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Giardino Torchia ML, Moody G. DIALing-up the preclinical characterization of gene-modified adoptive cellular immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264882. [PMID: 38090585 PMCID: PMC10713823 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264882] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The preclinical characterization of gene modified adoptive cellular immunotherapy candidates for clinical development often requires the use of mouse models. Gene-modified lymphocytes (GML) incorporating chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and T-cell receptors (TCR) into immune effector cells require in vivo characterization of biological activity, mechanism of action, and preclinical safety. Typically, this characterization involves the assessment of dose-dependent, on-target, on-tumor activity in severely immunocompromised mice. While suitable for the purpose of evaluating T cell-expressed transgene function in a living host, this approach falls short in translating cellular therapy efficacy, safety, and persistence from preclinical models to humans. To comprehensively characterize cell therapy products in mice, we have developed a framework called "DIAL". This framework aims to enable an end-to-end understanding of genetically engineered cellular immunotherapies in vivo, from infusion to tumor clearance and long-term immunosurveillance. The acronym DIAL stands for Distribution, Infiltration, Accumulation, and Longevity, compartmentalizing the systemic attributes of gene-modified cellular therapy and providing a platform for optimization with the ultimate goal of improving therapeutic efficacy. This review will discuss both existent and emerging examples of DIAL characterization in mouse models, as well as opportunities for future development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon Moody
- Cell Therapy Unit, Oncology Research, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
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2
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Islam A, Pishesha N, Harmand TJ, Heston H, Woodham AW, Cheloha RW, Bousbaine D, Rashidian M, Ploegh HL. Converting an Anti-Mouse CD4 Monoclonal Antibody into an scFv Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Agent for Longitudinal Monitoring of CD4 + T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2021; 207:1468-1477. [PMID: 34408009 PMCID: PMC8387391 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Immuno-positron emission tomography (PET), a noninvasive imaging modality, can provide a dynamic approach for longitudinal assessment of cell populations of interest. Transformation of mAbs into single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-based PET imaging agents would allow noninvasive tracking in vivo of a wide range of possible targets. We used sortase-mediated enzymatic labeling in combination with PEGylation to develop an anti-mouse CD4 scFv-based PET imaging agent constructed from an anti-mouse CD4 mAb. This anti-CD4 scFv can monitor the in vivo distribution of CD4+ T cells by immuno-PET. We tracked CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in wild-type mice, in immunodeficient recipients reconstituted with monoclonal populations of OT-II and OT-I T cells, and in a B16 melanoma model. Anti-CD4 and -CD8 immuno-PET showed that the persistence of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells transferred into immunodeficient mice improved when recipients were immunized with OVA in CFA. In tumor-bearing animals, infiltration of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells increased as the tumor grew. The approach described in this study should be readily applicable to convert clinically useful Abs into the corresponding scFv PET imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraful Islam
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Novalia Pishesha
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Society of Fellows, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Thibault J Harmand
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Hailey Heston
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Andrew W Woodham
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ross W Cheloha
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Djenet Bousbaine
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Microbiology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Mohammad Rashidian
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; and
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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3
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Shao F, Long Y, Ji H, Jiang D, Lei P, Lan X. Radionuclide-based molecular imaging allows CAR-T cellular visualization and therapeutic monitoring. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:6800-6817. [PMID: 34093854 PMCID: PMC8171102 DOI: 10.7150/thno.56989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is a new and effective form of adoptive cell therapy that is rapidly entering the mainstream for the treatment of CD19-positive hematological cancers because of its impressive effect and durable responses. Huge challenges remain in achieving similar success in patients with solid tumors. The current methods of monitoring CAR-T, including morphological imaging (CT and MRI), blood tests, and biopsy, have limitations to assess whether CAR-T cells are homing to tumor sites and infiltrating into tumor bed, or to assess the survival, proliferation, and persistence of CAR-T cells in solid tumors associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Radionuclide-based molecular imaging affords improved CAR-T cellular visualization and therapeutic monitoring through either a direct cellular radiolabeling approach or a reporter gene imaging strategy, and endogenous cell imaging is beneficial to reflect functional information and immune status of T cells. Focusing on the dynamic monitoring and precise assessment of CAR-T therapy, this review summarizes the current applications of radionuclide-based noninvasive imaging in CAR-T cells visualization and monitoring and presents current challenges and strategic choices.
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Xiao Z, Puré E. Imaging of T-cell Responses in the Context of Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:490-502. [PMID: 33941536 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, which promotes the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and enhances their infiltration into and function within tumors, is a rapidly expanding and evolving approach to treating cancer. However, many of the critical denominators for inducing effective anticancer immune responses remain unknown. Efforts are underway to develop comprehensive ex vivo assessments of the immune landscape of patients prior to and during response to immunotherapy. An important complementary approach to these efforts involves the development of noninvasive imaging approaches to detect immune targets, assess delivery of immune-based therapeutics, and evaluate responses to immunotherapy. Herein, we review the merits and limitations of various noninvasive imaging modalities (MRI, PET, and single-photon emission tomography) and discuss candidate targets for cellular and molecular imaging for visualization of T-cell responses at various stages along the cancer-immunity cycle in the context of immunotherapy. We also discuss the potential use of these imaging strategies in monitoring treatment responses and predicting prognosis for patients treated with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zebin Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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5
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Sakemura R, Can I, Siegler EL, Kenderian SS. In vivo CART cell imaging: Paving the way for success in CART cell therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 20:625-633. [PMID: 33816781 PMCID: PMC7995489 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CART) cells are a promising immunotherapy that has induced dramatic anti-tumor responses in certain B cell malignancies. However, CART cell expansion and trafficking are often insufficient to yield long-term remissions, and serious toxicities can arise after CART cell administration. Visualizing CART cell expansion and trafficking in patients can detect an inadequate CART cell response or serve as an early warning for toxicity development, allowing CART cell treatment to be tailored accordingly to maximize therapeutic benefits. To this end, various imaging platforms are being developed to track CART cells in vivo, including nonspecific strategies to image activated T cells and reporter systems to specifically detect engineered T cells. Many of these platforms are clinically applicable and hold promise to provide valuable information and guide improved CART cell treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reona Sakemura
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ismail Can
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Siegler
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Saad S Kenderian
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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6
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Xie T, Chen X, Fang J, Xue W, Zhang J, Tong H, Liu H, Guo Y, Yang Y, Zhang W. Non-invasive monitoring of the kinetic infiltration and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticle-labeled chimeric antigen receptor T cells in glioblastoma via 7.0-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Cytotherapy 2020; 23:211-222. [PMID: 33334686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a promising treatment strategy in solid tumors. In vivo cell tracking techniques can help us better understand the infiltration, persistence and therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells. In this field, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can achieve high-resolution images of cells by using cellular imaging probes. MRI can also provide various biological information on solid tumors. METHODS The authors adopted the amino alcohol derivatives of glucose-coated nanoparticles, ultra-small superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIOs), to label CAR T cells for non-invasive monitoring of kinetic infiltration and persistence in glioblastoma (GBM). The specific targeting CARs included anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor variant III and IL13 receptor subunit alpha 2 CARs. RESULTS When using an appropriate concentration, USPIO labeling exerted no negative effects on the biological characteristics and killing efficiency of CAR T cells. Increasing hypointensity signals could be detected in GBM models by susceptibility-weighted imaging MRI ranging from 3 days to 14 days following the injection of USPIO-labeled CAR T cells. In addition, nanoparticles and CAR T cells were found on consecutive histopathological sections. Moreover, diffusion and perfusion MRI revealed significantly increased water diffusion and decreased vascular permeability on day 3 after treatment, which was simultaneously accompanied by a significant decrease in tumor cell proliferation and increase in intercellular tight junction on immunostaining sections. CONCLUSION These results establish an effective imaging technique that can track CAR T cells in GBM models and validate their early therapeutic effects, which may guide the evaluation of CAR T-cell therapies in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Xie
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingqin Fang
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Haipeng Tong
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Heng Liu
- Department of Radiology, PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yizeng Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Weiguo Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing, China.
