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Al Agrafi F, Gaballa A, Hahn P, Arruda LCM, Jaramillo AC, Witsen M, Lehmann S, Önfelt B, Uhlin M, Stikvoort A. Selective lysis of acute myeloid leukemia cells by CD34/CD3 bispecific antibody through the activation of γδ T-cells. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2379063. [PMID: 39076247 PMCID: PMC11285226 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2379063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the considerable progress in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment, relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is still frequent and associated with a poor prognosis. Relapse has been shown to be correlated with an incomplete eradication of CD34+ leukemic stem cells prior to HSCT. Previously, we have shown that a novel CD34-directed, bispecific T-cell engager (BTE) can efficiently redirect the T-cell effector function toward cancer cells, thus eliminating leukemic cells in vitro and in vivo. However, its impact on γδ T-cells is still unclear. In this study, we tested the efficacy of the CD34-specific BTE using in vitro expanded γδ T-cells as effectors. We showed that the BTEs bind to γδ T-cells and CD34+ leukemic cell lines and induce target cell killing in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, γδ T-cell mediated killing was found to be superior to αβ T-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we observed that only in the presence of BTE the γδ T-cells induced primary AML blast killing in vitro. Importantly, our results show that γδ T-cells did not target the healthy CD34intermediate endothelial blood-brain barrier cell line (hCMEC/D3) nor lysed CD34+ HSCs from healthy bone marrow samples.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Antibodies, Bispecific/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Bispecific/therapeutic use
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Antigens, CD34/metabolism
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Intraepithelial Lymphocytes/immunology
- Intraepithelial Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Al Agrafi
- Healthy Aging Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ahmed Gaballa
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Paula Hahn
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lucas C. M. Arruda
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adrian C. Jaramillo
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maartje Witsen
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sören Lehmann
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Hematology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Uhlin
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arwen Stikvoort
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
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2
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Kassner J, Abdellatif B, Yamshon S, Monge J, Kaner J. Current landscape of CD3 bispecific antibodies in hematologic malignancies. Trends Cancer 2024:S2405-8033(24)00115-8. [PMID: 38987076 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.06.001] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Over the past 30 years the incorporation of monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments into the management of hematologic malignancies has led to significant improvements in patient outcomes. The key limitation of mAb treatments is the necessity for target antigen presentation on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and costimulatory molecules to elicit a cytotoxic immune response. With the advent of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), these limitations can be overcome through direct stimulation of cytotoxic T cells, thus limiting tumor cell evasion. BsAbs are rapidly being incorporated into treatment regimens for hematologic malignancies, and there are now seven FDA-approved treatments in this class, six of which have been approved in the past year. In this review we describe the function, complications, and clinical trial data available for CD3 BsAbs in the treatment of lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kassner
- Department of Internal Medicine, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Sam Yamshon
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge Monge
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Kaner
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Zeng Q, He J, Chen X, Yuan Q, Yin L, Liang Y, Zu X, Shen Y. Recent advances in hematopoietic cell kinase in cancer progression: Mechanisms and inhibitors. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116932. [PMID: 38870631 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116932] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the Src kinase family, is intricately linked to the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases, with a particularly pronounced association with cancer. Hck not only directly impacts the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of cancer cells but also interacts with JAK/STAT, MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, CXCL12/CXCR4, and other pathways. Hck also influences the tumor microenvironment to facilitate the onset and progression of cancer. This paper delves into the functional role and regulatory mechanisms of Hck in various solid tumors. Additionally, it explores the implications of Hck in hematological malignancies. The review culminates with a summary of the current research status of Hck inhibitors, the majority of which are in the pre-clinical phase of investigation. Notably, these inhibitors are predominantly utilized in the therapeutic management of leukemia, with their combinatorial potential indicating promising avenues for future research. In conclusion, this review underscores the significance of the mechanism of Hck in solid tumors. This insight is crucial for comprehending the current research trends regarding Hck: targeted therapy against Hck shows great promise in both diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. Further investigation into the role of Hck in cancer, coupled with the development of specific inhibitors, has the potential to revolutionize approaches to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiting Zeng
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Institution of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hunan Province Clinical Research Center for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of High-incidence Sexually Transmitted Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Nanhua Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421002, China
