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WANG ZHENGYI, ZHOU LIANG, WU XIAOYING. Influencing factors and solution strategies of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy. Oncol Res 2024; 32:1479-1516. [PMID: 39220130 PMCID: PMC11361912 DOI: 10.32604/or.2024.048564] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cesll therapy (CAR-T) has achieved groundbreaking advancements in clinical application, ushering in a new era for innovative cancer treatment. However, the challenges associated with implementing this novel targeted cell therapy are increasingly significant. Particularly in the clinical management of solid tumors, obstacles such as the immunosuppressive effects of the tumor microenvironment, limited local tumor infiltration capability of CAR-T cells, heterogeneity of tumor targeting antigens, uncertainties surrounding CAR-T quality, control, and clinical adverse reactions have contributed to increased drug resistance and decreased compliance in tumor therapy. These factors have significantly impeded the widespread adoption and utilization of this therapeutic approach. In this paper, we comprehensively analyze recent preclinical and clinical reports on CAR-T therapy while summarizing crucial factors influencing its efficacy. Furthermore, we aim to identify existing solution strategies and explore their current research status. Through this review article, our objective is to broaden perspectives for further exploration into CAR-T therapy strategies and their clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- ZHENGYI WANG
- Department of Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - LIANG ZHOU
- Department of Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - XIAOYING WU
- Ministry of Education and Training, Chengdu Second People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
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2
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Lu L, Xie M, Yang B, Zhao WB, Cao J. Enhancing the safety of CAR-T cell therapy: Synthetic genetic switch for spatiotemporal control. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj6251. [PMID: 38394207 PMCID: PMC10889354 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a promising and precise targeted therapy for cancer that has demonstrated notable potential in clinical applications. However, severe adverse effects limit the clinical application of this therapy and are mainly caused by uncontrollable activation of CAR-T cells, including excessive immune response activation due to unregulated CAR-T cell action time, as well as toxicity resulting from improper spatial localization. Therefore, to enhance controllability and safety, a control module for CAR-T cells is proposed. Synthetic biology based on genetic engineering techniques is being used to construct artificial cells or organisms for specific purposes. This approach has been explored in recent years as a means of achieving controllability in CAR-T cell therapy. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in synthetic biology methods used to address the major adverse effects of CAR-T cell therapy in both the temporal and spatial dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-bin Zhao
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Cao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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3
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Jha R, Kinna A, Hotblack A, Bughda R, Bulek A, Gannon I, Ilca T, Allen C, Lamb K, Dolor A, Scott I, Parekh F, Sillibourne J, Cordoba S, Onuoha S, Thomas S, Ferrari M, Pule M. Designer Small-Molecule Control System Based on Minocycline-Induced Disruption of Protein-Protein Interaction. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:308-324. [PMID: 38243811 PMCID: PMC10877577 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00521] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
A versatile, safe, and effective small-molecule control system is highly desirable for clinical cell therapy applications. Therefore, we developed a two-component small-molecule control system based on the disruption of protein-protein interactions using minocycline, an FDA-approved antibiotic with wide availability, excellent biodistribution, and low toxicity. The system comprises an anti-minocycline single-domain antibody (sdAb) and a minocycline-displaceable cyclic peptide. Here, we show how this versatile system can be applied to OFF-switch split CAR systems (MinoCAR) and universal CAR adaptors (MinoUniCAR) with reversible, transient, and dose-dependent suppression; to a tunable T cell activation module based on MyD88/CD40 signaling; to a controllable cellular payload secretion system based on IL12 KDEL retention; and as a cell/cell inducible junction. This work represents an important step forward in the development of a remote-controlled system to precisely control the timing, intensity, and safety of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Jha
- Autolus
Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, U.K.
- Research
Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, U.K.
| | | | - Alastair Hotblack
- Research
Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, U.K.
| | | | - Anna Bulek
- Autolus
Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, U.K.
| | | | - Tudor Ilca
- Autolus
Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, U.K.
| | | | | | | | - Ian Scott
- Autolus
Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, U.K.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Pule
- Autolus
Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, U.K.
- Research
Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, U.K.
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4
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Stock S, Klüver AK, Fertig L, Menkhoff VD, Subklewe M, Endres S, Kobold S. Mechanisms and strategies for safe chimeric antigen receptor T-cell activity control. Int J Cancer 2023; 153:1706-1725. [PMID: 37350095 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The clinical application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has rapidly changed the treatment options for terminally ill patients with defined blood-borne cancer types. However, CAR T-cell therapy can lead to severe therapy-associated toxicities including CAR-related hematotoxicity, ON-target OFF-tumor toxicity, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Just as CAR T-cell therapy has evolved regarding receptor design, gene transfer systems and production protocols, the management of side effects has also improved. However, because of measures taken to abrogate adverse events, CAR T-cell viability and persistence might be impaired before complete remission can be achieved. This has fueled efforts for the development of extrinsic and intrinsic strategies for better control of CAR T-cell activity. These approaches can mediate a reversible resting state or irreversible T-cell elimination, depending on the route chosen. Control can be passive or active. By combination of CAR T-cells with T-cell inhibiting compounds, pharmacologic control, mostly independent of the CAR construct design used, can be achieved. Other strategies involve the genetic modification of T-cells or further development of the CAR construct by integration of molecular ON/OFF switches such as suicide genes. Alternatively, CAR T-cell activity can be regulated intracellularly through a self-regulation function or extracellularly through titration of a CAR adaptor or of a priming small molecule. In this work, we review the current strategies and mechanisms to control activity of CAR T-cells reversibly or irreversibly for preventing and for managing therapy-associated toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Stock
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna-Kristina Klüver
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Luisa Fertig
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Vivien D Menkhoff
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Endres
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
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5
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Celichowski P, Turi M, Charvátová S, Radhakrishnan D, Feizi N, Chyra Z, Šimíček M, Jelínek T, Bago JR, Hájek R, Hrdinka M. Tuning CARs: recent advances in modulating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell activity for improved safety, efficacy, and flexibility. J Transl Med 2023; 21:197. [PMID: 36922828 PMCID: PMC10015723 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04041-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies utilizing genetically engineered T cells have emerged as powerful personalized therapeutic agents showing dramatic preclinical and clinical results, particularly in hematological malignancies. Ectopically expressed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) reprogram immune cells to target and eliminate cancer. However, CAR T cell therapy's success depends on the balance between effective anti-tumor activity and minimizing harmful side effects. To improve CAR T cell therapy outcomes and mitigate associated toxicities, scientists from different fields are cooperating in developing next-generation products using the latest molecular cell biology and synthetic biology tools and technologies. The immunotherapy field is rapidly evolving, with new approaches and strategies being reported at a fast pace. This comprehensive literature review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the latest developments in controlling CAR T cell activity for improved safety, efficacy, and flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Celichowski
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Marcello Turi
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Sandra Charvátová
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Dhwani Radhakrishnan
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Neda Feizi
- Department of Internal Clinical Sciences, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuzana Chyra
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Šimíček
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Jelínek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Juli Rodriguez Bago
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Hájek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Hrdinka
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
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6
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Cancer immunotherapy with CAR T cells: well-trodden paths and journey along lesser-known routes. Radiol Oncol 2022; 56:409-419. [PMID: 36503716 PMCID: PMC9784369 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2022-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a clinically approved cancer immunotherapy approach using genetically engineered T cells. The success of CAR T cells has been met with challenges regarding efficacy and safety. Although a broad spectrum of CAR T cell variants and applications is emerging, this review focuses on CAR T cells for the treatment of cancer. In the first part, the general principles of adoptive cell transfer, the architecture of the CAR molecule, and the effects of design on function are presented. The second part describes five conceptual challenges that hinder the success of CAR T cells; immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, T cell intrinsic properties, tumour targeting, manufacturing cellular product, and immune-related adverse events. Throughout the review, selected current approaches to address these issues are presented. CONCLUSIONS Cancer immunotherapy with CAR T cells represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of certain blood cancers that do not respond to other available treatment options. Well-trodden paths taken by pioneers led to the first clinical approval, and now the journey continues down lesser-known paths to treat a variety of cancers and other serious diseases with CAR T cells.