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Najibi AJ, Mooney DJ. Cell and tissue engineering in lymph nodes for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 161-162:42-62. [PMID: 32750376 PMCID: PMC7736208 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In cancer, lymph nodes (LNs) coordinate tumor antigen presentation necessary for effective antitumor immunity, both at the levels of local cellular interactions and tissue-level organization. In this review, we examine how LNs may be engineered to improve the therapeutic outcomes of cancer immunotherapy. At the cellular scale, targeting the LNs impacts the potency of cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive cell transfer. On a tissue level, macro-scale biomaterials mimicking LN features can function as immune niches for cell reprogramming or delivery in vivo, or be utilized in vitro to enable preclinical testing of drugs and vaccines. We additionally review strategies to induce ectopic lymphoid sites reminiscent of LNs that may improve antitumor T cell priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Najibi
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - David J Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
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8
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Parisi G, Saco JD, Salazar FB, Tsoi J, Krystofinski P, Puig-Saus C, Zhang R, Zhou J, Cheung-Lau GC, Garcia AJ, Grasso CS, Tavaré R, Hu-Lieskovan S, Mackay S, Zalevsky J, Bernatchez C, Diab A, Wu AM, Comin-Anduix B, Charych D, Ribas A. Persistence of adoptively transferred T cells with a kinetically engineered IL-2 receptor agonist. Nat Commun 2020; 11:660. [PMID: 32005809 PMCID: PMC6994533 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a component of most protocols of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapy for cancer, but is limited by short exposure and high toxicities. NKTR-214 is a kinetically-engineered IL-2 receptor βγ (IL-2Rβγ)-biased agonist consisting of IL-2 conjugated to multiple releasable polyethylene glycol chains resulting in sustained signaling through IL-2Rβγ. We report that ACT supported by NKTR-214 increases the proliferation, homing and persistence of anti-tumor T cells compared to ACT with IL-2, resulting in superior antitumor activity in a B16-F10 murine melanoma model. The use of NKTR-214 increases the number of polyfunctional T cells in murine spleens and tumors compared to IL-2, and enhances the polyfunctionality of T and NK cells in the peripheral blood of patients receiving NKTR-214 in a phase 1 trial. In conclusion, NKTR-214 may have the potential to improve the antitumor activity of ACT in humans through increased in vivo expansion and polyfunctionality of the adoptively transferred T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Parisi
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Justin D Saco
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Felix B Salazar
- Department of Medical and Molecular Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Tsoi
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paige Krystofinski
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cristina Puig-Saus
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruixue Zhang
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jing Zhou
- Isoplexis Corporation, Branford, CT, USA
| | - Gardenia C Cheung-Lau
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alejandro J Garcia
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Catherine S Grasso
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Siwen Hu-Lieskovan
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Chantale Bernatchez
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Adi Diab
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anna M Wu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Begoña Comin-Anduix
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Deborah Charych
- Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Third Rock Ventures, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Krekorian M, Fruhwirth GO, Srinivas M, Figdor CG, Heskamp S, Witney TH, Aarntzen EH. Imaging of T-cells and their responses during anti-cancer immunotherapy. Theranostics 2019; 9:7924-7947. [PMID: 31656546 PMCID: PMC6814447 DOI: 10.7150/thno.37924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has proven to be an effective approach in a growing number of cancers. Despite durable clinical responses achieved with antibodies targeting immune checkpoint molecules, many patients do not respond. The common denominator for immunotherapies that have successfully been introduced in the clinic is their potential to induce or enhance infiltration of cytotoxic T-cells into the tumour. However, in clinical research the molecules, cells and processes involved in effective responses during immunotherapy remain largely obscure. Therefore, in vivo imaging technologies that interrogate T-cell responses in patients represent a powerful tool to boost further development of immunotherapy. This review comprises a comprehensive analysis of the in vivo imaging technologies that allow the characterisation of T-cell responses induced by anti-cancer immunotherapy, with emphasis on technologies that are clinically available or have high translational potential. Throughout we discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses, providing arguments for selecting the optimal imaging options for future research and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massis Krekorian
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings' College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mangala Srinivas
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carl G. Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Heskamp
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy H. Witney
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings' College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erik H.J.G. Aarntzen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Volpe A, Kurtys E, Fruhwirth GO. Cousins at work: How combining medical with optical imaging enhances in vivo cell tracking. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 102:40-50. [PMID: 29960079 PMCID: PMC6593261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Microscopy and medical imaging are related in their exploitation of electromagnetic waves, but were developed to satisfy differing needs, namely to observe small objects or to look inside subjects/objects, respectively. Together, these techniques can help elucidate complex biological processes and better understand health and disease. A current major challenge is to delineate mechanisms governing cell migration and tissue invasion in organismal development, the immune system and in human diseases such as cancer where the spatiotemporal tracking of small cell numbers in live animal models is extremely challenging. Multi-modal multi-scale in vivo cell tracking integrates medical and optical imaging. Fuelled by basic research in cancer biology and cell-based therapeutics, it has been enabled by technological advances providing enhanced resolution, sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities. Here, we review which imaging modalities have been successfully used for in vivo cell tracking and how this challenging task has benefitted from combining macroscopic with microscopic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Volpe
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, SE1 7EH, London, UK
| | - Ewelina Kurtys
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, SE1 7EH, London, UK
| | - Gilbert O Fruhwirth
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, SE1 7EH, London, UK.
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11
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Studying cancer immunotherapy using patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in humanized mice. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-9. [PMID: 30089794 PMCID: PMC6082857 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a promising way to eliminate tumor cells by using the patient’s own immune system. Selecting the appropriate animal models to develop or validate preclinical immunotherapeutic trials is now an important aspect of many cancer research programs. Here we discuss the advantages and limitations of using genetically engineered immunodeficient mouse models, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and humanized mouse models for developing and testing immunotherapeutic strategies. Improvements to mouse models for cancer immunotherapy could enhance the precision of new drugs. Immunotherapy trials require genetically modified animal models, including ‘humanized’ mice with a functioning human immune system, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice, in which cells from patients’ tumors are implanted into immunodeficient mice. Charles Lee at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, USA, Yeun-Jun Chung at the Catholic University of Korea in Seoul, and co-workers reviewed developments in both PDX and humanized-PDX mouse models for immunotherapy trials. PDX models improve the chances of finding novel biomarkers for drug development. However, humanized PDX mouse models will allow researchers to study diverse cancers in tumour and immune environments as close as possible to those of humans.
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12
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Antitumor activity of CAR-T cells targeting the intracellular oncoprotein WT1 can be enhanced by vaccination. Blood 2018; 132:1134-1145. [PMID: 30045840 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-08-802926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for treatment of hematologic malignancies supports further development of treatments for both liquid and solid tumors. However, expansion of CAR-T cell therapy is limited by the availability of surface antigens specific for the tumor while sparing normal cells. There is a rich diversity of tumor antigens from intracellularly expressed proteins that current and conventional CAR-T cells are unable to target. Furthermore, adoptively transferred T cells often suffer from exhaustion and insufficient expansion, in part, because of the immunosuppressive mechanisms operating in tumor-bearing hosts. Therefore, it is necessary to develop means to further activate and expand those CAR-T cells in vivo. The Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) is an intracellular oncogenic transcription factor that is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy because of its overexpression in a wide range of leukemias and solid tumors, and a low level of expression in normal adult tissues. In the present study, we developed CAR-T cells consisting of a single chain variable fragment (scFv) specific to the WT1235-243/HLA-A*2402 complex. The therapeutic efficacy of our CAR-T cells was demonstrated in a xenograft model, which was further enhanced by vaccination with dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with the corresponding antigen. This enhanced efficacy was mediated, at least partly, by the expansion and activation of CAR-T cells. CAR-T cells shown in the present study not only demonstrate the potential to expand the range of targets available to CAR-T cells, but also provide a proof of concept that efficacy of CAR-T cells targeting peptide/major histocompatibility complex can be boosted by vaccination.
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Ischemic heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries, which can lead to the development of heart attacks and heart muscle damage. Despite the advent of medical and surgical therapy to prevent and treat atherosclerosis and its adverse clinical effects, ischemic heart disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have suggested that the immune system may play a greater role in the development of plaque rupture and adverse left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. Understanding the molecular processes by which inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease is, therefore, worthwhile. This review focuses on new molecular imaging techniques to visualize immune cells to study their contribution to ischemic heart disease. Recent Findings A common technique applied to imaging inflammation in ischemic heart disease is targeting the up-regulation and trafficking of immune cells, which may contribute to the adverse consequences associated with atherosclerosis. In the past five years, advances in cell labeling for imaging with PET and MRI, including radioisotopes and nanoparticles, have confirmed that inflammatory cells can be visualized in vivo and in greater abundance in unstable cardiovascular disease and in areas of ischemic damage. The major criticisms of these studies to date include their small sample size, lack of histological correlation, limited association with long-term outcomes, and bias toward macrophage imaging. Summary While much progress has been made in imaging inflammation in ischemic heart disease over the past five years, additional studies in larger cohorts with histological validation and outcome correlation are needed. Nevertheless, imaging inflammation using PET or MRI has the potential to become an important adjunct tool to improve the diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic monitoring of patients with ischemic heart disease.
