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Glennan P, Shehu V, Singh SB, Werner TJ, Alavi A, Revheim ME. PET Imaging in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Trafficking. PET Clin 2024; 19:569-576. [PMID: 38987123 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2024.06.002] [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: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The evolving field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, though promising, necessitates more comprehensive imaging methods to enhance therapeutic effectiveness and track cell trafficking in patients and ex vivo. This review examines the application of PET imaging in CAR T-cell trafficking and optimizing their therapeutic impact. The application of PET imaging using various radiotracers is promising in providing evaluation of CAR T-cell interaction within the host, thereby facilitating strategies for improved patient outcomes. As this technology progresses, further innovative strategies to streamline assessments of immunotherapeutic effectiveness are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Glennan
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Vanessa Shehu
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Shashi B Singh
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University School of Medicine, The Richard M. Lucas Center for Imaging, 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas J Werner
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Abass Alavi
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mona-Elisabeth Revheim
- Division for Technology and Innovation, The Intervention Center, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Post Box 4950 Nydalen, Oslo 0424, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Postbox 1078, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway.
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2
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Fröse J, Rowley J, Farid AS, Rakhshandehroo T, Leclerc P, Mak H, Allen H, Moravej H, Munaretto L, Millan-Barea L, Codet E, Glockner H, Jacobson C, Hemann M, Rashidian M. Development of an antigen-based approach to noninvasively image CAR T cells in real time and as a predictive tool. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn3816. [PMID: 39292778 PMCID: PMC11409975 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn3816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
CAR T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of a spectrum of blood-related malignancies. However, treatment responses vary among cancer types and patients. Accurate monitoring of CAR T cell dynamics is crucial for understanding and evaluating treatment efficacy. Positron emission tomography (PET) offers a comprehensive view of CAR T cell homing, especially in critical organs such as lymphoid structures and bone marrow. This information will help assess treatment response and predict relapse risk. Current PET imaging methods for CAR T require genetic modifications, limiting clinical use. To overcome this, we developed an antigen-based imaging approach enabling whole-body CAR T cell imaging. The probe detects CAR T cells in vivo without affecting their function. In an immunocompetent B cell leukemia model, CAR-PET signal in the spleen predicted early mortality risk. The antigen-based CAR-PET approach allows assessment of CAR T therapy responses without altering established clinical protocols. It seamlessly integrates with FDA-approved and future CAR T cell generations, facilitating broader clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fröse
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jennifer Rowley
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ali Salehi Farid
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Taha Rakhshandehroo
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Paul Leclerc
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Howard Mak
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Harris Allen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Heydar Moravej
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Leila Munaretto
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Luis Millan-Barea
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elisabeth Codet
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hannah Glockner
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Caron Jacobson
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michael Hemann
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mohammad Rashidian
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
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3
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Shalaby N, Xia Y, Kelly JJ, Sanchez-Pupo R, Martinez F, Fox MS, Thiessen JD, Hicks JW, Scholl TJ, Ronald JA. Imaging CAR-NK cells targeted to HER2 ovarian cancer with human sodium-iodide symporter-based positron emission tomography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:3176-3190. [PMID: 38722382 PMCID: PMC11368970 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06722-w] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapies utilize CARs to redirect immune cells towards cancer cells expressing specific antigens like human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Despite their potential, CAR T cell therapies exhibit variable response rates and adverse effects in some patients. Non-invasive molecular imaging can aid in predicting patient outcomes by tracking infused cells post-administration. CAR-T cells are typically autologous, increasing manufacturing complexity and costs. An alternative approach involves developing CAR natural killer (CAR-NK) cells as an off-the-shelf allogeneic product. In this study, we engineered HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells co-expressing the positron emission tomography (PET) reporter gene human sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and assessed their therapeutic efficacy and PET imaging capability in a HER2 ovarian cancer mouse model.NK-92 cells were genetically modified to express a HER2-targeted CAR, the bioluminescence imaging reporter Antares, and NIS. HER2-expressing ovarian cancer cells were engineered to express the bioluminescence reporter Firefly luciferase (Fluc). Co-culture experiments demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of CAR-NK cells compared to naive NK cells. In vivo studies involving mice with Fluc-expressing tumors revealed that those treated with CAR-NK cells exhibited reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival compared to controls. Longitudinal bioluminescence imaging demonstrated stable signals from CAR-NK cells over time. PET imaging using the NIS-targeted tracer 18F-tetrafluoroborate ([18F]TFB) showed significantly higher PET signals in mice treated with NIS-expressing CAR-NK cells.Overall, our study showcases the therapeutic potential of HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells in an aggressive ovarian cancer model and underscores the feasibility of using human-derived PET reporter gene imaging to monitor these cells non-invasively in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan Shalaby
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Ying Xia
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - John J Kelly
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rafael Sanchez-Pupo
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Francisco Martinez
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew S Fox
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Saint Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Thiessen
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, London, ON, Canada
- Saint Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Justin W Hicks
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, London, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy J Scholl
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, London, ON, Canada
| | - John A Ronald
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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4
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Chen PH, Raghunandan R, Morrow JS, Katz SG. Finding Your CAR: The Road Ahead for Engineered T Cells. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:1409-1423. [PMID: 38697513 PMCID: PMC11284763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has transformed immunotherapy by engineering T cells to target specific antigens on tumor cells. As the field continues to advance, pathology laboratories will play increasingly essential roles in the complicated multi-step process of CAR T-cell therapy. These include detection of targetable tumor antigens by flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry at the time of disease diagnosis and the isolation and infusion of CAR T cells. Additional roles include: i) detecting antigen loss or heterogeneity that renders resistance to CAR T cells as well as identifying alternative targetable antigens on tumor cells, ii) monitoring the phenotype, persistence, and tumor infiltration properties of CAR T cells and the tumor microenvironment for factors that predict CAR T-cell therapy success, and iii) evaluating side effects and biomarkers of CAR T-cell cytotoxicity such as cytokine release syndrome. This review highlights existing technologies that are applicable to monitoring CAR T-cell persistence, target antigen identification, and loss. Also discussed are emerging technologies that address new challenges such as how to put a brake on CAR T cells. Although pathology laboratories have already provided companion diagnostic tests important in immunotherapy (eg, programmed death-ligand 1, microsatellite instability, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing), it draws attention to the exciting new translational research opportunities in adoptive cellular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Han Chen
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Rianna Raghunandan
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jon S Morrow
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Samuel G Katz
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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5
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Gaspar N, Handula M, Stroet MCM, Marella-Panth K, Haeck J, Kirkland TA, Hall MP, Encell LP, Dalm S, Lowik C, Seimbille Y, Mezzanotte L. A Novel Luciferase-Based Reporter Gene Technology for Simultaneous Optical and Radionuclide Imaging of Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8206. [PMID: 39125775 PMCID: PMC11312113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158206] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Multimodality reporter gene imaging combines the sensitivity, resolution and translational potential of two or more signals. The approach has not been widely adopted by the animal imaging community, mainly because its utility in this area is unproven. We developed a new complementation-based reporter gene system where the large component of split NanoLuc luciferase (LgBiT) presented on the surface of cells (TM-LgBiT) interacts with a radiotracer consisting of the high-affinity complementary HiBiT peptide labeled with a radionuclide. Radiotracer uptake could be imaged in mice using SPECT/CT and bioluminescence within two hours of implanting reporter-gene-expressing cells. Imaging data were validated by ex vivo biodistribution studies. Following the demonstration of complementation between the TM-LgBiT protein and HiBiT radiotracer, we validated the use of the technology in the highly specific in vivo multimodal imaging of cells. These findings highlight the potential of this new approach to facilitate the advancement of cell and gene therapies from bench to clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Gaspar
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maryana Handula
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcus C. M. Stroet
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kranthi Marella-Panth
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Haeck
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Simone Dalm
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens Lowik
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yann Seimbille
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Mog BJ, Marcou N, DiNapoli SR, Pearlman AH, Nichakawade TD, Hwang MS, Douglass J, Hsiue EHC, Glavaris S, Wright KM, Konig MF, Paul S, Wyhs N, Ge J, Miller MS, Azurmendi P, Watson E, Pardoll DM, Gabelli SB, Bettegowda C, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S. Preclinical studies show that Co-STARs combine the advantages of chimeric antigen and T cell receptors for the treatment of tumors with low antigen densities. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadg7123. [PMID: 38985855 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg7123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Two types of engineered T cells have been successfully used to treat patients with cancer, one with an antigen recognition domain derived from antibodies [chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)] and the other derived from T cell receptors (TCRs). CARs use high-affinity antigen-binding domains and costimulatory domains to induce T cell activation but can only react against target cells with relatively high amounts of antigen. TCRs have a much lower affinity for their antigens but can react against target cells displaying only a few antigen molecules. Here, we describe a new type of receptor, called a Co-STAR (for costimulatory synthetic TCR and antigen receptor), that combines aspects of both CARs and TCRs. In Co-STARs, the antigen-recognizing components of TCRs are replaced by high-affinity antibody fragments, and costimulation is provided by two modules that drive NF-κB signaling (MyD88 and CD40). Using a TCR-mimic antibody fragment that targets a recurrent p53 neoantigen presented in a common human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele, we demonstrate that T cells equipped with Co-STARs can kill cancer cells bearing low densities of antigen better than T cells engineered with conventional CARs and patient-derived TCRs in vitro. In mouse models, we show that Co-STARs mediate more robust T cell expansion and more durable tumor regressions than TCRs similarly modified with MyD88 and CD40 costimulation. Our data suggest that Co-STARs may have utility for other peptide-HLA antigens in cancer and other targets where antigen density may limit the efficacy of engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Mog
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Nikita Marcou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sarah R DiNapoli
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Alexander H Pearlman
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Tushar D Nichakawade
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael S Hwang
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jacqueline Douglass
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emily Han-Chung Hsiue
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Stephanie Glavaris
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Katharine M Wright
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Maximilian F Konig
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Suman Paul
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Nicolas Wyhs
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jiaxin Ge
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Michelle S Miller
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - P Azurmendi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Evangeline Watson
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sandra B Gabelli
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nickolas Papadopoulos
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kenneth W Kinzler
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Bert Vogelstein
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shibin Zhou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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7
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Goto A, Moriya Y, Nakayama M, Iwasaki S, Yamamoto S. DMPK perspective on quantitative model analysis for chimeric antigen receptor cell therapy: Advances and challenges. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2024; 56:101003. [PMID: 38843652 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2024.101003] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells are genetically engineered immune cells that specifically target tumor-associated antigens and have revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly in hematological malignancies, with ongoing investigations into their potential applications in solid tumors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and challenges in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) for CAR cell therapy, specifically emphasizing on quantitative modeling and simulation (M&S). Furthermore, the recent advances in quantitative model analysis have been reviewed, ranging from clinical data characterization to mechanism-based modeling that connects in vitro and in vivo nonclinical and clinical study data. Additionally, the future perspectives and areas for improvement in CAR cell therapy translation have been reviewed. This includes using formulation quality considerations, characterization of appropriate animal models, refinement of in vitro models for bottom-up approaches, and enhancement of quantitative bioanalytical methodology. Addressing these challenges within a DMPK framework is pivotal in facilitating the translation of CAR cell therapy, ultimately enhancing the patients' lives through efficient CAR cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Goto
- Center of Excellence for Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Modeling, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuu Moriya
- Center of Excellence for Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Modeling, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miyu Nakayama
- Center of Excellence for Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Modeling, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinji Iwasaki
- Center of Excellence for Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Modeling, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Syunsuke Yamamoto
- Center of Excellence for Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Modeling, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan.
