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Kang S, Li Y, Qiao J, Meng X, He Z, Gao X, Yu L. Antigen-Specific TCR-T Cells for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: State of the Art and Challenges. Front Oncol 2022; 12:787108. [PMID: 35356211 PMCID: PMC8959347 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.787108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytogenetic abnormalities and molecular mutations involved in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) lead to unique treatment challenges. Although adoptive T-cell therapies (ACT) such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have shown promising results in the treatment of leukemias, especially B-cell malignancies, the optimal target surface antigen has yet to be discovered for AML. Alternatively, T-cell receptor (TCR)-redirected T cells can target intracellular antigens presented by HLA molecules, allowing the exploration of a broader territory of new therapeutic targets. Immunotherapy using adoptive transfer of WT1 antigen-specific TCR-T cells, for example, has had positive clinical successes in patients with AML. Nevertheless, AML can escape from immune system elimination by producing immunosuppressive factors or releasing several cytokines. This review presents recent advances of antigen-specific TCR-T cells in treating AML and discusses their challenges and future directions in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Synat Kang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yisheng Li
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingqiao Qiao
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyu Meng
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ziqian He
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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Sun Y, Li F, Sonnemann H, Jackson KR, Talukder AH, Katailiha AS, Lizee G. Evolution of CD8 + T Cell Receptor (TCR) Engineered Therapies for the Treatment of Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092379. [PMID: 34572028 PMCID: PMC8469972 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered T cell receptor T (TCR-T) cell therapy has facilitated the generation of increasingly reliable tumor antigen-specific adaptable cellular products for the treatment of human cancer. TCR-T cell therapies were initially focused on targeting shared tumor-associated peptide targets, including melanoma differentiation and cancer-testis antigens. With recent technological developments, it has become feasible to target neoantigens derived from tumor somatic mutations, which represents a highly personalized therapy, since most neoantigens are patient-specific and are rarely shared between patients. TCR-T therapies have been tested for clinical efficacy in treating solid tumors in many preclinical studies and clinical trials all over the world. However, the efficacy of TCR-T therapy for the treatment of solid tumors has been limited by a number of factors, including low TCR avidity, off-target toxicities, and target antigen loss leading to tumor escape. In this review, we discuss the process of deriving tumor antigen-specific TCRs, including the identification of appropriate tumor antigen targets, expansion of antigen-specific T cells, and TCR cloning and validation, including techniques and tools for TCR-T cell vector construction and expression. We highlight the achievements of recent clinical trials of engineered TCR-T cell therapies and discuss the current challenges and potential solutions for improving their safety and efficacy, insights that may help guide future TCR-T studies in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimo Sun
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Fenge Li
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Heather Sonnemann
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Kyle R. Jackson
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Amjad H. Talukder
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Arjun S. Katailiha
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Gregory Lizee
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
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Mehravar M, Roshandel E, Salimi M, Chegeni R, Gholizadeh M, Mohammadi MH, Hajifathali A. Utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in cellular therapies for lymphoid malignancies. Immunol Lett 2020; 226:71-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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4
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Zhang Y, Li Y. T cell receptor-engineered T cells for leukemia immunotherapy. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:2. [PMID: 30622438 PMCID: PMC6317187 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, refractory and relapse are major issues for leukemia therapy and a major cause of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant failure. Over the last decade, many studies have demonstrated that adoptive cancer antigen-specific T cell therapy is an effective option for leukemia therapy. Recently, T cell immunotherapy studies have mainly focused on chimeric antigen receptor- and T cell receptor-engineered T cells. Clinical trials involving chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells have been a major breakthrough and became a novel therapy for leukemia. As another potential therapy for leukemia, clinical application of TCR-engineered T cells remains in its infancy. This article presents a review of the current status of anti-leukemia immunotherapy using leukemia antigen-specific TCR-engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Zhang
- 1Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, Guangzhou, 510632 People's Republic of China.,2Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- 1Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, Guangzhou, 510632 People's Republic of China.,2Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