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Wei W, Jiang D, Ehlerding EB, Luo Q, Cai W. Noninvasive PET Imaging of T cells. Trends Cancer 2018; 4:359-373. [PMID: 29709260 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The rapidly evolving field of cancer immunotherapy recently saw the approval of several new therapeutic antibodies. Several cell therapies, for example, chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells (CAR-T), are currently in clinical trials for a variety of cancers and other diseases. However, approaches to monitor changes in the immune status of tumors or to predict therapeutic responses are limited. Monitoring lymphocytes from whole blood or biopsies does not provide dynamic and spatial information about T cells in heterogeneous tumors. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using probes specific for T cells can noninvasively monitor systemic and intratumoral immune alterations during experimental therapies and may have an important and expanding value in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Wei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China; Department of Radiology, Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Emily B Ehlerding
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Quanyong Luo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Weibo Cai
- Department of Radiology, Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
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15
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Hotblack A, Holler A, Piapi A, Ward S, Stauss HJ, Bennett CL. Tumor-Resident Dendritic Cells and Macrophages Modulate the Accumulation of TCR-Engineered T Cells in Melanoma. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1471-1481. [PMID: 29628306 PMCID: PMC5986719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing clinical trials explore T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy as a treatment option for cancer, but responses in solid tumors are hampered by the immunosuppressive microenvironment. The production of TCR gene-engineered T cells requires full T cell activation in vitro, and it is currently unknown whether in vivo interactions with conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) regulate the accumulation and function of engineered T cells in tumors. Using the B16 melanoma model and the inducible depletion of CD11c+ cells in CD11c.diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) mice, we analyzed the interaction between tumor-resident cDCs and engineered T cells expressing the melanoma-specific TRP-2 TCR. We found that depletion of CD11c+ cells triggered the recruitment of cross-presenting cDC1 into the tumor and enhanced the accumulation of TCR-engineered T cells. We show that the recruited tumor cDCs present melanoma tumor antigen, leading to enhanced activation of TCR-engineered T cells. In addition, detailed analysis of the tumor myeloid compartment revealed that the depletion of a population of DT-sensitive macrophages can contribute to the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Together, these data suggest that the relative frequency of tumor-resident cDCs and macrophages may impact the therapeutic efficacy of TCR gene therapy in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Hotblack
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Alice Piapi
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Sophie Ward
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK; Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Studies, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Hans J Stauss
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Clare L Bennett
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK; Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Studies, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK.
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Chatterjee S, Daenthanasanmak A, Chakraborty P, Wyatt MW, Dhar P, Selvam SP, Fu J, Zhang J, Nguyen H, Kang I, Toth K, Al-Homrani M, Husain M, Beeson G, Ball L, Helke K, Husain S, Garrett-Mayer E, Hardiman G, Mehrotra M, Nishimura MI, Beeson CC, Bupp MG, Wu J, Ogretmen B, Paulos CM, Rathmell J, Yu XZ, Mehrotra S. CD38-NAD +Axis Regulates Immunotherapeutic Anti-Tumor T Cell Response. Cell Metab 2018; 27:85-100.e8. [PMID: 29129787 PMCID: PMC5837048 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Heightened effector function and prolonged persistence, the key attributes of Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively, are key features of potent anti-tumor T cells. Here, we established ex vivo culture conditions to generate hybrid Th1/17 cells, which persisted long-term in vivo while maintaining their effector function. Using transcriptomics and metabolic profiling approaches, we showed that the enhanced anti-tumor property of Th1/17 cells was dependent on the increased NAD+-dependent activity of the histone deacetylase Sirt1. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of Sirt1 activity impaired the anti-tumor potential of Th1/17 cells. Importantly, T cells with reduced surface expression of the NADase CD38 exhibited intrinsically higher NAD+, enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, higher glutaminolysis, and altered mitochondrial dynamics that vastly improved tumor control. Lastly, blocking CD38 expression improved tumor control even when using Th0 anti-tumor T cells. Thus, strategies targeting the CD38-NAD+ axis could increase the efficacy of anti-tumor adoptive T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpak Chatterjee
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Anusara Daenthanasanmak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Paramita Chakraborty
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Megan W Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Payal Dhar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Shanmugam Panneer Selvam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jianing Fu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Hung Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Inhong Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kyle Toth
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Mazen Al-Homrani
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Mahvash Husain
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Gyda Beeson
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Lauren Ball
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kristi Helke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Shahid Husain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Public Health, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Gary Hardiman
- Department of Nephrology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Meenal Mehrotra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | | | - Craig C Beeson
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jeffery Rathmell
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xue-Zhong Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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17
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Homet Moreno B, Zaretsky JM, Garcia-Diaz A, Tsoi J, Parisi G, Robert L, Meeth K, Ndoye A, Bosenberg M, Weeraratna AT, Graeber TG, Comin-Anduix B, Hu-Lieskovan S, Ribas A. Response to Programmed Cell Death-1 Blockade in a Murine Melanoma Syngeneic Model Requires Costimulation, CD4, and CD8 T Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2016; 4:845-857. [PMID: 27589875 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-16-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) limits effector T-cell functions in peripheral tissues, and its inhibition leads to clinical benefit in different cancers. To better understand how PD-1 blockade therapy modulates the tumor-host interactions, we evaluated three syngeneic murine tumor models, the BRAFV600E-driven YUMM1.1 and YUMM2.1 melanomas, and the carcinogen-induced murine colon adenocarcinoma MC38. The YUMM cell lines were established from mice with melanocyte-specific BRAFV600E mutation and PTEN loss (BRAFV600E/PTEN-/-). Anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy engendered strong antitumor activity against MC38 and YUMM2.1, but not YUMM1.1. PD-L1 expression did not differ between the three models at baseline or upon interferon stimulation. Whereas mutational load was high in MC38, it was lower in both YUMM models. In YUMM2.1, the antitumor activity of PD-1 blockade had a critical requirement for both CD4 and CD8 T cells, as well as CD28 and CD80/86 costimulation, with an increase in CD11c+CD11b+MHC-IIhigh dendritic cells and tumor-associated macrophages in the tumors after PD-1 blockade. Compared with YUMM1.1, YUMM2.1 exhibited a more inflammatory profile by RNA sequencing analysis, with an increase in expression of chemokine-trafficking genes that are related to immune cell recruitment and T-cell priming. In conclusion, response to PD-1 blockade therapy in tumor models requires CD4 and CD8 T cells and costimulation that is mediated by dendritic cells and macrophages. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(10); 845-57. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Homet Moreno
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California
| | - Jesse M Zaretsky
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California. Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Angel Garcia-Diaz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California
| | - Jennifer Tsoi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Giulia Parisi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California
| | - Lidia Robert
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California
| | - Katrina Meeth
- Departments of Immunobiology, Dermatology, and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Abibatou Ndoye
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Departments of Immunobiology, Dermatology, and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | | | - Thomas G Graeber
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Begoña Comin-Anduix
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA, Los Angeles, California. Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Siwen Hu-Lieskovan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California. Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA, Los Angeles, California. Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
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18
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Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful noninvasive imaging technique able to measure distinct biological processes in vivo by administration of a radiolabeled probe. Whole-body measurements track the probe accumulation providing a means to measure biological changes such as metabolism, cell location, or tumor burden. PET can also be applied to both preclinical and clinical studies providing three-dimensional information. For immunotherapies (in particular understanding T cell responses), PET can be utilized for spatial and longitudinal tracking of T lymphocytes. Although PET has been utilized clinically for over 30 years, the recent development of additional PET radiotracers have dramatically expanded the use of PET to detect endogenous or adoptively transferred T cells in vivo. Novel probes have identified changes in T cell quantity, location, and function. This has enabled investigators to track T cells outside of the circulation and in hematopoietic organs such as spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, or within tumors. In this review, we cover advances in PET detection of the antitumor T cell response and areas of focus for future studies.