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8
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Huang Y, Chen X, Zhu Z, Mukherjee A. A Dual-Gene Reporter-Amplifier Architecture for Enhancing the Sensitivity of Molecular MRI by Water Exchange. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400087. [PMID: 38439618 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400087] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The development of genetic reporters for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for investigating biological functions in vivo. However, current MRI reporters have low sensitivity, making it challenging to create significant contrast against the tissue background, especially when only a small fraction of cells express the reporter. To overcome this limitation, we developed an approach for amplifying the sensitivity of molecular MRI by combining a chemogenetic contrast mechanism with a biophysical approach to increase water diffusion through the co-expression of a dual-gene construct comprising an organic anion transporting polypeptide, Oatp1b3, and a water channel, Aqp1. We first show that the expression of Aqp1 amplifies MRI contrast in cultured cells engineered to express Oatp1b3. We demonstrate that the contrast amplification is caused by Aqp1-driven increase in water exchange, which provides the gadolinium ions internalized by Oatp1b3-expressing cells with access to a larger water pool compared with exchange-limited conditions. We further show that our methodology allows cells to be detected using approximately 10-fold lower concentrations of gadolinium than that in the Aqp1-free scenario. Finally, we show that our approach enables the imaging of mixed-cell cultures containing a low fraction of Oatp1b3-labeled cells that are undetectable on the basis of Oatp1b3 expression alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
| | - Ziyue Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
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9
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Yang Y, Vedvyas Y, Alcaina Y, Son JY, Min IM, Jin MM. Low-dose targeted radionuclide therapy synergizes with CAR T cells and enhances tumor response. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1355388. [PMID: 38550578 PMCID: PMC10972862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1355388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation has garnered considerable attention as a combination partner for immunotherapy due to its potential immunostimulatory effects. In contrast to the more commonly used external beam radiation, we explored the feasibility of combining chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy with targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT), which is achieved by delivering β-emitting 177Lu-DOTATATE to tumor via tumor-infiltrating CAR T cells that express somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2). We hypothesized that the delivery of radiation to tumors could synergize with CAR T therapy, resulting in enhanced antitumor immunity and tumor response. To determine the optimal dosage and timing of 177Lu-DOTATATE treatment, we measured CAR T cell infiltration and expansion in tumors longitudinally through positron emission tomography (PET) using a SSTR2-specific positron-emitting radiotracer,18F-NOTA-Octreotide. In animals receiving CAR T cells and a low-dose (2.5 Gy) of TRT following the administration of 177Lu-DOTATATE, we observed a rapid regression of large subcutaneous tumors, which coincided with a dramatic increase in serum proinflammatory cytokines. Tumor burden was also reduced when a higher radiation dose (6 Gy) was delivered to the tumor. However, this higher dose led to cell death in both the tumor and CAR T cells. Our study suggests that there may exist an optimum range of TRT dosage that can enhance T cell activity and sensitize tumor cells to T cell killing, which may result in more durable tumor control compared to a higher radiation dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Yang
- Department of Radiology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yogindra Vedvyas
- Department of Radiology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yago Alcaina
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ju Y. Son
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Irene M. Min
- Department of Radiology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Moonsoo M. Jin
- Department of Radiology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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10
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Zhu C, Wu Q, Sheng T, Shi J, Shen X, Yu J, Du Y, Sun J, Liang T, He K, Ding Y, Li H, Gu Z, Wang W. Rationally designed approaches to augment CAR-T therapy for solid tumor treatment. Bioact Mater 2024; 33:377-395. [PMID: 38059121 PMCID: PMC10696433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell denoted as CAR-T therapy has realized incredible therapeutic advancements for B cell malignancy treatment. However, its therapeutic validity has yet to be successfully achieved in solid tumors. Different from hematological cancers, solid tumors are characterized by dysregulated blood vessels, dense extracellular matrix, and filled with immunosuppressive signals, which together result in CAR-T cells' insufficient infiltration and rapid dysfunction. The insufficient recognition of tumor cells and tumor heterogeneity eventually causes cancer reoccurrences. In addition, CAR-T therapy also raises safety concerns, including potential cytokine release storm, on-target/off-tumor toxicities, and neuro-system side effects. Here we comprehensively review various targeting aspects, including CAR-T cell design, tumor modulation, and delivery strategy. We believe it is essential to rationally design a combinatory CAR-T therapy via constructing optimized CAR-T cells, directly manipulating tumor tissue microenvironments, and selecting the most suitable delivery strategy to achieve the optimal outcome in both safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Qing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Tao Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Xinyuan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Jicheng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yang Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Tingxizi Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kaixin He
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
- ZJU-Pujian Research & Development Center of Medical Artificial Intelligence for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, 321299, China
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
- ZJU-Pujian Research & Development Center of Medical Artificial Intelligence for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
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11
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Song X, Zhang Y, Lv X, Xu Z, Long Y, Gai Y, Jiang D, Lei P, Lan X. Noninvasive longitudinal PET/CT imaging of CAR T cells using PSMA reporter gene. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:965-977. [PMID: 37971500 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06508-6] [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: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved great success in treating hematologic malignancies. However, it is yet to prove effective in the treatment of solid tumors. Thus, it is necessary to develop appropriate methodology for the long-term, accurate, and quantitative evaluation of the distribution and activities of CAR T cells in solid tumors. In the present study, we engineered TfR ΔPSMA CAR (CAR-ΔPSMA) T cells, which targeted the transferrin receptor (TfR) expressed by tumor cells and could be tracked in vivo via a reporter gene encoding the truncated prostate specific membrane antigen (ΔPSMA). We then quantitatively monitored these CAR T cells in vitro and in vivo using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). METHODS The CAR-ΔPSMA T cells were genetically engineered by transducing T cells with a lentiviral vector encoding TfR41BBζ-T2A-ΔPSMA. Firstly, the target expression, activation, and cytotoxicity of CAR-ΔPSMA T cells were validated in vitro. Secondly, the minimum thresholds of CAR-ΔPSMA T cells detection for [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 PET/CT were also determined in vitro and in vivo respectively. Lastly, the feasibility of monitoring the biodistribution and infiltration of CAR-ΔPSMA T cells after systematic administration was evaluated in the breast cancer subcutaneous xenograft model. RESULTS The CAR-ΔPSMA T cells retained activation and tumor killing capacity after transduction of the ΔPSMA-encoding reporter gene. Next, the CAR-ΔPSMA T cells could be reliably tracked by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 PET/CT, the detection sensitivity of which was 250 cells/mm3 in vitro and 100 cells/mm3 in vivo. Next, the sequential imaging assays revealed that [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 PET/CT could be used to specifically visualize ΔPSMA+ CAR T cells at the tumor site. The increase in the [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 signal intensity over time allowed us to effectively detect CAR T cells in vivo. CONCLUSION Our findings preliminarily confirmed that [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 PET/CT could reliably detect CAR-ΔPSMA T cells in vitro and in vivo in solid tumors, laying the foundation for the monitoring CAR T cell therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangming Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Yirui Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoying Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuoshuo Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongkang Gai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China.
