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Fu C, Zhang X, Zhang X, Wang D, Han S, Ma Z. Advances in IL-7 Research on Tumour Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:415. [PMID: 38675377 PMCID: PMC11054630 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a versatile cytokine that plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system's homeostasis. It is involved in the development, proliferation, and differentiation of B and T cells, as well as being essential for the differentiation and survival of naïve T cells and the production and maintenance of memory T cells. Given its potent biological functions, IL-7 is considered to have the potential to be widely used in the field of anti-tumour immunotherapy. Notably, IL-7 can improve the tumour microenvironment by promoting the development of Th17 cells, which can in turn promote the recruitment of effector T cells and NK cells. In addition, IL-7 can also down-regulate the expression of tumour growth factor-β and inhibit immunosuppression to promote anti-tumour efficacy, suggesting potential clinical applications for anti-tumour immunotherapy. This review aims to discuss the origin of IL-7 and its receptor IL-7R, its anti-tumour mechanism, and the recent advances in the application of IL-7 in tumour therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhenghai Ma
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China; (C.F.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (D.W.); (S.H.)
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Wang SY, Scurti GM, Dalheim AV, Quinn S, Stiff PJ, Nishimura MI. Nonactivated and IL-7 cultured CD19-specific CAR T cells are enriched in stem cell phenotypes and functionally superior. Blood Adv 2024; 8:324-335. [PMID: 37967375 PMCID: PMC10788799 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated impressive responses in patients with relapsed and refractory B cell malignancies. However, many patients relapse or fail to respond to CD19 CAR T cells, demonstrating the need to improve its efficacy and durability. Current protocols for generating CAR T cells involve T cell activation through CD3 stimulation to facilitate efficient CAR transfer followed by ex vivo expansion with exogenous cytokines to obtain adequate cell numbers for treatment. Both T cell activation and expansion inevitably lead to terminal differentiation and replicative senescence, which are suboptimal for therapy. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) was previously shown to allow for lentiviral transduction of T cells in the absence of activation. In these studies, we used IL-7 to generate CD19 CAR T cells without stimulating CD3. Nonactivated and IL-7 cultured (NICE) CD19 CAR T cells were enriched with the T memory stem cell population, retained novel markers of stemness, had lower expression of exhaustion markers, and increased proliferative potential. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with engraftment of NICE CD19 CAR T cells and demonstrate a superior therapeutic response in both intraperitoneal and subcutaneous in vivo B cell lymphoma models. These results suggest that NICE CD19 CAR T cells may improve outcomes for B cell malignancies and warrant clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siao-Yi Wang
- Department of Medicine, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Gina M. Scurti
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Annika V. Dalheim
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Suzanne Quinn
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Patrick J. Stiff
- Department of Medicine, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Michael I. Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
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Shapiro MR, Peters LD, Brown ME, Cabello-Kindelan C, Posgai AL, Bayer AL, Brusko TM. Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Synergizes with IL-2 to Induce Homeostatic Proliferation of Regulatory T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1108-1122. [PMID: 37594278 PMCID: PMC10511790 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
IL-2 has been proposed to restore tolerance via regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion in autoimmunity, yet off-target effects necessitate identification of a combinatorial approach allowing for lower IL-2 dosing. We recently reported reduced levels of immunoregulatory insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) during type 1 diabetes progression. Thus, we hypothesized that IGF1 would synergize with IL-2 to expand Tregs. We observed IGF1 receptor was elevated on murine memory and human naive Treg subsets. IL-2 and IGF1 promoted PI3K/Akt signaling in Tregs, inducing thymically-derived Treg expansion beyond either agent alone in NOD mice. Increased populations of murine Tregs of naive or memory, as well as CD5lo polyclonal or CD5hi likely self-reactive, status were also observed. Expansion was attributed to increased IL-2Rγ subunit expression on murine Tregs exposed to IL-2 and IGF1 as compared with IL-2 or IGF1 alone. Assessing translational capacity, incubation of naive human CD4+ T cells with IL-2 and IGF1 enhanced thymically-derived Treg proliferation in vitro, without the need for TCR ligation. We then demonstrated that IGF1 and IL-2 or IL-7, which is also IL-2Rγ-chain dependent, can be used to induce proliferation of genetically engineered naive human Tregs or T conventional cells, respectively. These data support the potential use of IGF1 in combination with common γ-chain cytokines to drive homeostatic T cell expansion, both in vitro and in vivo, for cellular therapeutics and ex vivo gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R. Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Diabetes Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Leeana D. Peters