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20
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Tavaré R, Escuin-Ordinas H, Mok S, McCracken MN, Zettlitz KA, Salazar FB, Witte ON, Ribas A, Wu AM. An Effective Immuno-PET Imaging Method to Monitor CD8-Dependent Responses to Immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2015; 76:73-82. [PMID: 26573799 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The rapidly advancing field of cancer immunotherapy is currently limited by the scarcity of noninvasive and quantitative technologies capable of monitoring the presence and abundance of CD8(+) T cells and other immune cell subsets. In this study, we describe the generation of (89)Zr-desferrioxamine-labeled anti-CD8 cys-diabody ((89)Zr-malDFO-169 cDb) for noninvasive immuno-PET tracking of endogenous CD8(+) T cells. We demonstrate that anti-CD8 immuno-PET is a sensitive tool for detecting changes in systemic and tumor-infiltrating CD8 expression in preclinical syngeneic tumor immunotherapy models including antigen-specific adoptive T-cell transfer, agonistic antibody therapy (anti-CD137/4-1BB), and checkpoint blockade antibody therapy (anti-PD-L1). The ability of anti-CD8 immuno-PET to provide whole body information regarding therapy-induced alterations of this dynamic T-cell population provides new opportunities to evaluate antitumor immune responses of immunotherapies currently being evaluated in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Tavaré
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Helena Escuin-Ordinas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephen Mok
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Melissa N McCracken
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kirstin A Zettlitz
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Felix B Salazar
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Owen N Witte
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Institute for Molecular Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anna M Wu
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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21
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Andrijauskaite K, Suriano S, Cloud CA, Li M, Kesarwani P, Stefanik LS, Moxley KM, Salem ML, Garrett-Mayer E, Paulos CM, Mehrotra S, Kochenderfer JN, Cole DJ, Rubinstein MP. IL-12 conditioning improves retrovirally mediated transduction efficiency of CD8+ T cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2015; 22:360-7. [PMID: 26182912 PMCID: PMC4807400 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2015.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability to genetically modify T cells is a critical component to many immunotherapeutic strategies and research studies. However, the success of these approaches is often limited by transduction efficiency. As retroviral vectors require cell division for integration, transduction efficiency is dependent on the appropriate activation and culture conditions for T cells. Naive CD8(+) T cells, which are quiescent, must be first activated to induce cell division to allow genetic modification. To optimize this process, we activated mouse T cells with a panel of different cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-23, known to act on T cells. After activation, cytokines were removed, and activated T cells were retrovirally transduced. We found that IL-12 preconditioning of mouse T cells greatly enhanced transduction efficiency, while preserving function and expansion potential. We also observed a similar transduction-enhancing effect of IL-12 preconditioning on human T cells. These findings provide a simple method to improve the transduction efficiencies of CD8(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha Suriano
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - Colleen A. Cloud
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - Mingli Li
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - Pravin Kesarwani
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - Leah S. Stefanik
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | | | - Mohamed L Salem
- Immunology & Biotechnology Division, Tanta University, Egypt
| | | | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - James N. Kochenderfer
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - David J. Cole
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
| | - Mark P. Rubinstein
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC 29425
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22
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Tavaré R, McCracken MN, Zettlitz KA, Salazar FB, Olafsen T, Witte ON, Wu AM. Immuno-PET of Murine T Cell Reconstitution Postadoptive Stem Cell Transplantation Using Anti-CD4 and Anti-CD8 Cys-Diabodies. J Nucl Med 2015; 56:1258-64. [PMID: 25952734 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.114.153338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The proliferation and trafficking of T lymphocytes in immune responses are crucial events in determining inflammatory responses. To study whole-body T lymphocyte dynamics noninvasively in vivo, we generated anti-CD4 and -CD8 cys-diabodies (cDbs) derived from the parental antibody hybridomas GK1.5 and 2.43, respectively, for (89)Zr-immuno-PET detection of helper and cytotoxic T cell populations. METHODS Anti-CD4 and -CD8 cDbs were engineered, produced via mammalian expression, purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography, and characterized for T cell binding. The cDbs were site-specifically conjugated to maleimide-desferrioxamine for (89)Zr radiolabeling and subsequent small-animal PET/CT acquisition and ex vivo biodistribution in both wild-type mice and a model of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. RESULTS Immuno-PET and biodistribution studies demonstrate targeting and visualization of CD4 and CD8 T cell populations in vivo in the spleen and lymph nodes of wild-type mice, with specificity confirmed through in vivo blocking and depletion studies. Subsequently, a murine model of HSC transplantation demonstrated successful in vivo detection of T cell repopulation at 2, 4, and 8 wk after HSC transplantation using the (89)Zr-radiolabeled anti-CD4 and -CD8 cDbs. CONCLUSION These newly developed anti-CD4 and -CD8 immuno-PET reagents represent a powerful resource to monitor T cell expansion, localization, and novel engraftment protocols. Future potential applications of T cell-targeted immuno-PET include monitoring immune cell subsets in response to immunotherapy, autoimmunity, and lymphoproliferative disorders, contributing overall to preclinical immune cell monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Tavaré
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Melissa N McCracken
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kirstin A Zettlitz
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Felix B Salazar
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tove Olafsen
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Owen N Witte
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at UCLA, Los Angeles, California; and Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anna M Wu
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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23
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Mok S, Tsoi J, Koya RC, Hu-Lieskovan S, West BL, Bollag G, Graeber TG, Ribas A. Inhibition of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor improves antitumor efficacy of BRAF inhibition. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:356. [PMID: 25939769 PMCID: PMC4432503 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1377-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant melanoma is an aggressive tumor type that often develops drug resistance to targeted therapeutics. The production of colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) in tumors recruits myeloid cells such as M2-polarized macrophages and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC), leading to an immune suppressive tumor milieu. Methods We used the syngeneic mouse model of BRAFV600E-driven melanoma SM1, which secretes CSF-1, to evaluate the ability of the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitor PLX3397 to improve the antitumor efficacy of the oncogenic BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. Results Combined BRAF and CSF-1R inhibition resulted in superior antitumor responses compared with either therapy alone. In mice receiving PLX3397 treatment, a dramatic reduction of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells (TIM) was observed. In this model, we could not detect a direct effect of TIMs or pro-survival cytokines produced by TIMs that could confer resistance to PLX4032 (vemurafenib). However, the macrophage inhibitory effects of PLX3397 treatment in combination with the paradoxical activation of wild type BRAF-expressing immune cells mediated by PLX4032 resulted in more tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Depletion of CD8+ T-cells abrogated the antitumor response to the combination therapy. Furthermore, TILs isolated from SM1 tumors treated with PLX3397 and PLX4032 displayed higher immune potentiating activity. Conclusions The combination of BRAF-targeted therapy with CSF-1R blockade resulted in increased CD8 T-cell responses in the SM1 melanoma model, supporting the ongoing evaluation of this therapeutic combination in patients with BRAFV600 mutant metastatic melanoma. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1377-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Mok
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Jennifer Tsoi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Richard C Koya
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA.
| | - Siwen Hu-Lieskovan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), 11-934 Factor Building, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1782, USA.
| | | | | | - Thomas G Graeber
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), 11-934 Factor Building, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1782, USA. .,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Erickson KL, Hickey MJ, Kato Y, Malone CC, Owens GC, Prins RM, Liau LM, Kasahara N, Kruse CA. Radial mobility and cytotoxic function of retroviral replicating vector transduced, non-adherent alloresponsive T lymphocytes. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 25741775 DOI: 10.3791/52416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a novel adaptation of the Radial Monolayer Cell Migration assay, first reported to measure the radial migration of adherent tumor cells on extracellular matrix proteins, for measuring the motility of fluorescently-labeled, non-adherent human or murine effector immune cells. This technique employs a stainless steel manifold and 10-well Teflon slide to focally deposit non-adherent T cells into wells prepared with either confluent tumor cell monolayers or extracellular matrix proteins. Light and/or multi-channel fluorescence microscopy is used to track the movement and behavior of the effector cells over time. Fluorescent dyes and/or viral vectors that code for fluorescent transgenes are used to differentially label the cell types for imaging. This method is distinct from similar-type in vitro assays that track horizontal or vertical migration/invasion utilizing slide chambers, agar or transwell plates. The assay allows detailed imaging data to be collected with different cell types distinguished by specific fluorescent markers; even specific subpopulations of cells (i.e., transduced/nontransduced) can be monitored. Surface intensity fluorescence plots are generated using specific fluorescence channels that correspond to the migrating cell type. This allows for better visualization of the non-adherent immune cell mobility at specific times. It is possible to gather evidence of other effector cell functions, such as cytotoxicity or transfer of viral vectors from effector to target cells, as well. Thus, the method allows researchers to microscopically document cell-to-cell interactions of differentially-labeled, non-adherent with adherent cells of various types. Such information may be especially relevant in the assessment of biologically-manipulated or activated immune cell types, where visual proof of functionality is desired with tumor target cells before their use for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Erickson
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | | | - Yuki Kato
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Colin C Malone
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Geoffrey C Owens
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Robert M Prins
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Linda M Liau
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Brain Research Institute, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Department of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
| | - Carol A Kruse
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Brain Research Institute, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine;
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Adoptive immunotherapy for hematological malignancies using T cells gene-modified to express tumor antigen-specific receptors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2014; 7:1049-68. [PMID: 25517545 PMCID: PMC4276906 DOI: 10.3390/ph7121049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that adoptive T-cell immunotherapy could be a promising option for control of cancer; evident examples include the graft-vs-leukemia effect mediated by donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and therapeutic infusion of ex vivo-expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for melanoma. Currently, along with advances in synthetic immunology, gene-modified T cells retargeted to defined tumor antigens have been introduced as “cellular drugs”. As the functional properties of the adoptive immune response mediated by T lymphocytes are decisively regulated by their T-cell receptors (TCRs), transfer of genes encoding target antigen-specific receptors should enable polyclonal T cells to be uniformly redirected toward cancer cells. Clinically, anticancer adoptive immunotherapy using genetically engineered T cells has an impressive track record. Notable examples include the dramatic benefit of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene-modified T cells redirected towards CD19 in patients with B-cell malignancy, and the encouraging results obtained with TCR gene-modified T cells redirected towards NY-ESO-1, a cancer-testis antigen, in patients with advanced melanoma and synovial cell sarcoma. This article overviews the current status of this treatment option, and discusses challenging issues that still restrain the full effectiveness of this strategy, especially in the context of hematological malignancy.