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7
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Li HS, Wong NM, Tague E, Ngo JT, Khalil AS, Wong WW. High-performance multiplex drug-gated CAR circuits. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:1294-1305.e4. [PMID: 36084652 PMCID: PMC9669166 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells can revolutionize cancer medicine. However, overactivation, lack of tumor-specific surface markers, and antigen escape have hampered CAR T cell development. A multi-antigen targeting CAR system regulated by clinically approved pharmaceutical agents is needed. Here, we present VIPER CARs (versatile protease regulatable CARs), a collection of inducible ON and OFF switch CAR circuits engineered with a viral protease domain. We established their controllability using FDA-approved antiviral protease inhibitors in a xenograft tumor and a cytokine release syndrome mouse model. Furthermore, we benchmarked VIPER CARs against other drug-gated systems and demonstrated best-in-class performance. We showed their orthogonality in vivo using the ON VIPER CAR and OFF lenalidomide-CAR systems. Finally, we engineered several VIPER CAR circuits by combining various CAR technologies. Our multiplexed, drug-gated CAR circuits represent the next progression in CAR design capable of advanced logic and regulation for enhancing the safety of CAR T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Shan Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole M Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elliot Tague
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John T Ngo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wilson W Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Chen L, Chen F, Niu H, Li J, Pu Y, Yang C, Wang Y, Huang R, Li K, Lei Y, Huang Y. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Immunotherapy Against Thoracic Malignancies: Challenges and Opportunities. Front Immunol 2022; 13:871661. [PMID: 35911706 PMCID: PMC9334018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.871661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Different from surgery, chemical therapy, radio-therapy and target therapy, Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells, a novel adoptive immunotherapy strategy, have been used successfully against both hematological tumors and solid tumors. Although several problems have reduced engineered CAR-T cell therapeutic outcomes in clinical trials for the treatment of thoracic malignancies, including the lack of specific antigens, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, a low level of CAR-T cell infiltration into tumor tissues, off-target toxicity, and other safety issues, CAR-T cell treatment is still full of bright future. In this review, we outline the basic structure and characteristics of CAR-T cells among different period, summarize the common tumor-associated antigens in clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for thoracic malignancies, and point out the current challenges and new strategies, aiming to provide new ideas and approaches for preclinical experiments and clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for thoracic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Fukun Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Huatao Niu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Jindan Li
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yongzhu Pu
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Conghui Yang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Cancer Biotherapy Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yujie Lei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yunchao Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
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9
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Marofi F, Achmad H, Bokov D, Abdelbasset WK, Alsadoon Z, Chupradit S, Suksatan W, Shariatzadeh S, Hasanpoor Z, Yazdanifar M, Shomali N, Khiavi FM. Hurdles to breakthrough in CAR T cell therapy of solid tumors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:140. [PMID: 35365241 PMCID: PMC8974159 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02819-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous T cells genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) have shown promising outcomes and emerged as a new curative option for hematological malignancy, especially malignant neoplasm of B cells. Notably, when T cells are transduced with CAR constructs, composed of the antigen recognition domain of monoclonal antibodies, they retain their cytotoxic properties in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent manner. Despite its beneficial effect, the current CAR T cell therapy approach faces myriad challenges in solid tumors, including immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor antigen heterogeneity, stromal impediment, and tumor accessibility, as well as tribulations such as on-target/off-tumor toxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Herein, we highlight the complications that hamper the effectiveness of CAR T cells in solid tumors and the strategies that have been recommended to overcome these hurdles and improve infused T cell performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faroogh Marofi
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Harun Achmad
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Dmitry Bokov
- Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8 Trubetskaya St., bldg. 2, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation.,Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Federal Research Center of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 2/14 Ustyinsky pr., Moscow, 109240, Russian Federation
| | - Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Zeid Alsadoon
- Dentistry Department, College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Supat Chupradit
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Wanich Suksatan
- Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Siavash Shariatzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Hasanpoor
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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10
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Chen L, Chen F, Li J, Pu Y, Yang C, Wang Y, Lei Y, Huang Y. CAR-T cell therapy for lung cancer: Potential and perspective. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:889-899. [PMID: 35289077 PMCID: PMC8977151 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the highest incidence and mortality of all cancers around the world. In the present immunotherapy era, an increasing number of immunotherapeutic agents including monoclonal antibody‐targeted drugs have been used in the clinical treatment of malignancy, but it still has many limitations. Chimeric antigen receptor‐modified T (CAR‐T) cells, a novel adoptive immunotherapy strategy, have not only been used successfully against hematological tumors, but have also opened up new avenues for immunotherapy of solid tumors, including lung cancer. However, targeting lung cancer‐specific antigens using engineered CAR‐T cells is complicated by the lack of proper tumor‐specific antigens, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, a low level of CAR‐T cell infiltration into tumor tissues, along with off‐target effect, etc. Simultaneously, the clinical application of CAR‐T cells remains limited because of many challenges such as tumor lysis syndrome, neurotoxicity syndrome, and cytokine release syndrome. In this review, we outline the basic structure and generation characteristic of CAR‐T cells and summarize the common tumor‐associated antigens in clinical trials of CAR‐T cell therapy for lung cancer, and point out the current challenges and new strategies, aiming to provide new ideas and approaches for the pre‐clinical experiments and clinical trials of CAR‐T cell therapy in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Fukun Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Jindan Li
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yongzhu Pu
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Conghui Yang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yujie Lei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yunchao Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
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11
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Mohammadi M, Akhoundi M, Malih S, Mohammadi A, Sheykhhasan M. Therapeutic roles of CAR T cells in infectious diseases: Clinical lessons learnt from cancer. Rev Med Virol 2022; 32:e2325. [PMID: 35037732 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has made improvements due to the advances in chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell development, offering a promising treatment option for patients who have failed to respond to traditional treatments. In light of the successful use of adoptive CAR T cell therapy for cancer, researchers have been inspired to develop CARs for the treatment of other diseases beyond cancers such as viral infectious diseases. Nonetheless, various obstacles limit the efficacy of CAR T cell therapies and prevent their widespread usage. Severe toxicities, poor in vivo persistence, antigen escape, and heterogeneity, as well as off-target effect, are key challenges that must all be addressed to broaden the application of CAR T cells to a wider spectrum of diseases. The key advances in CAR T cell treatment for cancer and viral infections are reviewed in this article. We will also discuss revolutionary CAR T cell products developed to improve and enhance the therapeutic advantages of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Mohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Akhoundi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Malih
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Sheykhhasan
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, The Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom, Iran
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12
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Quazi S. An Overview of CAR T Cell Mediated B Cell Maturation Antigen Therapy. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2022; 22:e392-e404. [PMID: 34992008 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is one of the incurable types of cancer in plasma cells. While immense progress has been made in the treatment of this malignancy, a large percentage of patients were unable to adapt to such therapy. Additionally, these therapies might be associated with significant diseases and are not always tolerated well in all patients. Since cancer in plasma cells has no cure, patients develop resistance to treatments, resulting in R/R MM (Refractory/Relapsed Multiple Myeloma). BCMA (B cell maturation antigen) is primarily produced on mature B cells. It's up-regulation and activation are associated with multiple myeloma in both murine and human models, indicating that this might be an effective therapeutic target for this type of malignancy. Additionally, BCMA's predictive value, association with effective clinical trials, and capacity to be utilized in previously difficult to observe patient populations, imply that it might be used as a biomarker for multiple myeloma. Numerous kinds of BCMA-targeting medicines have demonstrated antimyeloma efficacy in individuals with refractory/relapsed MM, including CAR T-cell (Chimeric antigen receptor T cell) treatments, ADCs (Antibody-drug conjugate s), bispecific antibody constructs. Among these medications, CART cell-mediated BCMA therapy has shown significant outcomes in multiple myeloma clinical trials. This review article outlines CAR T cell mediated BCMA medicines have the efficiency to change the therapeutic pattern for multiple myeloma significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Quazi
