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Rudilla F, Carrasco-Benso MP, Pasamar H, López-Montañés M, Andrés-Rozas M, Tomás-Marín M, Company D, Moya C, Larrea L, Guerreiro M, Barba P, Arbona C, Querol S. Development and characterization of a cell donor registry for virus-specific T cell manufacture in a blood bank. HLA 2024; 103:e15419. [PMID: 38450972 DOI: 10.1111/tan.15419] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using virus-specific T cells (VST) is a strategy for treating common opportunistic viral infections after transplantation, particularly when these infections do not resolve through antiviral drug therapy. The availability of third-party healthy donors allows for the immediate use of cells for allogeneic therapy in cases where patients lack an appropriate donor. Here, we present the creation of a cell donor registry of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-typed blood donors, REDOCEL, a strategic initiative to ensure the availability of compatible cells for donation when needed. Currently, the registry consists of 597 healthy donors with a median age of 29 years, 54% of whom are women. The most represented blood groups were A positive and O positive, with 36.52% and 34.51%, respectively. Also, donors were screened for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Almost 65% of donors were CMV-seropositive, while less than 5% were EBV-seronegative. Of the CMV-seropositive donors, 98% were also EBV-seropositive. High-resolution HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies were determined in the registry. Prevalent HLA alleles and haplotypes were well represented to ensure donor-recipient HLA-matching, including alleles reported to present viral immunodominant epitopes. Since the functional establishment of REDOCEL, in May 2019, 87 effective donations have been collected, and the effective availability of donors with the first call has been greater than 75%. Thus, almost 89% of patients receiving an effective donation had available at least 5/10 HLA-matched cell donors (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1). To summarize, based on our experience, a cell donor registry from previously HLA-typed blood donors is a useful tool for facilitating access to VST therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Rudilla
- Transfusional Medicine Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (VHIR-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Laboratory, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Paz Carrasco-Benso
- Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (Fisabio), Valencia, Spain
| | - Helena Pasamar
- Transfusional Medicine Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (VHIR-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Advanced & Cell Therapy Services, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María López-Montañés
- Transfusional Medicine Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (VHIR-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Advanced & Cell Therapy Services, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Andrés-Rozas
- Transfusional Medicine Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (VHIR-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Advanced & Cell Therapy Services, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Tomás-Marín
- Transfusional Medicine Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (VHIR-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Advanced & Cell Therapy Services, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Desirée Company
- Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (Fisabio), Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Moya
- Blood Donors Management Department, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Larrea
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Guerreiro
- Department of Hematology, La Fe Polytechnic and University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pere Barba
- Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Arbona
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Querol
- Transfusional Medicine Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (VHIR-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Advanced & Cell Therapy Services, Blood and Tissue Bank, Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Schreiber B, Tripathi S, Nikiforow S, Chandraker A. Adoptive Immune Effector Cell Therapies in Cancer and Solid Organ Transplantation: A Review. Semin Nephrol 2024; 44:151498. [PMID: 38555223 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2024.151498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most devastating complications of kidney transplantation and constitutes one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients. Immunosuppression, although effective in preventing allograft rejection, inherently inhibits immune surveillance against oncogenic viral infections and malignancy. Adoptive cell therapy, particularly immune effector cell therapy, has long been a modality of interest in both cancer and transplantation, though has only recently stepped into the spotlight with the development of virus-specific T-cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Although these modalities are best described in hematopoietic cell transplantation and hematologic malignancies, their potential application in the SOT setting may hold tremendous promise for those with limited therapeutic options. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the development of adoptive cell therapies with a focus on virus-specific T-cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. We also describe the current experience of these therapies in the SOT setting as well as the challenges in their application and future directions in their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Schreiber
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sudipta Tripathi
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sarah Nikiforow
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Anil Chandraker
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA.