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Liu S, Huang L, Lin Z, Hu Y, Chen R, Wang L, Shan Y. RhoB induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines in TLR-triggered macrophages. Mol Immunol 2017; 87:200-206. [PMID: 28505515 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the primary sensors detecting conserved molecular patterns on microorganisms, thus acting as important components of innate immunity against invading pathogens. Many positive and negative regulators of TLR-triggered signaling have been identified. The Rho GTPase RhoB plays a key role in cell migration, division and polarity; however, the function and regulatory mechanisms of RhoB in TLR ligand-triggered innate immune responses remain to be investigated. Here, we report that the expression of RhoB is induced by TLR agonists (lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CpG, poly(I:C)) in macrophages. Knockdown of RhoB expression markedly decreased TLR ligand-induced activation of mitogen activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and the production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in macrophages stimulated with TLR ligands. Furthermore, we demonstrated that RhoB interacts with major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) α chain, but not β chain, in endosomes of macrophages. Knockdown of MHCII expression greatly reduced the interaction of RhoB with Btk, and attenuated the induction of NF-κB and interferon β activity by RhoB upon LPS stimulation. These findings suggest that RhoB is a positive physiological regulator of TLRs signaling via binding to MHCII in macrophages, and therefore RhoB may be a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyuan Liu
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Lisong Huang
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Zhusen Lin
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yuanqin Hu
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Ruifeng Chen
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Liqiu Wang
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yi Shan
- Emergency Department of Navy General Hospital, Beijing, 100037, China.
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6
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Formin like 1 expression is increased on CD4+ T lymphocytes in spontaneous autoimmune uveitis. J Proteomics 2017; 154:102-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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7
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Bassani-Sternberg M, Bräunlein E, Klar R, Engleitner T, Sinitcyn P, Audehm S, Straub M, Weber J, Slotta-Huspenina J, Specht K, Martignoni ME, Werner A, Hein R, H. Busch D, Peschel C, Rad R, Cox J, Mann M, Krackhardt AM. Direct identification of clinically relevant neoepitopes presented on native human melanoma tissue by mass spectrometry. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13404. [PMID: 27869121 PMCID: PMC5121339 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 466] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although mutations may represent attractive targets for immunotherapy, direct identification of mutated peptide ligands isolated from human leucocyte antigens (HLA) on the surface of native tumour tissue has so far not been successful. Using advanced mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we survey the melanoma-associated immunopeptidome to a depth of 95,500 patient-presented peptides. We thereby discover a large spectrum of attractive target antigen candidates including cancer testis antigens and phosphopeptides. Most importantly, we identify peptide ligands presented on native tumour tissue samples harbouring somatic mutations. Four of eleven mutated ligands prove to be immunogenic by neoantigen-specific T-cell responses. Moreover, tumour-reactive T cells with specificity for selected neoantigens identified by MS are detected in the patient's tumour and peripheral blood. We conclude that direct identification of mutated peptide ligands from primary tumour material by MS is possible and yields true neoepitopes with high relevance for immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bassani-Sternberg
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Eva Bräunlein
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Richard Klar
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Thomas Engleitner
- IInd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Pavel Sinitcyn
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Stefan Audehm
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Melanie Straub
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Julia Weber
- IInd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Julia Slotta-Huspenina
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
- MRI-TUM-Biobank at the Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Katja Specht
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Marc E. Martignoni
- Surgery Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Angelika Werner
- Surgery Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Hein
- Dermatology Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Biedersteiner Str 29, Munich 80802, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Christian Peschel
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- IInd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jürgen Cox
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Angela M. Krackhardt
