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Qi C, Zhang P, Liu C, Zhang J, Zhou J, Yuan J, Liu D, Zhang M, Gong J, Wang X, Li J, Zhang X, Li N, Peng X, Liu Z, Yuan D, Baffa R, Wang Y, Shen L. Safety and Efficacy of CT041 in Patients With Refractory Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Two Early-Phase Trials. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:2565-2577. [PMID: 38788174 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.02314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE CT041 is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T-cell therapy that specifically targets claudin18.2 in solid tumors. Here, we report the pooled analysis results of two exploratory clinical trials to evaluate CT041 in patients with previously treated pancreatic cancer (PC). PATIENTS AND METHODS These two multicenter, open-label phase I/Ib trials (CT041-CG4006, CT041-ST-01) have a similar target population and evaluation schedule. The primary objective was to assess the safety and tolerability of CT041, whereas secondary objectives included efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity. RESULTS The combined cohort comprised 24 patients with advanced PC. Among them, five patients (20.8%) had previously received one line of therapy, whereas 19 (79.2%) received ≥2 lines of therapy. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events of grade 3 or more were preconditioning-related hematologic toxicities. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and GI disorders were most reported grade 1 or 2 adverse events. The overall response rate and disease control rate were 16.7% and 70.8%. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) after infusion was 3.3 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 6.2), and the median overall survival (mOS) was 10.0 months (95% CI, 5.5 to 17.6). The median duration of response (mDoR)was 9.5 months (95% CI, 2.6 to Not reached), with a DoR rate at 12 months of 50% (95% CI, 5.8 to 84.5). The mPFS (6.0 v 1.0 months, P < .001) and mOS (17.6 v 4.0 months, P < .001) were prolonged in patients achieving partial response/stable disease than the progressive disease group. CA19-9 levels had reduced by at least 30% in 17 (70.8%) patients. CONCLUSION In patients with metastatic PC after progression on previous therapy, CT041 demonstrated a tolerable safety profile and encouraging anticancer efficacy signals. Response benefit observed here needs to be ascertained in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsong Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Early Drug Development Centre, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Panpan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Early Drug Development Centre, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Early Drug Development Centre, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jiajia Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Early Drug Development Centre, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Early Drug Development Centre, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jifang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xicheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Zhen Liu
- CARsgen Therapeutics Co, Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Yumeng Wang
- CARsgen Therapeutics Co, Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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Wachholz GE, Akbari P, Huijbers EJM, Jalan P, van Beijnum JR, Griffioen AW. Targeting endothelial cell anergy to improve CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189155. [PMID: 39019408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189155] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy presents significant results, especially for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, there are limitations and challenges to be overcome to achieve similar success for the treatment of solid tumors. These challenges involve selection of the target, infiltration into the tumor microenvironment and maintenance of functionality. The tumor vasculature is a major barrier for leukocytes to enter the tumor parenchyma. Due to the exposure of the vasculature to angiogenic growth factors during tumor progression, the endothelial cells become anergic to inflammatory cytokines, resulting in reduced leukocyte adhesion molecule expression. As such adhesion molecules are a prerequisite for leukocyte extravasation, endothelial cell anergy allows tumors to escape from endogenous immunity, as well as from cellular immunotherapies such as CAR T cells. Hence, overcoming endothelial cell anergy, e.g. through the administration of angiogenesis inhibitors, is believed to restore anti-tumor immunity. Concomitantly, both endogenous immune cells as well as cellular therapeutics such as CAR T cells can permeate into the tumor parenchyma. Here, we discuss how prior or concomitant treatment with an antiangiogenic drug can improve CAR T cell therapy, to become an attractive strategy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela E Wachholz
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Parvin Akbari
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Prachi Jalan
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judy R van Beijnum
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Li Y, Zheng Y, Liu T, Liao C, Shen G, He Z. The potential and promise for clinical application of adoptive T cell therapy in cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:413. [PMID: 38693513 PMCID: PMC11064426 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05206-7] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, especially for hematologic malignancies. T cells are the most extensively utilized cells in adoptive cell therapy. Currently, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, T cell receptor-transgenic T cells and chimeric antigen receptor T cells are the three main adoptive T cell therapies. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes kill tumors by reinfusing enlarged lymphocytes that naturally target tumor-specific antigens into the patient. T cell receptor-transgenic T cells have the ability to specifically destroy tumor cells via the precise recognition of exogenous T cell receptors with major histocompatibility complex. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells transfer genes with specific antigen recognition structural domains and T cell activation signals into T cells, allowing T cells to attack tumors without the assistance of major histocompatibility complex. Many barriers have been demonstrated to affect the clinical efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy, such as tumor heterogeneity and antigen loss, hard trafficking and infiltration, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and T cell exhaustion. Several strategies to improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy have been explored, including multispecific chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, combination with immune checkpoint blockade, targeting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, etc. In this review, we will summarize the current status and clinical application, followed by major bottlenecks in adoptive T cell therapy. In addition, we will discuss the promising strategies to improve adoptive T cell therapy. Adoptive T cell therapy will result in even more incredible advancements in solid tumors if the aforementioned problems can be handled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinqi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yeteng Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Taiqing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuanyun Liao