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3
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Chen Q, Chia A, Hang SK, Lim A, Koh WK, Peng Y, Gao F, Chen J, Ho Z, Wai LE, Kunasegaran K, Tan AT, Le Bert N, Loh CY, Goh YS, Renia L, Dong T, Vathsala A, Bertoletti A. Engineering immunosuppressive drug-resistant armored (IDRA) SARS-CoV-2 T cells for cell therapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1300-1312. [PMID: 37666955 PMCID: PMC10616128 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01080-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients receive immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) and are susceptible to developing severe COVID-19. Here, we analyze the Spike-specific T-cell response after 3 doses of mRNA vaccine in a group of SOT patients (n = 136) treated with different ISDs. We demonstrate that a combination of a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone (Pred) treatment regimen strongly suppressed the mRNA vaccine-induced Spike-specific cellular response. Such defects have clinical consequences because the magnitude of vaccine-induced Spike-specific T cells was directly proportional to the ability of SOT patients to rapidly clear SARS-CoV-2 after breakthrough infection. To then compensate for the T-cell defects induced by immunosuppressive treatment and to develop an alternative therapeutic strategy for SOT patients, we describe production of 6 distinct SARS-CoV-2 epitope-specific ISD-resistant T-cell receptor (TCR)-T cells engineered using the mRNA electroporation method with reactivity minimally affected by mutations occurring in Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Omicron variants. This strategy with transient expression characteristics marks an improvement in the immunotherapeutic field and provides an attractive and novel therapeutic possibility for immunosuppressed COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Adeline Chia
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shou Kit Hang
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amy Lim
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wee Kun Koh
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yanchun Peng
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fei Gao
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jili Chen
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Zack Ho
- Lion TCR Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lu-En Wai
- Lion TCR Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kamini Kunasegaran
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anthony Tanoto Tan
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nina Le Bert
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chiew Yee Loh
- A*STAR ID labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun Shan Goh
- A*STAR ID labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laurent Renia
- A*STAR ID labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tao Dong
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anantharaman Vathsala
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Disease Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.
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Lambert N, El Moussaoui M, Baron F, Maquet P, Darcis G. Virus-Specific T-Cell Therapy for Viral Infections of the Central Nervous System: A Review. Viruses 2023; 15:1510. [PMID: 37515196 PMCID: PMC10383098 DOI: 10.3390/v15071510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic viral infections of the central nervous system represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among an increasing number of immunocompromised patients. Since antiviral treatments are usually poorly effective, the prognosis generally relies on the ability to achieve timely immune reconstitution. Hence, strategies aimed at reinvigorating antiviral immune activity have recently emerged. Among these, virus-specific T-cells are increasingly perceived as a principled and valuable tool to treat opportunistic viral infections. Here we briefly discuss how to develop and select virus-specific T-cells, then review their main indications in central nervous system infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, CMV infection, and adenovirus infection. We also discuss their potential interest in the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis, or EBV-associated central nervous system inflammatory disease. We finish with the key future milestones of this promising treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Lambert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Majdouline El Moussaoui
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Baron
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Pierre Maquet
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Gilles Darcis
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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Ouellette CP. Adoptive Immunotherapy for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112370. [PMID: 36366468 PMCID: PMC9694397 DOI: 10.3390/v14112370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the Herpesviridae family, is frequent among hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients in absence of antiviral prophylaxis, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these vulnerable populations. Antivirals such ganciclovir, valganciclovir, and foscarnet are the backbone therapies, however drug toxicity and antiviral resistance may render these agents suboptimal in treatment. Newer therapies such as letermovir and maribavir have offered additional approaches for antiviral prophylaxis as well as treatment of drug resistant CMV infection, though may be limited by cost, drug intolerance, or toxicity. Adoptive immunotherapy, the transfer of viral specific T-cells (VSTs), offers a new approach in treatment of drug-resistant or refractory viral infections, with early clinical trials showing promise with respect to efficacy and safety. In this review, we will discuss some of the encouraging results and challenges of widespread adoption of VSTs in care of immunocompromised patients, with an emphasis on the clinical outcomes for treatment and prophylaxis of CMV infection among high-risk patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Ouellette