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Chodon T, Comin-Anduix B, Chmielowski B, Koya RC, Wu Z, Auerbach M, Ng C, Avramis E, Seja E, Villanueva A, McCannel TA, Ishiyama A, Czernin J, Radu CG, Wang X, Gjertson DW, Cochran AJ, Cornetta K, Wong DJL, Kaplan-Lefko P, Hamid O, Samlowski W, Cohen PA, Daniels GA, Mukherji B, Yang L, Zack JA, Kohn DB, Heath JR, Glaspy JA, Witte ON, Baltimore D, Economou JS, Ribas A. Adoptive transfer of MART-1 T-cell receptor transgenic lymphocytes and dendritic cell vaccination in patients with metastatic melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:2457-65. [PMID: 24634374 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-3017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE It has been demonstrated that large numbers of tumor-specific T cells for adoptive cell transfer (ACT) can be manufactured by retroviral genetic engineering of autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes and expanding them over several weeks. In mouse models, this therapy is optimized when administered with dendritic cell (DC) vaccination. We developed a short 1-week manufacture protocol to determine the feasibility, safety, and antitumor efficacy of this double cell therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A clinical trial (NCT00910650) adoptively transferring MART-1 T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic lymphocytes together with MART-1 peptide-pulsed DC vaccination in HLA-A2.1 patients with metastatic melanoma. Autologous TCR transgenic cells were manufactured in 6 to 7 days using retroviral vector gene transfer, and reinfused with (n = 10) or without (n = 3) prior cryopreservation. RESULTS A total of 14 patients with metastatic melanoma were enrolled and 9 of 13 treated patients (69%) showed evidence of tumor regression. Peripheral blood reconstitution with MART-1-specific T cells peaked within 2 weeks of ACT, indicating rapid in vivo expansion. Administration of freshly manufactured TCR transgenic T cells resulted in a higher persistence of MART-1-specific T cells in the blood as compared with cryopreserved. Evidence that DC vaccination could cause further in vivo expansion was only observed with ACT using noncryopreserved T cells. CONCLUSION Double cell therapy with ACT of TCR-engineered T cells with a very short ex vivo manipulation and DC vaccines is feasible and results in antitumor activity, but improvements are needed to maintain tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinle Chodon
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center; Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); The Angeles Clinic Research Institute, Los Angeles; Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD) Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla; Divisions of Chemistry and Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, and the Indiana University Viral Production Facility (IU VPF), Indianapolis, Indiana; Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada; Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona; Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut; and Center for Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York
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Engineered antibody fragments for immuno-PET imaging of endogenous CD8+ T cells in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:1108-13. [PMID: 24390540 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1316922111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The noninvasive detection and quantification of CD8(+) T cells in vivo are important for both the detection and staging of CD8(+) lymphomas and for the monitoring of successful cancer immunotherapies, such as adoptive cell transfer and antibody-based immunotherapeutics. Here, antibody fragments are constructed to target murine CD8 to obtain rapid, high-contrast immuno-positron emission tomography (immuno-PET) images for the detection of CD8 expression in vivo. The variable regions of two anti-murine CD8-depleting antibodies (clones 2.43 and YTS169.4.2.1) were sequenced and reformatted into minibody (Mb) fragments (scFv-CH3). After production and purification, the Mbs retained their antigen specificity and bound primary CD8(+) T cells from the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood. Importantly, engineering of the parental antibodies into Mbs abolished the ability to deplete CD8(+) T cells in vivo. The Mbs were subsequently conjugated to S-2-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid for (64)Cu radiolabeling. The radiotracers were injected i.v. into antigen-positive, antigen-negative, immunodeficient, antigen-blocked, and antigen-depleted mice to evaluate specificity of uptake in lymphoid tissues by immuno-PET imaging and ex vivo biodistribution. Both (64)Cu-radiolabeled Mbs produced high-contrast immuno-PET images 4 h postinjection and showed specific uptake in the spleen and lymph nodes of antigen-positive mice.
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Mok S, Koya RC, Tsui C, Xu J, Robert L, Wu L, Graeber T, West BL, Bollag G, Ribas A. Inhibition of CSF-1 receptor improves the antitumor efficacy of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2014; 74:153-161. [PMID: 24247719 PMCID: PMC3947337 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) recruits tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells (TIM) that suppress tumor immunity, including M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). The CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) is a tyrosine kinase that is targetable by small molecule inhibitors such as PLX3397. In this study, we used a syngeneic mouse model of BRAF(V600E)-driven melanoma to evaluate the ability of PLX3397 to improve the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy (ACT). In this model, we found that combined treatment produced superior antitumor responses compared with single treatments. In mice receiving the combined treatment, a dramatic reduction of TIMs and a skewing of MHCII(low) to MHCII(hi) macrophages were observed. Furthermore, mice receiving the combined treatment exhibited an increase in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and T cells, as revealed by real-time imaging in vivo. In support of these observations, TILs from these mice released higher levels of IFN-γ. In conclusion, CSF-1R blockade with PLX3397 improved the efficacy of ACT immunotherapy by inhibiting the intratumoral accumulation of immunosuppressive macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Mok
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (UCLA)
| | - Richard C. Koya
- Plexxikon Inc., Berkeley, California 94710, U.S.A; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263
| | | | - Jingying Xu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (UCLA)
| | - Lídia Robert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA
| | - Lily Wu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (UCLA)
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, UCLA
- Department of Urology, UCLA
- Department of Pediatrics, UCLA
| | - Thomas Graeber
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (UCLA)
- the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, UCLA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA
| | - Brian L. West
- Plexxikon Inc., Berkeley, California 94710, U.S.A; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263
| | - Gideon Bollag
- Plexxikon Inc., Berkeley, California 94710, U.S.A; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (UCLA)
- the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA
- Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, UCLA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, UCLA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA
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Flores LG, Yeh HH, Soghomonyan S, Young D, Bankson J, Hu Q, Alauddin M, Huff V, Gelovani JG. Monitoring therapy with MEK inhibitor U0126 in a novel Wilms tumor model in Wt1 knockout Igf2 transgenic mice using 18F-FDG PET with dual-contrast enhanced CT and MRI: early metabolic response without inhibition of tumor growth. Mol Imaging Biol 2013; 15:175-85. [PMID: 22875335 PMCID: PMC3591528 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-012-0588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The understanding of the role of genetic alterations in Wilms tumor development could be greatly advanced using a genetically engineered mouse models that can replicate the development and progression of this disease in human patients and can be monitored using non-invasive structural and molecular imaging optimized for renal tumors. PROCEDURES Repetitive dual-contrast computed tomography (CT; intravenous and intraperitoneal contrast), T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and delayed 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) were utilized for characterization of Igf2 biallelic expression/Wt1 knockout mouse model of Wilms tumor. For CT imaging, Ioversol 678 mg/ml in 200 μl was administered i.p. followed by 100 μl injected intravenously at 20 and 15 min prior to imaging, respectively. Static PET imaging studies were acquired at 1, 2, and 3 h after i.v. administration of (18)F-FDG (400 μCi). Coronal and sagittal T1-weighted images (TE/TR 8.5/620 ms) were acquired before and immediately after i.v. injection of 0.4 ml/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine followed by T2-weighted images (TE/TR 60/300 ms). Tumor tissue samples were characterized by histopathology and immunohistochemistry for Glut1, FASN, Ki67, and CD34. In addition, six Wt1-Igf2 mice were treated with a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 (50 μmol/kg i.p.) every 4 days for 6 weeks. (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging was repeated at different days after initiation of therapy with U0126. The percent change of initial tumor volume and SUV was compared to non-treated historic control animals. RESULTS Overall, the best tumor-to-adjacent kidney contrast as well as soft tissue contrast for other abdominal organs was achieved using T2-weighted MRI. Delayed (18)F-FDG PET (3-h post (18)F-FDG administration) and dual-contrast CT (intravenous and intraperitoneal contrast) provided a more accurate anatomic and metabolic characterization of Wilms tumors in Wt1-Igf2 mice during early development and progression of renal tumors. Over the 8-month period, 46 Wt1-Igf2 mice and 8 littermate control mice were studied. Renal tumors were identified in 54.3 % of Wt1-Igf2 mice between post-natal 50-100 days. In 35.6 % of Wt1-Igf2 mice, tumors were localized in the right kidney; in 24 %, in the left kidney, while 40.4 % of Wt1-Igf2 mice had bilateral kidney tumors. Metastatic lesions were identified in 15.4 % of Wt1-Igf2 mice. Increased levels of Glut1 and IGF1R expression, high Ki67 labeling index, and a dense network of CD34+ microvessels in renal tumors was consistent with increased (18)F-FDG accumulation. Treatment with a MEK 1/2 inhibitor U0126 did not cause the inhibition of tumor growth as compared to untreated animals. However, after the first three to four doses (~2 weeks of treatment), a decrease in (18)F-FDG SUV was observed, as compared to pre-treatment levels (p < 0.05, paired Student t test), which constitutes a metabolic response. Six weeks later, despite continuing therapy, the (18)F-FDG SUV increased again to previous levels. CONCLUSIONS The optimized dual contrast PET/CT imaging with early post i.v. and i.p. contrast CT and 3 h delayed PET imaging after (18)F-FDG administration provides a sensitive and reliable method for detecting early tumor lesions in this endogenous mouse model of Wilms tumor and for monitoring their growth in response to targeted therapies. Therapy with MEK inhibitor U0126 produces only a transient inhibition of tumor glycolytic activity but does not inhibit tumor growth, which is due to continuing IGF2-induced signaling from IGF1R through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo G Flores
