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Amokrane K, Cherel M, Rouzaire PO, Walencik A, Dubois V. [Relapse with HLA loss after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with non-HLA identical donor: Guidelines from the Francophone society of bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy (SFGM-TC)]. Bull Cancer 2024; 111:S14-S21. [PMID: 37061368 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Loss of heterozygosity or HLA loss is a genomic-type escape mechanism highlighted in certain types of relapses after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with a non-HLA identical donor, and especially after haplo-identical transplantation. The diagnosis must be made with certainty because the result conditions the therapy. In this article, the different mechanisms and techniques that can be used for the diagnosis of loss of heterozygosity, as well as the therapeutic options are reviewed, making it possible to establish clinico-biological recommendations for the diagnosis confirmation and management of the patients in relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahina Amokrane
- Gustave-Roussy, centre de lutte contre le cancer, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | | | - Paul-Olivier Rouzaire
- EA(UR)7453 CHELTER-université de Clermont Auvergne, service d'histocompatibilité et d'immunogénétique, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Alexandre Walencik
- EFS Centre-Pays de la Loire, laboratoire histocompatibilité, Nantes, France
| | - Valérie Dubois
- Laboratoire HLA, EFS Auvergne Rhône Alpes, Lyon, France.
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2
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Nie Y, Liu D, Yang W, Li Y, Zhang L, Cheng X, Chen R, Yuan B, Zhang G, Wang H. Increased expression of TIGIT and KLRG1 correlates with impaired CD56 bright NK cell immunity in HPV16-related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Virol J 2022; 19:68. [PMID: 35413989 PMCID: PMC9003970 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01776-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The onset and progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are closely associated with the persistent infection of high-risk HPV (especially type16), which is mainly caused by immune escape. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role against virally infected cells and tumor cells through a fine balance of signals from multiple surface receptors. Overexpression of non-MHC-I specific inhibitory receptors TIGIT, KLRG1, Siglec-7, LAIR-1, and CD300a on NK cells correlates with cellular exhaustion and immune evasion, but these receptors have not been investigated in CIN. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential role of NK cell non-MHC-I specific inhibitory receptors expression in immune escape from HPV16(+)CIN patients. METHODS The subset distribution, IFN-γ and TNF-α expression levels and immunophenotype of TIGIT, KLRG1, Siglec-7, LAIR-1, and CD300a of NK cells were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples by flow cytometry from 82 women who were HPV16(+) with CIN grades 0, I, II-III or HPV(-) CIN 0. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of ligands for NK receptors in the cervical tissues. HPV types were identified by PCR assays. RESULTS The HPV16(+) subjects with high-grade lesions had an increased number of circulating peripheral blood CD56bright NK cells with reduced functionality and IFN-γ secretion. The expression levels of the inhibitory molecules TIGIT and KLRG1 on CD56bright NK cells increased in parallel with increasing CIN grade. In addition, TIGIT and KLRG1 related ligands, Poliovirus receptor (PVR), N-Cadherin and E-Cadherin expression level was also elevated with increasing CIN grade. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that up-regulation of the inhibitory TIGIT, KLRG1 and their ligands may negatively regulate cervical CD56bright NK-mediated immunity to HPV16 and contribute to the progression of CIN. These results may facilitate the development of early-warning immune predictors and therapeutic strategies for HPV16(+) CIN based on the TIGIT and KLRG1 inhibitory pathways of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Nie
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China.,Basic Medicine College, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Henan, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yazhuo Li
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China
| | - Ruyu Chen
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Yuan
- Basic Medicine College, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Henan, China
| | - Guangzheng Zhang
- Basic Medicine College, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Henan, China.
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, China.
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3
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Expanded and activated allogeneic NK cells are cytotoxic against B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells with sporadic cases of resistance. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19398. [PMID: 33173077 PMCID: PMC7655821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76051-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells is becoming a credible immunotherapy for hematological malignancies. In the present work, using an optimized expansion/activation protocol of human NK cells, we generate expanded NK cells (eNK) with increased expression of CD56 and NKp44, while maintaining that of CD16. These eNK cells exerted significant cytotoxicity against cells from 34 B-CLL patients, with only 1 sample exhibiting resistance. This sporadic resistance did not correlate with match between KIR ligands expressed by the eNK cells and the leukemic cells, while cells with match resulted sensitive to eNK cells. This suggests that KIR mismatch is not relevant when expanded NK cells are used as effectors. In addition, we found two examples of de novo resistance to eNK cell cytotoxicity during the clinical course of the disease. Resistance correlated with KIR-ligand match in one of the patients, but not in the other, and was associated with a significant increase in PD-L1 expression in the cells from both patients. Treatment of one of these patients with idelalisib correlated with the loss of PD-L1 expression and with re-sensitization to eNK cytotoxicity. We confirmed the idelalisib-induced decrease in PD-L1 expression in the B-CLL cell line Mec1 and in cultured cells from B-CLL patients. As a main conclusion, our results reinforce the feasibility of using expanded and activated allogeneic NK cells in the treatment of B-CLL.