- GenLab Biosolutions Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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13
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Guha P, Katz SC. Strategies for manufacturing cell therapy products aligned with patient needs. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 167:203-226. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Razeghian E, Nasution MKM, Rahman HS, Gardanova ZR, Abdelbasset WK, Aravindhan S, Bokov DO, Suksatan W, Nakhaei P, Shariatzadeh S, Marofi F, Yazdanifar M, Shamlou S, Motavalli R, Khiavi FM. A deep insight into CRISPR/Cas9 application in CAR-T cell-based tumor immunotherapies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:428. [PMID: 34321099 PMCID: PMC8317439 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, two chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-T cell products from autologous T cells have been approved by The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The case-by-case autologous T cell generation setting is largely considered as a pivotal restraining cause for its large-scale clinical use because of the costly and prolonged manufacturing procedure. Further, activated CAR-T cells mainly express immune checkpoint molecules, including CTLA4, PD1, LAG3, abrogating CAR-T anti-tumor activity. In addition, CAR-T cell therapy potently results in some toxicity, such as cytokine releases syndrome (CRS). Therefore, the development of the universal allogeneic T cells with higher anti-tumor effects is of paramount importance. Thus, genome-editing technologies, in particular, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas9 are currently being used to establish "off-the-shelf" CAR-T cells with robust resistance to immune cell-suppressive molecules. In fact, that simultaneous ablation of PD-1, T cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC or TCR), and also β-2 microglobulin (B2M) by CRISPR-Cas9 technique can support the manufacture of universal CAR-T cells with robust resistance to PD-L1. . Indeed, the ablation of β2M or TARC can severely hinder swift elimination of allogeneic T cells those express foreign HLA-I molecules, and thereby enables the generation of CAR-T cells from allogeneic healthy donors T cells with higher persistence in vivo. Herein, we will deliver a brief overview of the CAR-T cell application in the context of tumor immunotherapy. More importantly, we will discuss recent finding concerning the application of genome editing technologies for preparing universal CAR-T cells or cells that can effectively counter tumor escape, with a special focus on CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Razeghian
- Human Genetics Division, Medical Biotechnology Department, National Institute of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Komar University of Science and Technology, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Zhanna R. Gardanova
- Department of Psychotherapy, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova St, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Surendar Aravindhan
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| | - Dmitry O. Bokov
- Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8 Trubetskaya St., bldg. 2, Moscow, 119991 Russian Federation
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Federal Research Center of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 2/14 Ustyinsky pr, Moscow, 109240 Russian Federation
| | - Wanich Suksatan
- Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210 Thailand
| | - Pooria Nakhaei
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Siavash Shariatzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faroogh Marofi
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Somayeh Shamlou
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roza Motavalli
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Zheng Y, Nandakumar KS, Cheng K. Optimization of CAR-T Cell-Based Therapies Using Small-Molecule-Based Safety Switches. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9577-9591. [PMID: 34191515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy has demonstrated antileukemia efficacy. However, this therapeutic approach is hampered by severe cytokine release syndrome, which is a major impediment to its widespread application in the clinic. The safety of this approach can be improved by engineering a rapid and reversible "off" or "on" safety switch for CAR-T cells. Cutting-edge investigations combining the advantages of genetic engineering and chemical technology have led to the invention of small-molecule-based safety switches for CAR-T cells. Small molecules such as FITC, folate, rimiducid, rapamycin, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds, and dasatinib are being investigated to design such safety switches. Optimized CAR-T cells may have enhanced therapeutic efficiency with fewer adverse effects. Herein we summarize and classify current novel small-molecule-based safety switches for CAR-T cells that aim to provide pharmacological control over the activities and toxicities associated with CAR-T cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kutty Selva Nandakumar
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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16
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Park CH. Making Potent CAR T Cells Using Genetic Engineering and Synergistic Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133236. [PMID: 34209505 PMCID: PMC8269169 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies are emerging as powerful weapons for the treatment of malignancies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have shown dramatic clinical results in patients with hematological malignancies. However, it is still challenging for CAR T cell therapy to be successful in several types of blood cancer and most solid tumors. Many attempts have been made to enhance the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy by modifying the CAR construct using combination agents, such as compounds, antibodies, or radiation. At present, technology to improve CAR T cell therapy is rapidly developing. In this review, we particularly emphasize the most recent studies utilizing genetic engineering and synergistic agents to improve CAR T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Hoon Park
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Daejeon 34114, Korea; ; Tel.: +82-42-860-7416; Fax: +82-42-861-4246
- Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
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17
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van de Donk NWCJ, Usmani SZ, Yong K. CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma: state of the art and prospects. LANCET HAEMATOLOGY 2021; 8:e446-e461. [PMID: 34048683 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(21)00057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are fusion proteins containing an antigen-recognition domain coupled to a T-cell activation domain (eg, CD3ζ [CD247]) and to a costimulatory domain (eg, CD28 or 4-1BB [TNFRSF9, also known as CD137]). The B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA; TNFRSF17) is an attractive target for CAR T-cell therapy because it is only expressed by normal and malignant plasma cells and by a subset of mature B cells. Several trials of anti-BCMA CAR T cells have shown high-quality responses, including minimal residual disease-negativity in patients with multiple myeloma who were heavily pretreated. Phase 3 trials are currently evaluating CAR T-cell therapy versus standard-of-care regimens in patients in earlier stages of the disease. Trials are also ongoing in newly diagnosed patients with high-risk cytogenetic profiles or with residual disease after transplantation. CAR T cells targeting other multiple myeloma antigens, such as CD19, CD38, CD138 (SYND1), and SLAMF7, are also being explored. Toxicities associated with CAR T cells include cytokine-release syndrome, different types of cytopenia, infections, and neurotoxicity. Although some subsets of patients have sustained responses for more than 1 year, most patients eventually relapse, which might be related to the loss of CAR T cells, loss of antigen expression on the tumour cell surface, or to an immunosuppressive microenvironment that impairs the activity of T cells. Efforts to improve the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy include optimising CAR design and adapting the manufacturing process to generate cell products enriched for specific subsets of T cells (eg, early memory cells). Other strategies explored in trials include dual-antigen targeting to prevent antigen escape and rational combination therapy to enhance persistence. Several approaches are also being developed to improve the safety of CAR T-cell therapy, such as the incorporation of a suicide gene safety system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels W C J van de Donk
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Saad Z Usmani
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Kwee Yong
- Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
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18
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Tahmasebi S, Elahi R, Khosh E, Esmaeilzadeh A. Programmable and multi-targeted CARs: a new breakthrough in cancer CAR-T cell therapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2021; 23:1003-1019. [PMID: 32997278 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy, as a novel immunotherapy approach, has indicated successful results in the treatment of hematological malignancies; however, distinct results have been achieved regarding solid tumors. Tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment has been identified as the most critical barrier in CAR-T cell therapy of solid tumors. Developing novel strategies to augment the safety and efficacy of CAR-T cells could be useful to overcome the solid tumor hurdles. Similar to other cancer treatments, CAR-T cell therapy can cause some side effects, which can disturb the healthy tissues. In the current review, we will discuss the practical breakthroughs in CAR-T cell therapy using the multi-targeted and programmable CARs instead of conventional types. These superior types of CAR-T cells have been developed to increase the function and safety of T cells in a controllable manner, which would diminish the incidence of relevant side effects. Moreover, we will describe the capability of these powerful CARs in targeting multiple tumor antigens, redirecting the CAR-T cells to specific target cells, incrementing the safety of CARs, and other advantages that lead to promising outcomes in cancer CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tahmasebi