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Host Defense Program, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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Grenda R. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma after pediatric kidney transplantation. Pediatr Nephrol 2022; 37:1759-1773. [PMID: 34633534 PMCID: PMC9239945 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that develops after kidney transplantation belongs to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) occurring with an incidence of 2-3%. Most pediatric cases are related to primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), able to transform and immortalize B cells and widely proliferate due to the lack of relevant control of cytotoxic T cells in patients receiving post-transplant immunosuppression. NHL may develop as a systemic disease or as a localized lesion. The clinical pattern is variable, from non-symptomatic to fulminating disease. Young age of transplant recipient, seronegative EBV status at transplantation, and EBV mismatch between donor and recipient (D+/R-) are regarded as risk factors. Immunosuppression impacts the development of both early and late NHLs. Specific surveillance protocols, including monitoring of EBV viral load, are used in patients at risk; however, detailed histopathology diagnosis and evaluation of malignancy staging is crucial for therapeutic decisions. Minimizing of immunosuppression is a primary management, followed by the use of rituximab in B-cell NHLs. Specific chemotherapeutic protocols, adjusted to lymphoma classification and staging, are used in advanced NHLs. Radiotherapy and/or surgical removal of malignant lesions is limited to the most severe cases. Outcome is variable, depending on risk factors and timing of diagnosis, however is positive in pediatric patients in terms of graft function and patient survival. Kidney re-transplantation is possible in survivors who lost the primary graft due to chronic rejection, however may be performed after at least 2-3 years of waiting time, careful verification of malignancy-free status, and gaining immunity against EBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Grenda
- Department of Nephrology, Kidney Transplantation & Hypertension, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
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7
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Viral infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: an International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy Stem Cell Engineering Committee review on the role of cellular therapy in prevention and treatment. Cytotherapy 2022; 24:884-891. [PMID: 35705447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the field of HSCT, viral infections remain a frequent causeof morbidity and mortality among HSCT recipients. Adoptive transfer of viral specific T cells has been successfully used both as prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections in immunocompromised HSCT recipients. Increasingly, precise risk stratification of HSCT recipients with infectious complications should incorporate not only pretransplant clinical criteria, but milestones of immune reconstitution as well. These factors can better identify those at highest risk of morbidity and mortality and identify a population of HSCT recipients in whom adoptive therapy with viral specific T cells should be considered for either prophylaxis or second line treatment early after inadequate response to first line antiviral therapy. Broadening these approaches to improve outcomes for transplant recipients in countries with limited resources is a major challenge. While the principles of risk stratification can be applied, early detection of viral reactivation as well as treatment is challenging in regions where commercial PCR assays and antiviral agents are not readily available.
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8
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[Adoptive immunotherapy for uncontrolled adenovirus infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation]. Infect Dis Now 2021; 51:614-617. [PMID: 34581279 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Hafezi M, Lin M, Chia A, Chua A, Ho ZZ, Fam R, Tan D, Aw J, Pavesi A, Krishnamoorthy TL, Chow WC, Chen W, Zhang Q, Wai LE, Koh S, Tan AT, Bertoletti A. Immunosuppressive Drug-Resistant Armored T-Cell Receptor T Cells for Immune Therapy of HCC in Liver Transplant Patients. Hepatology 2021; 74:200-213. [PMID: 33249625 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HBV-specific T-cell receptor (HBV-TCR) engineered T cells have the potential for treating HCC relapses after liver transplantation, but their efficacy can be hampered by the concomitant immunosuppressive treatment required to prevent graft rejection. Our aim is to molecularly engineer TCR-T cells that could retain their polyfunctionality in such patients while minimizing the associated risk of organ rejection. APPROACH AND RESULTS We first analyzed how immunosuppressive drugs can interfere with the in vivo function of TCR-T cells in liver transplanted patients with HBV-HCC recurrence receiving HBV-TCR T cells and in vitro in the presence of clinically relevant concentrations of immunosuppressive tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Immunosuppressive Drug Resistant Armored TCR-T cells of desired specificity (HBV or Epstein-Barr virus) were then engineered by concomitantly electroporating mRNA encoding specific TCRs and mutated variants of calcineurin B (CnB) and inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), and their function was assessed through intracellular cytokine staining and cytotoxicity assays in the presence of TAC and MMF. Liver transplanted HBV-HCC patients receiving different immunosuppressant drugs exhibited varying levels of activated (CD39+ Ki67+ ) peripheral blood mononuclear cells after HBV-TCR T-cell infusions that positively correlate with clinical efficacy. In vitro experiments with TAC and MMF showed a potent inhibition of TCR-T cell polyfunctionality. This inhibition can be effectively negated by the transient overexpression of mutated variants of CnB and IMPDH. Importantly, the resistance only lasted for 3-5 days, after which sensitivity was restored. CONCLUSIONS We engineered TCR-T cells of desired specificities that transiently escape the immunosuppressive effects of TAC and MMF. This finding has important clinical applications for the treatment of HBV-HCC relapses and other pathologies occurring in organ transplanted patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Hafezi