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12
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Zhang Y, Song X, Xu Z, Lv X, Long Y, Lan X, Lei P. Construction of truncated PSMA as a PET reporter gene for CAR T cell trafficking. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:476-482. [PMID: 37943840 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad127] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In solid tumors, there are multiple barriers for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell to surmount in order to reach the tumor site. For better understanding whether CAR T cells effectively infiltrate into tumor site, and simultaneously, whether there are off-target effects, real-time monitoring technologies need to be established. Cell-based positron emission tomography reporter genes have been developed to monitor engineered cells in living subjects. In this study, we reported the construction of a novel reporter gene truncated prostate-specific membrane antigen (ΔPSMA) pending for monitoring CAR T cells using 68Ga-PSMA-617 and a method for tracking the distribution of CAR T cells in vivo was developed. Data were provided to demonstrate that ΔPSMA was predominantly localized on the plasma membrane and could take up 68Ga-PSMA-617 in vitro in a time-dependent manner. And the expression of ΔPSMA did not affect CAR expression and cytolytic capacity of CAR T cells. CAR-ΔPSMA T cell xenografts in nude mice were clearly imaged by positron emission tomography 60 min after injection of 68Ga-PSMA-617. PSMA paired with 68Ga-PSMA-617 was capable of identifying approximately 1 × 104 engineered CAR T cells. The ability to image small numbers of CAR T cells in vivo would be helpful to accelerate the translation of cell-based therapies into the clinic, and it may reinforce our understanding of treatment success, failure, and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yirui Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xiangming Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhuoshuo Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoying Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
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Kim SY, Soh H, Jung JH, Cho EH, Kim H, Ju JM, Sheen JH, Lee SJ, Oh SJ, Lee SJ, Chung J, Ryu JS. Direct and Indirect Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Imaging with PET/MRI in a Tumor Xenograft Model. Radiology 2024; 310:e231406. [PMID: 38411517 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.231406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a promising cancer therapy; however, reliable and repeatable methods for tracking and monitoring CAR T cells in vivo remain underexplored. Purpose To investigate direct and indirect imaging strategies for tracking the biodistribution of CAR T cells and monitoring their therapeutic effect in target tumors. Materials and Methods CAR T cells co-expressing a tumor-targeting gene (anti-CD19 CAR) and a human somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (hSSTr2) reporter gene were generated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. After direct labeling with zirconium 89 (89Zr)-p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-desferrioxamine (DFO), CAR T cells were intravenously injected into immunodeficient mice with a CD19-positive and CD19-negative human tumor xenograft on the left and right flank, respectively. PET/MRI was used for direct in vivo imaging of 89Zr-DFO-labeled CAR T cells on days 0, 1, 3, and 7 and for indirect cell imaging with the radiolabeled somatostatin receptor-targeted ligand gallium 68 (68Ga)-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide (DOTATOC) on days 6, 9, and 13. On day 13, mice were euthanized, and tissues and tumors were excised. Results The 89Zr-DFO-labeled CAR T cells were observed on PET/MRI scans in the liver and lungs of mice (n = 4) at all time points assessed. However, they were not visualized in CD19-positive or CD19-negative tumors, even on day 7. Serial 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/MRI showed CAR T cell accumulation in CD19-positive tumors but not in CD19-negative tumors from days 6 to 13. Notably, 68Ga-DOTATOC accumulation in CD19-positive tumors was highest on day 9 (mean percentage injected dose [%ID], 3.7% ± 1.0 [SD]) and decreased on day 13 (mean %ID, 2.6% ± 0.7) in parallel with a decrease in tumor volume (day 9: mean, 195 mm3 ± 27; day 13: mean, 127 mm3 ± 43) in the group with tumor growth inhibition. Enhanced immunohistochemistry staining of cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and hSSTr2 was also observed in excised CD19-positive tumor tissues. Conclusion Direct and indirect cell imaging with PET/MRI enabled in vivo tracking and monitoring of CAR T cells in an animal model. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Bulte in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seog-Young Kim
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Hyunsu Soh
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Jin Hwa Jung
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Eun Hye Cho
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Hyori Kim
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Ji-Min Ju
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Joong Hyuk Sheen
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Sang Ju Lee
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Seung Jun Oh
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Sang-Jin Lee
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Junho Chung
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
| | - Jin-Sook Ryu
- From the Convergence Medicine Research Center (S.Y.K., H.S., J.H.J., H.K.) and Department of Nuclear Medicine (E.H.C., Sang Ju Lee, S.J.O., J.S.R.), Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (J.M.J., J.H.S., Sang-Jin Lee); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J.C.)
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Huang Y, Chen X, Zhu Z, Mukherjee A. A dual-gene reporter-amplifier architecture for enhancing the sensitivity of molecular MRI by water exchange. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.22.576672. [PMID: 38328134 PMCID: PMC10849537 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.22.576672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The development of genetic reporters for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for investigating biological functions in intact animals. However, current MRI reporters have low sensitivity, making it challenging to create significant contrast against the tissue background, especially when only a small percentage of cells express the reporter. To overcome this limitation, we developed an approach that amplifies signals by co-expressing an MRI reporter gene, Oatp1b3, with a water channel, aquaporin-1 (Aqp1). We first show that the expression of Aqp1 amplifies the paramagnetic relaxation effect of Oatp1b3 by facilitating transmembrane water exchange. This mechanism provides Oatp1b3-expressing cells with access to a larger water pool compared with typical exchange-limited conditions. We further demonstrated that our methodology allows dual-labeled cells to be detected using approximately 10-fold lower concentrations of contrast agent than that in the Aqp1-free scenario. Finally, we show that our approach enables the imaging of mixed-cell populations containing a low fraction of Oatp1b3-labeled cells that are otherwise undetectable based on Oatp1b3 expression alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
| | - Ziyue Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
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15
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Cawthorne CJ, Volpe A, Fruhwirth GO. The Basics of Visualizing, Analyzing, and Reporting Preclinical PET/CT Imaging Data. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2729:195-220. [PMID: 38006498 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3499-8_12] [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: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) has transformed medical imaging, and while first developed and applied to the human setting, it has found widespread application at the preclinical level over the past two decades. Its strength is that it offers noninvasive 3D tomographic imaging in a quantitative manner at very high sensitivity. Paired with the right molecular probes, invaluable insights into physiology and pathophysiology have been accessible and therapeutic development has been enhanced through preclinical PET imaging. PET imaging is now often routinely combined with either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide additional anatomical context. All these developments were accompanied by the provision of ever more complex and powerful analysis software enabling users to visualize and quantify signals from PET imaging data. Aside from experimental complexities, there are also various pitfalls in PET image data analysis, which can negatively impact on reporting and reproducibility.Here, we provide a protocol intended to guide the inexperienced user through PET/CT data analysis. We describe the general principles and workflows required for PET/CT image data visualization and quantitative analysis using various software packages popular in the field. Moreover, we present recommendations for reporting of preclinical PET/CT data including examples of good and poor practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Cawthorne
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Alessia Volpe
- Molecular Imaging Group, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gilbert O Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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16
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Albelda SM. CAR T cell therapy for patients with solid tumours: key lessons to learn and unlearn. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:47-66. [PMID: 37904019 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been approved for use in patients with B cell malignancies or relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, yet efficacy against most solid tumours remains elusive. The limited imaging and biopsy data from clinical trials in this setting continues to hinder understanding, necessitating a reliance on imperfect preclinical models. In this Perspective, I re-evaluate current data and suggest potential pathways towards greater success, drawing lessons from the few successful trials testing CAR T cells in patients with solid tumours and the clinical experience with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. The most promising approaches include the use of pluripotent stem cells, co-targeting multiple mechanisms of immune evasion, employing multiple co-stimulatory domains, and CAR ligand-targeting vaccines. An alternative strategy focused on administering multiple doses of short-lived CAR T cells in an attempt to pre-empt exhaustion and maintain a functional effector pool should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Albelda
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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17
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Singh SB, Bhandari S, Siwakoti S, Kumar M, Singh R, Bhusal S, Sharma K, Bhandari S, Khanal K. PET/CT in the Evaluation of CAR-T Cell Immunotherapy in Hematological Malignancies. Mol Imaging 2024; 23:15353508241257924. [PMID: 38952399 PMCID: PMC11208886 DOI: 10.1177/15353508241257924] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell-based immunotherapy has emerged as a path-breaking strategy for certain hematological malignancies. Assessment of the response to CAR-T therapy using quantitative imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been broadly investigated. However, the definitive role of PET/CT in CAR-T therapy remains to be established. [18F]FDG PET/CT has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating patients with a partial and complete response after CAR-T therapy in lymphoma. The early therapeutic response and immune-related adverse effects such as cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome can also be detected on [18F]FDG PET images. In otherwise asymptomatic lymphoma patients with partial response following CAR-T therapy, the only positive findings could be abnormal PET/CT results. In multiple myeloma, a negative [18F]FDG PET/CT after receiving B-cell maturation antigen-directed CAR-T therapy has been associated with a favorable prognosis. In leukemia, [18F]FDG PET/CT can detect extramedullary metastases and treatment responses after therapy. Hence, PET/CT is a valuable imaging tool for patients undergoing CAR-T therapy for pretreatment evaluation, monitoring treatment response, assessing safety, and guiding therapeutic strategies. Developing guidelines with standardized cutoff values for various PET parameters and tumor cell-specific tracers may improve the efficacy and safety of CAR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shisir Siwakoti
- Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Kavre, Nepal
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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18
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Wala JA, Hanna GJ. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2023; 37:1149-1168. [PMID: 37353377 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2023.05.009] [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] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
We review chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for solid tumors. We discuss patient selection factors and aspects of clinical management. We describe challenges including physical and molecular barriers to trafficking CAR-Ts, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and difficulty finding cell surface target antigens. The application of new approaches in synthetic biology and cellular engineering toward solid tumor CAR-Ts is described. Finally, we summarize reported and ongoing clinical trials of CAR-T therapies for select disease sites such as head and neck (including thyroid cancer), lung, central nervous system (glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, glioma), sarcoma, genitourinary (prostate, renal, bladder, kidney), breast and ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah A Wala
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Dana Building 2nd Floor, Room 2-140, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Glenn J Hanna
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Dana Building 2nd Floor, Room 2-140, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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19
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Ma HY, Das J, Prendergast C, De Jong D, Braumuller B, Paily J, Huang S, Liou C, Giarratana A, Hosseini M, Yeh R, Capaccione KM. Advances in CAR T Cell Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9019-9038. [PMID: 37998743 PMCID: PMC10670348 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its first approval by the FDA in 2017, tremendous progress has been made in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, the adoptive transfer of engineered, CAR-expressing T lymphocyte. CAR T cells are all composed of three main elements: an extracellular antigen-binding domain, an intracellular signaling domain responsible for T cell activation, and a hinge that joins these two domains. Continuous improvement has been made in CARs, now in their fifth generation, particularly in the intracellular signaling domain responsible for T cell activation. CAR T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Nonetheless, the use of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors has not attained comparable levels of success. Here we review the challenges in achieving effective CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors, and emerging CAR T cells that have shown great promise for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A growing number of clinical trials have been conducted to study the effect of CAR T cell therapy on NSCLC, targeting different types of surface antigens. They include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mesothelin (MSLN), prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), and mucin 1 (MUC1). Potential new targets such as erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma A2 (EphA2), tissue factor (TF), and protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) are currently under investigation in clinical trials. The challenges in developing CAR T for NSCLC therapy and other approaches for enhancing CAR T efficacy are discussed. Finally, we provide our perspective on imaging CAR T cell action by reviewing the two main radionuclide-based CAR T cell imaging techniques, the direct labeling of CAR T cells or indirect labeling via a reporter gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yun Ma
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Jeeban Das
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Conor Prendergast
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | | | - Brian Braumuller
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Jacienta Paily
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Sophia Huang
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Connie Liou
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Anna Giarratana
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Mahdie Hosseini
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Randy Yeh
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Capaccione
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medica Center, 622 W 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.Y.M.); (J.P.); (M.H.)