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Diabetes Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Matthew E. Brown
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Diabetes Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - Amanda L. Posgai
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Diabetes Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Allison L. Bayer
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Todd M. Brusko
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Diabetes Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Diabetes Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Hesari M, Attar Z, Soltani-Shirazi S, Keshavarzian O, Taheri R, Tabrizi R, Fouladseresht H. The Therapeutic Values of IL-7/IL-7R and the Recombinant Derivatives in Glioma: A Narrative Review. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2023; 43:319-334. [PMID: 37566474 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is essential for maintaining the immune system's defense functions by regulating the development and homeostasis of lymphocytes. Findings have shown the high efficacy of IL-7/IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)-based immunotherapy on various malignancies, with confirmation in both animal models and humans. In recent years, the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients suffering from gliomas significantly increased by introducing C7R-expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and long-acting IL-7 agonists such as NT-I7 (rhIL-7-hyFc, Efineptakin alfa). However, the effect of IL-7-based immunotherapies on the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy (when used simultaneously with chemotherapy agents) is still ambiguous and requires further studies. This article first reviews the pathophysiological roles of IL-7/IL-7R in tumors, focusing on gliomas. Subsequently, it discusses the therapeutic values of IL-7/IL-7R and the recombinant derivatives in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeinab Attar
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shakiba Soltani-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Reza Taheri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Reza Tabrizi
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Hamed Fouladseresht
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Wang C, Kong L, Kim S, Lee S, Oh S, Jo S, Jang I, Kim TD. The Role of IL-7 and IL-7R in Cancer Pathophysiology and Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810412. [PMID: 36142322 PMCID: PMC9499417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a multipotent cytokine that maintains the homeostasis of the immune system. IL-7 plays a vital role in T-cell development, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as in B cell maturation through the activation of the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R). IL-7 is closely associated with tumor development and has been used in cancer clinical research and therapy. In this review, we first summarize the roles of IL-7 and IL-7Rα and their downstream signaling pathways in immunity and cancer. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss the recent advances in the use of IL-7 and IL-7Rα as cancer immunotherapy tools and highlight their potential for therapeutic applications. This review will help in the development of cancer immunotherapy regimens based on IL-7 and IL-7Rα, and will also advance their exploitation as more effective and safe immunotherapy tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wang
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Lingzu Kong
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Seokmin Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Sunyoung Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Sechan Oh
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Seona Jo
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Inhwan Jang
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Tae-Don Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Stem cell like memory T cells: A new paradigm in cancer immunotherapy. Clin Immunol 2022; 241:109078. [PMID: 35840054 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109078] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell like memory T (TSCM) cells have emerged as the apex of memory T cell differentiation for their properties of self-renewal and replenishing progenies. With potent long-term persistence, proliferative capacity and antitumor activity, TSCM cells were thought to be the ideal candidate for cancer immunotherapies. Several strategies have been proposed, such as manipulations of cytokines, metabolic factors, signal pathways, and T cell receptor signal intensity, to induce more TSCM cells in vitro, in the hope that they could reach a clinical order of magnitude to provide more long-lasting and effective anti-tumor effects in vivo. In this review, we summarized the differentiation characteristics of TSCM cells and strategies to generate more TSCM cells. We focused on their roles and application in the cancer immunotherapy especially in adoptive cell transfer therapy and cancer therapeutic vaccines, and hopefully provided clues for future understanding and researches.
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