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Meiyin Lin
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Adeline Chia
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Royce Fam
- Lion TCR Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Damien Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joey Aw
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Wan Cheng Chow
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wenjie Chen
- Department of Biotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guandong, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guandong, China
| | - Lu-En Wai
- Lion TCR Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sarene Koh
- Lion TCR Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anthony T Tan
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
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Amini L, Wagner DL, Rössler U, Zarrinrad G, Wagner LF, Vollmer T, Wendering DJ, Kornak U, Volk HD, Reinke P, Schmueck-Henneresse M. CRISPR-Cas9-Edited Tacrolimus-Resistant Antiviral T Cells for Advanced Adoptive Immunotherapy in Transplant Recipients. Mol Ther 2021; 29:32-46. [PMID: 32956624 PMCID: PMC7791012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections, such as with cytomegalovirus (CMV), remain a major risk factor for mortality and morbidity of transplant recipients because of their requirement for lifelong immunosuppression (IS). Antiviral drugs often cause toxicity and sometimes fail to control disease. Thus, regeneration of the antiviral immune response by adoptive antiviral T cell therapy is an attractive alternative. Our recent data, however, show only short-term efficacy in some solid organ recipients, possibly because of malfunction in transferred T cells caused by ongoing IS. We developed a vector-free clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9-based good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant protocol that efficiently targets and knocks out the gene for the adaptor protein FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12), required for the immunosuppressive function of tacrolimus. This was achieved by transient delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes into CMV-specific T cells by electroporation. We confirmed the tacrolimus resistance of our gene-edited T cell products in vitro and demonstrated performance comparable with non-tacrolimus-treated unmodified T cells. The alternative calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A can be administered as a safety switch to shut down tacrolimus-resistant T cell activity in case of adverse effects. Furthermore, we performed safety assessments as a prerequisite for translation to first-in-human applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Amini
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Laurin Wagner
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Uta Rössler
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ghazaleh Zarrinrad
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Einstein Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Livia Felicitas Wagner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tino Vollmer
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Désirée Jacqueline Wendering
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Kornak
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schmueck-Henneresse
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is widely prevalent but mostly harmless in immunocompetent individuals. In the post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) setting unrestricted viral replication can cause end-organ damage (CMV disease) and, in a small proportion, mortality. Current management strategies are based on sensitive surveillance programmes, with the more recent introduction of an effective prophylactic antiviral drug, letermovir, but all aim to bridge patients until reconstitution of endogenous immunity is sufficient to constrain viral replication. AREAS COVERED Over the past 25 years, the adoptive transfer of CMV-specific T-cells has developed from the first proof of concept transfer of CD 8 + T-cell clones, to the development of 'off the shelf' third party derived Viral-Specific T-cells (VSTs). In this review, we cover the current management of CMV, and discuss the developments in CMV adoptive cellular therapy. EXPERT OPINION Due to the adoption of letermovir as a prophylaxis in standard therapy, the incidence of CMV reactivation is likely to decrease, and any widely adopted cellular therapy needs to be economically competitive. Current clinical trials will help to identify the patients most likely to gain the maximum benefit from any form of cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Neill
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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12
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Liu L, Liu Q, Feng S. Management of Epstein-Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Ther Adv Hematol 2020; 11:2040620720910964. [PMID: 32523657 PMCID: PMC7236397 DOI: 10.1177/2040620720910964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein–Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD) is a rare but life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). T-cell immunodeficiency after transplantation and EBV primary infection/reactivation play major roles in the pathogenesis. Unspecific clinical manifestations make the diagnosis difficult and time consuming. Moreover, this fatal disease usually progresses rapidly, and leads to multiple organ dysfunction or death if not treated promptly. Early diagnosis of EBV-DNAemia or EBV-PTLD generally increases the chances of successful treatment by focusing on regular monitoring of EBV-DNA and detection of symptomatic patients as early as possible. Rituximab ± reduction of immunosuppression (RI) is currently the first-line choice in preemptive intervention and targeted treatment. Unless patients are suffering from severe graft versus host disease (GvHD), it is better to combine rituximab with RI. Once a probable diagnosis is made, the first-line treatment should be initiated rapidly, along with, or ahead of, biopsy, although histopathologic confirmation is requisite. In addition, EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (EBV-CTLs) or donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) has shown promise in cases of suboptimal response. Chemotherapy ± rituximab might lend more opportunities to refractory/relapsed patients, who might also benefit from ongoing clinical trials. Herein, we discuss our clinical experience in detail based on the current literature and our five cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qifa Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sizhou Feng
