune
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Anthony E. Zamora
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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43
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Sakemura RL, Manriquez Roman C, Horvei P, Siegler EL, Girsch JH, Sirpilla OL, Stewart CM, Yun K, Can I, Ogbodo EJ, Adada MM, Bezerra ED, Kankeu Fonkoua LA, Hefazi M, Ruff MW, Kimball BL, Mai LK, Huynh TN, Nevala WK, Ilieva K, Augsberger C, Patra-Kneuer M, Schanzer J, Endell J, Heitmüller C, Steidl S, Parikh SA, Ding W, Kay NE, Nowakowski GS, Kenderian SS. CD19 occupancy with tafasitamab increases therapeutic index of CART19 cell therapy and diminishes severity of CRS. Blood 2024; 143:258-271. [PMID: 37879074 PMCID: PMC10808250 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022018905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT In the development of various strategies of anti-CD19 immunotherapy for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, it remains unclear whether CD19 monoclonal antibody therapy impairs subsequent CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART19) therapy. We evaluated the potential interference between the CD19-targeting monoclonal antibody tafasitamab and CART19 treatment in preclinical models. Concomitant treatment with tafasitamab and CART19 showed major CD19 binding competition, which led to CART19 functional impairment. However, when CD19+ cell lines were pretreated with tafasitamab overnight and the unbound antibody was subsequently removed from the culture, CART19 function was not affected. In preclinical in vivo models, tafasitamab pretreatment demonstrated reduced incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome and exhibited superior antitumor effects and overall survival compared with CART19 alone. This was associated with transient CD19 occupancy with tafasitamab, which in turn resulted in the inhibition of CART19 overactivation, leading to diminished CAR T apoptosis and pyroptosis of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Leo Sakemura
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Claudia Manriquez Roman
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Paulina Horvei
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Elizabeth L. Siegler
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - James H. Girsch
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Olivia L. Sirpilla
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Carli M. Stewart
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Kun Yun
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ismail Can
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ekene J. Ogbodo
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Mohamad M. Adada
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | | | - Mehrdad Hefazi
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Michael W. Ruff
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Brooke L. Kimball
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Long K. Mai
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Truc N. Huynh
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wei Ding
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Neil E. Kay
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Saad S. Kenderian
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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44
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Hirayama AV, Bleakley M. CD19 occupancy may drive CARs further. Blood 2024; 143:190-192. [PMID: 38236611 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
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45
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Weinberg ZY, Soliman SS, Kim MS, Chen IP, Ott M, El-Samad H. De novo-designed minibinders expand the synthetic biology sensing repertoire. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575267. [PMID: 38293112 PMCID: PMC10827046 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic and chimeric receptors capable of recognizing and responding to user-defined antigens have enabled "smart" therapeutics based on engineered cells. These cell engineering tools depend on antigen sensors which are most often derived from antibodies. Advances in the de novo design of proteins have enabled the design of protein binders with the potential to target epitopes with unique properties and faster production timelines compared to antibodies. Building upon our previous work combining a de novo-designed minibinder of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 with the synthetic receptor synNotch (SARSNotch), we investigated whether minibinders can be readily adapted to a diversity of cell engineering tools. We show that the Spike minibinder LCB1 easily generalizes to a next-generation proteolytic receptor SNIPR that performs similarly to our previously reported SARSNotch. LCB1-SNIPR successfully enables the detection of live SARS-CoV-2, an improvement over SARSNotch which can only detect cell-expressed Spike. To test the generalizability of minibinders to diverse applications, we tested LCB1 as an antigen sensor for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). LCB1-CAR enabled CD8+ T cells to cytotoxically target Spike-expressing cells. Our findings suggest that minibinders represent a novel class of antigen sensors that have the potential to dramatically expand the sensing repertoire of cell engineering tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew S. Kim
- Tetrad Gradudate Program, UCSF, San Francisco CA
- Cell Design Institute, San Francisco CA
| | - Irene P. Chen
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco CA
- Department of Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco CA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco CA
- Department of Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco CA
| | - Hana El-Samad
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco CA
