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Ganeeva I, Zmievskaya E, Valiullina A, Kudriaeva A, Miftakhova R, Rybalov A, Bulatov E. Recent Advances in the Development of Bioreactors for Manufacturing of Adoptive Cell Immunotherapies. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:bioengineering9120808. [PMID: 36551014 PMCID: PMC9774716 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9120808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Harnessing the human immune system as a foundation for therapeutic technologies capable of recognizing and killing tumor cells has been the central objective of anti-cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in improving the effectiveness and accessibility of this technology to make it widely applicable for adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and many other. Automated, scalable, cost-effective, and GMP-compliant bioreactors for production of ACTs are urgently needed. The primary efforts in the field of GMP bioreactors development are focused on closed and fully automated point-of-care (POC) systems. However, their clinical and industrial application has not yet reached full potential, as there are numerous obstacles associated with delicate balancing of the complex and often unpredictable cell biology with the need for precision and full process control. Here we provide a brief overview of the existing and most advanced systems for ACT manufacturing, including cell culture bags, G-Rex flasks, and bioreactors (rocking motion, stirred-flask, stirred-tank, hollow-fiber), as well as semi- and fully-automated closed bioreactor systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Ganeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Zmievskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Aygul Valiullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Anna Kudriaeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Regina Miftakhova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | | | - Emil Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Garcia-Aponte OF, Herwig C, Kozma B. Lymphocyte expansion in bioreactors: upgrading adoptive cell therapy. J Biol Eng 2021; 15:13. [PMID: 33849630 PMCID: PMC8042697 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-021-00264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioreactors are essential tools for the development of efficient and high-quality cell therapy products. However, their application is far from full potential, holding several challenges when reconciling the complex biology of the cells to be expanded with the need for a manufacturing process that is able to control cell growth and functionality towards therapy affordability and opportunity. In this review, we discuss and compare current bioreactor technologies by performing a systematic analysis of the published data on automated lymphocyte expansion for adoptive cell therapy. We propose a set of requirements for bioreactor design and identify trends on the applicability of these technologies, highlighting the specific challenges and major advancements for each one of the current approaches of expansion along with the opportunities that lie in process intensification. We conclude on the necessity to develop targeted solutions specially tailored for the specific stimulation, supplementation and micro-environmental needs of lymphocytes’ cultures, and the benefit of applying knowledge-based tools for process control and predictability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Fabian Garcia-Aponte
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Herwig
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bence Kozma
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
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Baudequin T, Nyland R, Ye H. Objectives, benefits and challenges of bioreactor systems for the clinical-scale expansion of T lymphocyte cells. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107735. [PMID: 33781889 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapies based on T cell have gathered interest over the last decades for treatment of cancers, becoming recently the most investigated lineage for clinical trials. Although results of adoptive cell therapies are very promising, obtaining large batches of T cell at clinical scale is still challenging nowadays. We propose here a review study focusing on how bioreactor systems could increase expansion rates of T cell culture specifically towards efficient, reliable and reproducible cell therapies. After describing the specificities of T cell culture, in particular activation, phenotypical characterization and cell density considerations, we detail the main objectives of bioreactors in this context, namely scale-up, GMP-compliance and reduced time and costs. Then, we report recent advances on the different classes of bioreactor systems commonly investigated for non-adherent cell expansion, in comparison with the current "gold standard" of T cell culture (flasks and culture bag). Results obtained with hollow fibres, G-Rex® flasks, Wave bioreactor, multiple-step bioreactors, spinner flasks as well as original homemade designs are discussed to highlight advantages and drawbacks in regards to T cells' specificities. Although there is currently no consensus on an optimal bioreactor, overall, most systems reviewed here can improve T cell culture towards faster, easier and/or cheaper protocols. They also offer strong outlooks towards automation, process control and complete closed systems, which could be mandatory developments for a massive clinical breakthrough. However, proper controls are sometimes lacking to conclude clearly on the features leading to the progresses regarding cell expansion, and the field could benefit from process engineering methods, such as quality by design, to perform multi parameters studies and face these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothée Baudequin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Robin Nyland
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Hua Ye
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom.