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20
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Yang X, Nao SC, Lin C, Kong L, Wang J, Ko CN, Liu J, Ma DL, Leung CH, Wang W. A cell-impermeable luminogenic probe for near-infrared imaging of prostate-specific membrane antigen in prostate cancer microenvironments. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115659. [PMID: 37499288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging probes are a promising tool for the diagnosis and image-guided surgery of prostate cancer (PCa). However, PSMA-specific luminescence probes for PCa detection and heterogeneity studies with high imaging contrast are lacking. Here, we report the first near-infrared (NIR) iridium(III) complex for the wash-free and specific imaging of PSMA in PCa cells and spheroids. The conjugation of a PSMA inhibitor, Lys-urea-Glu, to an iridium(III) complex synergizes the PSMA-specific affinity and biocompatibility of the inhibitor with the desirable photophysical properties of the iridium(III) complex, including NIR emission (670 nm), high photostability and a large Stokes shift. The cellular impermeability of the probe along with its strong binding affinity to PSMA enhances its specificity for PSMA, enabling the washing-free luminescent imaging of membrane PSMA with lower cytotoxicity. The probe was successfully applied for selectively visualizing PSMA-expressing cells and for the imaging of PSMA in a multicellular PCa model with good imaging penetration, indicating its potential use in complicated and heterogeneous tumor microenvironments. Furthermore, the probe showed good imaging performance in the PCa-bearing tumor mice via targeting PSMA in vivo. This work provides a novel strategy for the development of highly sensitive and specific NIR probes for PSMA in biological systems in vitro, which is of great significance for the precise diagnosis of PCa and for elucidating PCa heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xifang Yang
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Sang-Cuo Nao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau
| | - Chuankai Lin
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; School of Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, 86 Hongqi Road, Ganzhou, China; Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Lingtan Kong
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Chung-Nga Ko
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinbiao Liu
- School of Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, 86 Hongqi Road, Ganzhou, China.
| | - Dik-Lung Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chung-Hang Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau; Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau; MoE Frontiers Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau.
| | - Wanhe Wang
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Chongqing, 400000, China.
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21
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Kurtz K, Eibler L, Dacek MM, Carter LM, Veach DR, Lovibond S, Reynaud E, Qureshy S, McDevitt MR, Bourne C, Monette S, Punzalan B, Khayat S, Verma S, Kesner AL, Cheung NKV, Schöder H, Gajecki L, Cheal SM, Larson SM, Scheinberg DA, Krebs S. Engineering CAR-T cells for radiohapten capture in imaging and radioimmunotherapy applications. Theranostics 2023; 13:5469-5482. [PMID: 37908719 PMCID: PMC10614694 DOI: 10.7150/thno.87489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The in vivo dynamics of CAR-T cells remain incompletely understood. Novel methods are urgently needed to longitudinally monitor transferred cells non-invasively for biodistribution, functionality, proliferation, and persistence in vivo and for improving their cytotoxic potency in case of treatment failure. Methods: Here we engineered CD19 CAR-T cells ("Thor"-cells) to express a membrane-bound scFv, huC825, that binds DOTA-haptens with picomolar affinity suitable for labeling with imaging or therapeutic radionuclides. We assess its versatile utility for serial tracking studies with PET and delivery of α-radionuclides to enhance anti-tumor killing efficacy in sub-optimal adoptive cell transfer in vivo using Thor-cells in lymphoma models. Results: We show that this reporter gene/probe platform enables repeated, sensitive, and specific assessment of the infused Thor-cells in the whole-body using PET/CT imaging with exceptionally high contrast. The uptake on PET correlates with the Thor-cells on a cellular and functional level. Furthermore, we report the ability of Thor-cells to accumulate cytotoxic alpha-emitting radionuclides preferentially at tumor sites, thus increasing therapeutic potency. Conclusion: Thor-cells are a new theranostic agent that may provide crucial information for better and safer clinical protocols of adoptive T cell therapies, as well as accelerated development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keifer Kurtz
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Laura Eibler
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Megan M. Dacek
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lukas M. Carter
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Darren R. Veach
- Radiochemistry and Imaging Sciences Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Samantha Lovibond
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emma Reynaud
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah Qureshy
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael R. McDevitt
- Radiochemistry and Imaging Sciences Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christopher Bourne
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sebastien Monette
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Blesida Punzalan
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Shireen Khayat
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Svena Verma
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Adam L. Kesner
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V. Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Heiko Schöder
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Leah Gajecki
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah M. Cheal
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Steven M. Larson
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Simone Krebs
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Radiochemistry and Imaging Sciences Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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22
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Alderuccio JP, Kuker RA, Yang F, Moskowitz CH. Quantitative PET-based biomarkers in lymphoma: getting ready for primetime. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:640-657. [PMID: 37460635 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The use of functional quantitative biomarkers extracted from routine PET-CT scans to characterize clinical responses in patients with lymphoma is gaining increased attention, and these biomarkers can outperform established clinical risk factors. Total metabolic tumour volume enables individualized estimation of survival outcomes in patients with lymphoma and has shown the potential to predict response to therapy suitable for risk-adapted treatment approaches in clinical trials. The deployment of machine learning tools in molecular imaging research can assist in recognizing complex patterns and, with image classification, in tumour identification and segmentation of data from PET-CT scans. Initial studies using fully automated approaches to calculate metabolic tumour volume and other PET-based biomarkers have demonstrated appropriate correlation with calculations from experts, warranting further testing in large-scale studies. The extraction of computer-based quantitative tumour characterization through radiomics can provide a comprehensive view of phenotypic heterogeneity that better captures the molecular and functional features of the disease. Additionally, radiomics can be integrated with genomic data to provide more accurate prognostic information. Further improvements in PET-based biomarkers are imminent, although their incorporation into clinical decision-making currently has methodological shortcomings that need to be addressed with confirmatory prospective validation in selected patient populations. In this Review, we discuss the current knowledge, challenges and opportunities in the integration of quantitative PET-based biomarkers in clinical trials and the routine management of patients with lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Alderuccio
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Russ A Kuker
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Medical Physics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Craig H Moskowitz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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23
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Mulgaonkar A, Udayakumar D, Yang Y, Harris S, Öz OK, Ramakrishnan Geethakumari P, Sun X. Current and potential roles of immuno-PET/-SPECT in CAR T-cell therapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1199146. [PMID: 37441689 PMCID: PMC10333708 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1199146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have evolved as breakthrough treatment options for the management of hematological malignancies and are also being developed as therapeutics for solid tumors. However, despite the impressive patient responses from CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapies, ~ 40%-60% of these patients' cancers eventually relapse, with variable prognosis. Such relapses may occur due to a combination of molecular resistance mechanisms, including antigen loss or mutations, T-cell exhaustion, and progression of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This class of therapeutics is also associated with certain unique toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and other "on-target, off-tumor" toxicities, as well as anaphylactic effects. Furthermore, manufacturing limitations and challenges associated with solid tumor infiltration have delayed extensive applications. The molecular imaging modalities of immunological positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography (immuno-PET/-SPECT) offer a target-specific and highly sensitive, quantitative, non-invasive platform for longitudinal detection of dynamic variations in target antigen expression in the body. Leveraging these imaging strategies as guidance tools for use with CAR T-cell therapies may enable the timely identification of resistance mechanisms and/or toxic events when they occur, permitting effective therapeutic interventions. In addition, the utilization of these approaches in tracking the CAR T-cell pharmacokinetics during product development and optimization may help to assess their efficacy and accordingly to predict treatment outcomes. In this review, we focus on current challenges and potential opportunities in the application of immuno-PET/-SPECT imaging strategies to address the challenges encountered with CAR T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Mulgaonkar
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Durga Udayakumar
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Yaxing Yang
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Shelby Harris
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Orhan K. Öz
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari
- Section of Hematologic Malignancies/Transplant and Cell Therapy, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Xiankai Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Ren M, Yao B, Han B, Li C. Nuclear Imaging of CAR T Immunotherapy to Solid Tumors: In Terms of Biodistribution, Viability, and Cytotoxic Effect. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200293. [PMID: 36642820 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200293] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become a mainstay of cancer therapy. Since chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T immunotherapy achieves unprecedented success in curing hematological malignancies, the possibility of it revolutionizing the paradigm of solid tumors has aroused increasing attention. However, the restricted accessibility to tumor parenchyma, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and antigen heterogeneity of solid tumors make it difficult to replicate its success. Therefore, dynamic evaluation of CAR T cells' tumor accessibility, intratumoral viability, and anti-tumor cytotoxicity is necessary to facilitate its translation to solid tumors. Besides, real-timely imaging above events in vivo can help evaluate therapeutic responses and optimize CAR T immunotherapy for solid tumors. Nuclear imaging, including positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, is frequently applied for evaluating adoptive cell therapies owing to its excellent sensitivity, high tissue penetration, and great translation potential. In addition, quantitative analysis can be performed in dynamic and noninvasive patterns. This review focuses on recent advances in PET/SPECT technologies and imaging probes in monitoring CAR T cells' migration, viability, and cytotoxicity to solid tumors post-administration. Prospects of what should be done in the next stage to promote CAR T therapy's application in solid tumors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Ren
- Minhang Hospital and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Bolin Yao
- Minhang Hospital and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Han
- Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Li
- Minhang Hospital and Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, 201203, Shanghai, China
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Schwenck J, Sonanini D, Cotton JM, Rammensee HG, la Fougère C, Zender L, Pichler BJ. Advances in PET imaging of cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2023:10.1038/s41568-023-00576-4. [PMID: 37258875 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00576-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging has experienced enormous advancements in the areas of imaging technology, imaging probe and contrast development, and data quality, as well as machine learning-based data analysis. Positron emission tomography (PET) and its combination with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a multimodality PET-CT or PET-MRI system offer a wealth of molecular, functional and morphological data with a single patient scan. Despite the recent technical advances and the availability of dozens of disease-specific contrast and imaging probes, only a few parameters, such as tumour size or the mean tracer uptake, are used for the evaluation of images in clinical practice. Multiparametric in vivo imaging data not only are highly quantitative but also can provide invaluable information about pathophysiology, receptor expression, metabolism, or morphological and functional features of tumours, such as pH, oxygenation or tissue density, as well as pharmacodynamic properties of drugs, to measure drug response with a contrast agent. It can further quantitatively map and spatially resolve the intertumoural and intratumoural heterogeneity, providing insights into tumour vulnerabilities for target-specific therapeutic interventions. Failure to exploit and integrate the full potential of such powerful imaging data may lead to a lost opportunity in which patients do not receive the best possible care. With the desire to implement personalized medicine in the cancer clinic, the full comprehensive diagnostic power of multiplexed imaging should be utilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Schwenck
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumour Therapies', Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Sonanini
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Medical Oncology and Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Cotton