- Cell Design Institute, San Francisco CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco CA
- Altos Labs, San Francisco CA
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Ghorashian S, Lucchini G, Richardson R, Nguyen K, Terris C, Guvenel A, Oporto-Espuelas M, Yeung J, Pinner D, Chu J, Williams L, Ko KY, Walding C, Watts K, Inglott S, Thomas R, Connor C, Adams S, Gravett E, Gilmour K, Lal A, Kunaseelan S, Popova B, Lopes A, Ngai Y, Hackshaw A, Kokalaki E, Carulla MB, Mullanfiroze K, Lazareva A, Pavasovic V, Rao A, Bartram J, Vora A, Chiesa R, Silva J, Rao K, Bonney D, Wynn R, Pule M, Hough R, Amrolia PJ. CD19/CD22 targeting with cotransduced CAR T cells to prevent antigen-negative relapse after CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell ALL. Blood 2024; 143:118-123. [PMID: 37647647 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT CD19-negative relapse is a leading cause of treatment failure after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We investigated a CAR T-cell product targeting CD19 and CD22 generated by lentiviral cotransduction with vectors encoding our previously described fast-off rate CD19 CAR (AUTO1) combined with a novel CD22 CAR capable of effective signaling at low antigen density. Twelve patients with advanced B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated (CARPALL [Immunotherapy with CD19/22 CAR Redirected T Cells for High Risk/Relapsed Paediatric CD19+ and/or CD22+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia] study, NCT02443831), a third of whom had failed prior licensed CAR therapy. Toxicity was similar to that of AUTO1 alone, with no cases of severe cytokine release syndrome. Of 12 patients, 10 (83%) achieved a measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative complete remission at 2 months after infusion. Of 10 responding patients, 5 had emergence of MRD (n = 2) or relapse (n = 3) with CD19- and CD22-expressing disease associated with loss of CAR T-cell persistence. With a median follow-up of 8.7 months, there were no cases of relapse due to antigen-negative escape. Overall survival was 75% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41%-91%) at 6 and 12 months. The 6- and 12-month event-free survival rates were 75% (95% CI, 41%-91%) and 60% (95% CI, 23%-84%), respectively. These data suggest dual targeting with cotransduction may prevent antigen-negative relapse after CAR T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ghorashian
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanna Lucchini
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Richardson
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kyvi Nguyen
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Terris
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aleks Guvenel
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Macarena Oporto-Espuelas
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Yeung
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Danielle Pinner
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Chu
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsey Williams
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ka-Yuk Ko
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chloe Walding
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospital Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kelly Watts
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Inglott
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Thomas
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Connor
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Adams
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Gravett
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberly Gilmour
- Cell Therapy and Immunology Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alka Lal
- Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Bilyana Popova
- Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andre Lopes
- Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yenting Ngai
- Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan Hackshaw
- Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Milena Balasch Carulla
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khushnuma Mullanfiroze
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arina Lazareva
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vesna Pavasovic
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anupama Rao
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Bartram
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay Vora
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Chiesa
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juliana Silva
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kanchan Rao
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Denise Bonney
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Wynn
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rachael Hough
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospital Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Persis J Amrolia
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
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Naik S, Gottschalk S. Is immune escape in the rearview mirror? Blood 2024; 143:97-98. [PMID: 38206641 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
