1
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Lima AJF, Hajdu KL, Abdo L, Batista-Silva LR, de Oliveira Andrade C, Correia EM, Aragão EAA, Bonamino MH, Lourenzoni MR. In silico and in vivo analysis reveal impact of c-Myc tag in FMC63 scFv-CD19 protein interface and CAR-T cell efficacy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2375-2387. [PMID: 38873646 PMCID: PMC11170440 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy represents a breakthrough in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, and it is expected that this therapy modality will soon cover a range of solid tumors as well. Therefore, a universal cheap and sensitive method to detect CAR expression is of foremost importance. One possibility is the use of epitope tags such as c-Myc, HA or FLAG tags attached to the CAR extracellular domain, however, it is important to determine whether these tags can influence binding of the CAR with its target molecule. Here, we conducted in-silico structural modelling of an FMC63-based anti-CD19 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) with and without a c-Myc peptide tag added to the N-terminus portion and performed molecular dynamics simulation of the scFv with the CD19 target. We show that the c-Myc tag presence in the N-terminus portion does not affect the scFv's structural equilibrium and grants more stability to the scFv. However, intermolecular interaction potential (IIP) analysis reveals that the tag can approximate the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) present in the scFv and cause steric impediment, potentially disturbing interaction with the CD19 protein. We then tested this possibility with CAR-T cells generated from human donors in a Nalm-6 leukemia model, showing that CAR-T cells with the c-Myc tag have overall worse antitumor activity, which was also observed when the tag was added to the C-terminus position. Ultimately, our results suggest that tag addition is an important aspect of CAR design and can influence CAR-T cell function, therefore its use should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Julia Ferreira Lima
- Research Group on Protein Engineering and Health Solutions (GEPeSS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), São José, Precabura, 61773-270 Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
- Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Pici campus (Building 873), 60440-970 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Karina Lobo Hajdu
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiza Abdo
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Clara de Oliveira Andrade
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Mannarino Correia
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Martín Hernán Bonamino
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Vice - Presidency of Research and Biological Collections (VPPCB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Roberto Lourenzoni
- Research Group on Protein Engineering and Health Solutions (GEPeSS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), São José, Precabura, 61773-270 Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
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2
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Xin Q, Chen Y, Sun X, Li R, Wu Y, Huang X. CAR-T therapy for ovarian cancer: Recent advances and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116349. [PMID: 38852648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecological tumor with high mortality, which is difficult to control its progression with conventional treatments and is prone to recurrence. Recent studies have identified OC as an immunogenic tumor that can be recognized by the host immune system. Immunotherapy for OC is being evaluated, but approaches such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy, adoptive cell therapy is an alternative therapy, in which CAR(chimeric antigen receptor)-T therapy has been applied to the clinical treatment of hematological malignancies. In addition, CAR-NK and CAR-macrophage (CAR-M) have also shown great potential in the treatment of solid tumors. Here, we discuss recent advances in preclinical and clinical studies of CAR-T for OC treatment, introduce the efforts made by researchers to modify the structure of CAR in order to achieve effective OC immunotherapy, as well as the research status of CAR-NK and CAR-M, and highlight emerging therapeutic opportunities that can be utilized to improve the survival of patients with OC using CAR-based adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianling Xin
- Anhui Women and Children's Medical Center, Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yizhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojing Sun
- Anhui Women and Children's Medical Center, Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Ruilin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China.
| | - Yujing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Xuegui Huang
- Anhui Women and Children's Medical Center, Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, China.
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3
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Yang K, Zhang Y, Ding J, Li Z, Zhang H, Zou F. Autoimmune CD8+ T cells in type 1 diabetes: from single-cell RNA sequencing to T-cell receptor redirection. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1377322. [PMID: 38800484 PMCID: PMC11116783 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1377322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by pancreatic β cell destruction and mediated primarily by autoreactive CD8+ T cells. It has been shown that only a small number of stem cell-like β cell-specific CD8+ T cells are needed to convert normal mice into T1D mice; thus, it is likely that T1D can be cured or significantly improved by modulating or altering self-reactive CD8+ T cells. However, stem cell-type, effector and exhausted CD8+ T cells play intricate and important roles in T1D. The highly diverse T-cell receptors (TCRs) also make precise and stable targeted therapy more difficult. Therefore, this review will investigate the mechanisms of autoimmune CD8+ T cells and TCRs in T1D, as well as the related single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-Seq), CRISPR/Cas9, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and T-cell receptor-gene engineered T cells (TCR-T), for a detailed and clear overview. This review highlights that targeting CD8+ T cells and their TCRs may be a potential strategy for predicting or treating T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangping Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yihan Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiatong Ding
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zelin Li
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hejin Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fang Zou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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4
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Satapathy BP, Sheoran P, Yadav R, Chettri D, Sonowal D, Dash CP, Dhaka P, Uttam V, Yadav R, Jain M, Jain A. The synergistic immunotherapeutic impact of engineered CAR-T cells with PD-1 blockade in lymphomas and solid tumors: a systematic review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1389971. [PMID: 38799440 PMCID: PMC11116574 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1389971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor-T Cell (CAR-T) and immune checkpoint inhibitors like programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockers are showing promising results for numerous cancer patients. However, significant advancements are required before CAR-T therapies become readily available as off-the-shelf treatments, particularly for solid tumors and lymphomas. In this review, we have systematically analyzed the combination therapy involving engineered CAR-T cells and anti PD-1 agents. This approach aims at overcoming the limitations of current treatments and offers potential advantages such as enhanced tumor inhibition, alleviated T-cell exhaustion, heightened T-cell activation, and minimized toxicity. The integration of CAR-T therapy, which targets tumor-associated antigens, with PD-1 blockade augments T-cell function and mitigates immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment. To assess the impact of combination therapy on various tumors and lymphomas, we categorized them based on six major tumor-associated antigens: mesothelin, disialoganglioside GD-2, CD-19, CD-22, CD-133, and CD-30, which are present in different tumor types. We evaluated the efficacy, complete and partial responses, and progression-free survival in both pre-clinical and clinical models. Additionally, we discussed potential implications, including the feasibility of combination immunotherapies, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research to optimize treatment strategies and improve outcomes for cancer patients. Overall, we believe combining CAR-T therapy with PD-1 blockade holds promise for the next generation of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhu Prasad Satapathy
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Pooja Sheoran
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Rohit Yadav
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dewan Chettri
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dhruba Sonowal
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Chinmayee Priyadarsini Dash
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Prachi Dhaka
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Vivek Uttam
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Ritu Yadav
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Manju Jain
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Aklank Jain
- Department of Zoology, Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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5
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Kavousinia P, Ahmadi MH, Sadeghian H, Hosseini Bafghi M. Therapeutic potential of CRISPR/CAS9 genome modification in T cell-based immunotherapy of cancer. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:436-443. [PMID: 38466263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.014] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Today, genome editing technologies like zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are being used in clinical trials and the treatment of diseases like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cancer. CRISPR stands out as one of the most advanced tools for genome editing due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It can selectively modify specific locations in the genome, offering new possibilities for treating human diseases. The CRISPR system uses ribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA-DNA) recognition to combat infections, regulate gene expression, and treat cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which uses T lymphocytes to eliminate cancer cells, can be improved by combining it with CRISPR technology. However, there are challenges in using CAR-T cells, including a lack of quantity and quality, exhaustion, neurotoxicity, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), B cell aplasia, tumor lysis syndrome, and anaphylaxis. Preclinical studies on CRISPR-edited CAR-T cells show promising results and targeting detrimental regulatory genes can enhance cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Kavousinia
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Sadeghian
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdi Hosseini Bafghi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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6
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Hadiloo K, Taremi S, Safa SH, Amidifar S, Esmaeilzadeh A. The new era of immunological treatment, last updated and future consideration of CAR T cell-based drugs. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107158. [PMID: 38599467 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer treatment is one of the fundamental challenges in clinical setting, especially in relapsed/refractory malignancies. The novel immunotherapy-based treatments bring new hope in cancer therapy and achieve various treatment successes. One of the distinguished ways of cancer immunotherapy is adoptive cell therapy, which utilizes genetically modified immune cells against cancer cells. Between different methods in ACT, the chimeric antigen receptor T cells have more investigation and introduced a promising way to treat cancer patients. This technology progressed until it introduced six US Food and Drug Administration-approved CAR T cell-based drugs. These drugs act against hematological malignancies appropriately and achieve exciting results, so they have been utilized widely in cell therapy clinics. In this review, we introduce all CAR T cells-approved drugs based on their last data and investigate them from all aspects of pharmacology, side effects, and compressional. Also, the efficacy of drugs, pre- and post-treatment steps, and expected side effects are introduced, and the challenges and new solutions in CAR T cell therapy are in the last speech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaveh Hadiloo
- Department of immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran; School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Siavash Taremi
- Department of immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran; School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Salar Hozhabri Safa
