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Peterman EL, Ploessl DS, Galloway KE. Accelerating Diverse Cell-Based Therapies Through Scalable Design. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2024; 15:267-292. [PMID: 38594944 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-100722-121610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Augmenting cells with novel, genetically encoded functions will support therapies that expand beyond natural capacity for immune surveillance and tissue regeneration. However, engineering cells at scale with transgenic cargoes remains a challenge in realizing the potential of cell-based therapies. In this review, we introduce a range of applications for engineering primary cells and stem cells for cell-based therapies. We highlight tools and advances that have launched mammalian cell engineering from bioproduction to precision editing of therapeutically relevant cells. Additionally, we examine how transgenesis methods and genetic cargo designs can be tailored for performance. Altogether, we offer a vision for accelerating the translation of innovative cell-based therapies by harnessing diverse cell types, integrating the expanding array of synthetic biology tools, and building cellular tools through advanced genome writing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Peterman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Deon S Ploessl
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Kate E Galloway
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
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2
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Yonezawa Ogusuku IE, Herbel V, Lennartz S, Brandes C, Argiro E, Fabian C, Hauck C, Hoogstraten C, Veld S, Hageman L, Teppert K, Koutsoumpli G, Griffioen M, Mockel-Tenbrinck N, Schaser T, de Groot R, Johnston IC, Lock D. Automated manufacture of ΔNPM1 TCR-engineered T cells for AML therapy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101224. [PMID: 38516690 PMCID: PMC10950868 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy that requires further therapeutic improvement, especially for the elderly and for subgroups with poor prognosis. A recently discovered T cell receptor (TCR) targeting mutant nucleophosmin 1 (ΔNPM1) presents an attractive option for the development of a cancer antigen-targeted cellular therapy. Manufacturing of TCR-modified T cells, however, is still limited by a complex, time-consuming, and laborious procedure. Therefore, this study specifically addressed the requirements for a scaled manufacture of ΔNPM1-specific T cells in an automated, closed, and good manufacturing practice-compliant process. Starting from cryopreserved leukapheresis, 2E8 CD8-positive T cells were enriched, activated, lentivirally transduced, expanded, and finally formulated. By adjusting and optimizing culture conditions, we additionally reduced the manufacturing time from 12 to 8 days while still achieving a clinically relevant yield of up to 5.5E9 ΔNPM1 TCR-engineered T cells. The cellular product mainly consisted of highly viable CD8-positive T cells with an early memory phenotype. ΔNPM1 TCR CD8 T cells manufactured with the optimized process showed specific killing of AML in vitro and in vivo. The process has been implemented in an upcoming phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of NPM1-mutated AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vera Herbel
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Simon Lennartz
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | - Eva Argiro
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline Fabian
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Carola Hauck
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Conny Hoogstraten
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Veld
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lois Hageman
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Karin Teppert
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Georgia Koutsoumpli
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Schaser
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Rosa de Groot
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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3
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Shah Z, Tian L, Li Z, Jin L, Zhang J, Li Z, Barr T, Tang H, Feng M, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. Human anti-PSCA CAR macrophages possess potent antitumor activity against pancreatic cancer. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:803-817.e6. [PMID: 38663406 PMCID: PMC11162318 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
Due to the limitations of autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, alternative sources of cellular immunotherapy, including CAR macrophages, are emerging for solid tumors. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer an unlimited source for immune cell generation. Here, we develop human iPSC-derived CAR macrophages targeting prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) (CAR-iMacs), which express membrane-bound interleukin (IL)-15 and truncated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for immune cell activation and a suicide switch, respectively. These allogeneic CAR-iMacs exhibit strong antitumor activity against human pancreatic solid tumors in vitro and in vivo, leading to reduced tumor burden and improved survival in a pancreatic cancer mouse model. CAR-iMacs appear safe and do not exhibit signs of cytokine release syndrome or other in vivo toxicities. We optimized the cryopreservation of CAR-iMac progenitors that remain functional upon thawing, providing an off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell product that can be developed into CAR-iMacs. Overall, our preclinical data strongly support the potential clinical translation of this human iPSC-derived platform for solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahir Shah
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lei Tian
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhixin Li
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lewei Jin
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhenlong Li
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tasha Barr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hejun Tang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mingye Feng
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
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4
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Sin WX, Jagannathan NS, Teo DBL, Kairi F, Fong SY, Tan JHL, Sandikin D, Cheung KW, Luah YH, Wu X, Raymond JJ, Lim FLWI, Lee YH, Seng MSF, Soh SY, Chen Q, Ram RJ, Tucker-Kellogg L, Birnbaum ME. A high-density microfluidic bioreactor for the automated manufacturing of CAR T cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01219-1. [PMID: 38834752 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01219-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The manufacturing of autologous chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells largely relies either on fed-batch and manual processes that often lack environmental monitoring and control or on bioreactors that cannot be easily scaled out to meet patient demands. Here we show that human primary T cells can be activated, transduced and expanded to high densities in a 2 ml automated closed-system microfluidic bioreactor to produce viable anti-CD19 CAR T cells (specifically, more than 60 million CAR T cells from donor cells derived from patients with lymphoma and more than 200 million CAR T cells from healthy donors). The in vitro secretion of cytokines, the short-term cytotoxic activity and the long-term persistence and proliferation of the cell products, as well as their in vivo anti-leukaemic activity, were comparable to those of T cells produced in a gas-permeable well. The manufacturing-process intensification enabled by the miniaturized perfusable bioreactor may facilitate the analysis of the growth and metabolic states of CAR T cells during ex vivo culture, the high-throughput optimization of cell-manufacturing processes and the scale out of cell-therapy manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xiang Sin
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - N Suhas Jagannathan
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Denise Bei Lin Teo
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Faris Kairi
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shin Yie Fong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joel Heng Loong Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dedy Sandikin
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ka-Wai Cheung
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yen Hoon Luah
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joshua Jebaraj Raymond
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Francesca Lorraine Wei Inng Lim
- Advanced Cell Therapy and Research Institute, Singapore (ACTRIS), Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Cell Therapy Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yie Hou Lee
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Cell Therapy Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michaela Su-Fern Seng
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Cell Therapy Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shui Yen Soh
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Cell Therapy Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rajeev J Ram
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Lisa Tucker-Kellogg
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore.
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Michael E Birnbaum
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART), Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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5
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Ho YK, Woo JY, Loke KM, Deng LW, Too HP. Enhanced anti-tumor efficacy with multi-transgene armed mesenchymal stem cells for treating peritoneal carcinomatosis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:463. [PMID: 38750559 PMCID: PMC11097589 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05278-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have garnered significant interest for their tumor-tropic property, making them potential therapeutic delivery vehicles for cancer treatment. We have previously shown the significant anti-tumour activity in mice preclinical models and companion animals with naturally occurring cancers using non-virally engineered MSCs with a therapeutic transgene encoding cytosine deaminase and uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (CDUPRT) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). Clinical studies have shown improved response rate with combinatorial treatment of 5-fluorouracil and Interferon-beta (IFNb) in peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). However, high systemic toxicities have limited the clinical use of such a regime. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of intraperitoneal administration of non-virally engineered MSCs to co-deliver CDUPRT/5-Flucytosine prodrug system and IFNb to potentially enhance the cGAS-STING signalling axis. Here, MSCs were engineered to express CDUPRT or CDUPRT-IFNb. Expression of CDUPRT and IFNb was confirmed by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. The anti-cancer efficacy of the engineered MSCs was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo model. ES2, HT-29 and Colo-205 were cocultured with engineered MSCs at various ratio. The cell viability with or without 5-flucytosine was measured with MTS assay. To further compare the anti-cancer efficacy of the engineered MSCs, peritoneal carcinomatosis mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of luciferase expressing ES2 stable cells. The tumour burden was measured through bioluminescence tracking. RESULTS Firstly, there was no changes in phenotypes of MSCs despite high expression of the transgene encoding CDUPRT and IFNb (CDUPRT-IFNb). Transwell migration assays and in-vivo tracking suggested the co-expression of multiple transgenes did not impact migratory capability of the MSCs. The superiority of CDUPRT-IFNb over CDUPRT expressing MSCs was demonstrated in ES2, HT-29 and Colo-205 in-vitro. Similar observations were observed in an intraperitoneal ES2 ovarian cancer xenograft model. The growth of tumor mass was inhibited by ~ 90% and 46% in the mice treated with MSCs expressing CDUPRT-IFNb or CDUPRT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results established the effectiveness of MSCs co-expressing CDUPRT and IFNb in controlling and targeting PC growth. This study lay the foundation for the development of clinical trial using multigene-armed MSCs for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Khei Ho
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore.
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- AGeM Bio, Singapore, 119276, Singapore.