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4
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Lin CY, Gobius I, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes F. Natural killer cell engineering – a new hope for cancer immunotherapy. Semin Hematol 2020; 57:194-200. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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5
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Zaghi E, Calvi M, Marcenaro E, Mavilio D, Di Vito C. Targeting NKG2A to elucidate natural killer cell ontogenesis and to develop novel immune-therapeutic strategies in cancer therapy. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 105:1243-1251. [PMID: 30645023 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.mr0718-300r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with a primary role in the immune surveillance against non-self-cells. NK cell recognition of "self" relies on the surface expression on autologous cells of MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules. Either the absence or the down-modulation of MHC-I on target cells "license" NK cells to kill threatening tumor-transformed or virally infected cells. This phenomenon is controlled by a limited repertoire of activating and inhibitory NK receptors (aNKRs and iNKRs) that tunes NK cell activation and effector functions. Hence, the calibration of NK cell alloreactivity depends on the ability of iNKRs to bind MHC-I complex and these interactions are key in regulating both NK cell differentiation and effector functions. Indeed, the presence of iNKRs specific for self-MHC haplotypes (i) plays a role in the "licensing/education" process that controls the responsiveness of mature NK cells and prevents their activation against the "self" and (ii) is exploited by tumor cells to escape from NK cell cytotoxicity. Herein, we review our current knowledge on function and clinical application of NKG2A, a C-type lectin iNKR that binds specific haplotypes of human leukocyte antigens early during the NK cell maturation process, thus contributing to modulate the terminal maturation of NK cells as potent effectors against cancers cells. These NKG2A-mediated mechanisms are currently being exploited for developing promising immune-therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of solid and blood tumors and to ameliorate the clinical outcome of patients undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat high-risk hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Calvi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DI.ME.S.) and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche (CEBR), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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6
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Nguyen S, Achour A, Souchet L, Vigouroux S, Chevallier P, Furst S, Sirvent A, Bay JO, Socié G, Ceballos P, Huynh A, Cornillon J, Francois S, Legrand F, Yakoub-Agha I, Michel G, Maillard N, Margueritte G, Maury S, Uzunov M, Bulabois CE, Michallet M, Clement L, Dauriac C, Bilger K, Lejeune J, Béziat V, Rocha V, Rio B, Chevret S, Vieillard V. Clinical impact of NK-cell reconstitution after reduced intensity conditioned unrelated cord blood transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: analysis of a prospective phase II multicenter trial on behalf of the Société Française de Greffe de Moelle Osseuse et Thérapie Cellulaire and Eurocord. Bone Marrow Transplant 2017. [PMID: 28650455 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2017.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) after a reduced intensity conditioning regimen (RIC) has extended the use of UCB in elderly patients and those with co-morbidities without an HLA-identical donor, although post-transplant relapse remains a concern in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. HLA incompatibilities between donor and recipient might enhance the alloreactivity of natural killer (NK) cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). We studied the reconstitution of NK cells and KIR-L mismatch in 54 patients who underwent a RIC-UCBT for AML in CR in a prospective phase II clinical trial. After RIC-UCBT, NK cells displayed phenotypic features of both activation and immaturity. Restoration of their polyfunctional capacities depended on the timing of their acquisition of phenotypic markers of maturity. The incidence of treatment-related mortality (TRM) was correlated with low CD16 expression (P=0.043) and high HLA-DR expression (P=0.0008), whereas overall survival was associated with increased frequency of NK-cell degranulation (P=0.001). These features reflect a general impairment of the NK licensing process in HLA-mismatched HSCT and may aid the development of future strategies for selecting optimal UCB units and enhancing immune recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nguyen
- AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière (AP-HP), Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - A Achour
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - L Souchet
- AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière (AP-HP), Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Paris, France
| | - S Vigouroux
- CHU de Bordeaux Hôpital du Haut-Lévèque, Service d'hématologie clinique et de thérapie cellulaire, Pessac, France
| | - P Chevallier
- CHU de Nantes, Hematology Department, Nantes, France
| | - S Furst
- Institut Paoli Calmettes, Service de greffe de moelle, Marseille, France
| | - A Sirvent
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - J-O Bay
- CHU Estaing Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - G Socié
- AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Service d'Hématologie et de Transplantation, Paris, France
| | | | - A Huynh
- CHU de Toulouse, Hématologie Clinique, Toulouse, France
| | - J Cornillon
- Institut de Cancérologie de la Loire, Service d'Hématologie, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | | | - F Legrand
- CHU de Nice, Service d'Hématologie, Nice, France
| | | | - G Michel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Timone Enfants Hospital and Research Unit EA 3279 Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - S Maury
- Hôpital Henri Mondor, Service d'Hématologie, Créteil, France
| | - M Uzunov
- AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière (AP-HP), Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Paris, France
| | | | | | - L Clement
- University Hospital de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - K Bilger
- CHRU de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - J Lejeune
- Department de Bioinformatique et Statistique Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - V Béziat
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - V Rocha
- Eurocord Office, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - B Rio
- Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, Paris, France
| | - S Chevret