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Via No. 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, China
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13
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Khazal S, Ragoonanan D, Hosing C, Williams L, Medeiros LJ, Mahadeo KM, Thompson PA. Epstein - Barr virus specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes for the treatment of severe epstein-barr virus mucocutaneous ulcer. Br J Haematol 2020; 189:e33-e36. [PMID: 32150641 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Khazal
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, CARTOX Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children's Cancer Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dristhi Ragoonanan
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children's Cancer Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chitra Hosing
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - LaTarsha Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children's Cancer Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L Jeffrey Medeiros
- Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kris M Mahadeo
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, CARTOX Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children's Cancer Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Philip A Thompson
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Allen UD, Preiksaitis JK. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and disease in solid organ transplantation: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant 2019; 33:e13652. [PMID: 31230381 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PTLD with the response-dependent sequential use of RIS, rituximab, and cytotoxic chemotherapy is recommended. Evidence gaps requiring future research and alternate treatment strategies including immunotherapy are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upton D Allen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jutta K Preiksaitis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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15
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Amini L, Vollmer T, Wendering DJ, Jurisch A, Landwehr-Kenzel S, Otto NM, Jürchott K, Volk HD, Reinke P, Schmueck-Henneresse M. Comprehensive Characterization of a Next-Generation Antiviral T-Cell Product and Feasibility for Application in Immunosuppressed Transplant Patients. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1148. [PMID: 31191530 PMCID: PMC6546853 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections have a major impact on morbidity and mortality of immunosuppressed solid organ transplant (SOT) patients because of missing or failure of adequate pharmacologic antiviral treatment. Adoptive antiviral T-cell therapy (AVTT), regenerating disturbed endogenous T-cell immunity, emerged as an attractive alternative approach to combat severe viral complications in immunocompromised patients. AVTT is successful in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation where T-cell products (TCPs) are manufactured from healthy donors. In contrast, in the SOT setting TCPs are derived from/applied back to immunosuppressed patients. We and others demonstrated feasibility of TCP generation from SOT patients and first clinical proof-of-concept trials revealing promising data. However, the initial efficacy is frequently lost long-term, because of limited survival of transferred short-lived T-cells indicating a need for next-generation TCPs. Our recent data suggest that Rapamycin treatment during TCP manufacture, conferring partial inhibition of mTOR, might improve its composition. The aim of this study was to confirm these promising observations in a setting closer to clinical challenges and to deeply characterize the next-generation TCPs. Using cytomegalovirus (CMV) as model, our next-generation Rapamycin-treated (Rapa-)TCP showed consistently increased proportions of CD4+ T-cells as well as CD4+ and CD8+ central-memory T-cells (TCM). In addition, Rapamycin sustained T-cell function despite withdrawal of Rapamycin, showed superior T-cell viability and resistance to apoptosis, stable metabolism upon activation, preferential expansion of TCM, partial conversion of other memory T-cell subsets to TCM and increased clonal diversity. On transcriptome level, we observed a gene expression profile denoting long-lived early memory T-cells with potent effector functions. Furthermore, we successfully applied the novel protocol for the generation of Rapa-TCPs to 19/19 SOT patients in a comparative study, irrespective of their history of CMV reactivation. Moreover, comparison of paired TCPs generated before/after transplantation did not reveal inferiority of the latter despite exposition to maintenance immunosuppression post-SOT. Our data imply that the Rapa-TCPs, exhibiting longevity and sustained T-cell memory, are a reasonable treatment option for SOT patients. Based on our success to manufacture Rapa-TCPs from SOT patients under maintenance immunosuppression, now, we seek ultimate clinical proof of efficacy in a clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Amini
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tino Vollmer
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Desiree J Wendering
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anke Jurisch