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Sima Amidifar
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center (CGRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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7
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Boskovic P, Gao W, Kipnis J. Will cellular immunotherapies end neurodegenerative diseases? Trends Immunol 2024; 45:329-337. [PMID: 38600001 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.03.006] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders present major challenges to global health, exacerbated by an aging population and the absence of therapies. Despite diverse pathological manifestations, they share a common hallmark, loosely termed 'neuroinflammation'. The prevailing dogma is that the immune system is an active contributor to neurodegeneration; however, recent evidence challenges this. By analogy with road construction, which causes temporary closures and disruptions, the immune system's actions in the central nervous system (CNS) might initially appear destructive, and might even cause harm, while aiming to combat neurodegeneration. We propose that the application of cellular immunotherapies to coordinate the immune response towards remodeling might pave the way for new modes of tackling the roadblocks of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavle Boskovic
- Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Wenqing Gao
- Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jonathan Kipnis
- Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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8
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Lakhani A, Chen X, Chen LC, Hong M, Khericha M, Chen Y, Chen YY, Park JO. Extracellular domains of CARs reprogramme T cell metabolism without antigen stimulation. Nat Metab 2024:10.1038/s42255-024-01034-7. [PMID: 38658805 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01034-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Metabolism is an indispensable part of T cell proliferation, activation and exhaustion, yet the metabolism of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells remains incompletely understood. CARs are composed of extracellular domains-often single-chain variable fragments (scFvs)-that determine ligand specificity and intracellular domains that trigger signalling following antigen binding. Here, we show that CARs differing only in the scFv variously reprogramme T cell metabolism. Even without exposure to antigens, some CARs increase proliferation and nutrient uptake in T cells. Using stable isotope tracers and mass spectrometry, we observed basal metabolic fluxes through glycolysis doubling and amino acid uptake overtaking anaplerosis in CAR-T cells harbouring a rituximab scFv, unlike other similar anti-CD20 scFvs. Disparate rituximab and 14G2a-based anti-GD2 CAR-T cells are similarly hypermetabolic and channel excess nutrients to nitrogen overflow metabolism. Modest overflow metabolism of CAR-T cells and metabolic compatibility between cancer cells and CAR-T cells are identified as features of efficacious CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliya Lakhani
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ximin Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laurence C Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mihe Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mobina Khericha
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Junyoung O Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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9
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Simon S, Bugos G, Prins R, Rajan A, Palani A, Heyer K, Stevens A, Zeng L, Thompson K, Price JP, Kluesner MK, Jaeger-Ruckstuhl C, Shabaneh TB, Olson JM, Su X, Riddell SR. Sensitive bispecific chimeric T cell receptors for cancer therapy. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4253777. [PMID: 38746248 PMCID: PMC11092799 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4253777/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The expression of a synthetic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to redirect antigen specificity of T cells is transforming the treatment of hematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases [1-7]. In cancer, durable efficacy is frequently limited by the escape of tumors that express low levels or lack the target antigen [8-12]. These clinical results emphasize the need for immune receptors that combine high sensitivity and multispecificity to improve outcomes. Current mono- and bispecific CARs do not faithfully recapitulate T cell receptor (TCR) function and require high antigen levels on tumor cells for recognition [13-17]. Here, we describe a novel synthetic chimeric TCR (ChTCR) that exhibits superior antigen sensitivity and is readily adapted for bispecific targeting. Bispecific ChTCRs mimic TCR structure, form classical immune synapses, and exhibit TCR-like proximal signaling. T cells expressing Bi-ChTCRs more effectively eliminated tumors with heterogeneous antigen expression in vivo compared to T cells expressing optimized bispecific CARs. The Bi-ChTCR architecture is resilient and can be designed to target multiple B cell lineage and multiple myeloma antigens. Our findings identify a broadly applicable approach for engineering T cells to target hematologic malignancies with heterogeneous antigen expression, thereby overcoming the most frequent mechanism of relapse after current CAR T therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Simon
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Grace Bugos
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rachel Prins
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Anusha Rajan
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Arulmozhi Palani
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kersten Heyer
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Andrew Stevens
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Longhui Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Kirsten Thompson
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jason P Price
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Ben Towne Center For Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Mitchell K Kluesner
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Carla Jaeger-Ruckstuhl
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Tamer B Shabaneh
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - James M Olson
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Ben Towne Center For Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Translational Sciences and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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10
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Sirpilla O, Sakemura RL, Hefazi M, Huynh TN, Can I, Girsch JH, Tapper EE, Cox MJ, Schick KJ, Manriquez-Roman C, Yun K, Stewart CM, Ogbodo EJ, Kimball BL, Mai LK, Gutierrez-Ruiz OL, Rodriguez ML, Gluscevic M, Larson DP, Abel AM, Wierson WA, Olivier G, Siegler EL, Kenderian SS. Mesenchymal stromal cells with chimaeric antigen receptors for enhanced immunosuppression. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:443-460. [PMID: 38561490 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01195-6] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a safe treatment option for many disorders of the immune system. However, clinical trials using MSCs have shown inconsistent therapeutic efficacy, mostly owing to MSCs providing insufficient immunosuppression in target tissues. Here we show that antigen-specific immunosuppression can be enhanced by genetically modifying MSCs with chimaeric antigen receptors (CARs), as we show for E-cadherin-targeted CAR-MSCs for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease in mice. CAR-MSCs led to superior T-cell suppression and localization to E-cadherin+ colonic cells, ameliorating the animals' symptoms and survival rates. On antigen-specific stimulation, CAR-MSCs upregulated the expression of immunosuppressive genes and receptors for T-cell inhibition as well as the production of immunosuppressive cytokines while maintaining their stem cell phenotype and safety profile in the animal models. CAR-MSCs may represent a widely applicable therapeutic technology for enhancing immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Sirpilla
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - R Leo Sakemura
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mehrdad Hefazi
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Truc N Huynh
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ismail Can
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James H Girsch
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Erin E Tapper
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Michelle J Cox
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kendall J Schick
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Claudia Manriquez-Roman
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kun Yun
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Carli M Stewart
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ekene J Ogbodo
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Brooke L Kimball
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Long K Mai
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Omar L Gutierrez-Ruiz
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Makena L Rodriguez
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Martina Gluscevic
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Daniel P Larson
- Division of Hematopathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alex M Abel
- LifEngine Animal Health Laboratories Incorporated, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Wesley A Wierson
- LifEngine Animal Health Laboratories Incorporated, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gloria Olivier
- Department of Business Development, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Siegler
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Saad S Kenderian
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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11
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Recktenwald M, Hutt E, Davis L, MacAulay J, Daringer NM, Galie PA, Staehle MM, Vega SL. Engineering transcriptional regulation for cell-based therapies. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100121. [PMID: 38340892 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2024.100121] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
A major aim in the field of synthetic biology is developing tools capable of responding to user-defined inputs by activating therapeutically relevant cellular functions. Gene transcription and regulation in response to external stimuli are some of the most powerful and versatile of these cellular functions being explored. Motivated by the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, transmembrane receptor-based platforms have been embraced for their ability to sense extracellular ligands and to subsequently activate intracellular signal transduction. The integration of transmembrane receptors with transcriptional activation platforms has not yet achieved its full potential. Transient expression of plasmid DNA is often used to explore gene regulation platforms in vitro. However, applications capable of targeting therapeutically relevant endogenous or stably integrated genes are more clinically relevant. Gene regulation may allow for engineered cells to traffic into tissues of interest and secrete functional proteins into the extracellular space or to differentiate into functional cells. Transmembrane receptors that regulate transcription have the potential to revolutionize cell therapies in a myriad of applications, including cancer treatment and regenerative medicine. In this review, we will examine current engineering approaches to control transcription in mammalian cells with an emphasis on systems that can be selectively activated in response to extracellular signals. We will also speculate on the potential therapeutic applications of these technologies and examine promising approaches to expand their capabilities and tighten the control of gene regulation in cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Recktenwald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Evan Hutt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Leah Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - James MacAulay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Nichole M Daringer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Peter A Galie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Mary M Staehle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Sebastián L Vega
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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12
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Bacsa B, Hopl V, Derler I. Synthetic Biology Meets Ca 2+ Release-Activated Ca 2+ Channel-Dependent Immunomodulation. Cells 2024; 13:468. [PMID: 38534312 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Many essential biological processes are triggered by the proximity of molecules. Meanwhile, diverse approaches in synthetic biology, such as new biological parts or engineered cells, have opened up avenues to precisely control the proximity of molecules and eventually downstream signaling processes. This also applies to a main Ca2+ entry pathway into the cell, the so-called Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel. CRAC channels are among other channels are essential in the immune response and are activated by receptor-ligand binding at the cell membrane. The latter initiates a signaling cascade within the cell, which finally triggers the coupling of the two key molecular components of the CRAC channel, namely the stromal interaction molecule, STIM, in the ER membrane and the plasma membrane Ca2+ ion channel, Orai. Ca2+ entry, established via STIM/Orai coupling, is essential for various immune cell functions, including cytokine release, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. In this review, we summarize the tools of synthetic biology that have been used so far to achieve precise control over the CRAC channel pathway and thus over downstream signaling events related to the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadett Bacsa