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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30
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Narunsky L, Oren R, Bochner F, Neeman M. Imaging aspects of the tumor stroma with therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 141:192-208. [PMID: 24134903 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells rely on extensive support from the stroma in order to survive, proliferate and invade. The tumor stroma is thus an important potential target for anti-cancer therapy. Typical changes in the stroma include a shift from the quiescence promoting-antiangiogenic extracellular matrix to a provisional matrix that promotes invasion and angiogenesis. These changes in the extracellular matrix are induced by changes in the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and glucose amino glycans, extravasation of plasma proteins from hyperpermeable vessels and release of matrix modifying enzymes resulting in cleavage and cross-linking of matrix macromolecules. These in turn alter the rigidity of the matrix and the exposure and release of cytokines. Changes in matrix rigidity and vessel permeability affect drug delivery and mediate resistance to cytotoxic therapy. These stroma changes are brought about not only by the cancer cells, but also through the action of many cell types that are recruited by tumors including immune cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Within the tumor, these normal host cells are activated resulting in loss of inhibitory and induction of cancer promoting activities. Key to the development of stroma-targeted therapies, selective biomarkers were developed for specific imaging of key aspects of the tumor stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Narunsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Roni Oren
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Filip Bochner
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Abstract
T cells have the capacity to eradicate diseased cells, but tumours present considerable challenges that render T cells ineffectual. Cancer cells often make themselves almost 'invisible' to the immune system, and they sculpt a microenvironment that suppresses T cell activity, survival and migration. Genetic engineering of T cells can be used therapeutically to overcome these challenges. T cells can be taken from the blood of cancer patients and then modified with genes encoding receptors that recognize cancer-specific antigens. Additional genes can be used to enable resistance to immunosuppression, to extend survival and to facilitate the penetration of engineered T cells into tumours. Using genetic modification, highly active, self-propagating 'slayers' of cancer cells can be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. michael.kershaw@ petermac.org
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Bhatnagar P, Li Z, Choi Y, Guo J, Li F, Lee DY, Figliola M, Huls H, Lee DA, Zal T, Li KC, Cooper LJN. Imaging of genetically engineered T cells by PET using gold nanoparticles complexed to Copper-64. Integr Biol (Camb) 2013; 5:231-8. [PMID: 23034721 DOI: 10.1039/c2ib20093g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of primary T cells genetically modified to have desired specificity can exert an anti-tumor response in some patients. To improve our understanding of their therapeutic potential we have developed a clinically-appealing approach to reveal their in vivo biodistribution using nanoparticles that serve as a radiotracer for imaging by positron emission tomography (PET). T cells electroporated with DNA plasmids from the Sleeping Beauty transposon-transposase system to co-express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for CD19 and Firefly luciferase (ffLuc) were propagated on CD19(+) K562-derived artificial antigen presenting cells. The approach to generating our clinical-grade CAR(+) T cells was adapted for electro-transfer of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) functionalized with (64)Cu(2+) using the macrocyclic chelator (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid, DOTA) and polyethyleneglycol (GNP-(64)Cu/PEG2000). MicroPET/CT was used to visualize CAR(+)EGFPffLucHyTK(+)GNP-(64)Cu/PEG2000(+) T cells and correlated with bioluminescence imaging. These data demonstrate that GNPs conjugated with (64)Cu(2+) can be prepared as a radiotracer for PET and used to image T cells using an approach that has translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parijat Bhatnagar
- Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Ma C, Cheung AF, Chodon T, Koya RC, Wu Z, Ng C, Avramis E, Cochran AJ, Witte ON, Baltimore D, Chmielowski B, Economou JS, Comin-Anduix B, Ribas A, Heath JR. Multifunctional T-cell analyses to study response and progression in adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy. Cancer Discov 2013; 3:418-29. [PMID: 23519018 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-12-0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of genetically engineered T cells expressing cancer-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) is a promising cancer treatment. Here, we investigate the in vivo functional activity and dynamics of the transferred cells by analyzing samples from 3 representative patients with melanoma enrolled in a clinical trial of ACT with TCR transgenic T cells targeted against the melanosomal antigen MART-1. The analyses included evaluating 19 secreted proteins from individual cells from phenotypically defined T-cell subpopulations, as well as the enumeration of T cells with TCR antigen specificity for 36 melanoma antigens. These analyses revealed the coordinated functional dynamics of the adoptively transferred, as well as endogenous, T cells, and the importance of highly functional T cells in dominating the antitumor immune response. This study highlights the need to develop approaches to maintaining antitumor T-cell functionality with the aim of increasing the long-term efficacy of TCR-engineered ACT immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE A longitudinal functional study of adoptively transferred TCR–engineered lymphocytes yielded revealing snapshots for understanding the changes of antitumor responses over time in ACT immunotherapy of patients with advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- NanoSystems Biology Cancer Center, Division of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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Bai C. Respiratory diseases call for special attention from clinical and translational science. TRANSLATIONAL RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2013; 1:1. [PMID: 27234383 PMCID: PMC6733423 DOI: 10.1186/2213-0802-1-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory diseases will become one of the top 3 leading causes of estimated mortality in 2020 and become about one third of total causes of estimated mortality. The journal of Translational Respiratory Medicine is a truly international, peer-reviewed journal devoted to the publication of articles on outstanding work with translational potentials between basic research and clinical application to understanding respiratory disease. Translational respiratory medicine will more focus on biomarker identification and validation in pulmonary diseases in combination with clinical informatics, targeted proteomics, bioinformatics, systems medicine, or mathematical science; on different translational strategies of cell-based therapy to clinical application to treat lung diseases; on targeted therapies in combination with personalized medicine; and on distant electronic medicine to monitor a large population of people’s health. Translational Respiratory Medicine is an additional but unique opportunity for scientists and clinicians who work on pulmonary diseases to publish their outstanding findings, initiative results, and critical and perceptive opinions in the journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Bai
- Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Respiratory Research Institute, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Chervin AS, Stone JD, Soto CM, Engels B, Schreiber H, Roy EJ, Kranz DM. Design of T-cell receptor libraries with diverse binding properties to examine adoptive T-cell responses. Gene Ther 2012; 20:634-44. [PMID: 23052828 PMCID: PMC5330764 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2012.