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sybille Landwehr-Kenzel
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department for Pediatric Pulmonology, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalie Maureen Otto
- Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Jürchott
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Renal and Transplant Research Unit, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schmueck-Henneresse
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Hou YC, Chang YC, Luo HL, Lu KC, Chiang PH. Effect of mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors on postrenal transplantation malignancy: A nationwide cohort study. Cancer Med 2018; 7:4296-4307. [PMID: 30117312 PMCID: PMC6144254 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-transplantation malignancy influenced graft survival and overall survival in the patients receiving renal transplantation. Immunosuppressants influenced the immune surveillance, but whether immunosuppressive agents have impact for incidence of post-transplantation malignancy is still elusive in Taiwan. METHOD We conducted a nationwide population-based study. Patients who did not have malignancy history and received kidney transplantation between 2000 and 2010 were enrolled. Specific immunosuppressive users are defined as sustained use (more than 12 months) after renal transplantation. The primary outcome is the development of cancer after kidney transplantation. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the risk of cancer development. RESULT Among 4438 recipients, 559 of them were diagnosed with malignancy after 1 year of transplantation. A total of 742 of recipients were as user of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. The mTOR users had higher rate of receiving pulse therapy. The hazard ratios (HR) for mTOR inhibitor users with exposure more than 5 years for overall malignancy and urothelial malignancy were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.48-0.95, P = 0.02) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.36-0.99, P = 0.02), respectively. For the overall mortality and reentry of dialysis, the probability of both groups was similar (overall mortality: P = 0.53; reentry of dialysis: P = 0.77). CONCLUSION Among the recipients of renal transplantation in Taiwan, mTOR inhibitors with exposure more than 5 years provided a protective role in reducing the risk of overall neoplasm and urothelial malignancy. The probability of reentry of dialysis and overall mortality was similar between the mTORi users and nonusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chou Hou
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chen Chang
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Lun Luo
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Huang Chiang
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
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17
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Epstein-Barr Virus-Related Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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18
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Houghtelin A, Bollard CM. Virus-Specific T Cells for the Immunocompromised Patient. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1272. [PMID: 29075259 PMCID: PMC5641550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While progress has been made in the treatment of both hematologic cancers and solid tumors, chemorefractory or relapsed disease often portends a dismal prognosis, and salvage chemotherapy or radiation expose patients to intolerable toxicities and may not be effective. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant offers the promise of cure for many patients, and while mismatched, unrelated or haploidentical donors are increasingly available, the recipients are at higher risk of severe immunosuppression and immune dysregulation due to graft versus host disease. Viral infections remain a primary cause of severe morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Again, many therapeutic options for viral disease are toxic, may be ineffective or generate resistance, or fail to convey long-term protection. Adoptive cell therapy with virus-specific T cells (VSTs) is a targeted therapy that is efficacious and has minimal toxicity in immunocompromised patients with CMV and EBV infections in particular. Products have since been generated specific for multiple viral antigens (multi-VST), which are not only effective but also confer protection in 70–90% of recipients when used as prophylaxis. Notably, these products can be generated from either virus-naive or virus-experienced autologous or allogeneic sources, including partially matched HLA-matched third-party donors. Obstacles to effective VST treatment are donor availability and product generation time. Banking of third-party VST is an attractive way to overcome these constraints and provide products on an as-needed basis. Other developments include epitope discovery to broaden the number of viral antigens targets in a single product, the optimization of VST generation from naive donor sources, and the modification of VSTs to enhance persistence and efficacy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Houghtelin
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Children's National Health System, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Children's National Health System, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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19
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Abstract
This review covers relevant clinical and laboratory information relating to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in immunocompromised hosts. It describes the epidemiology and clinical manifestations with a primary focus on disease in solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients. The review pays particular attention to diagnostic approaches, including serologic testing and imaging, with an expanded discussion on the role of measuring the EBV load in peripheral blood, identifying both strengths and limitations of this assay. Additional attention is paid to potential additional strategies of immunologic monitoring that may enhance the performance of EBV load monitoring.