- Singapore Innovate, Singapore, 059911, Singapore.
| | - Jun Yung Woo
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kin Man Loke
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lih-Wen Deng
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heng-Phon Too
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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6
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Page A, Chuvin N, Valladeau-Guilemond J, Depil S. Development of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies through receptor engineering. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:315-331. [PMID: 38443448 PMCID: PMC10978891 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are attracting increasing interest in the field of cancer treatment. Early clinical trials have shown promising outcomes, alongside satisfactory product efficacy and safety. Recent developments have greatly increased the therapeutic potential of NK cells by endowing them with enhanced recognition and cytotoxic capacities. This review focuses on surface receptor engineering in NK cell therapy and discusses its impact, challenges, and future directions.Most approaches are based on engineering with chimeric antigen receptors to allow NK cells to target specific tumor antigens independent of human leukocyte antigen restriction. This approach has increased the precision and potency of NK-mediated recognition and elimination of cancer cells. In addition, engineering NK cells with T-cell receptors also mediates the recognition of intracellular epitopes, which broadens the range of target peptides. Indirect tumor peptide recognition by NK cells has also been improved by optimizing immunoglobulin constant fragment receptor expression and signaling. Indeed, engineered NK cells have an improved ability to recognize and destroy target cells coated with specific antibodies, thereby increasing their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The ability of NK cell receptor engineering to promote the expansion, persistence, and infiltration of transferred cells in the tumor microenvironment has also been explored. Receptor-based strategies for sustained NK cell functionality within the tumor environment have also been discussed, and these strategies providing perspectives to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression.Overall, receptor engineering has led to significant advances in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies. As technical challenges are addressed, these innovative treatments will likely reshape cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Page
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Depil
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- ErVimmune, Lyon, France.
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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7
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Tian J, Tong D, Li Z, Wang E, Yu Y, Lv H, Hu Z, Sun F, Wang G, He M, Xia T. Mage transposon: a novel gene delivery system for mammalian cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2724-2739. [PMID: 38300794 PMCID: PMC10954464 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposons, as non-viral integration vectors, provide a secure and efficient method for stable gene delivery. In this study, we have discovered Mage (MG), a novel member of the piggyBac(PB) family, which exhibits strong transposability in a variety of mammalian cells and primary T cells. The wild-type MG showed a weaker insertion preference for near genes, transcription start sites (TSS), CpG islands, and DNaseI hypersensitive sites in comparison to PB, approaching the random insertion pattern. Utilizing in silico virtual screening and feasible combinatorial mutagenesis in vitro, we effectively produced the hyperactive MG transposase (hyMagease). This variant boasts a transposition rate 60% greater than its native counterpart without significantly altering its insertion pattern. Furthermore, we applied the hyMagease to efficiently deliver chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) into T cells, leading to stable high-level expression and inducing significant anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in xenograft mice models. These findings provide a compelling tool for gene transfer research, emphasizing its potential and prospects in the domains of genetic engineering and gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Tian
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Doudou Tong
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | | | - Erqiang Wang
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Yifei Yu
- Elongevity Inc, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Hangya Lv
- Elongevity Inc, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Zhendan Hu
- Elongevity Inc, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Elongevity Inc, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Min He
- Elongevity Inc, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Tian Xia
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
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8
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Beschorner N, Künzle P, Voges M, Hauber I, Indenbirken D, Nakel J, Virdi S, Bradtke P, Lory NC, Rothe M, Paszkowski-Rogacz M, Buchholz F, Grundhoff A, Schambach A, Thirion C, Mittrücker HW, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Hauber J, Chemnitz J. Preclinical toxicity analyses of lentiviral vectors expressing the HIV-1 LTR-specific designer-recombinase Brec1. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298542. [PMID: 38457474 PMCID: PMC10923487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-based antiretroviral therapies (ART) efficiently suppress HIV replication in humans, but the virus persists as integrated proviral reservoirs in small numbers of cells. Importantly, ART cannot eliminate HIV from an infected individual, since it does not target the integrated provirus. Therefore, genome editing-based strategies that can inactivate or excise HIV genomes would provide the technology for novel curative therapies. In fact, the HIV-1 LTR-specific designer-recombinase Brec1 has been shown to remove integrated proviruses from infected cells and is highly efficacious on clinical HIV-1 isolates in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that Brec1 has the potential for clinical development of advanced HIV-1 eradication strategies in people living with HIV. In line with the preparation of a first-in-human advanced therapy medicinal product gene therapy trial, we here present an extensive preclinical evaluation of Brec1 and lentiviral vectors expressing the Brec1 transgene. This included detailed functional analysis of potential genomic off-target sites, assessing vector safety by investigating vector copy number (VCN) and the risk for potential vector-related insertional mutagenesis, as well as analyzing the potential of Brec1 to trigger an undesired strong T cell immune response. In conclusion, the antiviral designer-recombinase Brec1 is shown to lack any detectable cytopathic, genotoxic or T cell-related immunogenic effects, thereby meeting an important precondition for clinical application of the therapeutic lentiviral vector LV-Brec1 in novel HIV-1 curative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Beschorner
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
- PROVIREX Genome Editing Therapies GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul Künzle
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
| | - Maike Voges
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- PROVIREX Genome Editing Therapies GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ilona Hauber
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- PROVIREX Genome Editing Therapies GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Indenbirken
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Nakel
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
| | - Sanamjeet Virdi
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
| | - Peter Bradtke
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niels Christian Lory
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rothe
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Frank Buchholz
- PROVIREX Genome Editing Therapies GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
- Medical Systems Biology, UCC, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Adam Grundhoff
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Willi Mittrücker
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Hauber
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
- PROVIREX Genome Editing Therapies GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Chemnitz
- Leibniz-Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems, Germany
- PROVIREX Genome Editing Therapies GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
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9
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Ghanim HY, Porteus MH. Gene regulation in inborn errors of immunity: Implications for gene therapy design and efficacy. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:157-177. [PMID: 38233996 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) present a unique paradigm in the realm of gene therapy, emphasizing the need for precision in therapeutic design. As gene therapy transitions from broad-spectrum gene addition to careful modification of specific genes, the enduring safety and effectiveness of these therapies in clinical settings have become crucial. This review discusses the significance of IEIs as foundational models for pioneering and refining precision medicine. We explore the capabilities of gene addition and gene correction platforms in modifying the DNA sequence of primary cells tailored for IEIs. The review uses four specific IEIs to highlight key issues in gene therapy strategies: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), X-linked hyper IgM syndrome (XHIGM), and immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX). We detail the regulatory intricacies and therapeutic innovations for each disorder, incorporating insights from relevant clinical trials. For most IEIs, regulated expression is a vital aspect of the underlying biology, and we discuss the importance of endogenous regulation in developing gene therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Y Ghanim
- Division of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Division of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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10
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Kim H, Kim S, Lim H, Chung AJ. Expanding CAR-T cell immunotherapy horizons through microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1088-1120. [PMID: 38174732 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00622k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly in hematological malignancies. However, their application to solid tumors is limited, and they face challenges in safety, scalability, and cost. To enhance current CAR-T cell therapies, the integration of microfluidic technologies, harnessing their inherent advantages, such as reduced sample consumption, simplicity in operation, cost-effectiveness, automation, and high scalability, has emerged as a powerful solution. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the step-by-step manufacturing process of CAR-T cells, identifies existing difficulties at each production stage, and discusses the successful implementation of microfluidics and related technologies in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, this review investigates the potential of microfluidics-based methodologies in advancing cell-based therapy across various applications, including solid tumors, next-generation CAR constructs, T-cell receptors, and the development of allogeneic "off-the-shelf" CAR products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyelee Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Suyeon Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyunjung Lim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Aram J Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- MxT Biotech, 04785 Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Netsrithong R, Garcia-Perez L, Themeli M. Engineered T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells: from research towards clinical implementation. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1325209. [PMID: 38283344 PMCID: PMC10811463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1325209] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived T (iT) cells represent a groundbreaking frontier in adoptive cell therapies with engineered T cells, poised to overcome pivotal limitations associated with conventional manufacturing methods. iPSCs offer an off-the-shelf source of therapeutic T cells with the potential for infinite expansion and straightforward genetic manipulation to ensure hypo-immunogenicity and introduce specific therapeutic functions, such as antigen specificity through a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Importantly, genetic engineering of iPSC offers the benefit of generating fully modified clonal lines that are amenable to rigorous safety assessments. Critical to harnessing the potential of iT cells is the development of a robust and clinically compatible production process. Current protocols for genetic engineering as well as differentiation protocols designed to mirror human hematopoiesis and T cell development, vary in efficiency and often contain non-compliant components, thereby rendering them unsuitable for clinical implementation. This comprehensive review centers on the remarkable progress made over the last decade in generating functional engineered T cells from iPSCs. Emphasis is placed on alignment with good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards, scalability, safety measures and quality controls, which constitute the fundamental prerequisites for clinical application. In conclusion, the focus on iPSC as a source promises standardized, scalable, clinically relevant, and potentially safer production of engineered T cells. This groundbreaking approach holds the potential to extend hope to a broader spectrum of patients and diseases, leading in a new era in adoptive T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratchapong Netsrithong
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laura Garcia-Perez
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria Themeli
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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12
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Kruglova N, Shepelev M. Increasing Gene Editing Efficiency via CRISPR/Cas9- or Cas12a-Mediated Knock-In in Primary Human T Cells. Biomedicines 2024; 12:119. [PMID: 38255224 PMCID: PMC10813735 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes represent a promising target for genome editing. They are primarily modified to recognize and kill tumor cells or to withstand HIV infection. In most studies, T cell genome editing is performed using the CRISPR/Cas technology. Although this technology is easily programmable and widely accessible, its efficiency of T cell genome editing was initially low. Several crucial improvements were made in the components of the CRISPR/Cas technology and their delivery methods, as well as in the culturing conditions of T cells, before a reasonable editing level suitable for clinical applications was achieved. In this review, we summarize and describe the aforementioned parameters that affect human T cell editing efficiency using the CRISPR/Cas technology, with a special focus on gene knock-in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kruglova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology RAS, 119334 Moscow, Russia;