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Polymeric Membranes for the Biofabrication of Tissues and Organs. Biofabrication 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4557-2852-7.00005-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Lapteva N, Vera JF. Optimization manufacture of virus- and tumor-specific T cells. Stem Cells Int 2011; 2011:434392. [PMID: 21915183 PMCID: PMC3170896 DOI: 10.4061/2011/434392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Although ex vivo expanded T cells are currently widely used in pre-clinical and clinical trials, the complexity of manufacture remains a major impediment for broader application. In this review we discuss current protocols for the ex vivo expansion of virus- and tumor-specific T cells and describe our experience in manufacture optimization using a gas-permeable static culture flask (G-Rex). This innovative device has revolutionized the manufacture process by allowing us to increase cell yields while decreasing the frequency of cell manipulation and in vitro culture time. It is now being used in good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities for clinical cell production in our institution as well as many others in the US and worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lapteva
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX77030, USA
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Bohnenkamp H, Hilbert U, Noll T. Bioprocess development for the cultivation of human T-lymphocytes in a clinical scale. Cytotechnology 2011; 38:135-45. [PMID: 19003095 DOI: 10.1023/a:1021174619613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of large numbers of donor-derived T-lymphocytesmay offer a promising treatment of a variety of viral and malignant diseases. The key step in this approach is the ex vivo generation of sufficient quantities of these cells in a short time.We have investigated the influence of several important cultivation parameters on the proliferation of human T-lymphocytes to develop a large-scale fermentation process usingdifferent types of stirred bioreactors. Such systems offer manypotential advantages over the static culture systems commonlyused today.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy but CMV positive donors were stimulated with monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD3 and anti-CD28) and Interleukin-2. The influence of osmolality, Interleukin-2 concentration, pH, oxygen tension, feeding strategyand temperature on T-cell proliferation was investigated and theoptimised conditions were transferred to a novel stirred suspension bioreactor with an especially designed magnetic stirrbar to minimize the shear force (working volume 550 ml) and a standard stirred vessel (working volume 1000 ml).Preferable conditions for the cultivation of primary T-lymphocytes were an osmolality of 276-330 mOsmol kg(-1),an Interleukin-2 concentration of 100 U ml(-1), a pH rangeof 7.0 to 7.3, an oxygen tension of 5-50% and a temperature of 38.5 degrees C. After 238 h of cultivation 2.8 x 10(9) cells in the stirred vesseland 1.5 x 10(9) cells in the suspension bioreactor were obtained with a percentage of T-cells >94%. The specificity of the cells wasmaintained during cultivation as proven by IFN-gamma secretionafter exposure to a hCMV protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bohnenkamp
- Research Center Juelich GmbH, Institute of Biotechnology 2, 52428, Juelich, Germany
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Li M, Tilles AW, Milwid JM, Hammad M, Lee J, Yarmush ML, Parekkadan B. Phenotypic and functional characterization of human bone marrow stromal cells in hollow-fibre bioreactors. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2011; 6:369-77. [PMID: 21710576 DOI: 10.1002/term.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The transplantation of human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is a novel immunotherapeutic approach that is currently being explored in many clinical settings. Evidence suggests that the efficacy of cell transplantation is directly associated with soluble factors released by human BMSCs. In order to harness these secreted factors, we integrated BMSCs into large-scale hollow-fibre bioreactor devices in which the cells, separated by a semipermeable polyethersulphone (PES) membrane, can directly and continuously release therapeutic factors into the blood stream. BMSCs were found to be rapidly adherent and exhibited long-term viability on PES fibres. The cells also preserved their immunophenotype under physiological fluid flow rates in the bioreactor, and exhibited no signs of differentiation during device operation, but still retained the capacity to differentiate into osteoblastic lineages. BMSC devices released growth factors and cytokines at comparable levels on a per-cell basis to conventional cell culture platforms. Finally, we utilized a potency assay to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the collected secreted factors from the BMSC devices. In summary, we have shown that culturing BMSCs in a large-scale hollow-fibre bioreactor is feasible without deleterious effects on phenotype, thus providing a platform for collecting and delivering the paracrine secretions of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Li