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapies have shown significant promise in the treatment of cancer and viral diseases. One approach, that introduces antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) into ex vivo activated T cells, is designed to overcome central tolerance mechanisms that prevent responses by endogenous T cell repertoires. Studies have suggested that use of higher affinity TCRs against class I MHC antigens could drive the activity of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but the rules that govern the TCR binding optimal for in vivo activity are unknown. Here we describe a high-throughput platform of “reverse biochemistry” whereby a library of TCRs with a wide range of binding properties to the same antigen is introduced into T cells and adoptively transferred into mice with antigen-positive tumors. Extraction of RNA from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or lymphoid organs allowed high-throughput sequencing to determine which TCRs were selected in vivo. The results showed that CD8+ T cells expressing the highest affinity TCR variants were deleted in both the tumor infiltrating lymphocyte population and in peripheral lymphoid tissues. In contrast, these same high-affinity TCR variants were preferentially expressed within CD4+ T cells in the tumor, suggesting they played a role in antigen-specific tumor control. The findings thus revealed that the affinity of the transduced TCRs controlled the survival and tumor infiltration of the transferred T cells. Accordingly, the TCR library strategy enables rapid assessment of TCR binding properties that promote peripheral T cell survival and tumor elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Chervin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Jiang ZK, Sato M, Wu L. Chapter five--The development of transcription-regulated adenoviral vectors with high cancer-selective imaging capabilities. Adv Cancer Res 2012; 115:115-46. [PMID: 23021244 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-398342-8.00005-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A clear benefit of molecular imaging is to enable noninvasive, repetitive monitoring of intrinsic signals within tumor cells as a means to identify the lesions as malignant or to assess the ability of treatment to perturb key pathways within the tumor cells. Due to the promising utility of molecular imaging in oncology, preclinical research to refine molecular imaging techniques in small animals is a blossoming field. We will first discuss the several imaging modalities such as fluorescent imaging, bioluminescence imaging, and positron emission tomography that are now commonly used in small animal settings. The indirect imaging approach, which can be adapted to a wide range of imaging reporter genes, is a useful platform to develop molecular imaging. In particular, reporter gene-based imaging is well suited for transcriptional-targeted imaging that can be delivered by recombinant adenoviral vectors. In this review, we will summarize transcription-regulated strategies used in adenoviral-mediated molecular imaging to visualize metastasis and monitor oncolytic therapy in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Karen Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Favicchio R, Zacharakis G, Oikonomaki K, Zacharopoulos A, Mamalaki C, Ripoll J. Kinetics of T-cell receptor-dependent antigen recognition determined in vivo by multi-spectral normalized epifluorescence laser scanning. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2012; 17:076013. [PMID: 22894496 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.17.7.076013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Detection of multiple fluorophores in conditions of low signal represents a limiting factor for the application of in vivo optical imaging techniques in immunology where fluorescent labels report for different functional characteristics. A noninvasive in vivo Multi-Spectral Normalized Epifluorescence Laser scanning (M-SNELS) method was developed for the simultaneous and quantitative detection of multiple fluorophores in low signal to noise ratios and used to follow T-cell activation and clonal expansion. Colocalized DsRed- and GFP-labeled T cells were followed in tandem during the mounting of an immune response. Spectral unmixing was used to distinguish the overlapping fluorescent emissions representative of the two distinct cell populations and longitudinal data reported the discrete pattern of antigen-driven proliferation. Retrieved values were validated both in vitro and in vivo with flow cytometry and significant correlation between all methodologies was achieved. Noninvasive M-SNELS successfully quantified two colocalized fluorescent populations and provides a valid alternative imaging approach to traditional invasive methods for detecting T cell dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosy Favicchio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
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Quatromoni JG, Wang Y, Vo DD, Morris LF, Jazirehi AR, McBride W, Chatila T, Koya RC, Economou JS. T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic CD8 lymphocytes rendered insensitive to transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling mediate superior tumor regression in an animal model of adoptive cell therapy. J Transl Med 2012; 10:127. [PMID: 22713761 PMCID: PMC3507675 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor antigen-reactive T cells must enter into an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, continue to produce cytokine and deliver apoptotic death signals to affect tumor regression. Many tumors produce transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), which inhibits T cell activation, proliferation and cytotoxicity. In a murine model of adoptive cell therapy, we demonstrate that transgenic Pmel-1 CD8 T cells, rendered insensitive to TGFβ by transduction with a TGFβ dominant negative receptor II (DN), were more effective in mediating regression of established B16 melanoma. Smaller numbers of DN Pmel-1 T cells effectively mediated tumor regression and retained the ability to produce interferon-γ in the tumor microenvironment. These results support efforts to incorporate this DN receptor in clinical trials of adoptive cell therapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon G Quatromoni
- Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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39
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Koya RC, Mok S, Otte N, Blacketor KJ, Comin-Anduix B, Tumeh PC, Minasyan A, Graham NA, Graeber TG, Chodon T, Ribas A. BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib improves the antitumor activity of adoptive cell immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2012; 72:3928-37. [PMID: 22693252 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-2837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Combining immunotherapy with targeted therapy blocking oncogenic BRAFV600 may result in improved treatments for advanced melanoma. In this study, we developed a BRAFV600E-driven murine model of melanoma, SM1, which is syngeneic to fully immunocompetent mice. SM1 cells exposed to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX4032) showed partial in vitro and in vivo sensitivity resulting from the inhibition of MAPK pathway signaling. Combined treatment of vemurafenib plus adoptive cell transfer therapy with lymphocytes genetically modified with a T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing chicken ovalbumin (OVA) expressed by SM1-OVA tumors or pmel-1 TCR transgenic lymphocytes recognizing gp100 endogenously expressed by SM1 resulted in superior antitumor responses compared with either therapy alone. T-cell analysis showed that vemurafenib did not significantly alter the expansion, distribution, or tumor accumulation of the adoptively transferred cells. However, vemurafenib paradoxically increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, in vivo cytotoxic activity, and intratumoral cytokine secretion by adoptively transferred cells. Taken together, our findings, derived from 2 independent models combining BRAF-targeted therapy with immunotherapy, support the testing of this therapeutic combination in patients with BRAFV600 mutant metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Koya
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA Biomedical Physics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1782, USA.
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40
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Dynamic tracing of immune cells in an orthotopic gastric carcinoma mouse model using near-infrared fluorescence live imaging. Exp Ther Med 2012; 4:221-225. [PMID: 23139711 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2012.579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy (ACI) has been demonstrated to be a promising cancer therapeutic, however, the distribution of immune cells injected into a tumor-bearing body is unclear. In this study, we investigated the tumor-targeting capacity of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in a human gastric carcinoma orthotopic mouse model using a near-infrared fluorescence imaging system. CIK cells and tumor-specific CTLs were prepared with the near-infrared fluorescent dye DiR. As expected, no significant change in the proliferation rate or antitumor activity of CIK cells and CTLs was noted after labeling with DiR. Furthermore, a gastric carcinoma orthotopic model was established using a fibrinogen-thrombin method in nude mice followed by intraperitoneal infusion of the labeled immune cells into nude mice with established gastric carcinoma. Dynamic tracing of the immune cells was performed using a fluorescence-based live imaging system. Concentrated fluorescence signals were observed for a minimum of two weeks at the tumor site in mice infused with either CIK cells or CTLs with a peak signal at 48 h. Notably, CTLs were more persistent at the tumor site and exhibited a more intense antitumor activity than CIK cells following infusion. These results provided visual evidence of the tumor-targeting capacity of immune cells in live animals.
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41
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Campbell KA, Lipinski MJ, Doran AC, Skaflen MD, Fuster V, McNamara CA. Lymphocytes and the adventitial immune response in atherosclerosis. Circ Res 2012; 110:889-900. [PMID: 22427326 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.111.263186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although much of the research on atherosclerosis has focused on the intimal accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells, there is an increasing amount of interest in the role of the adventitia in coordinating the immune response in atherosclerosis. In this review of the contributions of the adventitia and adventitial lymphocytes to the development of atherosclerosis, we discuss recent research on the formation and structural nature of adventitial immune aggregates, potential mechanisms of crosstalk between the intima, media, and adventitia, specific contributions of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes, and the role of the vasa vasorum and surrounding perivascular adipose tissue. Furthermore, we highlight techniques for the imaging of lymphocytes in the vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsti A Campbell
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
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Dubey P. Reporter gene imaging of immune responses to cancer: progress and challenges. Am J Cancer Res 2012; 2:355-62. [PMID: 22509199 PMCID: PMC3326719 DOI: 10.7150/thno.3903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune responses to cancer are dynamic processes which take place through the concerted activity of innate and adaptive cell populations. In order to fully understand the efficacy of immune therapies for cancer, it is critical to understand how the treatment modulates the function of each cell type involved in the anti-tumor immune response. Molecular imaging is a versatile method for longitudinal studies of cellular localization and function. The development of reporter genes for tracking cell movement and function was a powerful addition to the immunologist's toolbox. This review will highlight the advances and challenges in the use of reporter gene imaging to track immune cell localization and function in cancer.