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13
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Kandell J, Milian S, Snyder R, Lakshmipathy U. Universal ddPCR-based assay for the determination of lentivirus infectious titer and lenti-modified cell vector copy number. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101120. [PMID: 37841416 PMCID: PMC10568280 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The translation of cell-based therapies from research to clinical setting requires robust analytical methods that successfully adhere to current good manufacturing practices and regulatory guidelines. Lentiviral vectors are commonly used for gene delivery to generate genetically modified therapeutic cell products. For some cell therapy products, standardized characterization assays for potency and safety have gained momentum. Translational applications benefit from assays that can be deployed broadly, such as for lentiviral vectors with various transgenes of interest. Development of a universal method to determine lentivirus infectious titer and vector copy number (VCN) of lenti-modified cells was performed using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Established methods relied on a ubiquitous lenti-specific target and a housekeeping gene that demonstrated comparability among flow cytometry-based methods. A linearized plasmid control was used to determine assay linearity/range, sensitivity, accuracy, and limits of quantification. Implementing this assay, infectious titer was assessed for various production runs that demonstrated comparability to the flow cytometry titer. The ddPCR assay described here also indicates suitability in the determination of VCN for genetically modified CAR-T cell products. Overall, the development of these universal assays supports the implementation of standardized characterization methods for quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kandell
- Science and Technology, Pharma Services Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Steven Milian
- Science and Technology, Pharma Services Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Richard Snyder
- Science and Technology, Pharma Services Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Uma Lakshmipathy
- Science and Technology, Pharma Services Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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14
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He Z, Kwee EJ, Cleveland MH, Cole KD, Lin-Gibson S, He HJ. Quantitation and integrity evaluation of RNA genome in lentiviral vectors by direct reverse transcription-droplet digital PCR (direct RT-ddPCR). Sci Rep 2023; 13:14470. [PMID: 37660227 PMCID: PMC10475045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41644-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LV) have proven to be powerful tools for stable gene delivery in both dividing and non-dividing cells. Approval of these LVs for use in clinical applications has been achieved by improvements in LV design. Critically important characteristics concerning quality control are LV titer quantification and the detection of impurities. However, increasing evidence concerning high variability in titration assays indicates poor harmonization of the methods undertaken to date. In this study, we developed a direct reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (Direct RT-ddPCR) approach without RNA extraction and purification for estimation of LV titer and RNA genome integrity. The RNA genome integrity was assessed by RT-ddPCR assays targeted to four distant regions of the LV genome. Results of the analyses showed that direct RT-ddPCR without RNA extraction and purification performs similarly to RT-ddPCR on purified RNA from 3 different LV samples, in terms of robustness and assay variance. Interestingly, these RNA titer results were comparable to physical titers by p24 antigen ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Moreover, we confirmed the partial degradation or the incomplete RNA genomes in the prepared 3 LV samples. These results may partially explain the discrepancy of the LV particle titers to functional titers. This work not only demonstrates the feasibility of direct RT-ddPCR in determining LV titers, but also provides a method that can be easily adapted for RNA integrity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong He
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8312, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
| | - Edward J Kwee
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8312, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Megan H Cleveland
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8312, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Kenneth D Cole
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8312, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Sheng Lin-Gibson
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8312, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Hua-Jun He
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8312, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
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15
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Vamva E, Ozog S, Leaman DP, Yu-Hong Cheng R, Irons NJ, Ott A, Stoffers C, Khan I, Goebrecht GK, Gardner MR, Farzan M, Rawlings DJ, Zwick MB, James RG, Torbett BE. A lentiviral vector B cell gene therapy platform for the delivery of the anti-HIV-1 eCD4-Ig-knob-in-hole-reversed immunoadhesin. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:366-384. [PMID: 36879849 PMCID: PMC9984920 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Barriers to effective gene therapy for many diseases include the number of modified target cells required to achieve therapeutic outcomes and host immune responses to expressed therapeutic proteins. As long-lived cells specialized for protein secretion, antibody-secreting B cells are an attractive target for foreign protein expression in blood and tissue. To neutralize HIV-1, we developed a lentiviral vector (LV) gene therapy platform for delivery of the anti-HIV-1 immunoadhesin, eCD4-Ig, to B cells. The EμB29 enhancer/promoter in the LV limited gene expression in non-B cell lineages. By engineering a knob-in-hole-reversed (KiHR) modification in the CH3-Fc eCD4-Ig domain, we reduced interactions between eCD4-Ig and endogenous B cell immunoglobulin G proteins, which improved HIV-1 neutralization potency. Unlike previous approaches in non-lymphoid cells, eCD4-Ig-KiHR produced in B cells promoted HIV-1 neutralizing protection without requiring exogenous TPST2, a tyrosine sulfation enzyme required for eCD4-Ig-KiHR function. This finding indicated that B cell machinery is well suited to produce therapeutic proteins. Lastly, to overcome the inefficient transduction efficiency associated with VSV-G LV delivery to primary B cells, an optimized measles pseudotyped LV packaging methodology achieved up to 75% transduction efficiency. Overall, our findings support the utility of B cell gene therapy platforms for therapeutic protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Vamva
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stosh Ozog
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Daniel P. Leaman
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rene Yu-Hong Cheng
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Irons
- Department of Statistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andee Ott
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Claire Stoffers
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Iram Khan
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Matthew R. Gardner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Michael Farzan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - David J. Rawlings
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael B. Zwick
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Richard G. James
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bruce E. Torbett
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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16
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Dias J, Cadiñanos-Garai A, Roddie C. Release Assays and Potency Assays for CAR T-Cell Interventions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1420:117-137. [PMID: 37258787 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30040-0_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are considered "living drugs" and offer a compelling alternative to conventional anticancer therapies. Briefly, T-cells are redirected, using gene engineering technology, toward a specific cancer cell surface target antigen via a synthetic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) protein. CARs have a modular design comprising four main structures: an antigen-binding domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, and one or more intracellular signaling domains for T-cell activation. A major challenge in the CAR T-cell manufacturing field is balancing product quality with scalability and cost-effectiveness, especially when transitioning from an academic clinical trial into a marketed product, to be implemented across many collection, manufacturing, and treatment sites. Achieving product consistency while circumnavigating the intrinsic variability associated with autologous products is an additional barrier. To overcome these limitations, a robust understanding of the product and its biological actions is crucial to establish a target product profile with a defined list of critical quality attributes to be assessed for each batch prior to product certification. Additional challenges arise as the field progresses, such as new safety considerations associated with the use of allogenic T-cells and genome editing tools. In this chapter, we will discuss the release and potency assays required for CAR T-cell manufacturing, covering their relevance, current challenges, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Dias
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.
- Royal Free Hospital London, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Amaia Cadiñanos-Garai
- USC/CHLA Cell Therapy Program, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Claire Roddie
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Haematology, UCL Hospital, London, UK
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17
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Collon K, Gallo MC, Bell JA, Chang SW, Rodman JCS, Sugiyama O, Kohn DB, Lieberman JR. Improving Lentiviral Transduction of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:1260-1268. [PMID: 35859364 PMCID: PMC9808795 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral transduction of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induces long-term transgene expression and holds great promise for multiple gene therapy applications. Polybrene is the most commonly used reagent to improve viral gene transfer efficiency in laboratory research; however, it is not approved for human use and has also been shown to impair MSC proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, there is a need for optimized transduction protocols that can also be adapted to clinical settings. LentiBOOST (LB) and protamine sulfate are alternative transduction enhancers (TEs) that can be manufactured to current Good Manufacturing Practice standards, are easily applied to existing protocols, and have been previously studied for the transduction of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In this study, we investigated these reagents for the enhancement of lentiviral transduction of adipose-derived MSCs. We found that the combination of LB and protamine sulfate could yield comparable or even superior transduction efficiency to polybrene, with no dose-dependent adverse effects on cell viability or stem cell characteristics. This combination of TEs represents a valuable clinically compatible alternative to polybrene with the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of lentiviral transduction of MSCs for gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Collon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Matthew C. Gallo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Bell
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stephanie W. Chang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - John Croom Sueiro Rodman
- Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; and
| | - Osamu Sugiyama
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Donald B. Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jay R. Lieberman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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18
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Lamers-Kok N, Panella D, Georgoudaki AM, Liu H, Özkazanc D, Kučerová L, Duru AD, Spanholtz J, Raimo M. Natural killer cells in clinical development as non-engineered, engineered, and combination therapies. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:164. [DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01382-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells are unique immune effectors able to kill cancer cells by direct recognition of surface ligands, without prior sensitization. Allogeneic NK transfer is a highly valuable treatment option for cancer and has recently emerged with hundreds of clinical trials paving the way to finally achieve market authorization. Advantages of NK cell therapies include the use of allogenic cell sources, off-the-shelf availability, and no risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Allogeneic NK cell therapies have reached the clinical stage as ex vivo expanded and differentiated non-engineered cells, as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered or CD16-engineered products, or as combination therapies with antibodies, priming agents, and other drugs. This review summarizes the recent clinical status of allogeneic NK cell-based therapies for the treatment of hematological and solid tumors, discussing the main characteristics of the different cell sources used for NK product development, their use in cell manufacturing processes, the engineering methods and strategies adopted for genetically modified products, and the chosen approaches for combination therapies. A comparative analysis between NK-based non-engineered, engineered, and combination therapies is presented, examining the choices made by product developers regarding the NK cell source and the targeted tumor indications, for both solid and hematological cancers. Clinical trial outcomes are discussed and, when available, assessed in comparison with preclinical data. Regulatory challenges for product approval are reviewed, highlighting the lack of specificity of requirements and standardization between products. Additionally, the competitive landscape and business field is presented. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the effort driven by biotech and pharmaceutical companies and by academic centers to bring NK cell therapies to pivotal clinical trial stages and to market authorization.