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumour Therapies', Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumour Therapies', Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, IFIZ Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, German Cancer Consortium DKTK, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian la Fougère
- Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumour Therapies', Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, German Cancer Consortium DKTK, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lars Zender
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumour Therapies', Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Medical Oncology and Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, German Cancer Consortium DKTK, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd J Pichler
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumour Therapies', Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center, German Cancer Consortium DKTK, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Jacob J, Volpe A, Peng Q, Lechler RI, Smyth LA, Lombardi G, Fruhwirth GO. Radiolabelling of Polyclonally Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells (Treg) with 89Zr-oxine for Medium-Term In Vivo Cell Tracking. Molecules 2023; 28:1482. [PMID: 36771148 PMCID: PMC9920634 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a promising candidate cell therapy to treat autoimmune diseases and aid the longevity of transplanted solid organs. Despite increasing numbers of clinical trials using human Treg therapy, important questions pertaining to their in vivo fate, distribution, and function remain unanswered. Treg accumulation in relevant tissues was found to be crucial for Treg therapy efficacy, but existing blood-borne biomarkers are unlikely to accurately reflect the tissue state. Non-invasive Treg tracking by whole-body imaging is a promising alternative and can be achieved by direct radiolabelling of Tregs and following the radiolabelled cells with positron emission tomography (PET). Our goal was to evaluate the radiolabelling of polyclonal Tregs with 89Zr to permit their in vivo tracking by PET/CT for longer than one week with current preclinical PET instrumentation. We used [89Zr]Zr(oxinate)4 as the cell-labelling agent and achieved successful radiolabelling efficiency of human Tregs spanning 0.1-11.1 Bq 89Zr/Treg cell, which would be compatible with PET tracking beyond one week. We characterized the 89Zr-Tregs, assessing their phenotypes, and found that they were not tolerating these intracellular 89Zr amounts, as they failed to survive or expand in a 89Zr-dose-dependent manner. Even at 0.1 Bq 89Zr per Treg cell, while 89Zr-Tregs remained functional as determined by a five-day-long effector T cell suppression assay, they failed to expand beyond day 3 in vitro. Moreover, PET imaging revealed signs of 89Zr-Treg death after adoptive transfer in vivo. In summary, 89Zr labelling of Tregs at intracellular radioisotope amounts compatible with cell tracking over several weeks did not achieve the desired outcomes, as 89Zr-Tregs failed to expand and survive. Consequently, we conclude that indirect Treg labelling is likely to be the most effective alternative method to satisfy the requirements of this cell tracking scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Jacob
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Tower Wing, 5th Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Alessia Volpe
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, New Hunt’s House, 2nd Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Qi Peng
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Tower Wing, 5th Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, New Hunt’s House, 2nd Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Robert I. Lechler
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Tower Wing, 5th Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Lesley A. Smyth
- School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, Stratford Campus, University of East London, London E15 4LZ, UK
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Tower Wing, 5th Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, New Hunt’s House, 2nd Floor, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 1UL, UK
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Pruller J, Pham TT, Blower JE, Charoenphun P, Volpe A, Sunassee K, Mullen GED, Blower PJ, Smith RAG, Ma MT. An indium-111-labelled membrane-targeted peptide for cell tracking with radionuclide imaging. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:65-73. [PMID: 36685254 PMCID: PMC9811519 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00164k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell labelling agents that enable longitudinal in vivo tracking of administered cells will support the clinical development of cell-based therapies. Radionuclide imaging with gamma and positron-emitting radioisotopes can provide quantitative and longitudinal mapping of cells in vivo. To make this widely accessible and adaptable to a range of cell types, new, versatile and simple methods for directly radiolabelling cells are required. We have developed [111In]In-DTPA-CTP, the first example of a radiolabelled peptide that binds to the extracellular membrane of cells, for tracking cell distribution in vivo using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). [111In]In-DTPA-CTP consists of (i) myristoyl groups for insertion into the phospholipid bilayer, (ii) positively charged lysine residues for electrostatic association with negatively charged phospholipid groups at the cell surface and (iii) a diethylenetriamine pentaacetate derivative that coordinates the γ-emitting radiometal, [111In]In3+. [111In]In-DTPA-CTP binds to 5T33 murine myeloma cells, enabling qualitative SPECT tracking of myeloma cells' accumulation in lungs immediately after intravenous administration. This is the first report of a radiolabelled cell-membrane binding peptide for use in cell tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Pruller
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London UK
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Truc Thuy Pham
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Julia E Blower
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Putthiporn Charoenphun
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Alessia Volpe
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Kavitha Sunassee
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Gregory E D Mullen
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Philip J Blower
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
| | - Richard A G Smith
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, Guy's Hospital London UK
| | - Michelle T Ma
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital London UK
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SSTR2 as an anatomical imaging marker and a safety switch to monitor and manage CAR T cell toxicity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20932. [PMID: 36463361 PMCID: PMC9719480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25224-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to image adoptively transferred T cells in the body and to eliminate them to avoid toxicity will be vital for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, particularly against solid tumors with higher risk of off-tumor toxicity. Previously, we have demonstrated the utility of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) for CAR T cell imaging, illustrating the expansion and contraction of CAR T cells in tumor as well as off-tumor expansion. Using intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)-specific CAR T cells that secrete interleukin (IL)-12 as a model, herein we examined the potential of SSTR2 as a safety switch when combined with the SSTR2-specific maytansine-octreotate conjugate PEN-221. Constitutive secretion of IL-12 led to continuous expansion of CAR T cells after rapid elimination of tumors, causing systemic toxicity in mice with intact MHC expression. Treatment with PEN-221 rapidly reduced the abundance of CAR T cells, decreasing the severity of xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and prolonged survival. Our study supports the development of SSTR2 as a single genetic marker for CAR T cells that is readily applicable to humans both for anatomical detection of T cell distribution and an image-guided safety switch for rapid elimination of CAR T cells.
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Ma X, Zhang MJ, Wang J, Zhang T, Xue P, Kang Y, Sun ZJ, Xu Z. Emerging Biomaterials Imaging Antitumor Immune Response. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2204034. [PMID: 35728795 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is one of the most promising clinical modalities for the treatment of malignant tumors and has shown excellent therapeutic outcomes in clinical settings. However, it continues to face several challenges, including long treatment cycles, high costs, immune-related adverse events, and low response rates. Thus, it is critical to predict the response rate to immunotherapy by using imaging technology in the preoperative and intraoperative. Here, the latest advances in nanosystem-based biomaterials used for predicting responses to immunotherapy via the imaging of immune cells and signaling molecules in the immune microenvironment are comprehensively summarized. Several imaging methods, such as fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography imaging, ultrasound imaging, and photoacoustic imaging, used in immune predictive imaging, are discussed to show the potential of nanosystems for distinguishing immunotherapy responders from nonresponders. Nanosystem-based biomaterials aided by various imaging technologies are expected to enable the effective prediction and diagnosis in cases of tumors, inflammation, and other public diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Materials and Energy and Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
- Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Jie Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, P. R. China
| | - Jingting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Materials and Energy and Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Materials and Energy and Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Peng Xue
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Materials and Energy and Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Yuejun Kang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Materials and Energy and Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, P. R. China
| | - Zhigang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Materials and Energy and Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
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Volpe A, Adusumilli PS, Schöder H, Ponomarev V. Imaging cellular immunotherapies and immune cell biomarkers: from preclinical studies to patients. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004902. [PMID: 36137649 PMCID: PMC9511655 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapies have emerged as a successful therapeutic approach to fight a wide range of human diseases, including cancer. However, responses are limited to few patients and tumor types. An in-depth understanding of the complexity and dynamics of cellular immunotherapeutics, including what is behind their success and failure in a patient, the role of other immune cell types and molecular biomarkers in determining a response, is now paramount. As the cellular immunotherapy arsenal expands, whole-body non-invasive molecular imaging can shed a light on their in vivo fate and contribute to the reliable assessment of treatment outcome and prediction of therapeutic response. In this review, we outline the non-invasive strategies that can be tailored toward the molecular imaging of cellular immunotherapies and immune-related components, with a focus on those that have been extensively tested preclinically and are currently under clinical development or have already entered the clinical trial phase. We also provide a critical appraisal on the current role and consolidation of molecular imaging into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Volpe
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Prasad S Adusumilli
- Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA,Cellular Therapeutics Center, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA,Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Heiko Schöder
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vladimir Ponomarev
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA,Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA,Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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Pan D, Wang Y, Xu N, Xu Y, Wang X, Wang L, Yan J, Yu L, Miao L, Wang G, Yang M. Feasibility of in vivo CAR T cells tracking using streptavidin-biotin-paired positron emission tomography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:4419-4426. [PMID: 35902411 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05923-5] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel reporter system, streptavidin (SA)- [68 Ga]Ga-labeled biotin ([68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-biotin), was constructed and its ability for PET imaging the behaviors of CAR T cells were also evaluated in this study. METHODS In vitro activity and cytotoxicity of the SA transduced anti-CD19-CAR T (denoted as SA-CD19-CAR T) cells were determined. The feasibility of monitoring proliferation profiles of SA-CD19-CAR T cells using [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-biotin was firstly investigated in a solid tumor model. Also, the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the CAR T cells in whole-body hematologic neoplasms were evaluated by bioluminescence imaging and [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-biotin PET imaging simultaneously. RESULTS After transduction with SA, the activity and cytotoxicity of the modified CAR T cells were not affected. PET images revealed that the uptakes of [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-biotin in CD19+ K562 solid tumors were 0.67 ± 0.32 ID%/g and 1.26 ± 0.13 ID%/g at 30 min and 96 h p.i. after administration of SA-CD19-CAR T cells respectively. It confirmed that the SA-CD19-CAR T cells could effectively inhibit the growth of Raji hematologic tumors. However, low radioactivity related to the proliferation of CD19-CAR T cells was detected in the Raji model. CONCLUSION SA-CD19-CAR T cells were constructed successfully without disturbing the antitumor functions of the cells. The proliferation of the CAR T cells in solid tumors could be early detected by [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-biotin PET imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Pan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214063, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Drug Research and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Nan Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai UniCAR Therapy Bio-Medicine Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214063, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214063, China
| | - Lizhen Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214063, China
| | - Junjie Yan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214063, China
| | - Lei Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai UniCAR Therapy Bio-Medicine Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Liyan Miao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China. .,Institute for Interdisciplinary Drug Research and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Guangji Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Min Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214063, China.