- Division of Medical Physics und Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Valentina Hopl
- Institute of Biophysics, JKU Life Science Center, Johannes Kepler University Linz, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Isabella Derler
- Institute of Biophysics, JKU Life Science Center, Johannes Kepler University Linz, A-4020 Linz, Austria
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13
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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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14
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Strzelec A, Helbig G. Are we ready for personalized CAR-T therapy? Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:174-183. [PMID: 37431655 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14039] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The future of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy remains unclear. New studies are constantly being published confirming the efficacy and favorable safety profile of its innovative enhancements. Currently approved CAR-T drugs are manufactured exclusively for a specific patient from the recipient's own cells. This does not close the door to further modifications with subsequent personalization and better adaptation to the individual needs. Bringing such a drug to market would involve raising the already high costs, so it is necessary to lower the existing ones. On the other hand, so-called universal CAR-T are also getting closer to the patient's bed, but its implementation may struggle with multiple challenges, including development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and alloimmunity. However, that off-the-shelf therapy could prove useful as a quick solution for patients in very poor condition or excluded from current therapy due to manufacturing limitations. The introduction of currently tested solutions may undoubtedly change the current paradigm of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Strzelec
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Helbig
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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15
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Taheri FH, Hassani M, Sharifzadeh Z, Behdani M, Abdoli S, Sayadi M, Bagherzadeh K, Arashkia A, Abolhassani M. Tuning spacer length improves the functionality of the nanobody-based VEGFR2 CAR T cell. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:1. [PMID: 38178096 PMCID: PMC10768260 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-023-00827-0] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cells for cancer immunotherapy have obtained considerable clinical importance. CAR T cells need an optimized intracellular signaling domain to get appropriately activated and also for the proper antigen recognition, the length and composition of the extracellular spacer are critical factors. RESULTS We constructed two third-generation nanobody-based VEGFR2-CARs containing either IgG1 hinge-CH2-CH3 region or hinge-only as long or short extracellular spacers, respectively. Both CARs also contained intracellular activating domains of CD28, OX40, and CD3ζ. The T cells from healthy individuals were transduced efficiently with the two CARs, and showed increased secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokines, and also CD69 and CD25 activation markers along with cytolytic activity after encountering VEGFR2+ cells. The VEGFR2-CAR T cells harboring the long spacer showed higher cytokine release and CD69 and CD25 expression in addition to a more efficient cytolytic effect on VEGFR2+ target cells. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that the third-generation anti-VEGFR2 nanobody-based CAR T cell with a long spacer had a superior function and potentially could be a better candidate for solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hajari Taheri
- Hybridoma Lab, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Food and Drug Laboratory Research Center (FDLRC), Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA), MOH & ME, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hassani
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- Hybridoma Lab, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahryar Abdoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Golestan University of Medical Science, Gorgān, Iran
| | - Mahtab Sayadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Kowsar Bagherzadeh
- Eye Research Center, Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Abolhassani
- Hybridoma Lab, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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16
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Chung H, Cho H. Recent advances in cellular immunotherapy for lymphoid malignancies. Blood Res 2023; 58:166-172. [PMID: 37964655 PMCID: PMC10758636 DOI: 10.5045/br.2023.2023177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells has revolutionized the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. This review addresses the need for CAR expression in our endogenous T-cells to kill tumor cells with a focus on the basic principles of T-cell receptor recognition of major histocompatibility complex-peptide complexes. We review the factors associated with CAR T-cell outcomes and recent efforts to employ CAR T-cells in earlier lines of therapy. We also discuss the value of bispecific T-cell engagers as off-the-shelf products with better toxicity profiles. Finally, natural killer cells are discussed as an important cellular immunotherapy platform with the potential to broaden immunotherapeutic applications beyond lymphoid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haerim Chung
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunsoo Cho
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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17
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Liu L, Yoon CW, Yuan Z, Guo T, Qu Y, He P, Yu X, Zhu Z, Limsakul P, Wang Y. Cellular and molecular imaging of CAR-T cell-based immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 203:115135. [PMID: 37931847 PMCID: PMC11052581 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as a transformative therapeutic strategy for hematological malignancies. However, its efficacy in treating solid tumors remains limited. An in-depth and comprehensive understanding of CAR-T cell signaling pathways and the ability to track CAR-T cell biodistribution and activation in real-time within the tumor microenvironment will be instrumental in designing the next generation of CAR-T cells for solid tumor therapy. This review summarizes the signaling network and the cellular and molecular imaging tools and platforms that are utilized in CAR-T cell-based immune therapies, covering both in vitro and in vivo studies. Firstly, we provide an overview of the existing understanding of the activation and cytotoxic mechanisms of CAR-T cells, compared to the mechanism of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathways. We further describe the commonly employed tools for live cell imaging, coupled with recent research progress, with a focus on genetically encoded fluorescent proteins (FPs) and biosensors. We then discuss the utility of diverse in vivo imaging modalities, including fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and photoacoustic (PA) imaging, for noninvasive monitoring of CAR-T cell dynamics within tumor tissues, thereby providing critical insights into therapy's strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, we discuss the current challenges and future directions of CAR-T cell therapy from the imaging perspective. We foresee that a comprehensive and integrative approach to CAR-T cell imaging will enable the development of more effective treatments for solid tumors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Liu
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Zhou Yuan
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Tianze Guo
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Yunjia Qu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Peixiang He
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Xi Yu
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ziyue Zhu
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Praopim Limsakul
- Division of Physical Science, Faculty of Science and Center of Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensor, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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18
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Harrer DC, Li SS, Kaljanac M, Barden M, Pan H, Abken H. Fine-tuning the antigen sensitivity of CAR T cells: emerging strategies and current challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1321596. [PMID: 38090558 PMCID: PMC10711209 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are "living drugs" that specifically recognize their target antigen through an antibody-derived binding domain resulting in T cell activation, expansion, and destruction of cognate target cells. The FDA/EMA approval of CAR T cells for the treatment of B cell malignancies established CAR T cell therapy as an emerging pillar of modern immunotherapy. However, nearly every second patient undergoing CAR T cell therapy is suffering from disease relapse within the first two years which is thought to be due to downregulation or loss of the CAR target antigen on cancer cells, along with decreased functional capacities known as T cell exhaustion. Antigen downregulation below CAR activation threshold leaves the T cell silent, rendering CAR T cell therapy ineffective. With the application of CAR T cells for the treatment of a growing number of malignant diseases, particularly solid tumors, there is a need for augmenting CAR sensitivity to target antigen present at low densities on cancer cells. Here, we discuss upcoming strategies and current challenges in designing CARs for recognition of antigen low cancer cells, aiming at augmenting sensitivity and finally therapeutic efficacy while reducing the risk of tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Deptartment of Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sin-Syue Li
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Marcell Kaljanac
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus Barden
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hong Pan
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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19
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Li Z, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Zhu L, Mu W, Ge T, Jin J, Tan J, Cheng J, Wang J, Wang N, Zhou X, Chen L, Chang Z, Liu C, Bian Z, Liu B, Ye L, Lan Y, Huang L, Zhou J. Functional diversification and dynamics of CAR-T cells in patients with B-ALL. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113263. [PMID: 37851569 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113263] [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: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding of cellular evolution and molecular programs of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered (CAR)-T cells post-infusion is pivotal for developing better treatment strategies. Here, we construct a longitudinal high-precision single-cell transcriptomic landscape of 7,578 CAR-T cells from 26 patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) post-infusion. We molecularly identify eight CAR-T cell subtypes, including three cytotoxic subtypes with distinct kinetics and three dual-identity subtypes with non-T cell characteristics. Remarkably, long-term remission is coincident with the dominance of cytotoxic subtypes, while leukemia progression is correlated with the emergence of subtypes with B cell transcriptional profiles, which have dysfunctional features and might predict relapse. We further validate in vitro that the generation of B-featured CAR-T cells is induced by excessive tumor antigen stimulation or suppressed TCR signaling, while it is relieved by exogenous IL-12. Moreover, we define transcriptional hallmarks of CAR-T cell subtypes and reveal their molecular changes along computationally inferred cellular evolution in vivo. Collectively, these results decipher functional diversification and dynamics of peripheral CAR-T cells post-infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Wei Mu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Tong Ge
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Jin Jin
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Jiaqi Tan
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Jiali Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Liting Chen
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Zhilin Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhilei Bian
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China; State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100850, China; Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Lilin Ye
- Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Yu Lan
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Liang Huang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan 432826, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
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20
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Yun K, Siegler EL, Kenderian SS. Who wins the combat, CAR or TCR? Leukemia 2023; 37:1953-1962. [PMID: 37626090 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01976-z] [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] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has drawn increasing attention over the last few decades given its remarkable effectiveness and breakthroughs in treating B cell hematological malignancies. Even though CAR-T cell therapy has outstanding clinical successes, most treated patients still relapse after infusion. CARs are derived from the T cell receptor (TCR) complex and co-stimulatory molecules associated with T cell activation; however, the similarities and differences between CARs and endogenous TCRs regarding their sensitivity, signaling pathway, killing mechanisms, and performance are still not fully understood. In this review, we discuss the parallel comparisons between CARs and TCRs from various aspects and how these current findings might provide novel insights and contribute to improvement of CAR-T cell therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yun
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Siegler
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Saad S Kenderian
- T Cell Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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21
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Spanier JA, Fung V, Wardell CM, Alkhatib MH, Chen Y, Swanson LA, Dwyer AJ, Weno ME, Silva N, Mitchell JS, Orban PC, Mojibian M, Verchere CB, Fife BT, Levings MK. Tregs with an MHC class II peptide-specific chimeric antigen receptor prevent autoimmune diabetes in mice. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e168601. [PMID: 37561596 PMCID: PMC10503798 DOI: 10.1172/jci168601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with Tregs is a promising approach for preventing or treating type 1 diabetes. Islet antigen-specific Tregs have more potent therapeutic effects than polyclonal cells, but their low frequency is a barrier for clinical application. To generate Tregs that recognize islet antigens, we engineered a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) derived from a monoclonal antibody with specificity for the insulin B chain 10-23 peptide presented in the context of the IAg7 MHC class II allele present in NOD mice. Peptide specificity of the resulting InsB-g7 CAR was confirmed by tetramer staining and T cell proliferation in response to recombinant or islet-derived peptide. The InsB-g7 CAR redirected NOD Treg specificity such that insulin B 10-23-peptide stimulation enhanced suppressive function, measured via reduction of proliferation and IL-2 production by BDC2.5 T cells and CD80 and CD86 expression on dendritic cells. Cotransfer of InsB-g7 CAR Tregs prevented adoptive transfer diabetes by BDC2.5 T cells in immunodeficient NOD mice. In WT NOD mice, InsB-g7 CAR Tregs prevented spontaneous diabetes. These results show that engineering Treg specificity for islet antigens using a T cell receptor-like CAR is a promising therapeutic approach for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A. Spanier
- Center for Immunology
- Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, and
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vivian Fung
- Department of Surgery and
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christine M. Wardell
- Department of Surgery and
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mohannad H. Alkhatib
- Center for Immunology
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yixin Chen
- Center for Immunology
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Linnea A. Swanson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alexander J. Dwyer
- Center for Immunology
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew E. Weno
- Center for Immunology
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nubia Silva
- Center for Immunology
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jason S. Mitchell
- Center for Immunology
- Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, and
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Paul C. Orban
- Department of Surgery and
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Majid Mojibian
- Department of Surgery and
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - C. Bruce Verchere
- Department of Surgery and
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian T. Fife
- Center for Immunology
- Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, and
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Megan K. Levings
- Department of Surgery and
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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22
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Neeser A, Ramasubramanian R, Wang C, Ma L. Engineering enhanced chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy for solid tumors. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY TECHNOLOGY 2023; 19:100385. [PMID: 37483659 PMCID: PMC10362352 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2023.100385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The early clinical success and subsequent US Food and Drug Administration approval of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for leukemia and lymphoma affirm that engineered T cells can be a powerful treatment for hematologic malignancies. Yet this success has not been replicated in solid tumors. Numerous challenges emerged from clinical experience and well-controlled preclinical animal models must be met to enable safe and efficacious CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors. Here, we review recent advances in bioengineering strategies developed to enhance CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors, focusing on targeted single-gene perturbation, genetic circuits design, cytokine engineering, and interactive biomaterials. These bioengineering approaches present a unique set of tools that synergize with CAR-T cells to overcome obstacles in solid tumors and achieve robust and long-lasting therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Neeser
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - R. Ramasubramanian
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - C. Wang
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - L. Ma
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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23
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Zhang AQ, Hostetler A, Chen LE, Mukkamala V, Abraham W, Padilla LT, Wolff AN, Maiorino L, Backlund CM, Aung A, Melo M, Li N, Wu S, Irvine DJ. Universal redirection of CAR T cells against solid tumours via membrane-inserted ligands for the CAR. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1113-1128. [PMID: 37291434 PMCID: PMC10504084 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for solid tumours is hindered by difficulties in the selection of an effective target antigen, owing to the heterogeneous expression of tumour antigens and to target antigen expression in healthy tissues. Here we show that T cells with a CAR specific for fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) can be directed against solid tumours via the intratumoural administration of a FITC-conjugated lipid-poly(ethylene)-glycol amphiphile that inserts itself into cell membranes. In syngeneic and human tumour xenografts in mice, 'amphiphile tagging' of tumour cells drove tumour regression via the proliferation and accumulation of FITC-specific CAR T cells in the tumours. In syngeneic tumours, the therapy induced the infiltration of host T cells, elicited endogenous tumour-specific T cell priming and led to activity against distal untreated tumours and to protection against tumour rechallenge. Membrane-inserting ligands for specific CARs may facilitate the development of adoptive cell therapies that work independently of antigen expression and of tissue of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Q Zhang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Hostetler
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura E Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vainavi Mukkamala
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lucia T Padilla
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra N Wolff
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura Maiorino
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Aereas Aung
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mariane Melo
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Na Li
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shengwei Wu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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24
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Papaioannou I, Owen JS, Yáñez‐Muñoz RJ. Clinical applications of gene therapy for rare diseases: A review. Int J Exp Pathol 2023; 104:154-176. [PMID: 37177842 PMCID: PMC10349259 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases collectively exact a high toll on society due to their sheer number and overall prevalence. Their heterogeneity, diversity, and nature pose daunting clinical challenges for both management and treatment. In this review, we discuss recent advances in clinical applications of gene therapy for rare diseases, focusing on a variety of viral and non-viral strategies. The use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is discussed in the context of Luxturna, licenced for the treatment of RPE65 deficiency in the retinal epithelium. Imlygic, a herpes virus vector licenced for the treatment of refractory metastatic melanoma, will be an example of oncolytic vectors developed against rare cancers. Yescarta and Kymriah will showcase the use of retrovirus and lentivirus vectors in the autologous ex vivo production of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), licenced for the treatment of refractory leukaemias and lymphomas. Similar retroviral and lentiviral technology can be applied to autologous haematopoietic stem cells, exemplified by Strimvelis and Zynteglo, licenced treatments for adenosine deaminase-severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) and β-thalassaemia respectively. Antisense oligonucleotide technologies will be highlighted through Onpattro and Tegsedi, RNA interference drugs licenced for familial transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, and Spinraza, a splice-switching treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). An initial comparison of the effectiveness of AAV and oligonucleotide therapies in SMA is possible with Zolgensma, an AAV serotype 9 vector, and Spinraza. Through these examples of marketed gene therapies and gene cell therapies, we will discuss the expanding applications of such novel technologies to previously intractable rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James S. Owen
- Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez‐Muñoz
- AGCTlab.orgCentre of Gene and Cell TherapyCentre for Biomedical SciencesDepartment of Biological SciencesSchool of Life Sciences and the EnvironmentRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
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25
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Poorebrahim M, Quiros-Fernandez I, Marmé F, Burdach SE, Cid-Arregui A. A costimulatory chimeric antigen receptor targeting TROP2 enhances the cytotoxicity of NK cells expressing a T cell receptor reactive to human papillomavirus type 16 E7. Cancer Lett 2023; 566:216242. [PMID: 37217069 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Immune cells modified to express a tumor-reactive T cell receptor (TCR) have shown limited efficacy as stand-alone therapy against solid tumors. Genital and oropharyngeal carcinomas induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 express constitutively its E6 and E7 oncoproteins, which makes them convenient targets for adoptive cell immunotherapy. However, viral antigen presentation by tumor cells is low and limits the anti-tumor efficacy of CD8+ T cells. To enhance the functionality of immune effector cells, we have devised a strategy combining a costimulatory chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) with a TCR. We used a clinically tested TCR specific to E7 (E7-TCR) of HPV16 and a newly constructed CAR targeting the trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2), which carried the intracellular costimulatory domains CD28 and 4-1BB, but was devoid of the CD3ζ domain. Flow cytometry analyses showed a notable upregulation of activation markers and of cytolytic molecule release by NK-92 cells genetically engineered to express CD3, CD8 and both E7-TCR and TROP2-CAR, after co-incubation with HPV16+ cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, the E7-TCR/TROP2-CAR NK-92 cells demonstrated enhanced antigen-specific activation and augmented cytotoxicity against tumor cells compared with NK-92 cells expressing the E7-TCR alone. A costimulatory TROP2-CAR can synergistically cooperate with the E7-TCR in NK cells thereby enhancing their signaling strength and antigen-specific cytotoxicity. This approach might improve the outcome of adoptive cell immunotherapies for HPV16+ cancer patients that are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Poorebrahim