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
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Sadeghi A, Pauler L, Annerén C, Friberg A, Brandhorst D, Korsgren O, Tötterman TH. Large-scale bioreactor expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. J Immunol Methods 2010; 364:94-100. [PMID: 21111743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2010.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2010] [Revised: 11/10/2010] [Accepted: 11/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate an improved technique for expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) based on the WAVE Bioreactor system with perfusion and tube-welding techniques. Our hypothesis was that the bioreactor would allow for optimized provision of nutrients and removal of spent media while minimizing culture volumes. These refinements might lead to a better quality of expanded cells with lower amounts of exhausted cells compared to static expansions in culture bags. PROCEDURES Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from 4 melanoma patients were expanded and compared in parallel using either the WAVE Bioreactor 2/10 System or traditional static culture methods. The parameters viability, final cell number, phenotype and effector function were measured. RESULTS Our results show that the bioreactor system with perfusion is suitable for large-scale expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and allows for higher cell densities and absolute cell numbers as compared to static culture conditions. Phenotypic characteristics of TILs were compared pre and post expansion and showed no consistent difference between the two expansion methods. TILs harvested had the phenotype and function corresponding to intermediate to late effector cells. The system allows one technician to operate several bioreactors simultaneously, thereby reducing the labor for one expansion to approximately 1/3 compared to static expansion. DISCUSSION The WAVE Bioreactor system is suitable for large-scale expansion of TILs. Due to constant perfusion of fresh media and removal of spent media much higher cell densities were achieved while the culture volume and the glucose and glutamine levels were kept constant. Expansion of TILs in the bioreactor system represents a labor- and cost-effective method to reach large numbers of T cells for adoptive cell transfer therapy in the clinic. CONCLUSION The system presented herein offers an effective alternative to large-scale production of cell products for clinical use while meeting requirements of therapeutic cell quantities and qualities of current protocols for treatment of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Sadeghi
- Department of Oncology, Radiology and Clinical Immunology, Division of Clinical Immunology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden.
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Tran CA, Burton L, Russom D, Wagner JR, Jensen MC, Forman SJ, DiGiusto DL. Manufacturing of large numbers of patient-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy: an approach to improving product safety, composition, and production capacity. J Immunother 2007; 30:644-54. [PMID: 17667528 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0b013e318052e1f4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have developed an innovative system for ex vivo processing of patient-specific cell products to produce large numbers of T-lymphocytes in support of phase 2 adoptive immunotherapy trials for hematologic malignancies. Extensive efforts were undertaken to close the cell processing system to improve the safety profile of the process and comply with new federal regulations regarding cell and tissue processing. Our results demonstrate that apheresis products can be processed in a closed system (Cytomate) with similar yields (approximately 4 x 10(9) mononuclear cells/apheresis) and recoveries (approximately 60% of starting mononuclear cells) to manual cell processing. Cells processed with this system could be cryopreserved for up to 5 months without significant loss of recovery or viability. Additionally, we have evaluated the use of gas permeable bags and developed perfusion bioreactor protocols in which T cells can be rapidly produced in excess of 10(10) viable cells per liter of culture. Using similar methods for upfront processing, we have also developed methods for positive selection and ex vivo culture of CD4+ T cells that result in 200 to 800-fold expansion of fresh or cryopreserved samples. T cells produced in these systems were shown to retain activation-induced cytolytic capability and TH1/TH2 cytokine production as a measure of biologic potency. These new methods allow for more efficient production multiple patient-specific products by satisfying the basic tenants of safety and efficacy required for early phase clinical trials of cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chy-Anh Tran