- Department of Immunology, Health Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - R Elahi
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - E Khosh
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - A Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
- Immunotherapy Research and Technology Group, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
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19
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Miao L, Zhang Z, Ren Z, Tang F, Li Y. Obstacles and Coping Strategies of CAR-T Cell Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors. Front Immunol 2021; 12:687822. [PMID: 34093592 PMCID: PMC8170155 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.687822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy refers to an adoptive immunotherapy that has rapidly developed in recent years. It is a novel type of treatment that enables T cells to express specific CARs on their surface, then returns these T cells to tumor patients to kill the corresponding tumor cells. Significant strides in CAR-T cell immunotherapy against hematologic malignancies have elicited research interest among scholars in the treatment of solid tumors. Nonetheless, in contrast with the efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, its general efficacy against solid tumors is insignificant. This has been attributed to the complex biological characteristics of solid tumors. CAR-T cells play a better role in solid tumors, for instance by addressing obstacles including the lack of specific targets, inhibition of tumor microenvironment (TME), homing barriers of CAR-T cells, differentiation and depletion of CAR-T cells, inhibition of immune checkpoints, trogocytosis of CAR-T cells, tumor antigen heterogeneity, etc. This paper reviews the obstacles influencing the efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors, their mechanism, and coping strategies, as well as economic restriction of CAR-T cell immunotherapy and its solutions. It aims to provide some references for researchers to better overcome the obstacles that affect the efficacy of CAR-T cells in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Miao
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Futian Tang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yumin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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20
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Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have emerged as a powerful therapeutic modality for cancer. Following encouraging clinical results, autologous anti-CD19 CAR-T cells first secured regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for the treatment of pediatric B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), followed recently by mantle cell lymphoma. While long-term immunosurveillance is among the most important requirements for durable remissions in leukemia and a major potential benefit of immunotherapy, the exact determinants of CAR-T cell persistence remain elusive. Furthermore, it is less clear that long-term persistence is required for durable remission in lymphoma. In this review, we aim to describe the factors governing CAR-T cell persistence as well as unique approaches to exert control over engineered lymphocyte populations post-infusion. Additionally, we explore potential risks and associated clinical considerations arising from prolonged surveillance by highly reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Gupta
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Saar Gill
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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21
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Moghanloo E, Mollanoori H, Talebi M, Pashangzadeh S, Faraji F, Hadjilooei F, Mahmoodzadeh H. Remote controlling of CAR-T cells and toxicity management: Molecular switches and next generation CARs. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101070. [PMID: 33789222 PMCID: PMC8027274 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapies have been selected for the front-line cancer treatment approaches. Among them, CAR-T cells have shown extraordinary effects in hematologic diseases including chemotherapy-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In this approach, autologous T cells isolated from the patient's body genetically engineered to express a tumor specific synthetic receptor against a tumor antigen, then these cells expanded ex vivo and re-infusion back to the patient body. Recently, significant clinical response and high rates of complete remission of CAR T cell therapy in B-cell malignancies led to the approval of Kymriah and Yescarta (CD19-directed CAR-T cells) were by FDA for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Despite promising therapeutic outcomes, CAR T cells also can elicit the immune-pathologic effects, such as Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS), and on-target off-tumor toxicity, that hampered its application. Ineffective control of these highly potent synthetic cells causes discussed potentially life-threatening toxicities, so researchers have developed several mechanisms to remote control CAR T cells. In this paper, we briefly review the introduced toxicities of CAR-T cells, then describe currently existing control approaches and review their procedure, pros, and cons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Moghanloo
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasan Mollanoori
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Medical Genetics Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | | | - Salar Pashangzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Faraji
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farimah Hadjilooei
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Habibollah Mahmoodzadeh
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Breast Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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22
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Cortés-Hernández A, Alvarez-Salazar EK, Soldevila G. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy for Cancer. Challenges and Opportunities: An Overview. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2174:219-244. [PMID: 32813253 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0759-6_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The use of immunotherapy as an alternative treatment for cancer patients has become of great interest in the scientific community as it is required to overcome many of the currently unsolved problems such as tumor escape, immunosuppression and unwanted unspecific toxicity. The use of chimeric antigen receptor T cells has been a very successful strategy in some hematologic malignancies. However, the application of CAR T cells has been limited to solid tumors, and this has aimed the development of new generation of CARs with enhanced effectivity and specificity. Here, we review the state of the art of CAR T cell therapy with special emphasis on the current challenges and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arimelek Cortés-Hernández
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Evelyn Katy Alvarez-Salazar
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Gloria Soldevila
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México.
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23
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an innovative form of adoptive cellular immunotherapy targeting CD19 in its most advanced form. Up to 30% of infused patients achieve long-term survival, meaning that 70% of patients still fail to respond or relapse after therapy. This review will address the unresolved issues relating to responders' characterization, relapse prediction, and prevention, CAR T-cell construct optimization, rational combination with other therapies and treatment toxicity, focusing on the management of relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients. RECENT FINDINGS Many new antigenic targets are currently investigated and raise the hope of broader successes. However, literature data report that treatment failure is not only related to CAR T construct and infusion but is also due to hostile tumor microenvironment and poor interaction with the host effector cells. Further research should not only target CAR T structure, toxicity and associated therapies, but also tumor-related and host-related microenvironment interactions that lead to treatment failure in relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients. SUMMARY Poor persistence of CAR T and loss of CD19 antigen are well established mechanisms of relapse in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). A fourth generation of CAR T construct is currently investigated to overcome this issue. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, mechanisms of treatment failure remain poorly understood but tumor and host microenvironment are undoubtedly involved and should be further investigated. A deeper understanding of CAR T-cell therapy failure in individuals will help personalize CAR T-cell therapy in the future.
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24
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Editor's Pick: Tumour-Associated Hypoxia: Can We Give Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells More Breathing Space? EUROPEAN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.33590/emj/20-00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells has encountered important limitations in the transition of their use from liquid to solid tumours. Success is dependent upon T-cell trafficking to, and functional persistence within, tumours that often present a metabolically and immunologically hostile microenvironment. Moreover, CAR targets that are tumour specific are extremely scarce. To address these issues, several strategies have been proposed to improve both tumour selectivity and safety. One approach involves the engineering of CAR-T cells that only deploy their effector function at tumour sites. Conceptually, a solution for this exploits the oxygen-limited nature of advanced tumour deposits through the engineering of CAR that are exclusively expressed or activated under conditions of profound hypoxia. T cells have a complex inter-relationship with oxygen, which also needs to be factored into the refinement of these technologies. Ideally, oxygen-sensing CAR should only function when oxygen tension is below 2%, as is commonly the case in solid tumours but rare in healthy tissue. Successful advancement of such technologies presents opportunities for solid tumour immunotherapy because it should broaden the target repertoire that may safely be exploited in this context.