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Isaac Quiros-Fernandez
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Research Center on Tropical Diseases (CIET)/Research Center on Surgery and Cancer (CICICA), Faculty of Microbiology, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Frederik Marmé
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Eg Burdach
- Translational Pediatric Cancer Research Action - Institute of Pathology, TUM School of Medicine - Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 22 - RG - 540.0.11, D-81675, München, Germany; Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Angel Cid-Arregui
- Targeted Tumor Vaccines Group, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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26
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Jung IY, Bartoszek RL, Rech AJ, Collins SM, Ooi SK, Williams EF, Hopkins CR, Narayan V, Haas NB, Frey NV, Hexner EO, Siegel DL, Plesa G, Porter DL, Cantu A, Everett JK, Guedan S, Berger SL, Bushman FD, Herbst F, Fraietta JA. Type I Interferon Signaling via the EGR2 Transcriptional Regulator Potentiates CAR T Cell-Intrinsic Dysfunction. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1636-1655. [PMID: 37011008 PMCID: PMC10330003 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1175] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promise in treating hematologic cancers, but resistance is common and efficacy is limited in solid tumors. We found that CAR T cells autonomously propagate epigenetically programmed type I interferon signaling through chronic stimulation, which hampers antitumor function. EGR2 transcriptional regulator knockout not only blocks this type I interferon-mediated inhibitory program but also independently expands early memory CAR T cells with improved efficacy against liquid and solid tumors. The protective effect of EGR2 deletion in CAR T cells against chronic antigen-induced exhaustion can be overridden by interferon-β exposure, suggesting that EGR2 ablation suppresses dysfunction by inhibiting type I interferon signaling. Finally, a refined EGR2 gene signature is a biomarker for type I interferon-associated CAR T cell failure and shorter patient survival. These findings connect prolonged CAR T cell activation with deleterious immunoinflammatory signaling and point to an EGR2-type I interferon axis as a therapeutically amenable biological system. SIGNIFICANCE To improve CAR T cell therapy outcomes, modulating molecular determinants of CAR T cell-intrinsic resistance is crucial. Editing the gene encoding the EGR2 transcriptional regulator renders CAR T cells impervious to type I interferon pathway-induced dysfunction and improves memory differentiation, thereby addressing major barriers to progress for this emerging class of cancer immunotherapies. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1501.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Young Jung
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert L. Bartoszek
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew J. Rech
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sierra M. Collins
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Soon-Keat Ooi
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Erik F. Williams
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Caitlin R. Hopkins
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Vivek Narayan
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Naomi B. Haas
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Noelle V. Frey
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elizabeth O. Hexner
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Donald L. Siegel
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gabriela Plesa
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David L. Porter
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adrian Cantu
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John K. Everett
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Shelley L. Berger
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Friederike Herbst
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph A. Fraietta
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Lead Contact
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Koh B, Tan DJH, Lim WH, Wong JSL, Ng CH, Chan KE, Wang M, Yong WP, Dan YY, Wang LZ, Tan N, Muthiah M, Kow A, Syn NL, Huang DQ, Yau T. Trial watch: immunotherapeutic strategies on the horizon for hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2214478. [PMID: 37284696 PMCID: PMC10241000 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2214478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-L1/PD-1 and CTLA-4 has transformed the oncology practice of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, only 25-30% of the patients with advanced HCC treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab or tremelimumab-durvalumab (STRIDE) respond initially, and mechanistic biomarkers and novel treatment strategies are urgently needed for patients who present with or acquire resistance to first-line ICI-based therapies. The recent approval of the STRIDE regimen has also engendered new questions, such as patient selection factors (e.g. portal hypertension and history of variceal bleed) and biomarkers, and the optimal combination and sequencing of ICI-based regimens. Triumphs in the setting of advanced HCC have also galvanized considerable interest in the broader application of ICIs to early- and intermediate-stage diseases, including clinical combination of ICIs with locoregional therapies. Among these clinical contexts, the role of ICIs in liver transplantation - which is a potentially curative strategy unique to HCC management - as a bridge to liver transplant in potential candidates or in the setting of post-transplant recurrence, warrants investigation in view of the notable theoretical risk of allograft rejection. In this review, we summarize and chart the landscape of seminal immuno-oncology trials in HCC and envision future clinical developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Koh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Darren Jun Hao Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Hui Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey S L Wong
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Disease, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Cheng Han Ng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kai En Chan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Meng Wang
- Division of Advanced Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Peng Yong
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis Z Wang
- SingHealth Internal Medicine Residency Programme, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nigel Tan
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mark Muthiah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Advanced Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alfred Kow
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas L Syn
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel Q Huang
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Advanced Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas Yau
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Disease, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
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Agnello L, d’Argenio A, Nilo R, Fedele M, Camorani S, Cerchia L. Aptamer-Based Strategies to Boost Immunotherapy in TNBC. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072010. [PMID: 37046670 PMCID: PMC10093095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system (IS) may play a crucial role in preventing tumor development and progression, leading, over the last years, to the development of effective cancer immunotherapies. Nevertheless, immune evasion, the capability of tumors to circumvent destructive host immunity, remains one of the main obstacles to overcome for maximizing treatment success. In this context, promising strategies aimed at reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment and promoting antitumor immunity are rapidly emerging. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor outcomes, is highly immunogenic, suggesting immunotherapy is a viable strategy. As evidence of this, already, two immunotherapies have recently become the standard of care for patients with PD-L1 expressing tumors, which, however, represent a low percentage of patients, making more active immunotherapeutic approaches necessary. Aptamers are short, highly structured, single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to their protein targets at high affinity and specificity. They are used for therapeutic purposes in the same way as monoclonal antibodies; thus, various aptamer-based strategies are being actively explored to stimulate the IS’s response against cancer cells. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential of the recently reported aptamer-based approaches to boost the IS to fight TNBC.
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De Marco RC, Monzo HJ, Ojala PM. CAR T Cell Therapy: A Versatile Living Drug. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076300. [PMID: 37047272 PMCID: PMC10094630 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
After seeing a dramatic increase in the development and use of immunotherapy and precision medicine over the past few decades, oncological care now embraces the start of the adoptive cell therapy (ACT) era. This impulse towards a new treatment paradigm has been led by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, the only type of ACT medicinal product to be commercialized so far. Brought about by an ever-growing understanding of cellular engineering, CAR T cells are T lymphocytes genetically modified with an appropriate DNA construct, which endows them with expression of a CAR, a fusion protein between a ligand-specific recognition domain, often an antibody-like structure, and the activating signaling domain of the T cell receptor. Through this genetic enhancement, CAR T cells are engineered from a cancer patient’s own lymphocytes to better target and kill their cancer cells, and the current amassed data on clinical outcomes point to a stream of bright developments in the near future. Herein, from concept design and present-day manufacturing techniques to pressing hurdles and bright discoveries around the corner, we review and thoroughly describe the state of the art in CAR T cell therapy.
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Ozer M, Goksu SY, Akagunduz B, George A, Sahin I. Adoptive Cell Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review of Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061808. [PMID: 36980692 PMCID: PMC10046758 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the new reference standard in first-line HCC treatment, replacing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as sorafenib. Many clinical trials with different combinations are already in development to validate novel immunotherapies for the treatment of patients with HCC. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), also known as cellular immunotherapy, with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or gene-modified T cells expressing novel T cell receptors (TCR) may represent a promising alternative approach to modify the immune system to recognize tumor cells with better clinical outcomes. In this review, we briefly discuss the overview of ACT as a promising treatment modality in HCC, along with recent updates of ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Ozer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Suleyman Yasin Goksu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Baran Akagunduz
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan 24100, Turkey
| | - Andrew George
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA
| | - Ilyas Sahin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-352-273-9873
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Novel scFv against Notch Ligand JAG1 Suitable for Development of Cell Therapies toward JAG1-Positive Tumors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030459. [PMID: 36979394 PMCID: PMC10046313 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling ligand JAG1 is overexpressed in various aggressive tumors and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Hence, therapies targeting oncogenic JAG1 hold great potential for the treatment of certain tumors. Here, we report the identification of specific anti-JAG1 single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), one of them endowing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with cytotoxicity against JAG1-positive cells. Anti-JAG1 scFvs were identified from human phage display libraries, reformatted into full-length monoclonal antibodies (Abs), and produced in mammalian cells. The characterization of these Abs identified two specific anti-JAG1 Abs (J1.B5 and J1.F1) with nanomolar affinities. Cloning the respective scFv sequences in our second- and third-generation CAR backbones resulted in six anti-JAG1 CAR constructs, which were screened for JAG1-mediated T-cell activation in Jurkat T cells in coculture assays with JAG1-positive cell lines. Studies in primary T cells demonstrated that one CAR harboring the J1.B5 scFv significantly induced effective T-cell activation in the presence of JAG1-positive, but not in JAG1-knockout, cancer cells, and enabled specific killing of JAG1-positive cells. Thus, this new anti-JAG1 scFv represents a promising candidate for the development of cell therapies against JAG1-positive tumors.