| | - Xiguang Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Qiong Yuan
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Institution of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hunan Province Clinical Research Center for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of High-incidence Sexually Transmitted Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Liyang Yin
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Yuxin Liang
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Institution of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hunan Province Clinical Research Center for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of High-incidence Sexually Transmitted Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Yingying Shen
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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Capelli D. FLT3-Mutated Leukemic Stem Cells: Mechanisms of Resistance and New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1819. [PMID: 38791898 PMCID: PMC11119130 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101819] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of target drugs in the first and second line, only 30% of FLT3mut AMLs are cured. Among the multiple mechanisms of resistance, those of FLT3mut LSC are the most difficult to eradicate because of their metabolic and genomic characteristics. Reactivation of glycogen synthesis, inhibition of the RAS/MAPK pathway, and degradation of FLT3 may be potential aids to fight the resistance of LSC to FLT3i. LSC is also characterized by the expression of a CD34+/CD25+/CD123+/CD99+ immunophenotype. The receptor and ligand of FLT3, the natural killer group 2 member D ligand (NKGD2L), and CD123 are some of the targets of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), bispecific T-cell engager molecules (BiTEs), CAR-NK and nanoparticles recently designed and reported here. The combination of these new therapeutic options, hopefully in a minimal residual disease (MRD)-driven approach, could provide the future answer to the challenge of treating FLT3mut AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Capelli
- Department of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy
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Cech P, Skórka K, Dziki L, Giannopoulos K. T-Cell Engagers-The Structure and Functional Principle and Application in Hematological Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1580. [PMID: 38672662 PMCID: PMC11048836 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081580] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy have made directing the cellular immune response onto cancer cells a promising strategy for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The introduction of monoclonal antibody-based (mAbs) targeted therapy has significantly improved the prognosis for hematological patients. Facing the issues of mAb-based therapies, a novel bispecific antibody (BsAb) format was developed. T-cell engagers (TCEs) are BsAbs, which simultaneously target tumor-associated antigens on tumor cells and CD3 molecules present on T-cells. This mechanism allows for the direct activation of T-cells and their anti-tumor features, ultimately resulting in the lysis of tumor cells. In 2014, the FDA approved blinatumomab, a TCE directed to CD3 and CD19 for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Since then, numerous TCEs have been developed, allowing for treating different hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. As of November 2023, seven clinically approved TCE therapies are on the market. TCE-based therapies still have their limitations; however, improving the properties of TCEs, as well as combining TCE-based therapies with other forms of treatment, give hope to find the cures for currently terminal diseases. In this paper, we summarized the technical basis of the TCE technology, its application in hematology, and its current issues and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katarzyna Skórka
- Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.C.); (L.D.); (K.G.)
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6
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Stefańczyk SA, Hagelstein I, Lutz MS, Müller S, Holzmayer SJ, Jarjour G, Zekri L, Heitmann JS, Salih HR, Märklin M. Induction of NK cell reactivity against acute myeloid leukemia by Fc-optimized CD276 (B7-H3) antibody. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:67. [PMID: 38637557 PMCID: PMC11026476 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01050-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge despite recent therapeutic advances. Although monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) engaging natural killer (NK) cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) hold promise in cancer therapy, almost none have received clinical approval for AML, so far. Recently, CD276 (B7-H3) has emerged as a promising target for AML immunotherapy, due to its high expression on leukemic blasts of AML patients. Here, we present the preclinical development of the Fc-optimized CD276 mAb 8H8_SDIE with enhanced CD16 affinity. We demonstrate that 8H8_SDIE specifically binds to CD276 on AML cell lines and primary AML cells and induces pronounced NK cell activation and degranulation as measured by CD69, CD25, and CD107a. Secretion of IFNγ, TNF, granzyme B, granulysin, and perforin, which mediate NK cell effector functions, was induced by 8H8_SDIE. A pronounced target cell-restricted lysis of AML cell lines and primary AML cells was observed in cytotoxicity assays using 8H8_SDIE. Finally, xenograft models with 8H8_SDIE did not cause off-target immune activation and effectively inhibited leukemia growth in vivo. We here present a novel attractive immunotherapeutic compound that potently induces anti-leukemic NK cell reactivity in vitro and in vivo as treatment option for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia A Stefańczyk
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martina S Lutz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Müller
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Samuel J Holzmayer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Grace Jarjour
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Latifa Zekri
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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7