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25
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Tristán-Manzano M, Justicia-Lirio P, Maldonado-Pérez N, Cortijo-Gutiérrez M, Benabdellah K, Martin F. Externally-Controlled Systems for Immunotherapy: From Bench to Bedside. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2044. [PMID: 33013864 PMCID: PMC7498544 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a very promising therapeutic approach against cancer that is particularly effective when combined with gene therapy. Immuno-gene therapy approaches have led to the approval of four advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) for the treatment of p53-deficient tumors (Gendicine and Imlygic), refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Kymriah) and large B-cell lymphomas (Yescarta). In spite of these remarkable successes, immunotherapy is still associated with severe side effects for CD19+ malignancies and is inefficient for solid tumors. Controlling transgene expression through an externally administered inductor is envisioned as a potent strategy to improve safety and efficacy of immunotherapy. The aim is to develop smart immunogene therapy-based-ATMPs, which can be controlled by the addition of innocuous drugs or agents, allowing the clinicians to manage the intensity and durability of the therapy. In the present manuscript, we will review the different inducible, versatile and externally controlled gene delivery systems that have been developed and their applications to the field of immunotherapy. We will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each system and their potential applications in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Tristán-Manzano
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro Justicia-Lirio
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain.,LentiStem Biotech, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Noelia Maldonado-Pérez
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Cortijo-Gutiérrez
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Martin
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
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Overhauling CAR T Cells to Improve Efficacy, Safety and Cost. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092360. [PMID: 32825533 PMCID: PMC7564591 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is now surpassing 30 years of clinical experience and in that time a variety of approaches has been applied for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies. While the promise of gene therapy was over-stated in the 1990’s, the following decades were met with polar extremes between demonstrable success and devastating setbacks. Currently, the field of gene therapy is enjoying the rewards of overcoming the hurdles that come with turning new ideas into safe and reliable treatments, including for cancer. Among these modalities, the modification of T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) has met with clear success and holds great promise for the future treatment of cancer. We detail a series of considerations for the improvement of the CAR-T cell approach, including the design of the CAR, routes of gene transfer, introduction of CARs in natural killer and other cell types, combining the CAR approach with checkpoint blockade or oncolytic viruses, improving pre-clinical models as well as means for reducing cost and, thus, making this technology more widely available. While CAR-T cells serve as a prime example of translating novel ideas into effective treatments, certainly the lessons learned will serve to accelerate the current and future development of gene therapy drugs.
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27
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Salzer B, Schueller CM, Zajc CU, Peters T, Schoeber MA, Kovacic B, Buri MC, Lobner E, Dushek O, Huppa JB, Obinger C, Putz EM, Holter W, Traxlmayr MW, Lehner M. Engineering AvidCARs for combinatorial antigen recognition and reversible control of CAR function. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4166. [PMID: 32820173 PMCID: PMC7441178 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17970-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) have shown impressive clinical efficacy in the treatment of B cell malignancies. However, the development of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors is hampered by the lack of truly tumor-specific antigens and poor control over T cell activity. Here we present an avidity-controlled CAR (AvidCAR) platform with inducible and logic control functions. The key is the combination of (i) an improved CAR design which enables controlled CAR dimerization and (ii) a significant reduction of antigen-binding affinities to introduce dependence on bivalent interaction, i.e. avidity. The potential and versatility of the AvidCAR platform is exemplified by designing ON-switch CARs, which can be regulated with a clinically applied drug, and AND-gate CARs specifically recognizing combinations of two antigens. Thus, we expect that AvidCARs will be a highly valuable platform for the development of controllable CAR therapies with improved tumor specificity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytokines/immunology
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Salzer
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Charlotte U Zajc
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timo Peters
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael A Schoeber
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Boris Kovacic
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle C Buri
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Lobner
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Obinger
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva M Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Holter
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Anna Kinderspital, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael W Traxlmayr
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Manfred Lehner
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Anna Kinderspital, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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28
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Jayaraman J, Mellody MP, Hou AJ, Desai RP, Fung AW, Pham AHT, Chen YY, Zhao W. CAR-T design: Elements and their synergistic function. EBioMedicine 2020; 58:102931. [PMID: 32739874 PMCID: PMC7393540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells use re-engineered cell surface receptors to specifically bind to and lyse oncogenic cells. Two clinically approved CAR-T–cell therapies have significant clinical efficacy in treating CD19-positive B cell cancers. With widespread interest to deploy this immunotherapy to other cancers, there has been great research activity to design new CAR structures to increase the range of targeted cancers and anti-tumor efficacy. However, several obstacles must be addressed before CAR-T–cell therapies can be more widely deployed. These include limiting the frequency of lethal cytokine storms, enhancing T-cell persistence and signaling, and improving target antigen specificity. We provide a comprehensive review of recent research on CAR design and systematically evaluate design aspects of the four major modules of CAR structure: the ligand-binding, spacer, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains, elucidating design strategies and principles to guide future immunotherapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayapriya Jayaraman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine,CA,92697, United States
| | - Michael P Mellody
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine,CA,92697, United States
| | - Andrew J Hou
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
| | - Ruchi P Desai
- School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Audrey W Fung
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - An Huynh Thuy Pham
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095
| | - Weian Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine,CA,92697, United States; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
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29
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Huang D, Miller M, Ashok B, Jain S, Peppas NA. CRISPR/Cas systems to overcome challenges in developing the next generation of T cells for cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 158:17-35. [PMID: 32707148 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered immune cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or modified T cell receptors (TCR) have demonstrated their potential as a potent class of new cancer therapeutic strategy. Despite the clinical success of autologous CD19 CAR T cells in hematological malignancies, allogeneic T cells exhibit many advantages over their autologous counterparts and have recently gathered widespread attention due to the emergence of multiplex genome editing techniques, particularly CRISPR/Cas systems. Furthermore, genetically engineered T cells face a host of major challenges in solid tumors that are not as significant for blood cancers such as T cell targeted delivery, target specificity, proliferation, persistence, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We take this opportunity to analyze recent strategies to develop allogeneic T cells, specifically in consideration of CRISPR/Cas and its delivery systems for multiplex gene editing. Additionally, we discuss the current methods used to delivery CRISPR/Cas systems for immunotherapeutic applications, and the challenges to continued development of novel delivery systems. We also provide a comprehensive analysis of the major challenges that genetically engineered T cells face in solid tumors along with the most recent strategies to overcome these barriers, with an emphasis on CRISPR-based approaches. We illustrate the synergistic prospects for how the combination of synthetic biology and immune-oncology could pave the way for designing the next generation of precision cancer therapy.
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30
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A conformation-specific ON-switch for controlling CAR T cells with an orally available drug. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:14926-14935. [PMID: 32554495 PMCID: PMC7334647 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1911154117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular ON-switches in which a chemical compound induces protein-protein interactions can allow cellular function to be controlled with small molecules. ON-switches based on clinically applicable compounds and human proteins would greatly facilitate their therapeutic use. Here, we developed an ON-switch system in which the human retinol binding protein 4 (hRBP4) of the lipocalin family interacts with engineered hRBP4 binders in a small molecule-dependent manner. Two different protein scaffolds were engineered to bind to hRBP4 when loaded with the orally available small molecule A1120. The crystal structure of an assembled ON-switch shows that the engineered binder specifically recognizes the conformational changes induced by A1120 in two loop regions of hRBP4. We demonstrate that this conformation-specific ON-switch is highly dependent on the presence of A1120, as demonstrated by an ∼500-fold increase in affinity upon addition of the small molecule drug. Furthermore, the ON-switch successfully regulated the activity of primary human CAR T cells in vitro. We anticipate that lipocalin-based ON-switches have the potential to be broadly applied for the safe pharmacological control of cellular therapeutics.