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Keyaerts M, Caveliers V, Lahoutte T. Bioluminescence imaging: looking beyond the light. Trends Mol Med 2012; 18:164-72. [PMID: 22321645 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) enables in vivo imaging of molecular and cellular processes. It has gained in popularity over the past decade because of its easy translation from in vitro to in vivo experiments, its sensitivity, and its ease of use. However, experience in applying BLI in living subjects is still limited, and many researchers have encountered unexpected or biased BLI readout and reported important influencing factors. In this review, we summarize both the biological and physical effects that occur at the enzyme level or during light propagation towards the camera. The knowledge and detection of such factors, together with the development of new strategies and better BLI compounds, will improve the accuracy of the technique in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Keyaerts
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI) Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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Chang YF, Chuang HY, Hsu CH, Liu RS, Gambhir SS, Hwang JJ. Immunomodulation of Curcumin on Adoptive Therapy with T Cell Functional Imaging in Mice. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2011; 5:444-52. [DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-11-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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45
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Antitumor activity from antigen-specific CD8 T cells generated in vivo from genetically engineered human hematopoietic stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:E1408-16. [PMID: 22123951 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1115050108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of cancer immunotherapy is the generation of an effective, stable, and self-renewing antitumor T-cell population. One such approach involves the use of high-affinity cancer-specific T-cell receptors in gene-therapy protocols. Here, we present the generation of functional tumor-specific human T cells in vivo from genetically modified human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSC) using a human/mouse chimera model. Transduced hHSC expressing an HLA-A*0201-restricted melanoma-specific T-cell receptor were introduced into humanized mice, resulting in the generation of a sizeable melanoma-specific naïve CD8(+) T-cell population. Following tumor challenge, these transgenic CD8(+) T cells, in the absence of additional manipulation, limited and cleared human melanoma tumors in vivo. Furthermore, the genetically enhanced T cells underwent proper thymic selection, because we did not observe any responses against non-HLA-matched tumors, and no killing of any kind occurred in the absence of a human thymus. Finally, the transduced hHSC established long-term bone marrow engraftment. These studies present a potential therapeutic approach and an important tool to understand better and to optimize the human immune response to melanoma and, potentially, to other types of cancer.
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Narimatsu S, Yoshioka Y, Morishige T, Yao X, Tsunoda SI, Tsutsumi Y, Nishimura MI, Mukai Y, Okada N, Nakagawa S. Structure-activity relationship of T-cell receptors based on alanine scanning. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 415:558-62. [PMID: 22079637 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
T-cell receptors (TCR) recognize complexes between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and peptides derived from intracellular proteins. Their therapeutic use for antigen targeting, however, has been hindered by the very low binding affinity of TCRs, typically in the 1- to 100-μM range. Therefore, to construct mutant TCRs with high binding affinity, we need to understand the relationship between the structure and activity of these molecules. Here, we attempted to identify the amino acids of the TCR that are important for binding to the peptide/HLA complex. We used a TCR that recognizes complexes between HLA-A(∗)0201 and the peptide from tyrosinase, antigen overexpressed in melanoma. We changed 16 amino acids in the third complementarity-determining region within the TCR to alanine and examined the effect on binding affinity. Five alanine substitutions decreased the binding affinity to below 10% compared with that of wild-type TCR. In contrast, one alanine substitution caused a faster on-rate and slower off-rate, and increased the binding affinity to three times that of the wild-type TCR. Our results provide fundamental information for constructing mutant TCRs with high binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Narimatsu
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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47
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Genetic engineering of murine CD8+ and CD4+ T cells for preclinical adoptive immunotherapy studies. J Immunother 2011; 34:343-52. [PMID: 21499127 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0b013e3182187600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy enables for the rapid creation of antigen-specific T cells from mice of any strain and represents a valuable tool for preclinical immunotherapy studies. Here, we describe the superiority of γ-retroviral vectors compared with lentiviral vectors for transduction of murine T cells and surprisingly illustrate robust gene-transfer into phenotypically naive/memory-stem cell like (TN/TSCM; CD62L(hi)/CD44(low)) and central memory (TCM; CD62L(hi)/CD44(hi)) CD8+ T cells using murine stem cell-based γ-retroviral vectors (MSGV1). We created MSGV1 vectors for a major histocompatibility complex-class I-restricted TCR specific for the melanocyte-differentiation antigen, glycoprotein 100 (MSGV1-pmel-1), and a major histocompatibility complex-class II-restricted TCR specific for tyrosinase-related protein-1 (MSGV1-TRP-1), and found that robust gene expression required codon optimization of TCR sequences for the pmel-1 TCR. To test for functionality, we adoptively transferred TCR-engineered T cells into mice bearing B16 melanomas and observed delayed growth of established tumors with pmel-1 TCR engineered CD8+ T cells and significant tumor regression with TRP-1 TCR transduced CD4 T cells. We simultaneously created lentiviral vectors encoding the pmel-1 TCR, but found that these vectors mediated low TCR expression in murine T cells, but robust gene expression in other murine and human cell lines. These results indicate that preclinical murine models of adoptive immunotherapies are more practical using γ-retroviral rather than lentiviral vectors.
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48
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Parente-Pereira AC, Burnet J, Ellison D, Foster J, Davies DM, van der Stegen S, Burbridge S, Chiapero-Stanke L, Wilkie S, Mather S, Maher J. Trafficking of CAR-engineered human T cells following regional or systemic adoptive transfer in SCID beige mice. J Clin Immunol 2011; 31:710-8. [PMID: 21505816 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-011-9532-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor-engrafted T cells is a promising emerging therapy for cancer. Prior to clinical testing, it is mandatory to evaluate human therapeutic cell products in meaningful in vivo pre-clinical models. Here, we describe the use of fused single-photon emission CT-CT imaging to monitor real-time migration of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells in immune compromised (SCID Beige) mice. Following intravenous administration, human T cells migrate in a highly similar manner to that reported in man, but penetrate poorly into established tumors. By contrast, when delivered via intraperitoneal or subcutaneous routes, T cells remain at the site of inoculation with minimal systemic absorption-irrespective of the presence or absence of tumor. Together, these data support the validity of pre-clinical testing of human T-cell immunotherapy in SCID Beige mice. In light of their established efficacy, regional administration of engineered human T cells represents an attractive therapeutic option to minimize toxicity in the treatment of selected malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Caterina Parente-Pereira
- The CAR Mechanics Group, King's College London School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital Campus, St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RT, UK
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Badr CE, Tannous BA. Bioluminescence imaging: progress and applications. Trends Biotechnol 2011; 29:624-33. [PMID: 21788092 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2011.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Application of bioluminescence imaging has increased tremendously in the past decade and has significantly contributed to core conceptual advances in biomedical research. This technology provides valuable means for monitoring of different biological processes in immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In this review, we discuss current trends in bioluminescence and its application in different fields with an emphasis on cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E Badr
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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50
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Klebanoff CA, Acquavella N, Yu Z, Restifo NP. Therapeutic cancer vaccines: are we there yet? Immunol Rev 2011; 239:27-44. [PMID: 21198663 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2010.00979.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Enthusiasm for therapeutic cancer vaccines has been rejuvenated with the recent completion of several large, randomized phase III clinical trials that in some cases have reported an improvement in progression free or overall survival. However, an honest appraisal of their efficacy reveals modest clinical benefit and a frequent requirement for patients with relatively indolent cancers and minimal or no measurable disease. Experience with adoptive cell transfer-based immunotherapies unequivocally establishes that T cells can mediate durable complete responses, even in the setting of advanced metastatic disease. Further, these findings reveal that the successful vaccines of the future must confront: (i) a corrupted tumor microenvironment containing regulatory T cells and aberrantly matured myeloid cells, (ii) a tumor-specific T-cell repertoire that is prone to immunologic exhaustion and senescence, and (iii) highly mutable tumor targets capable of antigen loss and immune evasion. Future progress may come from innovations in the development of selective preparative regimens that eliminate or neutralize suppressive cellular populations, more effective immunologic adjuvants, and further refinement of agents capable of antagonizing immune check-point blockade pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Klebanoff
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1502, USA
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