- Department de Bioinformatique et Statistique Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - V Vieillard
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
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7
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Mo XD, Lv M, Huang XJ. Preventing relapse after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute leukaemia: the role of post-transplantation minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring and MRD-directed intervention. Br J Haematol 2017; 179:184-197. [PMID: 28542711 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dong Mo
- Peking University People's Hospital; Peking University Institute of Haematology; Beijing Key Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Beijing China
| | - Meng Lv
- Peking University People's Hospital; Peking University Institute of Haematology; Beijing Key Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Beijing China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital; Peking University Institute of Haematology; Beijing Key Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Beijing China
- Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences; Beijing China
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8
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de Fontbrune FS, Cavalieri D, Leclerc M, Beckerich F, Maury S, de Latour RP, N-Guyen S, Bay JO. Immunothérapie et greffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques allogéniques. Bull Cancer 2017; 103 Suppl 1:S164-S174. [PMID: 28057181 DOI: 10.1016/s0007-4551(16)30375-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
IMMUNOTHERAPY AND ALLOGENEIC STEM CELLS TRANSPLANTATION Allogeneic stem cell transplantations represent perfect example of immunotherapy. Its positive aspects are due to the graft versus tumor effect. Unfortunately, this therapeutic advantage is usually associated with graft versus host effects. While the mechanism of these two graft reactions remain unclear, this is possible to modulate these immunologic effects. The type of conditioning regimen, the source of donor and the use of donor cells after the transplantation may influence the toxicity and the tumor response, leading to a better optimization of the procedure. This paper is presenting all the parameters which may contribute to improve allogeneic stem cell transplantations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Doriane Cavalieri
- Service de thérapie cellulaire et d'hématologie clinique adulte, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, site Estaing, 1, place Lucie-Aubrac, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mathieu Leclerc
- Service d'hématologie, greffe de moelle, hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France
| | - Florence Beckerich
- Service d'hématologie, greffe de moelle, hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France
| | - Sébastien Maury
- Service d'hématologie, greffe de moelle, hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France
| | | | - Stéphanie N-Guyen
- Service d'hématologie clinique, hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière (AP-HP) ; Centre d'immunologie et des maladies infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), université Sorbonne, UPMC, université Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, Paris, France
| | - Jacques-Olivier Bay
- Service de thérapie cellulaire et d'hématologie clinique adulte, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, site Estaing, 1, place Lucie-Aubrac, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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9
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Kannan GS, Aquino-Lopez A, Lee DA. Natural killer cells in malignant hematology: A primer for the non-immunologist. Blood Rev 2016; 31:1-10. [PMID: 27665023 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells were first described over 40years ago, but the last 15years has shown tremendous progress in our understanding of their biology and our ability to manipulate them for clinical therapeutic effect. Despite the increased understanding by clinicians and scientists investigating these cells, their biology remains a confusing subject for many because of the wide array of receptors, complex interactions, multiple models of predicting function, and contradictory data in the literature. While they are microscopically indistinguishable from T cells and share many of the same effector functions, their mechanisms of target recognition are completely distinct from yet complimentary to T cells. In this review we provide a basic understanding of NK cell biology and HLA recognition as compared and contrasted to T cells using a metaphor of border patrol and passports. We conclude with a summary of the evidence for NK cell effects in hematologic malignancies and describe new advances in NK cell immunotherapy aimed at improving these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey S Kannan
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brooklyn Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Arianexys Aquino-Lopez
- Clinical and Translational Sciences Program, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 6767 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Dean A Lee
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, WA4023, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
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10
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Cruz CR, Bollard CM. T-cell and natural killer cell therapies for hematologic malignancies after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: enhancing the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Haematologica 2016; 100:709-19. [PMID: 26034113 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2014.113860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but infection, graft-versus-host disease and relapse are still important problems. Calcineurin inhibitors, T-cell depletion strategies, and immunomodulators have helped to prevent graft-versus-host disease, but have a negative impact on the graft-versus-leukemia effect. T cells and natural killer cells are both thought to be important in the graft-versus-leukemia effect, and both cell types are amenable to ex vivo manipulation and clinical manufacture, making them versatile immunotherapeutics. We provide an overview of these immunotherapeutic strategies following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with discussions centered on natural killer and T-cell biology. We discuss the contributions of each cell type to graft-versus-leukemia effects, as well as the current research directions in the field as related to adoptive cell therapy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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11