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guobo Shen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Zhiyao He
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Hu D, Yang R, Wang G, Li H, Fan X, Liang G. Emerging Strategies to Overcome Current CAR-T Therapy Dilemmas - Exosomes Derived from CAR-T Cells. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2773-2791. [PMID: 38525009 PMCID: PMC10959326 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s445101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cells immunotherapy, specifically chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), has shown promising therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. As extensive research on CAR-T therapies has been conducted, various challenges have emerged that significantly hampered their clinical application, including tumor recurrence, CAR-T cell exhaustion, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). To overcome the hurdles of CAR-T therapy in clinical treatment, cell-free emerging therapies based on exosomes derived from CAR-T cells have been developed as an effective and promising alternative approach. In this review, we present CAR-T cell-based therapies for the treatment of tumors, including the features and benefits of CAR-T therapies, the limitations that exist in this field, and the measures taken to overcome them. Furthermore, we discuss the notable benefits of utilizing exosomes released from CAR-T cells in tumor treatment and anticipate potential issues in clinical trials. Lastly, drawing from previous research on exosomes from CAR-T cells and the characteristics of exosomes, we propose strategies to overcome these restrictions. Additionally, the review discusses the plight in large-scale preparation of exosome and provides potential solutions for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruyue Yang
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guidan Wang
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xulong Fan
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gaofeng Liang
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
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Azcona MSR, Mussolino C. Protocol for Efficient Generation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with Multiplexed Gene Silencing by Epigenome Editing. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2842:209-223. [PMID: 39012598 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4051-7_11] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Multiplex gene regulation enables the controlled and simultaneous alteration of the expression levels of multiple genes and is generally pursued to precisely alter complex cellular pathways with a single intervention. Thus far, this has been typically exploited in combination with genome editing tools (i.e., base-/prime-editing, designer nucleases) to enable simultaneous genetic alterations and modulate complex physiologic cellular pathways. In the field of cancer immunotherapy, multiplex genome editing has been used to simultaneously inactivate three genes (i.e., TRAC, B2M, and PDCD1) and generate universal chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells resistant to the inhibitory activity of the PD-1 ligand. However, the intrinsic risk of genomic aberrations driven by such tools poses concerns because of the generation of multiple single-strand or double-strand DNA breaks followed by DNA repair. Modulating gene expression without DNA damage using epigenome editing promises a safer and efficient approach to alter gene expression. This method enables for simultaneous activation and/or repression of target genes, offering superior fine-tuning capabilities with reduced off-targeting effects and potential reversibility as compared to genome editing. Here we describe a detailed protocol for achieving multiplexed and sustainable gene silencing in CAR T cells. In an exemplary approach, we use designer epigenome modifiers (DEMs) for the simultaneous inactivation of two T cell inhibitory genes, PDCD1 and LAG3 to generate CAR T cells with increased resistance to tumor-induced exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Silvia Roman Azcona
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency & Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claudio Mussolino
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency & Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Xiong D, Zhang L, Sun ZJ. Targeting the epigenome to reinvigorate T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:59. [PMID: 38044445 PMCID: PMC10694991 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the field of cancer treatment; however, ICI efficacy is constrained by progressive dysfunction of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which is termed T cell exhaustion. This process is driven by diverse extrinsic factors across heterogeneous tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Simultaneously, tumorigenesis entails robust reshaping of the epigenetic landscape, potentially instigating T cell exhaustion. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms governing tumor microenvironmental cues leading to T cell exhaustion, and discuss therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for immunotherapies. Finally, we outline conceptual and technical advances in developing potential treatment paradigms involving immunostimulatory agents and epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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Sharma A, Schmidt-Wolf IGH. Tempering of exhausted T cells to comprehend their adaptive response for suitable clinical translation. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1401-1402. [PMID: 37161047 PMCID: PMC10687009 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01031-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sharma
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ingo G H Schmidt-Wolf
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Mardomi A, KarajiBani M, Farnood F, Vahed SZ, Ardalan M. The frequency of peripheral PD-1 + TCD4 + cells is reversely associated with serum creatinine levels in recipients of kidney allografts. Transpl Immunol 2023; 81:101946. [PMID: 37918579 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101946] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The long-term survival of solid organ allografts remains a challenge for organ transplantation systems worldwide. T-cell exhaustion has been supposed to be associated with immunologic tolerance in transplantation and might reflect the immunologic status in recipients. The aim of the present study was to compare the TCD4+ cells of kidney transplant recipients with high and low serum creatinine levels for their expressions of PD-1 and TIGIT as two well-known exhaustion markers. Blood samples were taken from 20 kidney allograft recipients with serum creatinine levels above 2 mg/dL and 20 recipients with creatinine levels below 2 mg/dL. The percentages of PD-1+ CD4+ and TIGIT+ CD4+ cells were analyzed along with the evaluation of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The patients with serum creatinine levels below 2 mg/dL demonstrated a higher frequency of PD-1+ CD4+ T-cells (p = 0.003) along with lower TNF-α secretion from PBMCs (p = 0.028). The frequency of PD-1 + CD4+ T-cells was reversely correlated with the serum creatinine levels in recipients of kidney allografts (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Besides, the MFI of TIGIT on TCD4+ cells demonstrated a trend for higher expression in patients with serum creatinine levels below 2 mg/dL (p = 0.070). The expression of PD-1+ on CD4+ T-cells demonstrated a potential for estimation of the immunologic status of the host in interaction with alloantigens. The exhaustion markers could be regarded as potential diagnostic indicators for the evaluation of immunologic tolerance in renal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mardomi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam KarajiBani
- Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farahnoosh Farnood
- Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mohmmadreza Ardalan
- Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Alsajjan R, Mason WP. Bispecific T-Cell Engagers and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapies in Glioblastoma: An Update. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:8501-8549. [PMID: 37754534 PMCID: PMC10529026 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30090619] [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: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The prognosis is extremely poor even with standard treatment of maximal safe resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recurrence is inevitable within months, and treatment options are very limited. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART) and bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) are two emerging immunotherapies that can redirect T-cells for tumor-specific killing and have shown remarkable success in hematological malignancies and been under extensive study for application in glioblastoma. While there have been multiple clinical trials showing preliminary evidence of safety and efficacy for CART, bispecific TCEs are still in the early stages of clinical testing, with preclinical studies showing very promising results. However, there are multiple shared challenges that need to be addressed in the future, including the route of delivery, antigen escape, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and toxicity resulting from the limited choice of tumor-specific antigens. Efforts are underway to optimize the design of both these treatments and find the ideal combination therapy to overcome these challenges. In this review, we describe the work that has been performed as well as novel approaches in glioblastoma and in other solid tumors that may be applicable in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roa Alsajjan
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Warren P. Mason
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
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Jiang C, Fan F, Xu W, Jiang X. POLD4 Promotes Glioma Cell Proliferation and Suppressive Immune Microenvironment: A Pan-Cancer Analysis Integrated with Experimental Validation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13919. [PMID: 37762224 PMCID: PMC10530695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813919] [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: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
POLD4 plays a crucial part in the complex machinery of DNA replication and repair as a vital component of the DNA polymerase delta complex. In this research, we obtained original information from various publicly available databases. Using a blend of R programming and internet resources, we initiated an extensive examination into the correlation between POLD4 expression and the various elements of cancers. In addition, we performed knockdown experiments in glioma cell lines to authenticate its significant impact. We discovered that POLD4 is upregulated in various malignant tumors, demonstrating a significant correlation with poor patient survival prognosis. Using function analysis, it was uncovered that POLD4 exhibited intricate associations with signaling pathways spanning multiple tumor types. Subsequent investigations unveiled the close association of POLD4 with the immune microenvironment and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Drugs like trametinib, saracatinib, and dasatinib may be used in patients with high POLD4. Using experimental analysis, we further confirmed the overexpression of POLD4 in gliomas, as well as its correlation with glioma recurrence, proliferation, and the suppressive immune microenvironment. Our research findings indicate that the expression pattern of POLD4 not only serves as a robust indicator of prognosis in cancer patients but also holds promising potential as a new focus for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China (W.X.)
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Zhang Y, Lu H, Yu Y. ZAP70 interaction with 13 mRNAs as a potential immunotherapeutic target for endometrial cancer. Oncol Lett 2023; 25:213. [PMID: 37123018 PMCID: PMC10131270 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
For advanced, refractory endometrial cancer (EC), it is advisable to find effective immunotherapeutic targets. In the present study, genes affecting the immune status of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) samples within The Cancer Genome Atlas were explored by weighted correlation network analysis and differential gene expression analysis. The protein function and immune correlation of 14 key genes, including ζ-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70), were analyzed. Based on the expression levels of key genes, the patients with UCEC were divided into two groups using consensus clustering, low expression (group 1) and high expression (group 2). Next, the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were identified using Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. The immune status of the patients in the two groups was evaluated using immune infiltration score and the expression levels of targets of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The role of ZAP70 in the prognosis of patients with UCEC and the differences in ZAP70 expression between EC tissues and healthy intimal tissues were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. The present study found strong correlations between key genes, including ZAP70, LCK, FOXP3, TIGIT, CTLA4, ICOS, CD5, IL2RG, PDCD1, TNFRSF4, CD27, CCR7, GZMB, CXCL9. From the enrichment analyses, it was found that the functions of these DEGs were related to T cells. Patients in group 2 had stronger immune infiltration and higher immune checkpoints expression compared with those in group 1. ZAP70 was expressed at higher levels in EC tissues compared with in normal tissues, and may act as a protective factor in EC. In conclusion, ZAP70 interaction with 13 mRNAs may affect the immune status of patients with EC and may be a potential target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Hai'ou Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yuexin Yu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Professor Yuexin Yu, Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China, E-mail:
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