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19
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Nicolas CT, VanLith CJ, Hickey RD, Du Z, Hillin LG, Guthman RM, Cao WJ, Haugo B, Lillegard A, Roy D, Bhagwate A, O'Brien D, Kocher JP, Kaiser RA, Russell SJ, Lillegard JB. In vivo lentiviral vector gene therapy to cure hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 and prevent development of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5012. [PMID: 36008405 PMCID: PMC9411607 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional therapy for hereditary tyrosinemia type-1 (HT1) with 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)−1,3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC) delays and in some cases fails to prevent disease progression to liver fibrosis, liver failure, and activation of tumorigenic pathways. Here we demonstrate cure of HT1 by direct, in vivo administration of a therapeutic lentiviral vector targeting the expression of a human fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) transgene in the porcine model of HT1. This therapy is well tolerated and provides stable long-term expression of FAH in pigs with HT1. Genomic integration displays a benign profile, with subsequent fibrosis and tumorigenicity gene expression patterns similar to wild-type animals as compared to NTBC-treated or diseased untreated animals. Indeed, the phenotypic and genomic data following in vivo lentiviral vector administration demonstrate comparative superiority over other therapies including ex vivo cell therapy and therefore support clinical application of this approach. Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH). Here, the authors show in an animal model that HT1 can be treated via in vivo portal vein administration of a lentiviral vector carrying the human FAH transgene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara T Nicolas
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Surgery, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Raymond D Hickey
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Zeji Du
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Lori G Hillin
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Rebekah M Guthman
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Wausau, WI, USA
| | - William J Cao
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Diya Roy
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Aditya Bhagwate
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Daniel O'Brien
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Kocher
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Robert A Kaiser
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Joseph B Lillegard
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Pediatric Surgical Associates, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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20
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Pardridge WM. A Historical Review of Brain Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1283. [PMID: 35745855 PMCID: PMC9229021 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The history of brain drug delivery is reviewed beginning with the first demonstration, in 1914, that a drug for syphilis, salvarsan, did not enter the brain, due to the presence of a blood-brain barrier (BBB). Owing to restricted transport across the BBB, FDA-approved drugs for the CNS have been generally limited to lipid-soluble small molecules. Drugs that do not cross the BBB can be re-engineered for transport on endogenous BBB carrier-mediated transport and receptor-mediated transport systems, which were identified during the 1970s-1980s. By the 1990s, a multitude of brain drug delivery technologies emerged, including trans-cranial delivery, CSF delivery, BBB disruption, lipid carriers, prodrugs, stem cells, exosomes, nanoparticles, gene therapy, and biologics. The advantages and limitations of each of these brain drug delivery technologies are critically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Pardridge
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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21
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Abstract
Gene therapy, cell therapy and vaccine research have led to an increased use of qPCR/ddPCR in bioanalytical laboratories. CROs are progressively undertaking the development and validation of qPCR and ddPCR assays. Currently, however, there is limited regulatory guidance for the use of qPCR and a complete lack of any regulatory guidelines for the use of the newer ddPCR to support regulated bioanalysis. Hence, the Global CRO Council in Bioanalysis (GCC) has issued this White Paper to provide; 1) a consensus on the different validation parameters required to support qPCR/ddPCR assays; 2) a harmonized approach to their validation and 3) a consistent development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all the bioanalytical laboratories using these techniques.
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22
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Yadav M, Atala A, Lu B. Developing all-in-one virus-like particles for Cas9 mRNA/single guide RNA co-delivery and aptamer-containing lentiviral vectors for improved gene expression. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 209:1260-1270. [PMID: 35461863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are widely used for delivering foreign genes for long-term expression. Recently, virus-like particles (VLPs) were developed for mRNA or ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery for short-term endonuclease expression. Generating large amount of LVs or VLPs is challenging. On the other hand, methods for using VLPs to co-deliver Cas9 mRNA and single guide RNA (sgRNA) are limited. Fusing aptamer-binding protein (ABP) to the N-terminus of HIV Gag protein is currently the successful way to develop hybrid particles for co-delivering Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA. The effects of modifying Gag protein this way on particle assembly are unknown. Previously we found that adding an ABP after the second zinc finger domain of nucleocapsid (NC) protein had minimal effects on particle assembly. Based on these observations, here we developed hybrid particles for Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA co-delivery with normal capsid assembly efficiency. We further improved LVs for integrated gene expression by including an aptamer sequence in lentiviral genomic RNA, which improved lentiviral particle production and enhanced LV genomic RNA packaging. In summary, here we describe the development of new all-in-one VLPs for co-delivery of Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA, and new LVs for enhanced vector production and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Yadav
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Baisong Lu
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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23
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Pardridge WM. Blood-brain barrier delivery for lysosomal storage disorders with IgG-lysosomal enzyme fusion proteins. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114234. [PMID: 35307484 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The majority of lysosomal storage diseases affect the brain. Treatment of the brain with intravenous enzyme replacement therapy is not successful, because the recombinant lysosomal enzymes do not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Biologic drugs, including lysosomal enzymes, can be re-engineered for BBB delivery as IgG-enzyme fusion proteins. The IgG domain of the fusion protein is a monoclonal antibody directed against an endogenous receptor-mediated transporter at the BBB, such as the insulin receptor or the transferrin receptor. This receptor transports the IgG across the BBB, in parallel with the endogenous receptor ligand, and the IgG acts as a molecular Trojan horse to ferry into brain the lysosomal enzyme genetically fused to the IgG. The IgG-enzyme fusion protein is bi-functional and retains both high affinity binding for the BBB receptor, and high lysosomal enzyme activity. IgG-lysosomal enzymes are presently in clinical trials for treatment of the brain in Mucopolysaccharidosis.
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24
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Fernandez-Gonzalez A, Cowen S, Kim J, Foy CA, Jimenez J, Huggett JF, Whale AS. Applicability of Control Materials To Support Gene Promoter Characterization and Expression in Engineered Cells Using Digital PCR. Anal Chem 2022; 94:5566-5574. [PMID: 35357151 PMCID: PMC9008692 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The use of standardized components and processes in engineering underpins the design-build-test model, and the engineering of biological systems is no different. Substantial efforts to standardize both the components and the methods to validate the engineered biological systems is ongoing. This study has developed a panel of control materials encoding the commonly used reporter genes GFP and RFP as DNA or RNA molecules. Each panel contained up to six samples with increasingly small copy number differences between the two reporter genes that ranged from 1- to 2-fold differences. These copy number differences represent the magnitude of changes that may need to be measured to validate an engineered system. Using digital PCR (dPCR), we demonstrated that it is possible to quantify changes in both gene and gene transcript numbers both within and between samples down to 1.05-fold. We corroborated these findings using a simple gene circuit within a bacterial model to demonstrate that dPCR was able to precisely identify small changes in gene expression of two transcripts in response to promoter stimulation. Finally, we used our findings to highlight sources of error that can contributed to the measurement uncertainty in the measurement of small ratios in biological systems. Together, the development of a panel of control materials and validation of a high accuracy method for the measurement of small changes in gene expression, this study can contribute to the engineering biology "toolkit" of methods and materials to support the current standardization efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fernandez-Gonzalez
- Molecular and Cell Biology Team, National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Cowen
- Statistics Team, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, United Kingdom
| | - Juhyun Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Carole A Foy
- Molecular and Cell Biology Team, National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Jimenez
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jim F Huggett
- Molecular and Cell Biology Team, National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, United Kingdom.,School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU5 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra S Whale
- Molecular and Cell Biology Team, National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, United Kingdom
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25