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Newmyer S, Ssemadaali MA, Radhakrishnan H, Javitz HS, Bhatnagar P. Electrically regulated cell-based intervention for viral infections. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10434. [PMID: 36925710 PMCID: PMC10013824 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This work reports on an engineered cell that-when electrically stimulated-synthesizes a desired protein, that is, ES-Biofactory. The platform has been used to express interferon (IFN)-β as a universal antiviral protein. Compelling evidence indicates the inevitability of new pandemics and drives the need for a pan-viral intervention that may be quickly deployed while more specific vaccines are in development. Toward this goal, a fast-growing mammalian cell (Chassis) has been engineered with multiple synthetic elements. These include-(1) a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (Voltage-Sensor) that, upon sensing the electric field, activates the (2) Ca2+-mediated signaling pathway (Actuator) to upregulate (3) IFN-β, via an engineered antiviral transgene (Effector), that is, ES-Biofactory➔IFN-β. The antiviral effects of the ES-Biofactory➔IFN-β have been validated on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected cells. The irradiated ES-Biofactory, that does not exhibit oncogenic capacity, continues to exert antiviral effect. The resulting ES-Biofactory➔IFN-β uses a novel signaling pathway that, unlike the natural IFN synthesis pathway, is not subject to viral interference. Once clinically validated, the ES-Biofactory will be a universal antiviral cell therapy that can be immediately deployed in the event of an outbreak. The platform may also be useful in treating other diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherri Newmyer
- Biosciences Division SRI International Menlo Park California USA
| | | | | | - Harold S Javitz
- Education Division SRI International Menlo Park California USA
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Spanier JA, Fung V, Wardell CM, Alkhatib MH, Chen Y, Swanson LA, Dwyer AJ, Weno ME, Silva N, Mitchell JS, Orban PC, Mojibian M, Verchere CB, Fife BT, Levings MK. Insulin B peptide-MHC class II-specific chimeric antigen receptor-Tregs prevent autoimmune diabetes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529737. [PMID: 36865264 PMCID: PMC9980092 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with Tregs is a promising approach for prevention or treatment of type 1 diabetes. Islet antigen-specific Tregs have more potent therapeutic effects than polyclonal cells, but their low frequency is a barrier for clinical application. To generate Tregs that recognize islet antigens, we engineered a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) derived from a monoclonal antibody with specificity for the insulin B-chain 10-23 peptide presented in the context of the IA g7 MHC class II allele present in NOD mice. Peptide specificity of the resulting InsB-g7 CAR was confirmed by tetramer staining and T cell proliferation in response to recombinant or islet-derived peptide. The InsB-g7 CAR re-directed NOD Treg specificity such that insulin B 10-23-peptide stimulation enhanced suppressive function, measured via reduction of proliferation and IL-2 production by BDC2.5 T cells and CD80 and CD86 expression on dendritic cells. Co-transfer of InsB-g7 CAR Tregs prevented adoptive transfer diabetes by BDC2.5 T cells in immunodeficient NOD mice. In wild type NOD mice, InsB-g7 CAR Tregs stably expressed Foxp3 and prevented spontaneous diabetes. These results show that engineering Treg specificity for islet antigens using a T cell receptor-like CAR is a promising new therapeutic approach for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes. Brief Summary Chimeric antigen receptor Tregs specific for an insulin B-chain peptide presented by MHC class II prevent autoimmune diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A. Spanier
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Vivian Fung
- Dept of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christine M. Wardell
- Dept of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohannad H. Alkhatib
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Yixin Chen
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Linnea A. Swanson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alexander J. Dwyer
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew E. Weno
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nubia Silva
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jason S. Mitchell
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Paul C. Orban
- Dept of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Majid Mojibian
- Dept of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - C. Bruce Verchere
- Dept of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brian T. Fife
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Megan K. Levings
- Dept of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Lam W, Hu R, Liu SH, Cheng P, Cheng YC. YIV-906 enhances nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) activity of T cells and promotes immune checkpoint blockade antibody action and CAR T-cell activity. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1095186. [PMID: 36686648 PMCID: PMC9846171 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1095186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
YIV-906 is a systems biology botanical cancer drug, inspired by a traditional Chinese herbal formulation. Results from eight Phase I/II to II clinical studies demonstrated the potential of YIV-906 to prolong survival and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. As an immunomodulator in the tumor microenvironment, YIV-906 can turn cold tumors hot and potentiate anti-tumor activity for different classes of anticancer agents; and as a cytoprotector in the GI, YIV-906 can reduce non-hematological side effects and speed up damaged tissue recovery. YIV-906 enhanced anti-PD1 action against hepatoma in mice by stimulating both innate and adaptive immunity. In a Jurkat cell-staphylococcal superantigen E (SEE)-Raji cell culture model, YIV-906 promoted T cell activation with upregulation of CD69 by enhancing NFAT activity, with or without PD1-PD-L1 interaction. YIV-906 could trigger the phosphorylation of TCR downstream signaling cascades without the involvement of TCR. YIV-906 could inhibit SHP1 and SHP2 activities, which dephosphorylates TCR downstream proteins due to the PD1-PD-L1 interaction. Therefore, YIV-906 could enhance anti-PD1 action to rescue the depressed NFAT activity of Jurkat cells due to the PD1-PD-L1 interaction. In addition, YIV-906 enhanced the NFAT activity and killing capability of Jurkat cells expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-CD19-CD3z) toward CD19 expressing cells, such as Raji cells, with or without PD1-PD-L1 overexpression. Ingredient herb S (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) of YIV-906 and some S compounds were found to play key roles in these activities. In conclusion, YIV-906 modulates adaptive immunity by activating T effector cells mainly through its action on SHP1/2. YIV-906 could also facilitate immune checkpoint blockade therapy or CAR-T cell therapy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Lam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CN, United States
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CN, United States
| | | | | | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CN, United States,*Correspondence: Yung-Chi Cheng,
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Polten R, Kutle I, Hachenberg J, Klapdor R, Morgan M, Schambach A. Towards Novel Gene and Cell Therapy Approaches for Cervical Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010263. [PMID: 36612258 PMCID: PMC9818159 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010263] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women, and the majority of cases are caused by infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) subtypes. Despite effective preventative measures, such as vaccinations against HPV, over 300,000 women die world-wide from cervical cancer each year. Once cervical cancer is diagnosed, treatment may consist of radial hysterectomy, or chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or a combination of therapies dependent upon the disease stage. Unfortunately, overall prognosis for patients with metastatic or recurrent disease remains poor. In these cases, immunotherapies may be useful based on promising preclinical work, some of which has been successfully translated to the clinic. For example, approaches using monoclonal antibodies directed against surface proteins important for control of immune checkpoints (i.e., immune checkpoint inhibitors) were shown to improve outcome in many cancer settings, including cervical cancer. Additionally, initial clinical studies showed that application of cytotoxic immune cells modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or T cell receptors (TCR) for better recognition and elimination of tumor cells may be useful to control cervical cancer. This review explores these important topics, including strengths and limitations of standard and developing approaches, and how some novel treatment strategies may be optimally used to offer the best possible treatment for cervical cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Polten
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ivana Kutle
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens Hachenberg
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Klapdor
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (A.S.); Tel.: +49-511-532-6067 (A.S.)
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (A.S.); Tel.: +49-511-532-6067 (A.S.)
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Teppert K, Wang X, Anders K, Evaristo C, Lock D, Künkele A. Joining Forces for Cancer Treatment: From "TCR versus CAR" to "TCR and CAR". Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314563. [PMID: 36498890 PMCID: PMC9739809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell-based immunotherapy has demonstrated great therapeutic potential in recent decades, on the one hand, by using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and, on the other hand, by engineering T cells to obtain anti-tumor specificities through the introduction of either engineered T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Given the distinct design of both receptors and the type of antigen that is encountered, the requirements for proper antigen engagement and downstream signal transduction by TCRs and CARs differ. Synapse formation and signal transduction of CAR T cells, despite further refinement of CAR T cell designs, still do not fully recapitulate that of TCR T cells and might limit CAR T cell persistence and functionality. Thus, deep knowledge about the molecular differences in CAR and TCR T cell signaling would greatly advance the further optimization of CAR designs and elucidate under which circumstances a combination of both receptors would improve the functionality of T cells for cancer treatment. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review about similarities and differences by directly comparing the architecture, synapse formation and signaling of TCRs and CARs, highlighting the knowns and unknowns. In the second part of the review, we discuss the current status of combining CAR and TCR technologies, encouraging a change in perspective from "TCR versus CAR" to "TCR and CAR".