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich 81675, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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Mall S, Yusufi N, Wagner R, Klar R, Bianchi H, Steiger K, Straub M, Audehm S, Laitinen I, Aichler M, Peschel C, Ziegler S, Mustafa M, Schwaiger M, D'Alessandria C, Krackhardt AM. Immuno-PET Imaging of Engineered Human T Cells in Tumors. Cancer Res 2016; 76:4113-23. [PMID: 27354381 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-2784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sensitive in vivo imaging technologies applicable to the clinical setting are still lacking for adoptive T-cell-based immunotherapies, an important gap to fill if mechanisms of tumor rejection or escape are to be understood. Here, we propose a highly sensitive imaging technology to track human TCR-transgenic T cells in vivo by directly targeting the murinized constant TCR beta domain (TCRmu) with a zirconium-89 ((89)Zr)-labeled anti-TCRmu-F(ab')2 fragment. Binding of the labeled or unlabeled F(ab')2 fragment did not impair functionality of transgenic T cells in vitro and in vivo Using a murine xenograft model of human myeloid sarcoma, we monitored by Immuno-PET imaging human central memory T cells (TCM), which were transgenic for a myeloid peroxidase (MPO)-specific TCR. Diverse T-cell distribution patterns were detected by PET/CT imaging, depending on the tumor size and rejection phase. Results were confirmed by IHC and semiquantitative evaluation of T-cell infiltration within the tumor corresponding to the PET/CT images. Overall, these findings offer a preclinical proof of concept for an imaging approach that is readily tractable for clinical translation. Cancer Res; 76(14); 4113-23. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Mall
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Nahid Yusufi
- Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ricarda Wagner
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard Klar
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Henrique Bianchi
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institut für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Straub
- Institut für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Audehm
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Iina Laitinen
- Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela Aichler
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Peschel
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich, Germany
| | - Sibylle Ziegler
- Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mona Mustafa
- Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Schwaiger
- Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich, Germany
| | - Calogero D'Alessandria
- Nuklearmedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela M Krackhardt
- Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich, Germany. Clinical Cooperation Group Antigen Specific T-Cell Therapy, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
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Stamouli M, Gkirkas K, Tsirigotis P. Strategies for improving the efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusion following stem cell transplantation. Immunotherapy 2016; 8:57-68. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is an effective immunotherapeutic approach with significant activity in the treatment and prevention of relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. DLI is associated with significant toxicity mainly due to graft-versus-host disease. Moreover, DLI does not produce durable responses in aggressive malignancies like acute leukemia. Improvement in DLI efficacy requires dissociation of graft-versus-leukemia effect from graft-versus-host disease. Minor histocompatibility antigens with tissue restriction and leukemia or tumor-associated antigens represent ideal antigenic targets. A brief overview of the existing methods of DLI administration is the topic of this article. T cells transduced with genes encoding for T-cell receptors with reactivity against minor histocompatibility antigens or leukemia-associated antigens is a promising option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stamouli
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, ATTIKO General University Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Rimini-1, Haidari, PO: 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Gkirkas
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, ATTIKO General University Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Rimini-1, Haidari, PO: 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Tsirigotis
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, ATTIKO General University Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Rimini-1, Haidari, PO: 12462, Athens, Greece
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Therapeutic targeting of naturally presented myeloperoxidase-derived HLA peptide ligands on myeloid leukemia cells by TCR-transgenic T cells. Leukemia 2014; 28:2355-66. [PMID: 24736212 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2014.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
T cells have been proven to be therapeutically effective in patients with relapsed leukemias, although target antigens on leukemic cells as well as T-cell receptors (TCRs), potentially recognizing those antigens, are mostly unknown. We have applied an immunopeptidomic approach and isolated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands from primary leukemia cells. We identified a number of ligands derived from different genes that are restrictedly expressed in the hematopoietic system. We exemplarily selected myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a potential target and isolated a high-avidity TCR with specificity for a HLA-B*07:02-(HLA-B7)-restricted epitope of MPO in the single HLA-mismatched setting. T cells transgenic for this TCR demonstrated high peptide and antigen specificity as well as leukemia reactivity in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, no significant on- and off-target toxicity could be observed. In conclusion, we here demonstrate, exemplarily for MPO, that leukemia-derived HLA ligands can be selected for specific effector tool development to redirect T cells to be used for graft manipulation or adoptive T-cell therapies in diverse transplant settings. This approach can be extended to other HLA ligands and HLA molecules in order to provide better treatment options for this life-threatening disease.
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