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Jin Y, Dunn C, Persiconi I, Sike A, Skorstad G, Beck C, Kyte JA. Comparative Evaluation of STEAP1 Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptors with Different Costimulatory Domains and Spacers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:586. [PMID: 38203757 PMCID: PMC10778617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010586] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We have developed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) against the six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate-1 (STEAP1), which is expressed in prostate cancer, Ewing sarcoma, and other malignancies. In the present study, we investigated the effect of substituting costimulatory domains and spacers in this STEAP1 CAR. We cloned four CAR constructs with either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory domains, combined with a CD8a-spacer (sp) or a mutated IgG-spacer. The CAR T-cells were evaluated in short- and long-term in vitro T-cell assays, measuring cytokine production, tumor cell killing, and CAR T-cell expansion and phenotype. A xenograft mouse model of prostate cancer was used for in vivo comparison. All four CAR constructs conferred CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with STEAP1-specific functionality. A CD8sp_41BBz construct and an IgGsp_CD28z construct were selected for a more extensive comparison. The IgGsp_CD28z CAR gave stronger cytokine responses and killing in overnight caspase assays. However, the 41BB-containing CAR mediated more killing (IncuCyte) over one week. Upon six repeated stimulations, the CD8sp_41BBz CAR T cells showed superior expansion and lower expression of exhaustion markers (PD1, LAG3, TIGIT, TIM3, and CD25). In vivo, both the CAR T variants had comparable anti-tumor activity, but persisting CAR T-cells in tumors were only detected for the 41BBz variant. In conclusion, the CD8sp_41BBz STEAP1 CAR T cells had superior expansion and survival in vitro and in vivo, compared to the IgGsp_CD28z counterpart, and a less exhausted phenotype upon repeated antigen exposure. Such persistence may be important for clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Jin
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway; (Y.J.); (C.D.); (I.P.); (A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Claire Dunn
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway; (Y.J.); (C.D.); (I.P.); (A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Irene Persiconi
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway; (Y.J.); (C.D.); (I.P.); (A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Adam Sike
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway; (Y.J.); (C.D.); (I.P.); (A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Gjertrud Skorstad
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Carole Beck
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway; (Y.J.); (C.D.); (I.P.); (A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway; (Y.J.); (C.D.); (I.P.); (A.S.); (C.B.)
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
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Testa U, Sica S, Pelosi E, Castelli G, Leone G. CAR-T Cell Therapy in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2024; 16:e2024010. [PMID: 38223477 PMCID: PMC10786140 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2024.010] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment of refractory and relapsed (R/R) B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is an unmet medical need in both children and adults. Studies carried out in the last two decades have shown that autologous T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) represent an effective technique for treating these patients. Antigens expressed on B-cells, such as CD19, CD20, and CD22, represent targets suitable for treating patients with R/R B-ALL. CD19 CAR-T cells induce a high rate (80-90%) of complete remissions in both pediatric and adult R/R B-ALL patients. However, despite this impressive rate of responses, about half of responding patients relapse within 1-2 years after CAR-T cell therapy. Allo-HSCT after CAR-T cell therapy might consolidate the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T and increase long-term outcomes; however, not all the studies that have adopted allo-HSCT as a consolidative treatment strategy have shown a benefit deriving from transplantation. For B-ALL patients who relapse early after allo-HSCT or those with insufficient T-cell numbers for an autologous approach, using T cells from the original stem cell donor offers the opportunity for the successful generation of CAR-T cells and for an effective therapeutic approach. Finally, recent studies have introduced allogeneic CAR-T cells generated from healthy donors or unmatched, which are opportunely manipulated with gene editing to reduce the risk of immunological incompatibility, with promising therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona Sica
- Dipartimento Di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica Ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy. Sezione Di Ematologia
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Radiologiche Ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Leone
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Radiologiche Ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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Hoelzer D, Bassan R, Boissel N, Roddie C, Ribera JM, Jerkeman M. ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline interim update on the use of targeted therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Ann Oncol 2024; 35:15-28. [PMID: 37832649 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.09.3112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D Hoelzer
- ONKOLOGIKUM Frankfurt am Museumsufer, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - R Bassan
- Hematology Unit, Ospedale dell'Angelo e Ospedale SS, Giovanni e Paolo, Mestre-Venezia, Italy
| | - N Boissel
- Hematology Department, Saint-Louis Hospital, APHP, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - C Roddie
- Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - J M Ribera
- Clinical Hematology Department, ICO-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Jose Carreras Research Institute, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Jerkeman
- Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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