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Teppert
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Xueting Wang
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Kathleen Anders
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - César Evaristo
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Zang H, Siddiqui M, Gummuluru S, Wong WW, Reinhard BM. Ganglioside-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Activation at the Immunological Synapse. ACS NANO 2022; 16:18408-18420. [PMID: 36282488 PMCID: PMC9815837 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has proven to be an effective strategy against hematological malignancies but persistence and activity against solid tumors must be further improved. One emerging strategy for enhancing efficacy is based on directing CAR T cells to antigen presenting cells (APCs). Activation of CAR T cells at the immunological synapse (IS) formed between APC and T cell is thought to promote strong, persistent antigen-specific T cell-mediated immune responses but requires integration of CAR ligands into the APC/T-cell interface. Here, we demonstrate that CAR ligand functionalized, lipid-coated, biodegradable polymer nanoparticles (NPs) that contain the ganglioside GM3 (GM3-NPs) bind to CD169 (Siglec-1)-expressing APCs and localize to the cell contact site between APCs and CAR T cells upon initiation of cell conjugates. The CD169+ APC/CAR T-cell interface is characterized by a strong optical colocalization of GM3-NPs and CARs, enrichment of F-actin, and recruitment of ZAP-70, indicative of integration of GM3-NPs into a functional IS. Ligands associated with GM3-NPs localized to the APC/T-cell contact site remain accessible to CARs and result in robust T-cell activation. Overall, this work identifies GM3-NPs as a potential antigen delivery platform for active targeting of CD169 expressing APCs and enhancement of CAR T-cell activation at the NP-containing IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zang
- Departments of Chemistry and The Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, United States
| | - Menna Siddiqui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Suryaram Gummuluru
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, United States
| | - Wilson W. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Björn M. Reinhard
- Departments of Chemistry and The Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, United States
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Padinharayil H, Alappat RR, Joy LM, Anilkumar KV, Wilson CM, George A, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A, Madhyastha H, Ramesh T, Sathiyamoorthi E, Lee J, Ganesan R. Advances in the Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Approaches. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1963. [PMID: 36423060 PMCID: PMC9693102 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress in the comprehension of LC progression, risk, immunologic control, and treatment choices, it is still the primary cause of cancer-related death. LC cells possess a very low and heterogeneous antigenicity, which allows them to passively evade the anticancer defense of the immune system by educating cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), regulatory T cells (Treg), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Though ICIs are an important candidate in first-line therapy, consolidation therapy, adjuvant therapy, and other combination therapies involving traditional therapies, the need for new predictive immunotherapy biomarkers remains. Furthermore, ICI-induced resistance after an initial response makes it vital to seek and exploit new targets to benefit greatly from immunotherapy. As ICIs, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) are not ideal LC predictive markers, a multi-parameter analysis of the immune system considering tumor, stroma, and beyond can be the future-oriented predictive marker. The optimal patient selection with a proper adjuvant agent in immunotherapy approaches needs to be still revised. Here, we summarize advances in LC immunotherapy approaches with their clinical and preclinical trials considering cancer models and vaccines and the potential of employing immunology to predict immunotherapy effectiveness in cancer patients and address the viewpoints on future directions. We conclude that the field of lung cancer therapeutics can benefit from the use of combination strategies but with comprehension of their limitations and improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiza Padinharayil
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Reema Rose Alappat
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Liji Maria Joy
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Kavya V. Anilkumar
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Cornelia M. Wilson
- Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Sandwich CT13 9ND, UK
| | - Alex George
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Harishkumar Madhyastha
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Thiyagarajan Ramesh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Jintae Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
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Cassioli C, Patrussi L, Valitutti S, Baldari CT. Learning from TCR Signaling and Immunological Synapse Assembly to Build New Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14255. [PMID: 36430728 PMCID: PMC9694822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy is a revolutionary pillar in cancer treatment. Clinical experience has shown remarkable successes in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies but only limited efficacy against B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other cancer types, especially solid tumors. A wide range of engineering strategies have been employed to overcome the limitations of CAR T cell therapy. However, it has become increasingly clear that CARs have unique, unexpected features; hence, a deep understanding of how CARs signal and trigger the formation of a non-conventional immunological synapse (IS), the signaling platform required for T cell activation and execution of effector functions, would lead a shift from empirical testing to the rational design of new CAR constructs. Here, we review current knowledge of CARs, focusing on their structure, signaling and role in CAR T cell IS assembly. We, moreover, discuss the molecular features accounting for poor responses in CLL patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR T cells and propose CLL as a paradigm for diseases connected to IS dysfunctions that could significantly benefit from the development of novel CARs to generate a productive anti-tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Patrussi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, 31037 Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - Cosima T. Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Castiello L, Santodonato L, Napolitano M, Carlei D, Montefiore E, Monque DM, D’Agostino G, Aricò E. Chimeric Antigen Receptor Immunotherapy for Solid Tumors: Choosing the Right Ingredients for the Perfect Recipe. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5351. [PMID: 36358770 PMCID: PMC9655484 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies are revolutionizing the clinical practice of hematological tumors, whereas minimal progresses have been achieved in the solid tumor arena. Multiple reasons have been ascribed to this slower pace: The higher heterogeneity, the hurdles of defining reliable tumor antigens to target, and the broad repertoire of immune escape strategies developed by solid tumors are considered among the major ones. Currently, several CAR therapies are being investigated in preclinical and early clinical trials against solid tumors differing in the type of construct, the cells that are engineered, and the additional signals included with the CAR constructs to overcome solid tumor barriers. Additionally, novel approaches in development aim at overcoming some of the limitations that emerged with the approved therapies, such as large-scale manufacturing, duration of manufacturing, and logistical issues. In this review, we analyze the advantages and challenges of the different approaches under development, balancing the scientific evidences supporting specific choices with the manufacturing and regulatory issues that are essential for their further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Castiello
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Santodonato
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Napolitano
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Carlei
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Montefiore
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Maria Monque
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina D’Agostino
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- Cell Factory FaBioCell, Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Wang X, Li S, Wang S, Zheng S, Chen Z, Song H. Protein Binding Nanoparticles as an Integrated Platform for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202453. [PMID: 35981878 PMCID: PMC9561793 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Smart nanomaterials constitute a new approach toward safer and more effective combined anti-cancer immunotherapy. In this study, polydopamine-multiprotein conjugates (DmPCs) that can be used for targeted delivery of multiple proteins to cells, realize imaging and combine the advantages of multiple treatment methods (photothermal therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy) can be synthesized and characterized. Proteins, as biological agents, are frequently used in this context, given their low toxicity in vivo. To overcome protein instability and short half-life in vivo, the use of several proteins in combination with selected nanomaterials to treat patients with melanoma is proposed. In addition to the synthesis and characterization of protein-bound nanoparticles, it is further demonstrated that several proteins can be efficiently delivered to tumor sites. DmPCs have a wide range of potential adaptability, which provides new opportunities for proteins in the field of treatment and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular ScienceKey Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Shengbo Li
- Department of Hand SurgeryUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Siqi Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular ScienceKey Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Shuo Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular ScienceKey Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Zhenbing Chen
- Department of Hand SurgeryUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Heng Song
- College of Chemistry and Molecular ScienceKey Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
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42
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Honikel MM, Olejniczak SH. Co-Stimulatory Receptor Signaling in CAR-T Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091303. [PMID: 36139142 PMCID: PMC9496564 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell engineering strategies have emerged as successful immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of human cancer. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy represents a prominent synthetic biology approach to re-direct the specificity of a patient's autologous T cells toward a desired tumor antigen. CAR-T therapy is currently FDA approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies, including subsets of B cell lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and multiple myeloma. Mechanistically, CAR-mediated recognition of a tumor antigen results in propagation of T cell activation signals, including a co-stimulatory signal, resulting in CAR-T cell activation, proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and acquisition of effector functions. The importance of including a co-stimulatory domain in CARs was recognized following limited success of early iteration CAR-T cell designs lacking co-stimulation. Today, all CAR-T cells in clinical use contain either a CD28 or 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain. Preclinical investigations are exploring utility of including additional co-stimulatory molecules such as ICOS, OX40 and CD27 or various combinations of multiple co-stimulatory domains. Clinical and preclinical evidence implicates the co-stimulatory signal in several aspects of CAR-T cell therapy including response kinetics, persistence and durability, and toxicity profiles each of which impact the safety and anti-tumor efficacy of this immunotherapy. Herein we provide an overview of CAR-T cell co-stimulation by the prototypical receptors and discuss current and emerging strategies to modulate co-stimulatory signals to enhance CAR-T cell function.
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43
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Distinct cellular dynamics associated with response to CAR-T therapy for refractory B cell lymphoma. Nat Med 2022; 28:1848-1859. [PMID: 36097221 PMCID: PMC9509487 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01959-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Approximately half of patients with refractory large B cell lymphomas achieve durable responses from CD19-targeting CAR-T treatment; however, failure mechanisms are identified in only a fraction of cases. To gain new insights into the basis of clinical response, we performed single-cell transcriptome sequencing of 105 pretreatment and post-treatment peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples, and infusion products collected from 32 individuals with large B cell lymphoma treated with either of two CD19 CAR-T products: axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) or tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel). Expansion of proliferative memory-like CD8 clones was a hallmark of tisa-cel response, whereas axi-cel responders displayed more heterogeneous populations. Elevations in CAR-T regulatory cells among nonresponders to axi-cel were detected, and these populations were capable of suppressing conventional CAR-T cell expansion and driving late relapses in an in vivo model. Our analyses reveal the temporal dynamics of effective responses to CAR-T therapy, the distinct molecular phenotypes of CAR-T cells with differing designs, and the capacity for even small increases in CAR-T regulatory cells to drive relapse.