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Tian C, Huang P, He Y, Wang L, Peng Z. [Effects of sodium iodide symporter co-expression on proliferation and cytotoxic activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells in vitro]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:1062-1068. [PMID: 35869771 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.07.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of co-expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) reporter gene on the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells in vitro. METHODS T cells expressing CD19 CAR (CAR-T cells), NIS reporter gene (NIS-T cells), and both (NIS-CAR-T cells) were prepared by lentiviral infection. The transfection rates of NIS and CAR were determined by flow cytometry, and the cell proliferation rate was assessed using CCK-8 assay at 24, 48 and 72 h of routine cell culture. The T cells were co-cultured with Nalm6 tumor cells at the effector-target ratios of 1∶2, 1∶1, 2∶1 and 4∶1 for 24, 48 and 72 h, and the cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells to the tumor cells was evaluated using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. ELISA was used to detect the release of IFN-γ and TNF-β in the co-culture supernatant, and the function of NIS was detected with iodine uptake test. RESULTS The CAR transfection rate was 91.91% in CAR-T cells and 99.41% in NIS-CAR-T cells; the NIS transfection rate was 47.83% in NIS-T cells and 50.24% in NIS- CAR-T cells. No significant difference in the proliferation rate was observed between CAR-T and NIS-CAR-T cells cultured for 24, 48 or 72 h (P> 0.05). In the co-cultures with different effector-target ratios, the tumor cell killing rate was significantly higher in CAR-T group than in NIS-CAR-T group at 24 h (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two groups at 48 h or 72 h (P>0.05). Higher IFN-γ and TNF-β release levels were detected in both CAR-T and NIS-CAR-T groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). NIS-T cells and NIS-CAR-T cells showed similar capacity of specific iodine uptake (P>0.05), which was significantly higher than that in the control T cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The co-expression of the NIS reporter gene does not affect CAR expression, proliferation or tumor cell-killing ability of CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tian
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - P Huang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Y He
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - L Wang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Z Peng
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
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Current state and upcoming opportunities for immunoPET biomarkers in lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2022; 169:84-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2022.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Gawne P, Man F, Blower PJ, T. M. de Rosales R. Direct Cell Radiolabeling for in Vivo Cell Tracking with PET and SPECT Imaging. Chem Rev 2022; 122:10266-10318. [PMID: 35549242 PMCID: PMC9185691 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The arrival of cell-based therapies is a revolution in medicine. However, its safe clinical application in a rational manner depends on reliable, clinically applicable methods for determining the fate and trafficking of therapeutic cells in vivo using medical imaging techniques─known as in vivo cell tracking. Radionuclide imaging using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) has several advantages over other imaging modalities for cell tracking because of its high sensitivity (requiring low amounts of probe per cell for imaging) and whole-body quantitative imaging capability using clinically available scanners. For cell tracking with radionuclides, ex vivo direct cell radiolabeling, that is, radiolabeling cells before their administration, is the simplest and most robust method, allowing labeling of any cell type without the need for genetic modification. This Review covers the development and application of direct cell radiolabeling probes utilizing a variety of chemical approaches: organic and inorganic/coordination (radio)chemistry, nanomaterials, and biochemistry. We describe the key early developments and the most recent advances in the field, identifying advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches and informing future development and choice of methods for clinical and preclinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter
J. Gawne
- School
of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, U.K.
| | - Francis Man
- School
of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, U.K.
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 9NH, U.K.
| | - Philip J. Blower
- School
of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, U.K.
| | - Rafael T. M. de Rosales
- School
of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, U.K.
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Lauwerys L, Smits E, Van den Wyngaert T, Elvas F. Radionuclide Imaging of Cytotoxic Immune Cell Responses to Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051074. [PMID: 35625811 PMCID: PMC9139020 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is an evolving and promising cancer treatment that takes advantage of the body’s immune system to yield effective tumor elimination. Importantly, immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape for many cancers, resulting in remarkable tumor responses and improvements in patient survival. However, despite impressive tumor effects and extended patient survival, only a small proportion of patients respond, and others can develop immune-related adverse events associated with these therapies, which are associated with considerable costs. Therefore, strategies to increase the proportion of patients gaining a benefit from these treatments and/or increasing the durability of immune-mediated tumor response are still urgently needed. Currently, measurement of blood or tissue biomarkers has demonstrated sampling limitations, due to intrinsic tumor heterogeneity and the latter being invasive. In addition, the unique response patterns of these therapies are not adequately captured by conventional imaging modalities. Consequently, non-invasive, sensitive, and quantitative molecular imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using specific radiotracers, have been increasingly used for longitudinal whole-body monitoring of immune responses. Immunotherapies rely on the effector function of CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells (NK) at tumor lesions; therefore, the monitoring of these cytotoxic immune cells is of value for therapy response assessment. Different immune cell targets have been investigated as surrogate markers of response to immunotherapy, which motivated the development of multiple imaging agents. In this review, the targets and radiotracers being investigated for monitoring the functional status of immune effector cells are summarized, and their use for imaging of immune-related responses are reviewed along their limitations and pitfalls, of which multiple have already been translated to the clinic. Finally, emerging effector immune cell imaging strategies and future directions are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Lauwerys
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tim Van den Wyngaert
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
- Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Filipe Elvas
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
- Correspondence:
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36
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Arnouk S, De Groof TW, Van Ginderachter JA. Imaging and therapeutic targeting of the tumor immune microenvironment with biologics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114239. [PMID: 35351469 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The important role of tumor microenvironmental elements in determining tumor progression and metastasis has been firmly established. In particular, the presence and activity profile of tumor-infiltrating immune cells may be associated with the outcome of the disease and may predict responsiveness to (immuno)therapy. Indeed, while some immune cell types, such as macrophages, support cancer cell outgrowth and mediate therapy resistance, the presence of activated CD8+ T cells is usually indicative of a better prognosis. It is therefore of the utmost interest to obtain a full picture of the immune infiltrate in tumors, either as a prognostic test, as a way to stratify patients to maximize therapeutic success, or as therapy follow-up. Hence, the non-invasive imaging of these cells is highly warranted, with biologics being prime candidates to achieve this goal.
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37
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Hegi-Johnson F, Rudd S, Hicks RJ, De Ruysscher D, Trapani JA, John T, Donnelly P, Blyth B, Hanna G, Everitt S, Roselt P, MacManus MP. Imaging immunity in patients with cancer using positron emission tomography. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:24. [PMID: 35393508 PMCID: PMC8989882 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00263-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and related molecules can achieve tumour regression, and even prolonged survival, for a subset of cancer patients with an otherwise dire prognosis. However, it remains unclear why some patients respond to immunotherapy and others do not. PET imaging has the potential to characterise the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of both immunotherapy target molecules and the tumor immune microenvironment, suggesting a tantalising vision of personally-adapted immunomodulatory treatment regimens. Personalised combinations of immunotherapy with local therapies and other systemic therapies, would be informed by immune imaging and subsequently modified in accordance with therapeutically induced immune environmental changes. An ideal PET imaging biomarker would facilitate the choice of initial therapy and would permit sequential imaging in time-frames that could provide actionable information to guide subsequent therapy. Such imaging should provide either prognostic or predictive measures of responsiveness relevant to key immunotherapy types but, most importantly, guide key decisions on initiation, continuation, change or cessation of treatment to reduce the cost and morbidity of treatment while enhancing survival outcomes. We survey the current literature, focusing on clinically relevant immune checkpoint immunotherapies, for which novel PET tracers are being developed, and discuss what steps are needed to make this vision a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Hegi-Johnson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stacey Rudd
- Department of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rodney J Hicks
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dirk De Ruysscher
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas John
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul Donnelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Benjamin Blyth
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gerard Hanna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah Everitt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Roselt
- Department of Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael P MacManus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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38
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Dubois VP, Sehl OC, Foster PJ, Ronald JA. Visualizing CAR-T cell Immunotherapy Using 3 Tesla Fluorine-19 MRI. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:298-308. [PMID: 34786668 PMCID: PMC8983548 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01672-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell cancer immunotherapies have shown remarkable results in patients with hematological malignancies and represent the first approved genetically modified cellular therapies. However, not all blood cancer patients respond favorably, serious side effects have been reported, and the treatment of solid tumors has been a challenge. An imaging tool for visualizing the variety of CAR-T cell products in use and being explored could provide important patient-specific data on CAR-T cell location to inform on potential success or failure of treatment as well as off-target toxicities. Fluorine-19 (19F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for the noninvasive detection of 19F perfluorocarbon (PFC) labeled cells. Our objective was to visualize PFC-labeled (PFC +) CAR-T cells in a mouse model of leukemia using clinical field strength (3 Tesla) 19F MRI and compare the cytotoxicity of PFC + versus unlabeled CAR-T cells. PROCEDURES NSG mice (n = 17) received subcutaneous injections of CD19 + human B cell leukemia cells (NALM6) expressing firefly luciferase in their left hind flank (1 × 106). Twenty-one days later, each mouse received an intratumoral injection of 10 × 106 PFC + CD19-targeted CAR-T cells (n = 6), unlabeled CD19-targeted CAR-T cells (n = 3), PFC + untransduced T cells (n = 5), or an equivalent volume of saline (n = 3). 19F MRI was performed on mice treated with PFC + CAR-T cells days 1, 3, and 7 post-treatment. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was performed on all mice days - 1, 5, 10, and 14 post-treatment to monitor tumor response. RESULTS PFC + CAR-T cells were successfully detected in tumors using 19F MRI on days 1, 3, and 7 post-injection. In vivo BLI data revealed that mice treated with PFC + or PFC - CAR-T cells had significantly lower tumor burden by day 14 compared to untreated mice and mice treated with PFC + untransduced T cells (p < 0.05). Importantly, mice treated with PFC + CAR-T cells showed equivalent cytotoxicity compared to mice receiving PFC - CAR-T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that clinical field strength 19F MRI can be used to visualize PFC + CAR-T cells for up to 7 days post-intratumoral injection. Importantly, PFC labeling did not significantly affect in vivo CAR-T cell cytotoxicity. These imaging tools may have broad applications for tracking emerging CAR-T cell therapies in preclinical models and may eventually be useful for the detection of CAR-T cells in patients where localized injection of CAR-T cells is being pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica P Dubois