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Dahlberg CIM, Sarhan D, Chrobok M, Duru AD, Alici E. Natural Killer Cell-Based Therapies Targeting Cancer: Possible Strategies to Gain and Sustain Anti-Tumor Activity. Front Immunol 2015; 6:605. [PMID: 26648934 PMCID: PMC4663254 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells were discovered 40 years ago, by their ability to recognize and kill tumor cells without the requirement of prior antigen exposure. Since then, NK cells have been seen as promising agents for cell-based cancer therapies. However, NK cells represent only a minor fraction of the human lymphocyte population. Their skewed phenotype and impaired functionality during cancer progression necessitates the development of clinical protocols to activate and expand to high numbers ex vivo to be able to infuse sufficient numbers of functional NK cells to the cancer patients. Initial NK cell-based clinical trials suggested that NK cell-infusion is safe and feasible with almost no NK cell-related toxicity, including graft-versus-host disease. Complete remission and increased disease-free survival is shown in a small number of patients with hematological malignances. Furthermore, successful adoptive NK cell-based therapies from haploidentical donors have been demonstrated. Disappointingly, only limited anti-tumor effects have been demonstrated following NK cell infusion in patients with solid tumors. While NK cells have great potential in targeting tumor cells, the efficiency of NK cell functions in the tumor microenvironment is yet unclear. The failure of immune surveillance may in part be due to sustained immunological pressure on tumor cells resulting in the development of tumor escape variants that are invisible to the immune system. Alternatively, this could be due to the complex network of immune-suppressive compartments in the tumor microenvironment, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and regulatory T cells. Although the negative effect of the tumor microenvironment on NK cells can be transiently reverted by ex vivo expansion and long-term activation, the aforementioned NK cell/tumor microenvironment interactions upon reinfusion are not fully elucidated. Within this context, genetic modification of NK cells may provide new possibilities for developing effective cancer immunotherapies by improving NK cell responses and making them less susceptible to the tumor microenvironment. Within this review, we will discuss clinical trials using NK cells with a specific reflection on novel potential strategies, such as genetic modification of NK cells and complementary therapies aimed at improving the clinical outcome of NK cell-based immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carin I M Dahlberg
- Cell Therapies Institute, Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, FL , USA ; Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, NOVUM , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden ; Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Research Center, University of Minnesota , Minnesota, MN , USA
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Cell Therapies Institute, Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, FL , USA ; Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, NOVUM , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Adil D Duru
- Cell Therapies Institute, Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, FL , USA ; Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, NOVUM , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Evren Alici
- Cell Therapies Institute, Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, FL , USA ; Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, NOVUM , Stockholm , Sweden ; Hematology Center, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge , Stockholm , Sweden
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12
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Naik S, Heslop HE. Engineering haploidentical transplants. Bone Marrow Transplant 2015; 50:884-5. [PMID: 25961777 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2015.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Naik
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - H E Heslop
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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13
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Ciurea SO, Bayraktar UD. "No donor"? Consider a haploidentical transplant. Blood Rev 2015; 29:63-70. [PMID: 25307958 PMCID: PMC4379127 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2014.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 09/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (HaploSCT) is an attractive option for patients requiring a hematopoietic stem cell transplant who do not have an HLA-matched donor, because it is cheaper, can be performed faster, and may extend transplantation to virtually all patients in need. Significant advances have been made in the recent decade with dramatic improvement in treatment outcomes. Historically, overcoming the HLA-incompatibility barrier has been a significant limitation to the expansion of this form of transplant. While ex vivo T-cell depletion effectively prevented the development of acute GVHD, it was associated with a higher treatment-related mortality, in excess of 40% in some series, due to a significant delay in recovery of the adaptive immune system. Newer methods have successfully maintained the memory T cells in the graft and/or selectively depleted alloreactive T cells, and are associated with improved treatment outcomes. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide for GVHD prevention has proven very effective in controlling GVHD with lower incidence of infectious complications and treatment-related mortality-as low as 7% at 1 year-and has become the new standard in how this transplant is performed. Here, we reviewed the current experience with this approach and various other strategies employed to control alloreactivity in this setting, including selective depletion of T cells from the graft, as well as we discuss post-transplantation therapy to prevent disease relapse and improve immunologic reconstitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan O Ciurea
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ulas D Bayraktar