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31
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Maryamchik E, Gallagher KME, Preffer FI, Kadauke S, Maus MV. New directions in chimeric antigen receptor T cell [CAR-T] therapy and related flow cytometry. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2020; 98:299-327. [PMID: 32352629 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells provide a promising approach to the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical modality, which plays an expanding role in all stages of CAR T therapy, from lymphocyte collection, to CAR T cell manufacturing, to in vivo monitoring of the infused cells and evaluation of their function in the tumor environment. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the new directions is important for designing and implementing CAR T-related flow cytometry assays in the clinical and investigational settings. However, the speed of new discoveries and the multitude of clinical and preclinical trials make it challenging to keep up to date in this complex field. In this review, we summarize the current state of CAR T therapy, highlight the areas of emergent research, discuss applications of flow cytometry in modern cell therapy, and touch upon several considerations particular to CAR detection and assessing the effectiveness of CAR T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Maryamchik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Frederic I Preffer
- Clinical Cytometry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephan Kadauke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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32
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Gamboa L, Zamat AH, Kwong GA. Synthetic immunity by remote control. Theranostics 2020; 10:3652-3667. [PMID: 32206114 PMCID: PMC7069089 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapies, such as T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), have the potential to cure patients of disease otherwise refractory to conventional treatments. Early-on-treatment and long-term durability of patient responses depend critically on the ability to control the potency of adoptively transferred T cells, as overactivation can lead to complications like cytokine release syndrome, and immunosuppression can result in ineffective responses to therapy. Drugs or biologics (e.g., cytokines) that modulate immune activity are limited by mass transport barriers that reduce the local effective drug concentration, and lack site or target cell specificity that results in toxicity. Emerging technologies that enable site-targeted, remote control of key T cell functions - including proliferation, antigen-sensing, and target-cell killing - have the potential to increase treatment precision and safety profile. These technologies are broadly applicable to other immune cells to expand immune cell therapies across many cancers and diseases. In this review, we highlight the opportunities, challenges and the current state-of-the-art for remote control of synthetic immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Gamboa
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ali H. Zamat
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabriel A. Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Georgia Immunoengineering Consortium, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Exciting translational discoveries in recent years have brought realized promise of immunotherapy for children with high-risk leukemias. This review summarizes the current immunotherapeutic landscape with a focus on key clinical trials for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia. RECENT FINDINGS Chemotherapy resistance remains a major barrier to cure in children with high-risk leukemias. Immunotherapy approaches have potential to overcome this resistance given alternative mechanisms of action. Based upon preclinical activity and/or success in adult patients, recent clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy of various mAb, antibody-drug conjugate, bispecific T-cell-engaging antibody, natural killer cell, and chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T-cell immunotherapies for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia. Food and Drug Administration approval of several of these immunotherapies has increased the pediatric leukemia therapeutic portfolio and improved clinical outcomes for previously incurable patients. SUMMARY Several antibody-based or cellular immunotherapy modalities have demonstrated appreciable efficacy in children with relapsed or chemotherapy-refractory leukemia via early-phase clinical trials. Some studies have also identified critical biomarkers of treatment response and resistance that merit further investigation. Continued preclinical and clinical evaluation of novel immunotherapies is imperative to improve cure rates for children with high-risk leukemias.
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Engineering strategies to overcome the current roadblocks in CAR T cell therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 17:147-167. [PMID: 31848460 PMCID: PMC7223338 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0297-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 773] [Impact Index Per Article: 154.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
T cells genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have proven — and impressive — therapeutic activity in patients with certain subtypes of B cell leukaemia or lymphoma, with promising efficacy also demonstrated in patients with multiple myeloma. Nevertheless, various barriers restrict the efficacy and/or prevent the widespread use of CAR T cell therapies in these patients as well as in those with other cancers, particularly solid tumours. Key challenges relating to CAR T cells include severe toxicities, restricted trafficking to, infiltration into and activation within tumours, suboptimal persistence in vivo, antigen escape and heterogeneity, and manufacturing issues. The evolution of CAR designs beyond the conventional structures will be necessary to address these limitations and to expand the use of CAR T cells to a wider range of malignancies. Investigators are addressing the current obstacles with a wide range of engineering strategies in order to improve the safety, efficacy and applicability of this therapeutic modality. In this Review, we discuss the innovative designs of novel CAR T cell products that are being developed to increase and expand the clinical benefits of these treatments in patients with diverse cancers. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, the first approved therapeutic approach with a genetic engineering component, holds substantial promise in the treatment of a range of cancers but is nevertheless limited by various challenges, including toxicities, intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms, and manufacturing issues. In this Review, the authors describe the innovative approaches to the engineering of CAR T cell products that are providing solutions to these challenges and therefore have the potential to considerably improve the safety and effectiveness of treatment. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have induced remarkable responses in patients with certain haematological malignancies, yet various barriers restrict the efficacy and/or prevent the widespread use of this treatment. Investigators are addressing these challenges with engineering strategies designed to improve the safety, efficacy and applicability of CAR T cell therapy. CARs have modular components, and therefore the optimal molecular design of the CAR can be achieved through many variations of the constituent protein domains. Toxicities currently associated with CAR T cell therapy can be mitigated using engineering strategies to make CAR T cells safer and that potentially broaden the range of tumour-associated antigens that can be targeted by overcoming on-target, off-tumour toxicities. CAR T cell efficacy can be enhanced by using engineering strategies to address the various challenges relating to the unique biology of diverse haematological and solid malignancies. Strategies to address the manufacturing challenges can lead to an improved CAR T cell product for all patients.