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20
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Morton LM, Saber W, Baker KS, Barrett AJ, Bhatia S, Engels EA, Gadalla SM, Kleiner DE, Pavletic S, Burns LJ. National Institutes of Health Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Late Effects Initiative: The Subsequent Neoplasms Working Group Report. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2017; 23:367-378. [PMID: 27634019 PMCID: PMC5285307 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Subsequent neoplasms (SN) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) cause significant patient morbidity and mortality. Risks for specific SN types vary substantially, with particularly elevated risks for post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia, and squamous cell malignancies. This document provides an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding SN after HCT and recommends priorities and approaches to overcome challenges and gaps in understanding. Numerous factors have been suggested to affect risk, including patient-related (eg, age), primary disease-related (eg, disease type, pre-HCT therapies), and HCT-related characteristics (eg, type and intensity of conditioning regimen, stem cell source, development of graft-versus-host disease). However, gaps in understanding remain for each of these risk factors, particularly for patients receiving HCT in the current era because of substantial advances in clinical transplantation practices. Additionally, the influence of nontransplantation-related risk factors (eg, germline genetic susceptibility, oncogenic viruses, lifestyle factors) is poorly understood. Clarification of the magnitude of SN risks and identification of etiologic factors will require large-scale, long-term, systematic follow-up of HCT survivors with detailed clinical data. Most investigations of the mechanisms of SN pathogenesis after HCT have focused on immune drivers. Expansion of our understanding in this area will require interdisciplinary laboratory collaborations utilizing measures of immune function and availability of archival tissue from SN diagnoses. Consensus-based recommendations for optimal preventive, screening, and therapeutic approaches have been developed for certain SN after HCT, whereas for other SN, general population guidelines are recommended. Further evidence is needed to specifically tailor preventive, screening, and therapeutic guidelines for SN after HCT, particularly for unique patient populations. Accomplishment of this broad research agenda will require increased investment in systematic data collection with engagement from patients, clinicians, and interdisciplinary scientists to reduce the burden of SN in the rapidly growing population of HCT survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Morton
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Wael Saber
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - K Scott Baker
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - A John Barrett
- Stem Cell Transplantation Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Smita Bhatia
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Eric A Engels
- Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shahinaz M Gadalla
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Steven Pavletic
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Linda J Burns
- National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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21
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Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD): Infection, Cancer? CURRENT TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40472-016-0102-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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22
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Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease After Solid Organ Transplantation: Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management. Transplant Direct 2015; 2:e48. [PMID: 27500242 PMCID: PMC4946499 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000000557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a potentially fatal complication after (solid organ) transplantation, which is highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The EBV-specific cytotoxic T cell response that is essential in controlling the virus in healthy individuals is suppressed in transplant recipients using immunosuppressive drugs. A primary EBV infection in EBV-seronegative patients receiving an EBV-seropositive donor organ or a reactivation in those who are already latently infected pretransplantation can lead to uninhibited growth of EBV-infected B cells and subsequently to PTLD. Effective preventive strategies, such as vaccines and antiviral agents, are lacking. Because not every transplant recipient with increasing EBV viral load develops PTLD, it is hard to decide how intensively these patients should be monitored and how and when a preemptive intervention should take place. There is a need for other tools to help predict the development of PTLD in patients at risk to make timing and strategy of preemptive intervention easier and more reliable. The cornerstone of the treatment of patients with PTLD is restoring the host's immunity by reduction of immunosuppressive drug therapy. American and British guidelines recommend to add rituximab monotherapy or rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone, depending on histology and clinical characteristics. Although response to these therapies is good, toxicity is a problem, and PTLD still has a relatively high mortality rate. An evolving therapy, especially in PTLD occurring in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, is restoring the host's immune response with infusion of EBV-specific cytotoxic T cells. This may also play a role in the future in both prevention and treatment of PTLD in SOT.
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23
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Epstein-Barr virus lymphoproliferative disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Curr Opin Hematol 2015; 21:476-81. [PMID: 25159713 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation can cause significant morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Delays in reconstitution of EBV-specific T lymphocyte activity can lead to life-threatening EBV lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-PTLD). This review highlights recent advances in the understanding of pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of EBV viremia and PTLD. RECENT FINDINGS During the past decade, early detection strategies, such as serial measurement of EBV-DNA load, have helped identify high-risk patients and diagnose early lymphoproliferation. The most significant advances have come in the form of innovative treatment options, including manipulation of the balance between outgrowing EBV-infected B cells and the EBV cytotoxic T lymphocyte response, and targeting infected B cells with monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy, unmanipulated donor lymphocytes, and donor or more recently third-party EBV cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Defining criteria for preemptive therapy remains a challenge. SUMMARY EBV reactivation is a significant complication after stem cell transplant. Continued improvements in risk stratification and treatment options are required to improve the morbidity and mortality caused by EBV-associated diseases. Current approaches use rituximab to deplete B cells or adoptive transfer of EBV cytotoxic T lymphocyte to reconstitute immunity. The availability of rapid EBV-specific T cell products offers the possibility of improved outcomes.