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Meinhardt K, Kroeger I, Bauer R, Ganss F, Ovsiy I, Rothamer J, Büttner M, Atreya I, Waldner M, Bittrich M, Lehmann CH, Rieger MA, Beilhack A, Zeiser R, Edinger M, Dudziak D, Mackensen A, Rehli M, Ullrich E. Identification and characterization of the specific murine NK cell subset supporting graft- versus-leukemia- and reducing graft- versus-host-effects. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e981483. [PMID: 25949862 PMCID: PMC4368119 DOI: 10.4161/2162402x.2014.981483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies investigating the impact of natural killer (NK) cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation settings have yielded promising results. However, NK cells are a functionally and phenotypically heterogeneous population. Therefore, we addressed the functional relevance of specific NK cell subsets distinguished by expression of CD117, CD27 and CD11b surface markers in graft-versus-leukemia (GVL)-reaction and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Our results clearly demonstrate that the subset of c-Kit−CD27−CD11b+ NK cells expressed multiple cytotoxic pathway genes and provided optimal graft-versus-leukemia-effects, while significantly reducing T cell proliferation induced by allogeneic dendritic cells. Furthermore, these NK cells migrated to inflamed intestinal tissues where graft-versus-host-colitis was efficiently mitigated. For the first time, we identified the c-Kit−CD27−CD11b+ NK cell population as the specific effector NK cell subset capable of significantly diminishing GVHD in fully mismatched bone marrow transplantation settings. In conclusion, the subset of c-Kit−CD27−CD11b+ NK cells not only supports GVL, but also plays a unique role in the protection against GVHD by migrating to the peripheral GVHD target organs where they exert efficient immunoregulatory activities. These new insights demonstrate the importance of selecting the optimal NK cell subset for cellular immunotherapy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Meinhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany ; Childrens Hospital; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Irena Kroeger
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ruth Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany ; Childrens Hospital; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Franziska Ganss
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany ; Childrens Hospital; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ilja Ovsiy
- Childrens Hospital; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Johanna Rothamer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany ; Childrens Hospital; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maike Büttner
- Department of Nephropathology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Imke Atreya
- Department of Internal Medicine 1; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Waldner
- Department of Internal Medicine 1; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max Bittrich
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Hk Lehmann
- Department of Dermatology; Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael A Rieger
- LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; Department of Hematology/Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- IZKF Research Group for Experimental Stem Cell Transplantation; Department of Medicine II; University Hospital ; Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Division of Hematology and Oncology; Department of Medicine; Freiburg University Medical Center; Albert-Ludwigs-University ; Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Edinger
- Department of Internal Medicine 3; University Hospital Regensburg ; Regensburg; Germany ; Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI); University Regensburg ; Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Department of Dermatology; Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Rehli
- Department of Internal Medicine 3; University Hospital Regensburg ; Regensburg; Germany ; Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI); University Regensburg ; Regensburg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Department of Internal Medicine 5; Hematology and Oncology; Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; University Hospital Erlangen ; Erlangen, Germany ; Childrens Hospital; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany ; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
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15
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Gao L, Zhang X. Haploidentical hematopoietic transplantation without T-cell depletion: current status and future perspectives. Stem Cell Investig 2015; 2:20. [PMID: 27358888 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2015.10.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HLA-haplo HSCT) without T-cell depletion has tremendously progressed over the past 20 years and has become a feasible treatment option for leukemia patients without an HLA-identical sibling donor. Advances in conditioning regimens, graft manipulation, and pharmacological graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis have reduced the risk of fatal graft failure and severe GVHD, two of the most serious complications of traversing the HLA barrier. According to clinical observations, killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) mismatch and donor-specific anti-HLA (DSA) antibodies-negative status play potential roles in reducing the risk of GVHD and graft failure following HLA-haploidentical SCT. New strategies to improve transplant outcomes include donor lymphocyte, NK cell and selected T-cell subset infusion, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) co-transplantation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) application. Future challenges remain in improving post-transplant immune reconstitution and finding the best approach to reduce the incidence and severity of GVHD while simultaneously preserving the graft-versus leukemia effect to prevent the recurrence of underlying malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gao
- Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
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16
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Li XH, Wu XX, Wu YM, Da WM, Li M, Cai B, Zhao XL, Dou LP, Gao CJ. Influence of autologous dendritic cells on the in-vitro expansion and functions of peripheral blood NK cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2014; 37:72-80. [PMID: 25409754 DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2014.980042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Allogeneic reactive NK cells were previously shown to exert a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, as well as reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). OBJECTIVE We used autologous immature DCs as feeder cells for the in-vitro expansion of NK cells and studied the function of the NK cell cultures. MATERIALS AND METHODS NK cells were cultured for 15 days in the presence of autologous, immature DCs. Fold expansion, killing activity and expression of IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B were evaluated. RESULTS The highest NK cell expansion efficiency was observed when the ratio of NK cells:DCs was 2:1 and when cells were cultured in a contact-dependent manner. The killing activity of NK cells was highest when the NK:DC ratio was 10:1. NK cell cultures exhibited a significant upregulation in the mRNA expression of IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B when the ratio of NK cells to DCs was 10:1. DISCUSSION We successfully amplified NK cells using autologous immature DCs derived from human peripheral monocytes after induction as feeder cells. The use of autologous immature DCs for ex-vivo expansion of NK cells can be clinically applied to overcome limitations, such as the small number of NK cells in peripheral blood, and the high cost of NK cell sorting. Transfusion of allogeneic reactive NK cells has been suggested as a potential adjunctive therapeutic strategy after transplantation. CONCLUSION Autologous immature DCs can be used as feeder cells for ex-vivo expansion of functional NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China and