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Glienke W, Dragon AC, Zimmermann K, Martyniszyn-Eiben A, Mertens M, Abken H, Rossig C, Altvater B, Aleksandrova K, Arseniev L, Kloth C, Stamopoulou A, Moritz T, Lode HN, Siebert N, Blasczyk R, Goudeva L, Schambach A, Köhl U, Eiz-Vesper B, Esser R. GMP-Compliant Manufacturing of TRUCKs: CAR T Cells targeting GD2 and Releasing Inducible IL-18. Front Immunol 2022; 13:839783. [PMID: 35401506 PMCID: PMC8988144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.839783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells can be highly effective in the treatment of hematological malignancies, but mostly fail in the treatment of solid tumors. Thus, approaches using 4th advanced CAR T cells secreting immunomodulatory cytokines upon CAR signaling, known as TRUCKs (“T cells redirected for universal cytokine-mediated killing”), are currently under investigation. Based on our previous development and validation of automated and closed processing for GMP-compliant manufacturing of CAR T cells, we here present the proof of feasibility for translation of this method to TRUCKs. We generated IL-18-secreting TRUCKs targeting the tumor antigen GD2 using the CliniMACS Prodigy® system using a recently described “all-in-one” lentiviral vector combining constitutive anti-GD2 CAR expression and inducible IL-18. Starting with 0.84 x 108 and 0.91 x 108 T cells after enrichment of CD4+ and CD8+ we reached 68.3-fold and 71.4-fold T cell expansion rates, respectively, in two independent runs. Transduction efficiencies of 77.7% and 55.1% was obtained, and yields of 4.5 x 109 and 3.6 x 109 engineered T cells from the two donors, respectively, within 12 days. Preclinical characterization demonstrated antigen-specific GD2-CAR mediated activation after co-cultivation with GD2-expressing target cells. The functional capacities of the clinical-scale manufactured TRUCKs were similar to TRUCKs generated in laboratory-scale and were not impeded by cryopreservation. IL-18 TRUCKs were activated in an antigen-specific manner by co-cultivation with GD2-expressing target cells indicated by an increased expression of activation markers (e.g. CD25, CD69) on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and an enhanced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytolytic mediators (e.g. IL-2, granzyme B, IFN-γ, perforin, TNF-α). Manufactured TRUCKs showed a specific cytotoxicity towards GD2-expressing target cells indicated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, a decrease of target cell numbers, microscopic detection of cytotoxic clusters and detachment of target cells in real-time impedance measurements (xCELLigence). Following antigen-specific CAR activation of TRUCKs, CAR-triggered release IL-18 was induced, and the cytokine was biologically active, as demonstrated in migration assays revealing specific attraction of monocytes and NK cells by supernatants of TRUCKs co-cultured with GD2-expressing target cells. In conclusion, GMP-compliant manufacturing of TRUCKs is feasible and delivers high quality T cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Glienke
- ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Wolfgang Glienke, ; Axel Schambach,
| | - Anna Christina Dragon
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina Zimmermann
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Martyniszyn-Eiben
- ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mira Mertens
- ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Bianca Altvater
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Krasimira Aleksandrova
- Cellular Therapy Center, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lubomir Arseniev
- Cellular Therapy Center, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Kloth
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andriana Stamopoulou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Holger N. Lode
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nikolai Siebert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rainer Blasczyk
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lilia Goudeva
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wolfgang Glienke, ; Axel Schambach,
| | - Ulrike Köhl
- ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cellular Therapy Center, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
- Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Britta Eiz-Vesper
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Esser
- ATMP-GMP Development Unit, Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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26
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Shi R, Jia S, Liu H, Nie H. Clinical grade lentiviral vector purification and quality control requirements. J Sep Sci 2022; 45:2093-2101. [PMID: 35247228 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202100937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors have been proven to be a powerful tool in gene therapies that includes the ability to perform long-term gene editing in both dividing and non-dividing cells. In order to meet the rising demand of clinical grade lentiviral vectors for future clinical trials and requirements by regulatory agencies, new methods and technologies were developed, including the rapid optimization of production and purification processes. However, gaps still exist in achieving ideal yields and recovery rates in large-scale manufacturing process steps. The downstream purification process is a critical step required to obtain sufficient quantity and high-quality lentiviral vectors products, which is challenged by the low stability of the LV particles and large production volumes associated with the manufacturing process. This review summarizes the most recent and promising technologies and enhancements used in the large-scale purification process step of LV manufacturing and aims to provide a significant contribution towards the achievement of providing sufficient quantity and quality of LVs in scalable processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruina Shi
- Immunochina Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Shenghua Jia
- Immunochina Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Huwei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuchang University of Technology, Wuhan, China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Honggang Nie
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Analytical Instrumental Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
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27
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Corre G, Seye A, Frin S, Ferrand M, Winkler K, Luc C, Dorange F, Rocca CJ, Galy A. Lentiviral standards to determine the sensitivity of assays that quantify lentiviral vector copy numbers and genomic insertion sites in cells. Gene Ther 2022; 29:536-543. [PMID: 35194185 PMCID: PMC9482878 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00315-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
With an increasing number of gene therapy clinical trials and drugs reaching the market, it becomes important to standardize the methods that evaluate the efficacy and safety of gene therapy. We herein report the generation of lentiviral standards which are stable, cloned human cells prepared from the diploid HCT116 cell line and which carry a known number of lentiviral vector copies in their genome. These clones can be used as reference cellular materials for the calibration or qualification of analytical methods that quantify vector copy numbers in cells (VCN) or lentiviral vector genomic integration sites (IS). Cellular standards were used to show the superior precision of digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) over quantitative PCR (qPCR) for VCN determination. This enabled us to develop a new sensitive and specific VCN ddPCR method specific for the integrated provirus and not recognizing the transfer plasmid. The cellular standards, were also useful to assess the sensitivity and limits of a ligation-mediated PCR (LM-PCR) method to measure IS showing that at least 1% abundance of a single IS can be detected in a polyclonal population but that not all IS can be amplified with similar efficiency. Thus, lentiviral standards should be systematically used in all assays that assess lentiviral gene therapy efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Corre
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Ababacar Seye
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Sophie Frin
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Maxime Ferrand
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | | | | | | | - Céline J Rocca
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Anne Galy
- Genethon, Evry, France. .,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France. .,ART-TG, Inserm US35, Inserm, Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
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28
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Unnisa Z, Yoon JK, Schindler JW, Mason C, van Til NP. Gene Therapy Developments for Pompe Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:302. [PMID: 35203513 PMCID: PMC8869611 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pompe disease is an inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). The most severe form is infantile-onset Pompe disease, presenting shortly after birth with symptoms of cardiomyopathy, respiratory failure and skeletal muscle weakness. Late-onset Pompe disease is characterized by a slower disease progression, primarily affecting skeletal muscles. Despite recent advancements in enzyme replacement therapy management several limitations remain using this therapeutic approach, including risks of immunogenicity complications, inability to penetrate CNS tissue, and the need for life-long therapy. The next wave of promising single therapy interventions involves gene therapies, which are entering into a clinical translational stage. Both adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and lentiviral vector (LV)-mediated hematopoietic stem and progenitor (HSPC) gene therapy have the potential to provide effective therapy for this multisystemic disorder. Optimization of viral vector designs, providing tissue-specific expression and GAA protein modifications to enhance secretion and uptake has resulted in improved preclinical efficacy and safety data. In this review, we highlight gene therapy developments, in particular, AAV and LV HSPC-mediated gene therapy technologies, to potentially address all components of the neuromuscular associated Pompe disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeenath Unnisa
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
| | - John K. Yoon
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
| | | | - Chris Mason
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
- Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Niek P. van Til
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
- Child Neurology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit and Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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29
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Development and clinical translation of ex vivo gene therapy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2986-3003. [PMID: 35782737 PMCID: PMC9218169 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviral gene therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for multiple inherited and acquired human diseases. The capability of delivering curative treatment or mediating therapeutic benefits for a long-term period following a single application fundamentally distinguishes this medical intervention from traditional medicine and various lentiviral/γ-retroviral vector-mediated gene therapy products have been approved for clinical use. Continued advances in retroviral vector engineering, genomic editing, synthetic biology and immunology will broaden the medical applications of gene therapy and improve the efficacy and safety of the treatments based on genetic correction and alteration. This review will summarize the advent and clinical translation of ex vivo gene therapy, with the focus on the milestones during the exploitation of genetically engineered hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) tackling a variety of pathological conditions which led to marketing approval. Finally, current statue and future prospects of gene editing as an alternative therapeutic approach are also discussed.