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24
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Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is usually acquired silently early in life and carried thereafter as an asymptomatic infection of the B lymphoid system. However, many circumstances disturb the delicate EBV-host balance and cause the virus to display its pathogenic potential. Thus, primary infection in adolescence can manifest as infectious mononucleosis (IM), as a fatal illness that magnifies the immunopathology of IM in boys with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease trait, and as a chronic active disease leading to life-threatening hemophagocytosis in rare cases of T or natural killer (NK) cell infection. Patients with primary immunodeficiencies affecting the NK and/or T cell systems, as well as immunosuppressed transplant recipients, handle EBV infections poorly, and many are at increased risk of virus-driven B-lymphoproliferative disease. By contrast, a range of other EBV-positive malignancies of lymphoid or epithelial origin arise in individuals with seemingly intact immune systems through mechanisms that remain to be understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham S Taylor
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; , , , ,
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25
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Lauro A, Arpinati M, Pinna AD. Managing the challenge of PTLD in liver and bowel transplant recipients. Br J Haematol 2014; 169:157-72. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Lauro
- General Surgery and Transplant Unit; Department of Hematology & Oncological Sciences ‘Seragnoli’; Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital; Bologna Italy
| | - Mario Arpinati
- General Surgery and Transplant Unit; Department of Hematology & Oncological Sciences ‘Seragnoli’; Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital; Bologna Italy
| | - Antonio D. Pinna
- General Surgery and Transplant Unit; Department of Hematology & Oncological Sciences ‘Seragnoli’; Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital; Bologna Italy
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26
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Towards gene therapy for EBV-associated posttransplant lymphoma with genetically modified EBV-specific cytotoxic T cells. Blood 2014; 124:2514-22. [PMID: 25185261 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-01-553362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated posttransplant lymphoma (PTLD) is a major cause of morbidity/mortality after hematopoietic stem cell (SCT) or solid organ (SOT) transplant. Adoptive immunotherapy with EBV-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs), although effective in SCT, is less successful after SOT where lifelong immunosuppression therapy is necessary. We have genetically engineered EBV-CTLs to render them resistant to calcineurin (CN) inhibitor FK506 through retroviral transfer of a calcineurin A mutant (CNA12). Here we examined whether or not FK506-resistant EBV-CTLs control EBV-driven tumor progression in the presence of immunosuppression in a xenogeneic mouse model. NOD/SCID/IL2rγ(null) mice bearing human B-cell lymphoma were injected with autologous CTLs transduced with either CNA12 or eGFP in the presence/absence of FK506. Adoptive transfer of autologous CNA12-CTLs induced dramatic lymphoma regression despite the presence of FK506, whereas eGFP-CTLs did not. CNA12-CTLs persisted longer, homed to the tumor, and expanded more than eGFP-CTLs in mice treated with FK506. Mice receiving CNA12-CTLs and treated with FK506 survived significantly longer than control-treated animals. Our results demonstrate that CNA12-CTL induce regression of EBV-associated tumors in vivo despite ongoing immunosuppression. Clinical application of this novel approach may enhance the efficacy of adoptive transfer of EBV-CTL in SOT patients developing PTLD without the need for reduction in immunosuppressive therapy.
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27
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Abstract
Proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of engineered T cells. Transfer of recombinant antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCR) and chimaeric antigen receptors (CARs) against tumour and viral antigens are under investigation by multiple approaches, including viral- and nonviral-mediated gene transfer into both autologous and allogeneic T cell populations. There have been notable successes recently using viral vector-mediated transfer of CARs specific for B cell antigens, but also reports of anticipated and unanticipated complications in these and other studies. We review progress in this promising area of cellular therapy, and consider developments in antigen receptor therapies including the application of emerging gene-editing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Qasim
- Molecular & Cellular Immunology, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, UK
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