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17
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Rambaldi A, Biagi E, Bonini C, Biondi A, Introna M. Cell-based strategies to manage leukemia relapse: efficacy and feasibility of immunotherapy approaches. Leukemia 2014; 29:1-10. [PMID: 24919807 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2014.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
When treatment fails, the clinical outcome of acute leukemia patients is usually very poor, particularly when failure occurs after transplantation. A second allogeneic stem cell transplant could be envisaged as an effective and feasible salvage option in younger patients having a late relapse and an available donor. Unmanipulated or minimally manipulated donor T cells may also be effective in a minority of patients but the main limit remains the induction of severe graft-versus-host disease. This clinical complication has brought about a huge research effort that led to the development of leukemia-specific T-cell therapy aiming at the direct recognition of leukemia-specific rather than minor histocompatibility antigens. Despite a great scientific interest, the clinical feasibility of such an approach has proven to be quite problematic. To overcome this limitation, more research has moved toward the choice of targeting commonly expressed hematopoietic specific antigens by the genetic modification of unselected T cells. The best example of this is represented by the anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CD19.CAR) T cells. As a possible alternative to the genetic manipulation of unselected T cells, specific T-cell subpopulations with in vivo favorable homing and long-term survival properties have been genetically modified by CAR molecules. Finally, the use of naturally cytotoxic effector cells such as natural killer and cytokine-induced killer cells has been proposed in several clinical trials. The clinical development of these latter cells could also be further expanded by additional genetic modifications using the CAR technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rambaldi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Center of Cell Therapy 'G. Lanzani', Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - E Biagi
- Department of Pediatrics, M Tettamanti Research Center, Laboratory of Cell therapy 'S. Verri' University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - C Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - A Biondi
- Department of Pediatrics, M Tettamanti Research Center, Laboratory of Cell therapy 'S. Verri' University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - M Introna
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Center of Cell Therapy 'G. Lanzani', Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
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18
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Danby R, Rocha V. Improving engraftment and immune reconstitution in umbilical cord blood transplantation. Front Immunol 2014; 5:68. [PMID: 24605111 PMCID: PMC3932655 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for allogeneic transplantation when HLA-matched sibling and unrelated donors (MUD) are unavailable. Although the overall survival results for UCB transplantation are comparable to the results with MUD, UCB transplants are associated with slow engraftment, delayed immune reconstitution, and increased opportunistic infections. While this may be a consequence of the lower cell dose in UCB grafts, it also reflects the relative immaturity of cord blood. Furthermore, limited cell numbers and the non-availability of donor lymphocyte infusions currently prevent the use of post-transplant cellular immunotherapy to boost donor-derived immunity to treat infections, mixed chimerism, and disease relapse. To further develop UCB transplantation, many strategies to enhance engraftment and immune reconstitution are currently under investigation. This review summarizes our current understanding of engraftment and immune recovery following UCB transplantation and why this differs from allogeneic transplants using other sources of HSC. It also provides a comprehensive overview of promising techniques being used to improve myeloid and lymphoid recovery, including expansion, homing, and delivery of UCB HSC; combined use of UCB with third-party donors; isolation and expansion of natural killer cells, pathogen-specific T cells, and regulatory T cells; methods to protect and/or improve thymopoiesis. As many of these strategies are now in clinical trials, it is anticipated that UCB transplantation will continue to advance, further expanding our understanding of UCB biology and HSC transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Danby
- Department of Haematology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust , Oxford , UK ; NHS Blood and Transplant, John Radcliffe Hospital , Oxford , UK ; Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis APHP, University Paris VII IUH , Paris , France
| | - Vanderson Rocha
- Department of Haematology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust , Oxford , UK ; NHS Blood and Transplant, John Radcliffe Hospital , Oxford , UK ; Eurocord, Hôpital Saint Louis APHP, University Paris VII IUH , Paris , France
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19
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Cany J, van der Waart AB, Tordoir M, Franssen GM, Hangalapura BN, de Vries J, Boerman O, Schaap N, van der Voort R, Spanholtz J, Dolstra H. Natural killer cells generated from cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cells efficiently target bone marrow-residing human leukemia cells in NOD/SCID/IL2Rg(null) mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64384. [PMID: 23755121 PMCID: PMC3673996 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based adoptive immunotherapy is an attractive adjuvant treatment option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Recently, we reported a clinical-grade, cytokine-based culture method for the generation of NK cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells with high yield, purity and in vitro functionality. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo anti-leukemic potential of UCB-NK cells generated with our GMP-compliant culture system in terms of biodistribution, survival and cytolytic activity following adoptive transfer in immunodeficient NOD/SCID/IL2Rgnull mice. Using single photon emission computed tomography, we first demonstrated active migration of UCB-NK cells to bone marrow, spleen and liver within 24 h after infusion. Analysis of the chemokine receptor expression profile of UCB-NK cells matched in vivo findings. Particularly, a firm proportion of UCB-NK cells functionally expressed CXCR4, what could trigger BM homing in response to its ligand CXCL12. In addition, high expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 supported the capacity of UCB-NK cells to migrate to inflamed tissues via the CXCR3/CXCL10-11 and CCR6/CCL20 axis. Thereafter, we showed that low dose IL-15 mediates efficient survival, expansion and maturation of UCB-NK cells in vivo. Most importantly, we demonstrate that a single UCB-NK cell infusion combined with supportive IL-15 administration efficiently inhibited growth of human leukemia cells implanted in the femur of mice, resulting in significant prolongation of mice survival. These preclinical studies strongly support the therapeutic potential of ex vivo-generated UCB-NK cells in the treatment of myeloid leukemia after immunosuppressive chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Cany
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre-RUNMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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20
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Chang YJ, Zhao XY, Xu LP, Liu DH, Liu KY, Chen YH, Wang Y, Zhang XH, Zhao XS, Han W, Chen H, Wang FR, Lv M, Huang XJ. Early lymphocyte recovery predicts superior overall survival after unmanipulated haploidentical blood and marrow transplant for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia evolving from myelodysplastic syndrome. Leuk Lymphoma 2013; 54:2671-7. [DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2013.783912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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21
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Koehl U, Brehm C, Huenecke S, Zimmermann SY, Kloess S, Bremm M, Ullrich E, Soerensen J, Quaiser A, Erben S, Wunram C, Gardlowski T, Auth E, Tonn T, Seidl C, Meyer-Monard S, Stern M, Passweg J, Klingebiel T, Bader P, Schwabe D, Esser R. Clinical grade purification and expansion of NK cell products for an optimized manufacturing protocol. Front Oncol 2013; 3:118. [PMID: 23730623 PMCID: PMC3656406 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells are used for adoptive immunotherapy after stem cell transplantation. In order to overcome technical limitations in NK cell purification and activation, the following study investigates the impact of different variables on NK cell recovery, cytotoxicity, and T-cell depletion during good manufacturing practice (GMP)-grade NK cell selection. Forty NK cell products were derived from 54 unstimulated donor leukaphereses using immunomagnetic CD3 T-cell depletion, followed by a CD56 cell enrichment step. For T-cell depletion, either the depletion 2.1 program in single or double procedure (D2.11depl, n = 18; D2.12depl, n = 13) or the faster depletion 3.1 (D3.1, n = 9) was used on the CliniMACS instrument. Seventeen purified NK cell products were activated in vitro by IL-2 for 12 days. The whole process resulted in a median number of 7.59 × 108 CD56+CD3− cells with both purity and viability of 94%, respectively. The T-cell depletion was significantly better using D2.11depl/2depl compared to D3.1 (log 4.6/log 4.9 vs. log 3.7; p < 0.01) and double procedure in two stages led always to residual T cells below 0.1%. In contrast D3.1 was superior to D2.11depl/2depl with regard to recovery of CD56+CD3− NK cells (68% vs. 41%/38%). Concomitant monocytes and especially IL-2 activation led to increased NK cell activity against malignant target cells compared to unstimulated NK cells, which correlated with both up-regulation of natural cytotoxicity receptors and intracellular signaling. Overall, wide variations in the NK cell expansion rate and the distribution of NK cell subpopulations were found. In conclusion, our results indicate that GMP-grade purification of NK cells might be improved by a sequential processing of T-cell depletion program D2.1 and D3.1. In addition NK cell expansion protocols need to be further optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Koehl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Germany
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22
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Vago L, Toffalori C, Ciceri F, Fleischhauer K. Genomic loss of mismatched human leukocyte antigen and leukemia immune escape from haploidentical graft-versus-leukemia. Semin Oncol 2013. [PMID: 23206847 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2012.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in cell processing and immunosuppressive strategies has allowed the safe infusion of high numbers of donor T cells in the context of clinical haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Haploidentical T cells display an intrinsic ability to recognize and eliminate residual patient leukemic cells, largely due to alloreactivity against the patient-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules encoded on the mismatched haplotype. However, recent evidence has shown that leukemia, like many other tumors displaying pronounced genomic instability, is frequently able to evade this potent graft-versus-leukemia effect by undergoing de novo genomic mutations, which result in the permanent loss of only those HLA molecules targeted by haploidentical donor T-cell alloreactivity. This review summarizes the recent clinical and experimental evidence regarding this phenomenon, and its therapeutic and clinical consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Vago
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.
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23
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Abstract
The feasibility of stem cell transplantation across the major histocompatibility barrier-as in haploidentical stem cell transplantation-has been proved for some time in several studies. The main limitations include a higher graft failure rate, delayed immune reconstitution after transplantation with high rates of life-threatening infections, a higher incidence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and severe acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. In an attempt to reduce the transplant-related morbidity/mortality, several techniques had been evaluated involving conditioning regimen intensity, graft engineering, post-transplant cellular therapy and immunosuppression. This review will describe the current situation. It will also discuss initiatives and strategies to overcome the limitations associated with transplant across the MHC barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Ahmed Nassar
- King Abdullah Medical City, Mecca, Western Province, Saudi Arabia.