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- The Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Olivia C Sehl
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- The Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paula J Foster
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- The Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - John A Ronald
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
- The Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
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39
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Sato N, Choyke PL. Whole-Body Imaging to Assess Cell-Based Immunotherapy: Preclinical Studies with an Update on Clinical Translation. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:235-248. [PMID: 34816284 PMCID: PMC8983636 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01669-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, immunotherapies against cancers made impressive progress. Immunotherapy includes a broad range of interventions that can be separated into two major groups: cell-based immunotherapies, such as adoptive T cell therapies and stem cell therapies, and immunomodulatory molecular therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and cytokine therapies. Genetic engineering techniques that transduce T cells with a cancer-antigen-specific T cell receptor or chimeric antigen receptor have expanded to other cell types, and further modulation of the cells to enhance cancer targeting properties has been explored. Because cell-based immunotherapies rely on cells migrating to target organs or tissues, there is a growing interest in imaging technologies that non-invasively monitor transferred cells in vivo. Here, we review whole-body imaging methods to assess cell-based immunotherapy using a variety of examples. Following a review of preclinically used cell tracking technologies, we consider the status of their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Sato
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10/Rm. B3B406, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Peter L Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10/Rm. B3B69F, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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40
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Li X, Yang X, Li Z, Zheng X, Peng YJ, Lin W, Zhou L, Cao D, Situ M, Tu Q, Huang H, Fan W, Feng G, Zhang X. Development of a Radiotracer for PET Imaging of the SNAP Tag. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:7550-7555. [PMID: 35284707 PMCID: PMC8908366 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapies have progressed to cures for hematopoietic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. However, only some patients can benefit from cell therapies even with prior screening. Due to the limited clinical methods to monitor the in vivo therapeutic functions of these transferred cells over time, the uncertain prognosis is hard to attenuate. Positron emission tomography (PET) cell tracking can provide comprehensive dynamic and spatial information on the proliferation status and whole-body distribution of the therapeutic cell. In this work, we designed and synthesized the first SNAP-tagged PET radiotracer. SNAP tag is an O 6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase that can form an irreversible bond with 18F-BG-surface for in vivo cell tracking based on a reporter gene system. 18F-BG-surface was obtained by the F-Al radiolabeling method in 32 ± 7% radiochemical yield and showed a high in vitro stability in mouse serum. SNAP-tagged cells could be selectively targeted by 18F-BG-surface both in vitro (4.81 ± 0.08%AD/106 cell vs 2.26 ± 0.10%AD/106 cell) and in vivo (1.90 ± 0.05 vs 0.55 ± 0.02% ID/g, p < 0.01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinling Li
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of
Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer
Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Xiaochun Yang
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of
Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer
Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Zhijian Li
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of
Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer
Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Xiaobin Zheng
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of
Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer
Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Yong-jian Peng
- State
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation
Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen
University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Wenjie Lin
- State
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation
Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen
University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Ling Zhou
- Sun
Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China;
Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Dehai Cao
- State
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation
Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen
University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Minyi Situ
- State
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation
Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen
University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Qingqiang Tu
- Laboratory
Animal Center, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan
School of Medicine, 74 Zhongshan 2th Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510085, China
| | - Huiqiang Huang
- State
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation
Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen
University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Wei Fan
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of
Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer
Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Guokai Feng
- State
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation
Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen
University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University State Key Laboratory of
Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer
Center, 651 Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510060, China
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Ng TSC, Allen HH, Rashidian M, Miller MA. Probing immune infiltration dynamics in cancer by in vivo imaging. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 67:102117. [PMID: 35219177 PMCID: PMC9118268 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies typically aim to stimulate the accumulation and activity of cytotoxic T-cells or pro-inflammatory antigen-presenting cells, reduce immunosuppressive myeloid cells or regulatory T-cells, or elicit some combination of effects thereof. Notwithstanding the encouraging results, immunotherapies such as PD-1/PD-L1-targeted immune checkpoint blockade act heterogeneously across individual patients. It remains challenging to predict and monitor individual responses, especially across multiple sites of metastasis or sites of potential toxicity. To address this need, in vivo imaging of both adaptive and innate immune cell populations has emerged as a tool to quantify spatial leukocyte accumulation in tumors non-invasively. Here we review recent progress in the translational development of probes for in vivo leukocyte imaging, focusing on complementary perspectives provided by imaging of T-cells, phagocytic macrophages, and their responses to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S C Ng
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, 185 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Harris H Allen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Mohammad Rashidian
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Miles A Miller
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, 185 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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42
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Kiru L, Zlitni A, Tousley AM, Dalton GN, Wu W, Lafortune F, Liu A, Cunanan KM, Nejadnik H, Sulchek T, Moseley ME, Majzner RG, Daldrup-Link HE. In vivo imaging of nanoparticle-labeled CAR T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2102363119. [PMID: 35101971 PMCID: PMC8832996 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102363119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic osteosarcoma has a poor prognosis with a 2-y, event-free survival rate of ∼15 to 20%, highlighting the need for the advancement of efficacious therapeutics. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a potent strategy for eliminating tumors by harnessing the immune system. However, clinical trials with CAR T cells in solid tumors have encountered significant challenges and have not yet demonstrated convincing evidence of efficacy for a large number of patients. A major bottleneck for the success of CAR T-cell therapy is our inability to monitor the accumulation of the CAR T cells in the tumor with clinical-imaging techniques. To address this, we developed a clinically translatable approach for labeling CAR T cells with iron oxide nanoparticles, which enabled the noninvasive detection of the iron-labeled T cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), photoacoustic imaging (PAT), and magnetic particle imaging (MPI). Using a custom-made microfluidics device for T-cell labeling by mechanoporation, we achieved significant nanoparticle uptake in the CAR T cells, while preserving T-cell proliferation, viability, and function. Multimodal MRI, PAT, and MPI demonstrated homing of the T cells to osteosarcomas and off-target sites in animals administered with T cells labeled with the iron oxide nanoparticles, while T cells were not visualized in animals infused with unlabeled cells. This study details the successful labeling of CAR T cells with ferumoxytol, thereby paving the way for monitoring CAR T cells in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Kiru
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Aimen Zlitni
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | | | - Wei Wu
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Famyrah Lafortune
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Anna Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Kristen May Cunanan
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Hossein Nejadnik
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Todd Sulchek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Michael Eugene Moseley
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Heike Elisabeth Daldrup-Link
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305;
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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43
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Perera MP, Thomas PB, Risbridger GP, Taylor R, Azad A, Hofman MS, Williams ED, Vela I. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030503. [PMID: 35158771 PMCID: PMC8833489 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers amongst men worldwide. Treatment for metastatic disease is often in the form of androgen deprivation therapy. However, over the course of treatment affected men may become castrate-resistant. Options for men with metastatic castrate-resistant cancer are limited. This review focuses on the role of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. This review is a contemporary appraisal of preclinical and clinical studies conducted in this emerging form of immunotherapy. A thorough evaluation of the role of CAR-T therapy in prostate cancer is provided, as well as the obstacles we must overcome to clinically translate this therapy for men affected with this rapidly fatal disease. Abstract Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed solid-organ cancer amongst males worldwide. Metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a rapidly fatal end-sequelae of prostate cancer. Therapeutic options for men with mCRPC are limited and are not curative in nature. The recent development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionised the treatment of treatment-resistant haematological malignancies, and several studies are underway investigating the utility of this technology in the treatment of solid tumours. In this review, we evaluate the current treatment options for men with mCRPC as well as the current landscape of preclinical and clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy against prostate cancer. We also appraise the various prostate cancer-specific tumour-associated antigens that may be targeted by CAR-T cell technology. Finally, we examine the potential translational barriers of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumours. Despite preclinical success, preliminary clinical trials in men with prostate cancer have had limited efficacy. Therefore, further clinically translatable preclinical models are required to enhance the understanding of the role of this investigational therapeutic in men with mCRPC. In the era of precision medicine, tailored immunotherapy administered to men in a tumour-agnostic approach provides hope to a group of men who otherwise have few treatment options available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahasha P.J. Perera
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.); (E.D.W.)
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (M.P.P.); (I.V.)
| | - Patrick B. Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.); (E.D.W.)
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Gail P. Risbridger
- Prostate Cancer Research Group, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (G.P.R.); (R.T.)
| | - Renea Taylor
- Prostate Cancer Research Group, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (G.P.R.); (R.T.)
| | - Arun Azad
- Prostate Cancer Theranostics and Imaging Centre of Excellence (ProsTIC), Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (A.A.); (M.S.H.)
| | - Michael S. Hofman
- Prostate Cancer Theranostics and Imaging Centre of Excellence (ProsTIC), Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (A.A.); (M.S.H.)
| | - Elizabeth D. Williams
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.); (E.D.W.)
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ian Vela
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.B.T.); (E.D.W.)
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (M.P.P.); (I.V.)