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35
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Yu S, Yi M, Qin S, Wu K. Next generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells: safety strategies to overcome toxicity. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:125. [PMID: 31429760 PMCID: PMC6701025 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is an emerging and effective cancer immunotherapy. Especially in hematological malignancies, CAR-T cells have achieved exciting results. Two Anti-CD19 CAR-T therapies have been approved for the treatment of CD19-positive leukemia or lymphoma. However, the application of CAR-T cells is obviously hampered by the adverse effects, such as cytokines release syndrome and on-target off-tumor toxicity. In some clinical trials, patients quitted the treatment of CAR-T cells due to life-threatening toxicity. Seeking to alleviate these toxicities or prevent the occurrence, researchers have developed a number of safety strategies of CAR-T cells, including suicide genes, synthetic Notch receptor, on-switch CAR, combinatorial target-antigen recognition, bispecific T cell engager and inhibitory CAR. This review summarized the preclinical studies and clinical trials of the safety strategies of CAR-T cells and their respective strengths and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Yu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Qin
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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36
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Juillerat A, Tkach D, Busser BW, Temburni S, Valton J, Duclert A, Poirot L, Depil S, Duchateau P. Modulation of chimeric antigen receptor surface expression by a small molecule switch. BMC Biotechnol 2019; 19:44. [PMID: 31269942 PMCID: PMC6610870 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-019-0537-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Engineered therapeutic cells have attracted a great deal of interest due to their potential applications in treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer and autoimmunity. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are designed to detect and kill tumor cells that present a specific, predefined antigen. The rapid expansion of targeted antigen beyond CD19, has highlighted new challenges, such as autoactivation and T-cell fratricide, that could impact the capacity to manufacture engineered CAR T-cells. Therefore, the development of strategies to control CAR expression at the surface of T-cells and their functions is under intense investigations. Results Here, we report the development and evaluation of an off-switch directly embedded within a CAR construct (SWIFF-CAR). The incorporation of a self-cleaving degradation moiety controlled by a protease/protease inhibitor pair allowed the ex vivo tight and reversible control of the CAR surface presentation and the subsequent CAR-induced signaling and cytolytic functions of the engineered T-cells using the cell permeable Asunaprevir (ASN) small molecule. Conclusions The strategy described in this study could, in principle, be broadly adapted to CAR T-cells development to circumvent some of the possible hurdle of CAR T-cell manufacturing. This system essentially creates a CAR T-cell with an integrated functional rheostat. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12896-019-0537-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diane Tkach
- Cellectis Inc, 430E, 29th street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Brian W Busser
- Cellectis Inc, 430E, 29th street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Sonal Temburni
- Cellectis Inc, 430E, 29th street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Julien Valton
- Cellectis Inc, 430E, 29th street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | - Laurent Poirot
- Cellectis, 8 rue de la croix Jarry, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Depil
- Cellectis, 8 rue de la croix Jarry, 75013, Paris, France
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37
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Mardiana S, Lai J, House IG, Beavis PA, Darcy PK. Switching on the green light for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Clin Transl Immunology 2019; 8:e1046. [PMID: 31073403 PMCID: PMC6500780 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy involving genetic modification of T cells with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transgene offers a promising strategy to broaden the efficacy of this approach for the effective treatment of cancer. Although remarkable antitumor responses have been observed following CAR T‐cell therapy in a subset of B‐cell malignancies, this has yet to be extended in the context of solid cancers. A number of promising strategies involving reprogramming the tumor microenvironment, increasing the specificity and safety of gene‐modified T cells and harnessing the endogenous immune response have been tested in preclinical models that may have a significant impact in patients with solid cancers. This review will discuss these exciting new developments and the challenges that must be overcome to deliver a more sustained and potent therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherly Mardiana
- Cancer Immunology Program Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne VIC Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Junyun Lai
- Cancer Immunology Program Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne VIC Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Imran Geoffrey House
- Cancer Immunology Program Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne VIC Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Paul Andrew Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne VIC Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Phillip Kevin Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne VIC Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia.,Department of Pathology University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia.,Department of Immunology Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
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38
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Leung WH, Gay J, Martin U, Garrett TE, Horton HM, Certo MT, Blazar BR, Morgan RA, Gregory PD, Jarjour J, Astrakhan A. Sensitive and adaptable pharmacological control of CAR T cells through extracellular receptor dimerization. JCI Insight 2019; 5:124430. [PMID: 31039141 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have achieved promising outcomes in several cancers, however more challenging oncology indications may necessitate advanced antigen receptor designs and functions. Here we describe a bipartite receptor system comprised of separate antigen targeting and signal transduction polypeptides, each containing an extracellular dimerization domain. We demonstrate that T cell activation remains antigen dependent but can only be achieved in the presence of a dimerizing drug, rapamycin. Studies performed in vitro and in xenograft mouse models illustrate equivalent to superior anti-tumor potency compared to currently used CAR designs, and at rapamycin concentrations well below immunosuppressive levels. We further show that the extracellular positioning of the dimerization domains enables the administration of recombinant re-targeting modules, potentially extending antigen targeting. Overall, this novel regulatable CAR design has exquisite drug sensitivity, provides robust anti-tumor responses, and is uniquely flexible for multiplex antigen targeting or retargeting, which may further assist the development of safe, potent and durable T cell therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Gay
- bluebird bio, inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Unja Martin
- bluebird bio, inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bruce R Blazar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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39
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Evolution of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy: current status and future perspectives. Arch Pharm Res 2019; 42:607-616. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-019-01136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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40
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Generation of regulable EGFRvIII targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells for adoptive cell therapy of glioblastoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 507:59-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.10.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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41
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Srivastava S, Riddell SR. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy: Challenges to Bench-to-Bedside Efficacy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:459-468. [PMID: 29311388 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy with T cells genetically modified to express chimeric Ag receptors (CARs) that target tumor-associated molecules have impressive efficacy in hematological malignancies. The field has now embraced the challenge of applying this approach to treat common epithelial malignancies, which make up the majority of cancer cases but evade immunologic attack by a variety of subversive mechanisms. In this study, we review the principles that have guided CAR T cell design and the extraordinary clinical results being achieved in B cell malignancies targeting CD19 with a single infusion of engineered T cells. This success has raised expectations that CAR T cells can be applied to solid tumors, but numerous obstacles must be overcome to achieve the success observed in hematologic cancers. Potential solutions driven by advances in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, T cell biology, and improved tumor models that recapitulate the obstacles in human tumors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Srivastava
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
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42
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Cho SF, Anderson KC, Tai YT. Targeting B Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) in Multiple Myeloma: Potential Uses of BCMA-Based Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1821. [PMID: 30147690 PMCID: PMC6095983 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The approval of the first two monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38 (daratumumab) and SLAMF7 (elotuzumab) in late 2015 for treating relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) was a critical advance for immunotherapies for multiple myeloma (MM). Importantly, the outcome of patients continues to improve with the incorporation of this new class of agents with current MM therapies. However, both antigens are also expressed on other normal tissues including hematopoietic lineages and immune effector cells, which may limit their long-term clinical use. B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a transmembrane glycoprotein in the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 17 (TNFRSF17), is expressed at significantly higher levels in all patient MM cells but not on other normal tissues except normal plasma cells. Importantly, it is an antigen targeted by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, which have already shown significant clinical activities in patients with RRMM who have undergone at least three prior treatments, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent. Moreover, the first anti-BCMA antibody–drug conjugate also has achieved significant clinical responses in patients who failed at least three prior lines of therapy, including an anti-CD38 antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent. Both BCMA targeting immunotherapies were granted breakthrough status for patients with RRMM by FDA in Nov 2017. Other promising BCMA-based immunotherapeutic macromolecules including bispecific T-cell engagers, bispecific molecules, bispecific or trispecific antibodies, as well as improved forms of next generation CAR T cells, also demonstrate high anti-MM activity in preclinical and even early clinical studies. Here, we focus on the biology of this promising MM target antigen and then highlight preclinical and clinical data of current BCMA-targeted immunotherapies with various mechanisms of action. These crucial studies will enhance selective anti-MM response, transform the treatment paradigm, and extend disease-free survival in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Feng Cho
- LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kenneth C Anderson
- LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yu-Tzu Tai
- LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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43
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Caruso HG, Heimberger AB, Cooper LJN. Steering CAR T cells to distinguish friend from foe. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:e1271857. [PMID: 31646067 PMCID: PMC6791456 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1271857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)+ T cells have demonstrated clinical efficacy and long-lasting remissions, concomitant with tolerable normal B-cell aplasia. However, many tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are expressed on normal tissues, the destruction of which would lead to intolerable toxicity. Thus, there is a need to engineer CAR+ T cells with improved safety profiles to restrict toxicity against TAA-expressing normal tissues. Bioengineering approaches include: (i) targeting CAR+ T cells to the tumor site, (ii) limiting CAR+ T-cell persistence, and (iii) restricting CAR activation. We review and evaluate strategies to engineer CAR+ T cells to reduce the potential of on-target, off-tissue toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary G Caruso
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laurence J N Cooper
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Ziopharm Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
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44
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Chen Y, E CY, Gong ZW, Liu S, Wang ZX, Yang YS, Zhang XW. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cell therapy for liver cancer. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2018; 17:301-309. [PMID: 29861325 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a newly developed immunotherapy used in the treatment of cancers. Because CAR-T therapy has shown great success in treating CD19-positive hematological malignancies, its application has been explored in the treatment of solid tumors, such as liver cancer. In this review, we discuss the immune characteristics of liver cancer, the obstacles encountered during the application of CAR-T therapy, and preclinical and clinical progress in the use of CAR-T therapy in patients with liver cancer. DATA SOURCES The data on CAR-T therapy related to liver cancers were collected by searching PubMed and the Web of Science databases prior to December 2017 with the keywords "chimeric antigen receptor", "CAR-T", "liver cancer", "hepatocellular carcinoma", and "solid tumor". Additional articles were identified by manual search of references found in the primary articles. The data for clinical trials were collected by searching ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS The liver has a tolerogenic nature in the intrahepatic milieu and its tumor microenvironment significantly affects tumor progression. The obstacles that reduce the efficacy of CAR-T therapy in solid tumors include a lack of specific tumor antigens, limited trafficking and penetration of CAR-T cells to tumor sites, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome these obstacles, several strategies have emerged. In addition, several strategies have been developed to manage the side effects of CAR-T, including enhancing the selectivity of CARs and controlling CAR-T activity. To date, no clinical trials of CAR-T therapy against HCC have been completed. However, preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo have shown potent antitumor efficacy. Glypican-3, mucin-1, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, carcinoembryonic antigen, and other targets are currently being studied. CONCLUSIONS The application of CAR-T therapy for liver cancer is just beginning to be explored and more research is needed. However, we are optimistic that CAR-T therapy will offer a new approach for the treatment of liver cancers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Chang-Yong E
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Gong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Shui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Zhen-Xiao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Yong-Sheng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Xue-Wen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China.