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30
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Olgasi C, Borsotti C, Merlin S, Bergmann T, Bittorf P, Adewoye AB, Wragg N, Patterson K, Calabria A, Benedicenti F, Cucci A, Borchiellini A, Pollio B, Montini E, Mazzuca DM, Zierau M, Stolzing A, Toleikis P, Braspenning J, Follenzi A. Efficient and safe correction of hemophilia A by lentiviral vector-transduced BOECs in an implantable device. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:551-566. [PMID: 34853801 PMCID: PMC8606349 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Hemophilia A (HA) is a rare bleeding disorder caused by deficiency/dysfunction of the FVIII protein. As current therapies based on frequent FVIII infusions are not a definitive cure, long-term expression of FVIII in endothelial cells through lentiviral vector (LV)-mediated gene transfer holds the promise of a one-time treatment. Thus, here we sought to determine whether LV-corrected blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) implanted through a prevascularized medical device (Cell Pouch) would rescue the bleeding phenotype of HA mice. To this end, BOECs from HA patients and healthy donors were isolated, expanded, and transduced with an LV carrying FVIII driven by an endothelial-specific promoter employing GMP-like procedures. FVIII-corrected HA BOECs were either directly transplanted into the peritoneal cavity or injected into a Cell Pouch implanted subcutaneously in NSG-HA mice. In both cases, FVIII secretion was sufficient to improve the mouse bleeding phenotype. Indeed, FVIII-corrected HA BOECs reached a relatively short-term clinically relevant engraftment being detected up to 16 weeks after transplantation, and their genomic integration profile did not show enrichment for oncogenes, confirming the process safety. Overall, this is the first preclinical study showing the safety and feasibility of transplantation of GMP-like produced LV-corrected BOECs within an implantable device for the long-term treatment of HA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Olgasi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Chiara Borsotti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Simone Merlin
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Thorsten Bergmann
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97082 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Bittorf
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97082 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Adeolu Badi Adewoye
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK
| | - Nicholas Wragg
- Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST47QB Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | | | | | | | - Alessia Cucci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Borchiellini
- Haematology Unit Regional Center for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Molinette, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Berardino Pollio
- Immune-Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Molinette, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Martin Zierau
- IMS Integrierte Management Systeme e. K., 64646 Heppenheim, Germany
| | - Alexandra Stolzing
- Centre for Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, LE113TU Loughborough, UK
- SENS Research Foundation, Mountain View, CA 94041, USA
| | | | - Joris Braspenning
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97082 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
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31
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Zhang T, Larson R, Dave K, Polson N, Zhang H. Developing patient-centric specifications for autologous chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2021.100328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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32
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Lebrec H, Maier CC, Maki K, Ponce R, Shenton J, Green S. Nonclinical safety assessment of engineered T cell therapies. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 127:105064. [PMID: 34656748 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, immunotherapy has established itself as an important novel approach in the treatment of cancer, resulting in a growing importance in oncology. Engineered T cell therapies, namely chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapies, are platform technologies that have enabled the development of products with remarkable efficacy in several hematological malignancies and are thus the focus of intense research and development activity. While engineered T cell therapies offer promise in addressing currently intractable cancers, they also present unique challenges, including their nonclinical safety assessment. A workshop organized by HESI and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was held to provide an interdisciplinary forum for representatives of industry, academia and regulatory authorities to share information and debate on current practices for the nonclinical safety evaluation of engineered T cell therapies. This manuscript leverages what was discussed at this workshop to provide an overview of the current important nonclinical safety assessment considerations for the development of these therapeutic modalities (cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, on-target/off-tumor toxicities, off-target effects, gene editing or vector integration-associated genomic injury). The manuscript also discusses approaches used for hazard identification or risk assessment and provides a regulatory perspective on such aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rafael Ponce
- Shape Therapeutics Incorporated, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jacintha Shenton
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Shon Green
- Umoja Biopharma Incorporated, Seattle, WA, United States
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Feng Y, Liu X, Li X, Zhou Y, Song Z, Zhang J, Shi B, Wang J. Novel BCMA-OR-CD38 tandem-dual chimeric antigen receptor T cells robustly control multiple myeloma. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1959102. [PMID: 34434610 PMCID: PMC8381848 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1959102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BCMA-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has shown remarkable clinical efficacy against multiple myeloma, yet antigen escape and tumor relapse still occur after the use of these therapies. Designing CAR-T therapies that targets multiple antigens simultaneously seems a feasible way to avoid antigen escape, and it has been extensively studied elsewhere. Here, we report novel BCMA-OR-CD38 Tan CAR T cells that can trigger robust cytotoxicity against target cells expressing either BCMA or CD38. We demonstrate that, in in vitro studies, these BCMA-OR-CD38 Tan CAR T cells exhibit similar CAR expression, superior cytotoxicity and antigen-stimulated T cell proliferation as compared to single-targeted CAR T cells or CD38-OR-BCMA Tan CAR T cells. Importantly, these BCMA-OR-CD38 Tan CAR-T cells can achieve complete tumor clearance in myeloma-bearing mice with no relapse observed through the course of these experiments. Finally, this BCMA-OR-CD38 Tan CAR was fully compatible with existing clinical grade T cell manufacturing procedures and can be implemented using current clinical protocols. Taken together, our results present an effective solution to the challenge of antigen escape in BCMA CAR T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Feng
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuying Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaorui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yating Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiru Song
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bingjie Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Department of Gene and Cellular Therapy, Shenzhen Research Institute, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
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34
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Su FY, Mac QD, Sivakumar A, Kwong GA. Interfacing Biomaterials with Synthetic T Cell Immunity. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100157. [PMID: 33887123 PMCID: PMC8349871 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The clinical success of cancer immunotherapy is providing exciting opportunities for the development of new methods to detect and treat cancer more effectively. A new generation of biomaterials is being developed to interface with molecular and cellular features of immunity and ultimately shape or control anti-tumor responses. Recent advances that are supporting the advancement of engineered T cells are focused here. This class of cancer therapy has the potential to cure disease in subsets of patients, yet there remain challenges such as the need to improve response rates and safety while lowering costs to expand their use. To provide a focused overview, recent strategies in three areas of biomaterials research are highlighted: low-cost cell manufacturing to broaden patient access, noninvasive diagnostics for predictive monitoring of immune responses, and strategies for in vivo control that enhance anti-tumor immunity. These research efforts shed light on some of the challenges associated with T cell immunotherapy and how engineered biomaterials that interface with synthetic immunity are gaining traction to solve these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Yi Su
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Quoc D Mac
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Anirudh Sivakumar
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Gabriel A Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Immunoengineering Consortium, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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35
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Comisel RM, Kara B, Fiesser FH, Farid SS. Lentiviral vector bioprocess economics for cell and gene therapy commercialization. Biochem Eng J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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36
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Perry C, Rayat ACME. Lentiviral Vector Bioprocessing. Viruses 2021; 13:268. [PMID: 33572347 PMCID: PMC7916122 DOI: 10.3390/v13020268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are potent tools for the delivery of genes of interest into mammalian cells and are now commonly utilised within the growing field of cell and gene therapy for the treatment of monogenic diseases and adoptive therapies such as chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. This is a comprehensive review of the individual bioprocess operations employed in LV production. We highlight the role of envelope proteins in vector design as well as their impact on the bioprocessing of lentiviral vectors. An overview of the current state of these operations provides opportunities for bioprocess discovery and improvement with emphasis on the considerations for optimal and scalable processing of LV during development and clinical production. Upstream culture for LV generation is described with comparisons on the different transfection methods and various bioreactors for suspension and adherent producer cell cultivation. The purification of LV is examined, evaluating different sequences of downstream process operations for both small- and large-scale production requirements. For scalable operations, a key focus is the development in chromatographic purification in addition to an in-depth examination of the application of tangential flow filtration. A summary of vector quantification and characterisation assays is also presented. Finally, the assessment of the whole bioprocess for LV production is discussed to benefit from the broader understanding of potential interactions of the different process options. This review is aimed to assist in the achievement of high quality, high concentration lentiviral vectors from robust and scalable processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Perry
- The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
- Division of Advanced Therapies, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Andrea C. M. E. Rayat
- The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
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37
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Toon K, Bentley EM, Mattiuzzo G. More Than Just Gene Therapy Vectors: Lentiviral Vector Pseudotypes for Serological Investigation. Viruses 2021; 13:217. [PMID: 33572589 PMCID: PMC7911487 DOI: 10.3390/v13020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serological assays detecting neutralising antibodies are important for determining the immune responses following infection or vaccination and are also often considered a correlate of protection. The target of neutralising antibodies is usually located in the Envelope protein on the viral surface, which mediates cell entry. As such, presentation of the Envelope protein on a lentiviral particle represents a convenient alternative to handling of a potentially high containment virus or for those viruses with no established cell culture system. The flexibility, relative safety and, in most cases, ease of production of lentiviral pseudotypes, have led to their use in serological assays for many applications such as the evaluation of candidate vaccines, screening and characterization of anti-viral therapeutics, and sero-surveillance. Above all, the speed of production of the lentiviral pseudotypes, once the envelope sequence is published, makes them important tools in the response to viral outbreaks, as shown during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In this review, we provide an overview of the landscape of the serological applications of pseudotyped lentiviral vectors, with a brief discussion on their production and batch quality analysis. Finally, we evaluate their role as surrogates for the real virus and possible alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamilla Toon
- Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control-MHRA, Blanche Lane, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK;
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Emma M. Bentley
- Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control-MHRA, Blanche Lane, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK;
| | - Giada Mattiuzzo
- Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control-MHRA, Blanche Lane, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK;
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38
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Reference standards for accurate validation and optimization of assays that determine integrated lentiviral vector copy number in transduced cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:389. [PMID: 33431989 PMCID: PMC7801692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79698-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LV) have emerged as a robust technology for therapeutic gene delivery into human cells as advanced medicinal products. As these products are increasingly commercialized, there are concomitant demands for their characterization to ensure safety, efficacy and consistency. Standards are essential for accurately measuring parameters for such product characterization. A critical parameter is the vector copy number (VCN) which measures the genetic dose of a transgene present in gene-modified cells. Here we describe a set of clonal Jurkat cell lines with defined copy numbers of a reference lentiviral vector integrated into their genomes. Genomic DNA was characterized for copy number, genomic integrity and integration coordinates and showed uniform performance across independent quantitative PCR assays. Stability studies during continuous long-term culture demonstrated sustained renewability of the reference standard source material. DNA from the Jurkat VCN standards would be useful for control of quantitative PCR assays for VCN determination in LV gene-modified cellular products and clinical samples.
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Considerations in the development and validation of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and its application in regulated bioanalysis to characterize the cellular kinetics of CAR-T products in clinical studies. Bioanalysis 2020; 13:115-128. [PMID: 33356555 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2020-0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has become the standard method for monitoring cellular kinetics of CAR-T therapies with measurement of the CAR transgene copy numbers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients receiving the treatment. Unlike other biophysical and immunological methodologies for bioanalytical characterization of conventional small molecule drugs or protein biologics, there is no relevant regulatory guidance to date on the method development and validation for quantitative qPCR assays employed during clinical development of CAR-T products. This paper will provide an overview and considerations in the development and validation of a qPCR assay from sample extraction to assay parameters and its implementation in regulated bioanalysis for CAR-T or other types of cell therapies.