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24
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Barao I. The TNF receptor-ligands 4-1BB-4-1BBL and GITR-GITRL in NK cell responses. Front Immunol 2013; 3:402. [PMID: 23316193 PMCID: PMC3539674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between several tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily members that are expressed by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and various other cell types modulate immune responses. This review summarizes the current understanding of how the TNF ligand-TNFR interactions 4-1BBL with 4-1BB, and GITRL with glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related (GITR) regulate NK cell mediated antitumor responses and discuss its therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Barao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV, USA
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25
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Vivier E, Ugolini S, Blaise D, Chabannon C, Brossay L. Targeting natural killer cells and natural killer T cells in cancer. Nat Rev Immunol 2012; 12:239-52. [PMID: 22437937 DOI: 10.1038/nri3174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 604] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells are subsets of lymphocytes that share some phenotypical and functional similarities. Both cell types can rapidly respond to the presence of tumour cells and participate in antitumour immune responses. This has prompted interest in the development of innovative cancer therapies that are based on the manipulation of NK and NKT cells. Recent studies have highlighted how the immune reactivity of NK and NKT cells is shaped by the environment in which they develop. The rational use of these cells in cancer immunotherapies awaits a better understanding of their effector functions, migratory patterns and survival properties in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Vivier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France.
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26
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Bayraktar UD, Champlin RE, Ciurea SO. Progress in haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2012; 18:372-80. [PMID: 21835146 PMCID: PMC7209908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Haploidentical stem cell transplantation is an attractive form of transplantation because of the immediate donor availability, ease of stem cell procurement, and the possibility to further collect donor cells for cellular therapy. Historically, maintaining T cells in the graft has been associated with very high rates of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), whereas T cell-depleted haploidentical transplantation has been limited by a higher incidence of graft rejection and nonrelapse mortality related to infectious complications as a result of delayed immune reconstitution posttransplantation. Recent approaches have attempted to eliminate the alloreactive T cells to prevent GVHD posttransplantation. Administration of high-dose cyclophosphamide early posttransplantation in combination with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil has produced engraftment and GVHD rates similar to HLA-matched sibling transplants, suggesting that the most important barriers against successful haploidentical transplantation can be overcome. Future directions should focus on optimizing conditioning regimens for different diseases and prevention of disease relapse posttransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulas D Bayraktar
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Expansion of NK cells from cord blood with antileukemic activity using GMP-compliant substances without feeder cells. Leukemia 2011; 26:1149-52. [PMID: 22143670 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2011.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
Increased evidence of cross-talk between NK cells and other immune cells has enhanced the possibilities of exploiting the interplay between the activation and inhibition of NK cells for immunotherapeutic purposes. The battery of receptors possessed by NK cells help them to efficiently detect aberrant and infected cells and embark on the signaling pathways necessary to eliminate them. Endogenous expansion of NK cells and their effector mechanisms are under exploration for enhancing adoptive immunotherapy prospects in combination with immunostimulatory and cell-death-sensitizing treatments against cancer, viral infections and other pathophysiological autoimmune conditions. Various modes of NK cell manipulation are being undertaken to overcome issues such as relapse and graft rejections associated with adoptive immunotherapy. While tracing the remarkable properties of NK cells and the major developments in this field, we highlight the role of immune cooperativity in the betterment of current immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Malhotra
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Function, Department of Biochemistry & Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 2005 Harold D West Basic Sciences Building, 1005 Dr DB Todd Jr Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - Anil Shanker
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Function, Department of Biochemistry & Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 2005 Harold D West Basic Sciences Building, 1005 Dr DB Todd Jr Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, 2200 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Preemptive immunotherapy in childhood acute myeloid leukemia for patients showing evidence of mixed chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Blood 2011; 118:5681-8. [PMID: 21948300 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-04-348805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who developed mixed chimerism (MC) were at high risk for relapse after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (allo-SCT). We investigated the feasibility of intensified preemptive immunotherapy in children receiving allo-SCT for AML. Eighty-four children were registered in our trial from May 2005 to April 2009; of these, 71 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were treated according to the study protocol. Serial and semiquantitative analyses of posttransplantation chimerism were performed. Defined immunotherapy approaches were considered in MC patients. Continuous complete chimerism (CC) was observed in 51 of 71 patients. MC was detected in 20 patients and was followed by immunotherapy in 13. Six of 13 MC patients returned to CC without toxicity and remained in long-term remission. Overall, the probability of event-free survival (pEFS) was 66% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 53%-76%) for all patients and 46% (95% CI = 19%-70%) in MC patients with intervention; however, this number increased to 71% (95% CI = 26%-92%) in 7 of 13 MC patients on immunotherapy who were in remission at the time of transplantation. All MC patients without intervention relapsed. These results suggest that MC is a prognostic factor for impending relapse in childhood AML, and that preemptive immunotherapy may improve the outcome in defined high-risk patients after transplantation.
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