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45
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Zhao Z, Chen Y, Francisco NM, Zhang Y, Wu M. The application of CAR-T cell therapy in hematological malignancies: advantages and challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2018; 8:539-551. [PMID: 30109179 PMCID: PMC6090008 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy is a novel adoptive immunotherapy where T lymphocytes are engineered with synthetic receptors known as chimeric antigen receptors (CAR). The CAR-T cell is an effector T cell that recognizes and eliminates specific cancer cells, independent of major histocompatibility complex molecules. The whole procedure of CAR-T cell production is not well understood. The CAR-T cell has been used predominantly in the treatment of hematological malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Solid tumors including melanoma, breast cancer and sarcoma offer great promise in CAR-T cell research and development. CD19 CAR-T cell is most commonly used, and other targets, including CD20, CD30, CD38 and CD138 are being studied. Although this novel therapy is promising, there are several disadvantages. In this review we discuss the applications of CAR-T cells in different hematological malignancies, and pave a way for future improvement on the effectiveness and persistence of these adoptive cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Zhao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | | | - Yuanqing Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Minhao Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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46
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Salter AI, Pont MJ, Riddell SR. Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells: CD19 and the road beyond. Blood 2018; 131:2621-2629. [PMID: 29728402 PMCID: PMC6032892 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-01-785840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to harness a patient's immune system to target malignant cells is now transforming the treatment of many cancers, including hematologic malignancies. The adoptive transfer of T cells selected for tumor reactivity or engineered with natural or synthetic receptors has emerged as an effective modality, even for patients with tumors that are refractory to conventional therapies. The most notable example of adoptive cell therapy is with T cells engineered to express synthetic chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that reprogram their specificity to target CD19. CAR T cells have shown remarkable antitumor activity in patients with refractory B-cell malignancies. Ongoing research is focused on understanding the mechanisms of incomplete tumor elimination, reducing toxicities, preventing antigen escape, and identifying suitable targets and strategies based on established and emerging principles of synthetic biology for extending this approach to other hematologic malignancies. This review will discuss the current status, challenges, and potential future applications of CAR T-cell therapy in hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Salter
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Margot J Pont
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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47
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Drent E, Poels R, Mulders MJ, van de Donk NWCJ, Themeli M, Lokhorst HM, Mutis T. Feasibility of controlling CD38-CAR T cell activity with a Tet-on inducible CAR design. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197349. [PMID: 29847570 PMCID: PMC5976165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical advances with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have led to the accelerated clinical approval of CD19-CARs to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The CAR T cell therapy is nevertheless associated with toxicities, especially if the CARs are not entirely tumor-specific. Therefore, strategies for controlling the CAR T cell activity are required to improve their safety profile. Here, by using the multiple myeloma (MM)-associated CD38 molecule as target molecule, we tested the feasibility and utility of a doxycycline (DOX) inducible Tet-on CD38-CAR design to control the off-target toxicities of CAR T cells. Using CARs with high affinity to CD38, we demonstrate that this strategy allows the proper induction of CD38-CARs and CAR-mediated T cell cytotoxicity in a DOX-dose dependent manner. Especially when the DOX dose was limited to 10ng/ml, its removal resulted in a relatively rapid decay of CAR- related off-tumor effects within 24 hours, indicating the active controllability of undesired CAR activity. This Tet-on CAR design also allowed us to induce the maximal anti-MM cytotoxic activity of affinity-optimized CD38-CAR T cells, which already display a low toxicity profile, hereby adding a second level of safety to these cells. Collectively, these results indicate the possibility to utilize this DOX inducible CAR-design to actively regulate the CAR-mediated activities of therapeutic T cells. We therefore conclude that the Tet-on system may be more advantageous above suicide-genes to control the potential toxicities of CAR T cells without the need to destroy them permanently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Drent
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renée Poels
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manon J. Mulders
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Maria Themeli
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk M. Lokhorst
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tuna Mutis
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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48
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Abstract
![]()
T cells
expressing tumor-specific T cell receptors are promising cancer therapeutic
agents, but safety control switches are needed to manage potential
side effects arising from overactivity. Here, we present the first
dual small molecule-gated ZAP70 signaling switch for the regulation
of T cell activity. We show that when an analogue-sensitive ZAP70
allele is fused to the engineered ligand binding domain of the estrogen
receptor, ERT2, its activity can be upregulated to an extent
by a metabolite of an FDA-approved tamoxifen, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen,
and downregulated by an ATP analogue, 3-MB-PP1. The strength of early
T cell signaling can also be modulated by varying the concentrations
of activator and inhibitor, and the switch exhibits temporal control
on the time scale of minutes. Interestingly, the switch has the ability
to control CD69 and calcium levels in T cells but has limited capabilities
in the regulation of downstream cytokine release, suggesting further
investigation is needed before it can be implemented in adoptive T
cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M. L. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Wilson W. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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49
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Immunotherapy with CAR-Modified T Cells: Toxicities and Overcoming Strategies. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:2386187. [PMID: 29850622 PMCID: PMC5932485 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2386187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells modified via chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have emerged as a promising treatment modality. Unparalleled clinical efficacy recently demonstrated in refractory B-cell malignancy has brought this new form of adoptive immunotherapy to the center stage. Nonetheless, its current success has also highlighted its potential treatment-related toxicities. The adverse events observed in the clinical trials are described in this review, after which, some innovative strategies developed to overcome these unwanted toxicities are outlined, including suicide genes, targeted activation, and other novel strategies.
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50
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Bong JH, Song HW, Kim TH, Kang MJ, Jose J, Pyun JC. Refolding of autodisplayed anti-NEF scFv through oxidation with glutathione for immunosensors. Biosens Bioelectron 2018; 102:600-609. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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