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40
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Moreira AS, Cavaco DG, Faria TQ, Alves PM, Carrondo MJT, Peixoto C. Advances in Lentivirus Purification. Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000019. [PMID: 33089626 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) have been increasingly used as a tool for gene and cell therapies since they can stably integrate the genome in dividing and nondividing cells. LV production and purification processes have evolved substantially over the last decades. However, the increasing demands for higher quantities with more restrictive purity requirements are stimulating the development of novel materials and strategies to supply the market with LV in a cost-effective manner. A detailed review of each downstream process unit operation is performed, limitations, strengths, and potential outcomes being covered. Currently, the majority of large-scale LV manufacturing processes are still based on adherent cell culture, although it is known that the industry is migrating fast to suspension cultures. Regarding the purification strategy, it consists of batch chromatography and membrane technology. Nevertheless, new solutions are being created to improve the current production schemes and expand its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Moreira
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - David Guia Cavaco
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tiago Q Faria
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paula M Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Manuel J T Carrondo
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cristina Peixoto
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal
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41
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Taştan C, Kançağı DD, Turan RD, Yurtsever B, Çakırsoy D, Abanuz S, Yılancı M, Seyis U, Özer S, Mert S, Kayhan CK, Tokat F, Açıkel Elmas M, Birdoğan S, Arbak S, Yalçın K, Sezgin A, Kızılkılıç E, Hemşinlioğlu C, İnce Ü, Ratip S, Ovalı E. Preclinical Assessment of Efficacy and Safety Analysis of CAR-T Cells (ISIKOK-19) Targeting CD19-Expressing B-Cells for the First Turkish Academic Clinical Trial with Relapsed/Refractory ALL and NHL Patients. Turk J Haematol 2020; 37:234-247. [PMID: 32755128 PMCID: PMC7702660 DOI: 10.4274/tjh.galenos.2020.2020.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Relapsed and refractory CD19-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are the focus of studies on hematological cancers. Treatment of these malignancies has undergone recent transformation with the development of new gene therapy and molecular biology techniques, which are safer and well-tolerated therapeutic approaches. The CD19 antigen is the most studied therapeutic target in these hematological cancers. This study reports the results of clinical-grade production, quality control, and in vivo efficacy processes of ISIKOK-19 cells as the first academic clinical trial of CAR-T cells targeting CD19-expressing B cells in relapsed/refractory ALL and NHL patients in Turkey. Materials and Methods We used a lentiviral vector encoding the CD19 antigen-specific antibody head (FMC63) conjugated with the CD8-CD28-CD3ζ sequence as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) along with a truncated form of EGFR (EGFRt) on human T-lymphocytes (CAR-T). We preclinically assessed the efficacy and safety of the manufactured CAR-T cells, namely ISIKOK-19, from both healthy donors’ and ALL/NHL patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results We showed significant enhancement of CAR lentivirus transduction efficacy in T-cells using BX-795, an inhibitor of the signaling molecule TBK1/IKKƐ, in order to cut the cost of CAR-T cell production. In addition, ISIKOK-19 cells demonstrated a significantly high level of cytotoxicity specifically against a CD19+ B-lymphocyte cancer model, RAJI cells, in NOD/SCID mice. Conclusion This is the first report of preclinical assessment of efficacy and safety analysis of CAR-T cells (ISIKOK-19) targeting CD19-expressing B cells in relapsed/refractory ALL and NHL patients in Turkey.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, CD19/genetics
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lentivirus/genetics
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/etiology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/etiology
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Cihan Taştan
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | - Bulut Yurtsever
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Didem Çakırsoy
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selen Abanuz
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Utku Seyis
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Samed Özer
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Animal Application and Research Center, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selin Mert
- Boğaziçi University, Center of Life Sciences and Technologies, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Fatma Tokat
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Açıkel Elmas
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Birdoğan
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Arbak
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Koray Yalçın
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
- Medical Park Göztepe Hospital, Pediatric Hematopoetic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Ümit İnce
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Siret Ratip
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ercüment Ovalı
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
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42
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Pardridge WM. Brain Delivery of Nanomedicines: Trojan Horse Liposomes for Plasmid DNA Gene Therapy of the Brain. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:602236. [PMID: 35047884 PMCID: PMC8757841 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.602236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-viral gene therapy of the brain is enabled by the development of plasmid DNA brain delivery technology, which requires the engineering and manufacturing of nanomedicines that cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The development of such nanomedicines is a multi-faceted problem that requires progress at multiple levels. First, the type of nanocontainer, e.g., nanoparticle or liposome, which encapsulates the plasmid DNA, must be developed. Second, the type of molecular Trojan horse, e.g., peptide or receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb), must be selected for incorporation on the surface of the nanomedicine, as this Trojan horse engages specific receptors expressed on the BBB, and the brain cell membrane, to trigger transport of the nanomedicine from blood into brain cells beyond the BBB. Third, the plasmid DNA must be engineered without bacterial elements, such as antibiotic resistance genes, to enable administration to humans; the plasmid DNA must also be engineered with tissue-specific gene promoters upstream of the therapeutic gene, to insure gene expression in the target organ with minimal off-target expression. Fourth, upstream manufacturing of the nanomedicine must be developed and scalable so as to meet market demand for the target disease, e.g., annual long-term treatment of 1,000 patients with an orphan disease, short term treatment of 10,000 patients with malignant glioma, or 100,000 patients with new onset Parkinson's disease. Fifth, downstream manufacturing problems, such as nanomedicine lyophilization, must be solved to ensure the nanomedicine has a commercially viable shelf-life for treatment of CNS disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Pardridge
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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43
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Brempelis KJ, Cowan CM, Kreuser SA, Labadie KP, Prieskorn BM, Lieberman NAP, Ene CI, Moyes KW, Chinn H, DeGolier KR, Matsumoto LR, Daniel SK, Yokoyama JK, Davis AD, Hoglund VJ, Smythe KS, Balcaitis SD, Jensen MC, Ellenbogen RG, Campbell JS, Pierce RH, Holland EC, Pillarisetty VG, Crane CA. Genetically engineered macrophages persist in solid tumors and locally deliver therapeutic proteins to activate immune responses. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001356. [PMID: 33115946 PMCID: PMC7594542 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Though currently approved immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T cells and checkpoint blockade antibodies, have been successfully used to treat hematological and some solid tumor cancers, many solid tumors remain resistant to these modes of treatment. In solid tumors, the development of effective antitumor immune responses is hampered by restricted immune cell infiltration and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). An immunotherapy that infiltrates and persists in the solid TME, while providing local, stable levels of therapeutic to activate or reinvigorate antitumor immunity could overcome these challenges faced by current immunotherapies. Methods Using lentivirus-driven engineering, we programmed human and murine macrophages to express therapeutic payloads, including Interleukin (IL)-12. In vitro coculture studies were used to evaluate the effect of genetically engineered macrophages (GEMs) secreting IL-12 on T cells and on the GEMs themselves. The effects of IL-12 GEMs on gene expression profiles within the TME and tumor burden were evaluated in syngeneic mouse models of glioblastoma and melanoma and in human tumor slices isolated from patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies. Results Here, we present a cellular immunotherapy platform using lentivirus-driven genetic engineering of human and mouse macrophages to constitutively express proteins, including secreted cytokines and full-length checkpoint antibodies, as well as cytoplasmic and surface proteins that overcomes these barriers. GEMs traffic to, persist in, and express lentiviral payloads in xenograft mouse models of glioblastoma, and express a non-signaling truncated CD19 surface protein for elimination. IL-12-secreting GEMs activated T cells and induced interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in vitro and slowed tumor growth resulting in extended survival in vivo. In a syngeneic glioblastoma model, IFNγ signaling cascades were also observed in mice treated with mouse bone-marrow-derived GEMs secreting murine IL-12. These findings were reproduced in ex vivo tumor slices comprised of intact MEs. In this setting, IL-12 GEMs induced tumor cell death, chemokines and IFNγ-stimulated genes and proteins. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that GEMs can precisely deliver titratable doses of therapeutic proteins to the TME to improve safety, tissue penetrance, targeted delivery and pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine J Brempelis
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Courtney M Cowan
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shannon A Kreuser
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kevin P Labadie
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brooke M Prieskorn
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nicole A P Lieberman
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chibawanye I Ene
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kara W Moyes
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Harrison Chinn
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kole R DeGolier
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lisa R Matsumoto
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sara K Daniel
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jason K Yokoyama
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Immunotherapy Integration Hub, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Amira D Davis
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Virginia J Hoglund
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly S Smythe
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stephanie D Balcaitis
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael C Jensen
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Immunotherapy Integration Hub, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Richard G Ellenbogen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jean S Campbell
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert H Pierce
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eric C Holland
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Courtney A Crane
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA .,Discovery and Translational Sciences, Mozart Therapeutics, Seattle, WA, 98119
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44
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Amberger M, Ivics Z. Latest Advances for the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System: 23 Years of Insomnia but Prettier than Ever: Refinement and Recent Innovations of the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System Enabling Novel, Nonviral Genetic Engineering Applications. Bioessays 2020; 42:e2000136. [PMID: 32939778 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Sleeping Beauty transposon system is a nonviral DNA transfer tool capable of efficiently mediating transposition-based, stable integration of DNA sequences of choice into eukaryotic genomes. Continuous refinements of the system, including the emergence of hyperactive transposase mutants and novel approaches in vectorology, greatly improve upon transposition efficiency rivaling viral-vector-based methods for stable gene insertion. Current developments, such as reversible transgenesis and proof-of-concept RNA-guided transposition, further expand on possible applications in the future. In addition, innate advantages such as lack of preferential integration into genes reduce insertional mutagenesis-related safety concerns while comparably low manufacturing costs enable widespread implementation. Accordingly, the system is recognized as a powerful and versatile tool for genetic engineering and is playing a central role in an ever-expanding number of gene and cell therapy clinical trials with the potential to become a key technology to meet the growing demand for advanced therapy medicinal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Amberger