- Division of Hematology/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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De Bartolo L, Piscioneri A, Cotroneo G, Salerno S, Tasselli F, Campana C, Morelli S, Rende M, Caroleo MC, Bossio M, Drioli E. Human lymphocyte PEEK-WC hollow fiber membrane bioreactor. J Biotechnol 2007; 132:65-74. [PMID: 17905461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2007] [Revised: 08/11/2007] [Accepted: 08/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study we developed a PEEK-WC hollow fiber (HF) membrane bioreactor for the maintenance of human peripheral lymphocytes as model system for the in vitro investigation of disease pathogenesis, chemical effects and individual drug sensitivity. Peripheral lymphocytes isolated from donor's human buffy coat were cultured in the shell compartment of the PEEK-WC-HF bioreactor and stimulated with PHA 5microg/mL for the first 48h of culture to enhance cytokine production and cell proliferation. Thereafter, cells were cultured in the presence of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) in order to induce cytochrome P450s enzymes, CYP2E, involved in the biotransformation of endogenous molecules and exogenous compounds. The metabolic activity of cells with respect to glucose consumption and oxygen uptake was maintained for all the culture time without the addition of mitogen. Two cytokines IL-2 and IL-10, which are specific pattern of lymphocytes T helper 1 and T helper 2, respectively, were produced in the bioreactor up to 14 days of culture. Lymphocytes were also able to biotransform acetaminophen through the formation of the main metabolite paracetamidofenil-beta-glucuronide, which is the product of glucuronidation reaction, as a result of the Hypericum perforatum administration that induced the catalytic activity of the CYP2E1. These results demonstrated the usefulness of the bioreactor as the support system that reproduces physiological parameters such as a constant perfusion of medium, nutrients and oxygen maintaining the in vitro integrity of lymphocyte viability and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana De Bartolo
- Institute on Membrane Technology, National Research Council of Italy, ITM-CNR, C/o University of Calabria, Cubo 17/C, Via P. Bucci, I-87030 Rende (CS), Italy.
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Gloeckner H, Jonuleit T, Lemke HD. Monitoring of cell viability and cell growth in a hollow-fiber bioreactor by use of the dye Alamar Blue. J Immunol Methods 2001; 252:131-8. [PMID: 11334972 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1759(01)00347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
We describe a method for monitoring cell proliferation in a small-scale hollow-fiber bioreactor (culture volume: 1 ml) by use of the Alamar Blue dye. Alamar Blue is a non-fluorescent compound, which yields a fluorescent product after reduction, e.g. by living cells. In contrast to the MTT-assay, the Alamar Blue assay does not lead to cell death. However, when not removed from the cells, the Alamar Blue dye shows a reversible, time- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition as observed for the leukemic cell lines CCRF-CEM, HL-60 and REH. When applied in the medium compartment of a hollow-fiber bioreactor system, the dye is delivered to the cells across the hollow-fiber membrane, reduced by the cells and released from the cell into the medium compartment back again. Thus, fluorescence intensity can be measured in medium samples reflecting growth of the cells in the cell compartment. This procedure offers several advantages. First, exposure of the cells to the dye can be reduced compared to conventional culture in plates. Second, handling steps are minimized since no sample of the cells needs to be taken for readout. Moreover, for the exchange of medium, a centrifugation step can be avoided and the cells can be cultivated further. Third, the method allows discriminating between cell densities of 10(5), 10(6) and 10(7) of proliferating HL-60 cells cultivated in the cell compartment of the bioreactor. Measurement of fluorescence in the medium compartment is more sensitive compared to glucose or lactate measurement for cell counts below 10(6) cells/ml, in particular. We conclude that the Alamar Blue-assay combined with a hollow-fiber bioreactor offers distinct advantages for the non-invasive monitoring of cell viability and proliferation in a closed system.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Gloeckner
- Acordis Research, D-63784 Obernburg, Germany
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Abstract
Traditional barriers to large-scale mammalian culture have now been addressed, with the standard stirred-tank reactor emerging as industry's technology of choice. The issues of adapting cells to suspension culture, shear sensitivity and oxygen supply have been largely resolved. But for many low-volume and specialty applications, such as the production of viral vaccines and gene therapies, reactor technology remains diversified, with reactor types ranging from roller bottles to stacked plates and hollow fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chu
- Bioprocess R&D, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co, Inc, PO Box 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
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