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44
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Peng H, Nerreter T, Mestermann K, Wachter J, Chang J, Hudecek M, Rader C. ROR1-targeting switchable CAR-T cells for cancer therapy. Oncogene 2022; 41:4104-4114. [PMID: 35859167 PMCID: PMC9398970 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02416-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The success of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies has prompted the development of numerous CAR-T technologies, including switchable CAR-T (sCAR-T) systems that combine a universal CAR-T with bispecific adapter proteins. Owing to their controllability and versatility, sCAR-Ts have received considerable attention. To explore the therapeutic utility of sCAR-Ts targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1, which is expressed in hematologic and solid malignancies, and to identify bispecific adaptor proteins that efficiently mediate universal CAR-T engagement, a panel of switches based on ROR1-targeting Fabs with different epitopes and affinities was compared in in vitro and in vivo models of ROR1-expressing cancers. For switches targeting overlapping or identical epitopes, potency correlated with affinity. Surprisingly, however, we identified a switch targeting a unique epitope with low affinity but mediating potent and selective antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Converted to a conventional CAR-T, the same anti-ROR1 mAb (324) outperformed a clinically investigated conventional CAR-T that is based on an anti-ROR1 mAb (R12) with ~200-fold higher affinity. Thus, demonstrating therapeutic utility on their own, sCAR-Ts also facilitate higher throughput screening for the identification of conventional CAR-T candidates for preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyong Peng
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
| | - Thomas Nerreter
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Mestermann
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Wachter
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jing Chang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
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45
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Kranz E, Kuhlmann CJ, Chan J, Kim PY, Chen ISY, Kamata M. Efficient derivation of chimeric-antigen receptor-modified TSCM cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:877682. [PMID: 35967430 PMCID: PMC9366550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.877682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy employs autologous-T cells modified with an antigen-specific CAR. Current CAR-T manufacturing processes tend to yield products dominated by effector T cells and relatively small proportions of long-lived memory T cells. Those few cells are a so-called stem cell memory T (TSCM) subset, which express naïve T-cell markers and are capable of self-renewal and oligopotent differentiation into effector phenotypes. Increasing the proportion of this subset may lead to more effective therapies by improving CAR-T persistence; however, there is currently no standardized protocol for the effective generation of CAR-TSCM cells. Here we present a simplified protocol enabling efficient derivation of gene-modified TSCM cells: Stimulation of naïve CD8+ T cells with only soluble anti-CD3 antibody and culture with IL-7 and IL-15 was sufficient for derivation of CD8+ T cells harboring TSCM phenotypes and oligopotent capabilities. These in-vitro expanded TSCM cells were engineered with CARs targeting the HIV-1 envelope protein as well as the CD19 molecule and demonstrated effector activity both in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. This simple protocol for the derivation of CAR-TSCM cells may facilitate improved adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiko Kranz
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Charles J. Kuhlmann
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Joshua Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Y. Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Irvin S. Y. Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Masakazu Kamata
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- *Correspondence: Masakazu Kamata,
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Gordon KS, Kyung T, Perez CR, Holec PV, Ramos A, Zhang AQ, Agarwal Y, Liu Y, Koch C, Starchenko A, Joughin BA, Lauffenburger DA, Irvine DJ, Hemann MT, Birnbaum ME. Screening for CD19-specific chimaeric antigen receptors with enhanced signalling via a barcoded library of intracellular domains. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 6:855-866. [PMID: 35710755 PMCID: PMC9389442 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00896-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The immunostimulatory intracellular domains (ICDs) of chimaeric antigen receptors (CARs) are essential for converting antigen recognition into antitumoural function. Although there are many possible combinations of ICDs, almost all current CARs rely on combinations of CD3𝛇, CD28 and 4-1BB. Here we show that a barcoded library of 700,000 unique CD19-specific CARs with diverse ICDs cloned into lentiviral vectors and transduced into Jurkat T cells can be screened at high throughput via cell sorting and next-generation sequencing to optimize CAR signalling for antitumoural functions. By using this screening approach, we identified CARs with new ICD combinations that, compared with clinically available CARs, endowed human primary T cells with comparable tumour control in mice and with improved proliferation, persistence, exhaustion and cytotoxicity after tumour rechallenge in vitro. The screening strategy can be adapted to other disease models, cell types and selection conditions, and could be used to improve adoptive cell therapies and to expand their utility to new disease indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khloe S. Gordon
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Taeyoon Kyung
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Caleb R. Perez
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Patrick V. Holec
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Azucena Ramos
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Angela Q. Zhang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Health, Science, and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yash Agarwal
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Catherine Koch
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Alina Starchenko
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Brian A. Joughin
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Douglas A. Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Michael T. Hemann
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Michael E. Birnbaum
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore 138602, Singapore,Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA,Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to M.E.B.
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Immune Checkpoint Proteins, Metabolism and Adhesion Molecules: Overlooked Determinants of CAR T-Cell Migration? Cells 2022; 11:cells11111854. [PMID: 35681548 PMCID: PMC9180731 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) has demonstrated striking efficacy for the treatment of several hematological malignancies, including B-cell lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. However, many patients still do not respond to this therapy or eventually relapse after an initial remission. In most solid tumors for which CAR T-cell therapy has been tested, efficacy has been very limited. In this context, it is of paramount importance to understand the mechanisms of tumor resistance to CAR T cells. Possible factors contributing to such resistance have been identified, including inherent CAR T-cell dysfunction, the presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and tumor-intrinsic factors. To control tumor growth, CAR T cells have to migrate actively enabling a productive conjugate with their targets. To date, many cells and factors contained within the tumor microenvironment have been reported to negatively control the migration of T cells and their ability to reach cancer cells. Recent evidence suggests that additional determinants, such as immune checkpoint proteins, cellular metabolism, and adhesion molecules, may modulate the motility of CAR T cells in tumors. Here, we review the potential impact of these determinants on CAR T-cell motility, and we discuss possible strategies to restore intratumoral T-cell migration with a special emphasis on approaches targeting these determinants.
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48
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Development of Cancer Immunotherapies. Cancer Treat Res 2022; 183:1-48. [PMID: 35551655 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-96376-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, or the utilization of components of the immune system to target and eliminate cancer, has become a highly active area of research in the past several decades and a common treatment strategy for several cancer types. The concept of harnessing the immune system for this purpose originated over 100 years ago when a physician by the name of William Coley successfully treated several of his cancer patients with a combination of live and attenuated bacteria, later known as "Coley's Toxins", after observing a subset of prior patients enter remission following their diagnosis with the common bacterial infection, erysipelas. However, it was not until late in the twentieth century that cancer immunotherapies were developed for widespread use, thereby transforming the treatment landscape of numerous cancer types. Pivotal studies elucidating molecular and cellular functions of immune cells, such as the discovery of IL-2 and production of monoclonal antibodies, fostered the development of novel techniques for studying the immune system and ultimately the development and approval of several cancer immunotherapies by the United States Food and Drug Association in the 1980s and 1990s, including the tuberculosis vaccine-Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, IL-2, and the CD20-targeting monoclonal antibody. Approval of the first therapeutic cancer vaccine, Sipuleucel-T, for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and the groundbreaking success and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in the last decade, have driven an explosion of interest in and pursuit of novel cancer immunotherapy strategies. A broad range of modalities ranging from antibodies to adoptive T cell therapies is under investigation for the generalized treatment of a broad spectrum of cancers as well as personalized medicine. This chapter will focus on the recent advances, current strategies, and future outlook of immunotherapy development for the treatment of cancer.
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Engineering-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092266. [PMID: 35565395 PMCID: PMC9100203 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be genetically engineered and differentiated into different types of immune cells, providing an unlimited resource for developing off-the-shelf cell therapies. Here, we present a comprehensive review that describes the current stages of iPSC-based cell therapies, including iPSC-derived T, nature killer (NK), invariant natural killer T (iNKT), gamma delta T (γδ T), mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, and macrophages (Mφs). Abstract Cell-based immunotherapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies, especially in patients who are refractory to other therapies. However, there are critical obstacles that hinder the widespread clinical applications of current autologous therapies, such as high cost, challenging large-scale manufacturing, and inaccessibility to the therapy for lymphopenia patients. Therefore, it is in great demand to generate the universal off-the-shelf cell products with significant scalability. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide an “unlimited supply” for cell therapy because of their unique self-renewal properties and the capacity to be genetically engineered. iPSCs can be differentiated into different immune cells, such as T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, gamma delta T (γδ T), mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, and macrophages (Mφs). In this review, we describe iPSC-based allogeneic cell therapy, the different culture methods of generating iPSC-derived immune cells (e.g., iPSC-T, iPSC-NK, iPSC-iNKT, iPSC-γδT, iPSC-MAIT and iPSC-Mφ), as well as the recent advances in iPSC-T and iPSC-NK cell therapies, particularly in combinations with CAR-engineering. We also discuss the current challenges and the future perspectives in this field towards the foreseeable applications of iPSC-based immune therapy.
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Shi X, Yan L, Shang J, Kang L, Yan Z, Jin S, Zhu M, Chang H, Gong F, Zhou J, Chen G, Pan J, Liu D, Zhu X, Tang F, Liu M, Liu W, Yao F, Yu L, Wu D, Fu C. Anti-CD19 and anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy followed by lenalidomide maintenance after autologous stem-cell transplantation for high-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:537-547. [PMID: 35114022 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Few prospective studies have examined posttransplant chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell infusion as candidates for front-line consolidation therapy for high-risk multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This single-arm exploratory clinical trial is the first to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sequential anti-CD19 and anti-BCMA CAR-T cell infusion, followed by lenalidomide maintenance after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), in 10 high-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. The treatment was generally well tolerated, with hematologic toxicities being the most common grade 3 or higher adverse events. All patients had cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which was grade 1 in 5 patients (50%) and grade 2 in 5 patients (50%). No neurotoxicity was observed after CAR-T cell infusion. The overall response rate was 100%, with the best response being 90% for a stringent complete response (sCR), and 10% for a complete response (CR). At a median follow-up of 42 (36-49) months, seven (70%) of 10 patients showed sustained minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity for more than 2 years. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached. Although the sample size was small and there was a lack of control in this single-arm study, the clinical benefits observed warrant ongoing randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Shi
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Lingzhi Yan
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Jingjing Shang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Liqing Kang
- Shanghai Unicar‐Therapy Bio‐medicine Technology Co. Ltd. Shanghai China
| | - Zhi Yan
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Song Jin
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Mingqing Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Huirong Chang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Feiran Gong
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Jiazi Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Guanghua Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Jinlan Pan
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Dandan Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Xiaming Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Fang Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Minghong Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Pathology The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Feirong Yao
- Department of Radiology The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Lei Yu
- Shanghai Unicar‐Therapy Bio‐medicine Technology Co. Ltd. Shanghai China
| | - Depei Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University Suzhou China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Chengcheng Fu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University Suzhou China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection Soochow University Suzhou China
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