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, D-63225, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, D-63225, Germany
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45
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Santeramo I, Bagnati M, Harvey EJ, Hassan E, Surmacz-Cordle B, Marshall D, Di Cerbo V. Vector Copy Distribution at a Single-Cell Level Enhances Analytical Characterization of Gene-Modified Cell Therapies. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:944-956. [PMID: 32420408 PMCID: PMC7217927 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability to deliver transgenes into the human genome using viral vectors is a major enabler of the gene-modified cell therapy field. However, the control of viral transduction is difficult and can lead to product heterogeneity, impacting efficacy and safety, as well as increasing the risk of batch failure during manufacturing. To address this, we generated a novel analytical method to measure vector copy distribution at the single-cell level in a gene-modified, lentiviral-based immunotherapy model. As the limited amount of genomic DNA in a single cell hinders reliable quantification, we implemented a preamplification strategy on selected lentiviral and human gene targets in isolated live single cells, followed by quantification of amplified material by droplet digital PCR. Using a bespoke probability framework based on Bayesian statistics, we show that we can estimate vector copy number (VCN) integers with maximum likelihood scores. Notably, single-cell data are consistent with population analysis and also provide an overall measurement of transduction efficiency by discriminating transduced (VCN ≥ 1) from nontransduced (VCN = 0) cells. The ability to characterize cell-to-cell variability provides a powerful high-resolution approach for product characterization, which could ultimately allow improved control over product quality and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Santeramo
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Bagnati
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Jane Harvey
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Enas Hassan
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Beata Surmacz-Cordle
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Damian Marshall
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Di Cerbo
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
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46
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Valkama AJ, Oruetxebarria I, Lipponen EM, Leinonen HM, Käyhty P, Hynynen H, Turkki V, Malinen J, Miinalainen T, Heikura T, Parker NR, Ylä-Herttuala S, Lesch HP. Development of Large-Scale Downstream Processing for Lentiviral Vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:717-730. [PMID: 32346549 PMCID: PMC7177191 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The interest in lentiviral vectors (LVs) has increased prominently for gene therapy applications, but few have reached the later stages of clinical trials. The main challenge has remained in scaling up the manufacturing process for the fragile vector to obtain high titers for in vivo usage. We have previously scaled up the LV production to iCELLis 500, being able to produce up to 180 L of harvest material in one run with perfusion. The following challenge considers the purification and concentration of the product to meet titer and purity requirements for clinical use. We have developed a downstream process, beginning with clarification, buffer exchange, and concentration, by tangential flow filtration. This is followed by a purification step using single membrane-based anion exchange chromatography and final formulation with tangential flow filtration. Different materials and conditions were compared to optimize the process, especially for the chromatography step that has been the bottleneck in lentiviral vector purification scale-up. The final infectious titer of the lentiviral vector product manufactured using the optimized scale-up process was determined to be 1.97 × 109 transducing units (TU)/mL, which can be considered as a high titer for lentiviral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina J Valkama
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Igor Oruetxebarria
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eevi M Lipponen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna M Leinonen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Piia Käyhty
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heidi Hynynen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vesa Turkki
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Joonas Malinen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tuukka Miinalainen
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tommi Heikura
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nigel R Parker
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna P Lesch
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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47
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Faruqui N, Kummrow A, Fu B, Divieto C, Rojas F, Kisulu F, Cavalcante JJV, Wang J, Campbell J, Martins JL, Choi JH, Sassi MP, Zucco M, Vonsky M, Vessillier S, Zou S, Fujii SI, Ryadnov MG. Cellular Metrology: Scoping for a Value Proposition in Extra- and Intracellular Measurements. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 7:456. [PMID: 31993416 PMCID: PMC6970939 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The symptomatic irreproducibility of data in biomedicine and biotechnology prompts the need for higher order measurements of cells in their native and near-native environments. Such measurements may support the adoption of new technologies as well as the development of research programs across different sectors including healthcare and clinic, environmental control and national security. With an increasing demand for reliable cell-based products and services, cellular metrology is poised to help address current and emerging measurement challenges faced by end-users. However, metrological foundations in cell analysis remain sparse and significant advances are necessary to keep pace with the needs of modern medicine and industry. Herein we discuss a role of metrology in cell and cell-related R&D activities to underpin growing international measurement capabilities. Relevant measurands are outlined and the lack of reference methods and materials, particularly those based on functional cell responses in native environments, is highlighted. The status quo and current challenges in cellular measurements are discussed in the light of metrological traceability in cell analysis and applications (e.g., a functional cell count). An emphasis is made on the consistency of measurement results independent of the analytical platform used, high confidence in data quality vs. quantity, scale of measurements and issues of building infrastructure for end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Boqiang Fu
- National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
| | - Carla Divieto
- Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabiola Rojas
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Janaina J V Cavalcante
- National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jing Wang
- National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
| | | | - Juliana L Martins
- National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jun-Hyuk Choi
- Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | | | - Massimo Zucco
- Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Turin, Italy
| | - Maxim Vonsky
- D. I. Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sandrine Vessillier
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Shan Zou
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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48
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Pardridge WM. Blood-Brain Barrier and Delivery of Protein and Gene Therapeutics to Brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 11:373. [PMID: 31998120 PMCID: PMC6966240 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and treatment of the brain in aging require the development of new biologic drugs, such as recombinant proteins or gene therapies. Biologics are large molecule therapeutics that do not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). BBB drug delivery is the limiting factor in the future development of new therapeutics for the brain. The delivery of recombinant protein or gene medicines to the brain is a binary process: either the brain drug developer re-engineers the biologic with BBB drug delivery technology, or goes forward with brain drug development in the absence of a BBB delivery platform. The presence of BBB delivery technology allows for engineering the therapeutic to enable entry into the brain across the BBB from blood. Brain drug development may still take place in the absence of BBB delivery technology, but with a reliance on approaches that have rarely led to FDA approval, e.g., CSF injection, stem cells, small molecules, and others. CSF injection of drug is the most widely practiced approach to brain delivery that bypasses the BBB. However, drug injection into the CSF results in limited drug penetration to the brain parenchyma, owing to the rapid export of CSF from the brain to blood. A CSF injection of a drug is equivalent to a slow intravenous (IV) infusion of the pharmaceutical. Given the profound effect the existence of the BBB has on brain drug development, future drug or gene development for the brain will be accelerated by future advances in BBB delivery technology in parallel with new drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Pardridge
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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49
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Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy: The optimal use of lentivirus and gene editing approaches. Blood Rev 2019; 40:100641. [PMID: 31761379 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2019.100641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Due to pioneering in vitro investigations on gene modification, gene engineering platforms have incredibly improved to a safer and more powerful tool for the treatment of multiple blood and immune disorders. Likewise, several clinical trials have been initiated combining autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) with gene therapy (GT) tools. As several GT modalities such as lentivirus and gene editing tools have a long developmental path ahead to diminish its negative side effects, it is hard to decide which modality is optimal for treating a specific disease. Gene transfer by lentiviruses is the platform of choice for loss-of-mutation diseases, whereas gene correction/addition or gene disruption by gene editing tools, mainly CRISPR/Cas9, is likely to be more efficient in diseases where tight regulation is needed. Therefore, in this review, we compiled pertinent information about lentiviral gene transfer and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, their evolution to a safer platform for HSCT, and their applications on other types of gene disorders based on the etiology of the disease and cell fitness.
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50
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Querques I, Mades A, Zuliani C, Miskey C, Alb M, Grueso E, Machwirth M, Rausch T, Einsele H, Ivics Z, Hudecek M, Barabas O. A highly soluble Sleeping Beauty transposase improves control of gene insertion. Nat Biotechnol 2019; 37:1502-1512. [PMID: 31685959 PMCID: PMC6894935 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-019-0291-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system is an efficient non-viral gene transfer tool in mammalian cells but its broad use has been hampered by uncontrolled transposase gene activity from DNA vectors, posing a risk for genome instability, and by the inability to use transposase protein directly. Here, we used rational protein design based on the crystal structure of the hyperactive SB100X variant to create an SB transposase (hsSB) with enhanced solubility and stability. We demonstrate that hsSB can be delivered with transposon DNA to genetically modify cell lines and embryonic, hematopoietic and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), overcoming uncontrolled transposase activity. We used hsSB to generate chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, which exhibit potent anti-tumor activity in vitro and in xenograft mice. We found that hsSB spontaneously penetrates cells, enabling modification of iPSCs and generation of CAR-T cells without the use of transfection reagents. Titration of hsSB to modulate genomic integration frequency achieved as few as two integrations per genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Querques
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mades
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cecilia Zuliani
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Miriam Alb
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Esther Grueso
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Markus Machwirth
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Rausch
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Orsolya Barabas
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
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