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Zhang W, Gaikwad H, Groman EV, Purev E, Simberg D, Wang G. Highly aminated iron oxide nanoworms for simultaneous manufacturing and labeling of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS 2022; 541:168480. [PMID: 34720339 PMCID: PMC8553019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2021.168480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cell based therapies including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are promising for treating leukemias and solid cancers. At the same time, there is interest in enhancing the functionality of these cells via surface decoration with nanoparticles (backpacking). Magnetic nanoparticle cell labeling is of particular interest due to opportunities for magnetic separation, in vivo manipulation, drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While modification of T cells with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was explored before, we questioned whether MNPs are compatible with CAR-T cells when introduced during the manufacturing process. We chose highly aminated 120 nm crosslinked iron oxide nanoworms (CLIO NWs, ~36,000 amines per NW) that could efficiently label different adherent cell lines and we used CD123 CAR-T cells as the labeling model. The CD123 CAR-T cells were produced in the presence of CLIO NWs, CLIO NWs plus protamine sulfate (PS), or PS only. The transduction efficiency of lentiviral CD123 CAR with only NWs was ~23% lower than NW+PS and PS groups (~33% and 35%, respectively). The cell viability from these three transduction conditions was not reduced within CAR-T cell groups, though lower compared to non-transduced T cells (mock T). Use of CLIO NWs instead of, or together with cationic protamine sulfate for enhancement of lentiviral transduction resulted in comparable levels of CAR expression and viability but decreased the proportion of CD8+ cells and increased the proportion of CD4+ cells. CD123 CAR-T transduced in the presence of CLIO NWs, CLIO NWs plus PS, or PS only, showed similar level of cytotoxicity against leukemic cell lines. Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy imaging demonstrated that CD123 CAR-T cells labeled with CLIO NW formed rosettes with CD123+ leukemic cells as the non-labeled CAR-T cells, indicating that the CAR-T targeting to tumor cells has maintained after CLIO NW labeling. The in vivo trafficking of the NW labeled CAR-T cells showed the accumulation of CAR-T labeled with NWs primarily in the bone marrow and spleen. CAR-T cells can be magnetically labeled during their production while maintaining functionality using the positively charged iron oxide NWs, which enable the in vivo biodistribution and tracking of CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hanmant Gaikwad
- Translational Bio-Nanosciences Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Ernest V. Groman
- Translational Bio-Nanosciences Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Enkhtsetseg Purev
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Dmitri Simberg
- Translational Bio-Nanosciences Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Corresponding Authors: (Dmitri Simberg), (Guankui Wang)
| | - Guankui Wang
- Translational Bio-Nanosciences Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Corresponding Authors: (Dmitri Simberg), (Guankui Wang)
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Li C, Han C, Duan S, Li P, Alam I, Xiao Z. Visualizing T cell responses: The T cell PET imaging toolbox. J Nucl Med 2021; 63:183-188. [PMID: 34887338 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.121.261976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes are key mediators of the adaptive immune response. Inappropriate or imbalanced T cell responses are underlying factors in cancer progression, allergy and other immune disorders. Monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of T cells and their functional status has the potential to provide unique biological insights in health and disease. Non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging represents an ideal whole-body modality for achieving this goal. With the appropriate PET imaging probes, T cell dynamics can be monitored in vivo, with high specificity and sensitivity. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the applications of this state-of-the-art T cell PET imaging toolbox, and the potential it has to improve the clinical management of cancer immunotherapy and T cell- driven diseases. We also discuss future directions and prospects for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Harbin Medical University, China
| | | | | | - Ping Li
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
| | - Israt Alam
- MIPS, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine
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Vaughan HJ, Green JJ. Recent Advances in Gene Therapy for Cancer Theranostics. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 20:100300. [PMID: 34738046 PMCID: PMC8562678 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2021.100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is great interest in developing gene therapies for many disease indications, including cancer. However, successful delivery of nucleic acids to tumor cells is a major challenge, and in vivo efficacy is difficult to predict. Cancer theranostics is an approach combining anti-tumor therapy with imaging or diagnostic capabilities, with the goal of monitoring successful delivery and efficacy of a therapeutic agent in a tumor. Successful theranostics must maintain a high degree of anticancer targeting and efficacy while incorporating high-contrast imaging agents that are nontoxic and compatible with clinical imaging modalities. This review highlights recent advancements in theranostic strategies, including imaging technologies and genetic engineering approaches. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Vaughan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jordan J. Green
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Oncology, Neurosurgery, Materials Science & Engineering, and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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Ruff A, Ballard HJ, Pantel AR, Namoglu EC, Hughes ME, Nasta SD, Chong EA, Bagg A, Ruella M, Farwell MD, Svoboda J, Sellmyer MA. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Following Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy in Large B-cell Lymphoma. Mol Imaging Biol 2021; 23:818-826. [PMID: 34231105 PMCID: PMC8578305 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01627-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is a well-established imaging modality to assess responses in patients with B-cell neoplasms. However, there is limited information about the utility of FDG PET/CT after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapies for large B-cell lymphomas. In this retrospective analysis, we aimed to evaluate how FDG PET/CT performs in patients receiving commercially available anti-CD19 CART therapies for relapsed/refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphomas. In addition, we examined the time to repeat scan and the rate of pseudoprogression within this population. Lastly, the rates of radiographic response to CART therapy using FDG PET/CT are reported. PROCEDURES The pre-treatment and post-treatment scans were analyzed from a selected cohort of 43 patients from a single institution. Patients were stratified by diagnosis of either a first occurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); or a transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising from indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (t-iNHL). RESULTS More patients received CART therapy for DLBCL than t-iNHL (65 % vs 35 %). FDG PET/CT had a 99 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity for detecting recurrent disease in this group. The median time to initial response assessment was 86 days (IQR 79-91; full range 24-146) after infusion. There were no biopsy-proven cases of pseudoprogression identified. In this selected group of patients, the overall response rate by Lugano 2014 criteria was 56 %. All patients with a partial response (N = 6) eventually progressed despite additional therapy. CONCLUSIONS Due to its excellent test characteristics and ability to detect asymptomatic disease, routine surveillance with PET/CT at 3 months after CART infusion is supported by our data. Earlier PET/CT may be of value in select situations as we did not find any cases of pseudoprogression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ruff
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hatcher J Ballard
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Austin R Pantel
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Esin C Namoglu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell E Hughes
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sunita D Nasta
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elise A Chong
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam Bagg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marco Ruella
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael D Farwell
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jakub Svoboda
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Mark A Sellmyer
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Van Hoeck J, Vanhove C, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K. Non-invasive cell-tracking methods for adoptive T cell therapies. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:793-807. [PMID: 34718210 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapies (ACT) have demonstrated groundbreaking results in blood cancers and melanoma. Nevertheless, their significant cost, the occurrence of severe adverse events, and their poor performance in solid tumors are important hurdles hampering more widespread applicability. In vivo cell tracking allows instantaneous and non-invasive monitoring of the distribution, tumor homing, persistence, and redistribution to other organs of infused T cells in patients. Furthermore, cell tracking could aid in the clinical management of patients, allowing the detection of non-responders or severe adverse events at an early stage. This review provides a concise overview of the main principles and potential of cell tracking, followed by a discussion of the clinically relevant labeling strategies and their application in ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelter Van Hoeck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- Infinity Lab, Medical Imaging and Signal Processing Group-IBiTech, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Shalaby N, Dubois VP, Ronald J. Molecular imaging of cellular immunotherapies in experimental and therapeutic settings. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:1281-1294. [PMID: 34657195 PMCID: PMC9122865 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03073-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based cancer immunotherapies are becoming a routine part of the armamentarium against cancer. While remarkable successes have been seen, including durable remissions, not all patients will benefit from these therapies and many can suffer from life-threatening side effects. These differences in efficacy and safety across patients and across tumor types (e.g., blood vs. solid), are thought to be due to differences in how well the immune cells traffic to their target tissue (e.g., tumor, lymph nodes, etc.) whilst avoiding non-target tissues. Across patient variability can also stem from whether the cells interact with (i.e., communicate with) their intended target cells (e.g., cancer cells), as well as if they proliferate and survive long enough to yield potent and long-lasting therapeutic effects. However, many cell-based therapies are monitored by relatively simple blood tests that lack any spatial information and do not reflect how many immune cells have ended up at particular tissues. The ex vivo labeling and imaging of infused therapeutic immune cells can provide a more precise and dynamic understanding of whole-body immune cell biodistribution, expansion, viability, and activation status in individual patients. In recent years numerous cellular imaging technologies have been developed that may provide this much-needed information on immune cell fate. For this review, we summarize various ex vivo labeling and imaging approaches that allow for tracking of cellular immunotherapies for cancer. Our focus is on clinical imaging modalities and summarize the progression from experimental to therapeutic settings. The imaging information provided by these technologies can potentially be used for many purposes including improved real-time understanding of therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects in individual patients after cell infusion; the ability to more readily compare new therapeutic cell designs to current designs for various parameters such as improved trafficking to target tissues and avoidance of non-target tissues; and the long-term ability to identify patient populations that are likely to be positive responders and at low-risk of side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan Shalaby
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Veronica Phyllis Dubois
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Ronald
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada. .,Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada. .,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Liu J, Xu N, Wang X, Wang Y, Wu Q, Li X, Pan D, Wang L, Xu Y, Yan J, Li X, Yu L, Yang M. Quantitative radio-thin-layer chromatography and positron emission tomography studies for measuring streptavidin transduced chimeric antigen receptor T cells. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1182:122944. [PMID: 34592686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The proliferation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is closely related to their efficacy, but it is still a great challenge to monitor and quantify CAR T cells in vivo. Based on the high affinity (Kd ≈ 10-15 M) of streptavidin (SA) and biotin, radiolabeled biotin may be used to quantify SA-transduced CAR T cells (SA-CAR T cells). Radio-thin-layer chromatography (radio-TLC) and positron emission tomography (PET) are highly sensitive for trace analysis. Our aim was to develop radio-TLC and PET methods to quantify SA-CAR T cells in vitro and in vivo. First, we developed [68Ga]-DOTA-biotin. Commercially available SA was used as a standard, and quantitative standard curves were established in vitro and in vivo by radio-TLC and PET. Furthermore, the feasibility of the method was verified in Raji model mice. The linear range of radio-TLC was 0.02 ∼ 0.15 pmol/μL with R2 = 0.9993 in vitro. The linear range of PET was 0.02 ∼ 0.76 pmol/μL with R2 = 0.9986 in vivo. SA in CAR T cells can also be accurately quantified in a Raji leukemia model according to PET imaging. The radio-TLC/PET method established in this study is promising for using in the dynamic monitoring and analysis of SA-CAR T cells during therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Nan Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai Unicar-Therapy Bio-medicine Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Donghui Pan
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Lizhen Wang
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Junjie Yan
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Xiaotian Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lei Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai Unicar-Therapy Bio-medicine Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Min Yang
- Molecular Imaging Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
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