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Zekri L, Hagelstein I, Märklin M, Klimovich B, Christie M, Lindner C, Kämereit S, Prakash N, Müller S, Stotz S, Maurer A, Greve C, Schmied B, Atar D, Rammensee HG, Jung G, Salih HR. Immunocytokines with target cell-restricted IL-15 activity for treatment of B cell malignancies. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadh1988. [PMID: 38446900 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adh1988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Despite the advances in cancer treatment achieved, for example, by the CD20 antibody rituximab, an urgent medical need remains to optimize the capacity of such antibodies to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) that determines therapeutic efficacy. The cytokine IL-15 stimulates proliferation, activation, and cytolytic capacity of NK cells, but broad clinical use is prevented by short half-life, poor accumulation at the tumor site, and severe toxicity due to unspecific immune activation. We here report modified immunocytokines consisting of Fc-optimized CD19 and CD20 antibodies fused to an IL-15 moiety comprising an L45E-E46K double mutation (MIC+ format). The E46K mutation abrogated binding to IL-15Rα, thereby enabling substitution of physiological trans-presentation by target binding and thus conditional IL-15Rβγ stimulation, whereas the L45E mutation optimized IL-15Rβγ agonism and producibility. In vitro analysis of NK activation, anti-leukemia reactivity, and toxicity using autologous and allogeneic B cells confirmed target-dependent function of MIC+ constructs. Compared with Fc-optimized CD19 and CD20 antibodies, MIC+ constructs mediated superior target cell killing and NK cell proliferation. Mouse models using luciferase-expressing human NALM-6 lymphoma cells, patient acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells, and murine EL-4 lymphoma cells transduced with human CD19/CD20 as targets and human and murine NK cells as effectors, respectively, confirmed superior and target-dependent anti-leukemic activity. In summary, MIC+ constructs combine the benefits of Fc-optimized antibodies and IL-15 cytokine activity and mediate superior NK cell immunity with potentially reduced side effects. They thus constitute a promising new immunotherapeutic approach shown here for B cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifa Zekri
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Boris Klimovich
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mary Christie
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, 2050 NSW, Australia
| | - Cornelia Lindner
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sofie Kämereit
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nisha Prakash
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Müller
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sophie Stotz
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department for Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Maurer
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department for Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Greve
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bastian Schmied
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Atar
- Childrens University Hospital, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
- DKFZ Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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8
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Palmeri JR, Lax BM, Peters JM, Duhamel L, Stinson JA, Santollani L, Lutz EA, Pinney W, Bryson BD, Dane Wittrup K. CD8 + T cell priming that is required for curative intratumorally anchored anti-4-1BB immunotherapy is constrained by Tregs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1900. [PMID: 38429261 PMCID: PMC10907589 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45625-0] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Although co-stimulation of T cells with agonist antibodies targeting 4-1BB (CD137) improves antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies, clinical success has been limited by on-target, off-tumor activity. Here, we report the development of a tumor-anchored ɑ4-1BB agonist (ɑ4-1BB-LAIR), which consists of a ɑ4-1BB antibody fused to the collagen-binding protein LAIR. While combination treatment with an antitumor antibody (TA99) shows only modest efficacy, simultaneous depletion of CD4+ T cells boosts cure rates to over 90% of mice. Mechanistically, this synergy depends on ɑCD4 eliminating tumor draining lymph node regulatory T cells, resulting in priming and activation of CD8+ T cells which then infiltrate the tumor microenvironment. The cytotoxic program of these newly primed CD8+ T cells is then supported by the combined effect of TA99 and ɑ4-1BB-LAIR. The combination of TA99 and ɑ4-1BB-LAIR with a clinically approved ɑCTLA-4 antibody known for enhancing T cell priming results in equivalent cure rates, which validates the mechanistic principle, while the addition of ɑCTLA-4 also generates robust immunological memory against secondary tumor rechallenge. Thus, our study establishes the proof of principle for a clinically translatable cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Palmeri
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brianna M Lax
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joshua M Peters
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Duhamel
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jordan A Stinson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luciano Santollani
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emi A Lutz
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William Pinney
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bryan D Bryson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
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9
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Nyesiga B, Levin M, Säll A, Rosén A, Jansson K, Fritzell S, Hägerbrand K, Weilguny D, von Schantz L. RUBY® - a tetravalent (2+2) bispecific antibody format with excellent functionality and IgG-like stability, pharmacology and developability properties. MAbs 2024; 16:2330113. [PMID: 38527972 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2330113] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the large number of existing bispecific antibody (bsAb) formats, the generation of novel bsAbs is still associated with development and bioprocessing challenges. Here, we present RUBY, a novel bispecific antibody format that allows rapid generation of bsAbs that fulfill key development criteria. The RUBYTM format has a 2 + 2 geometry, where two Fab fragments are linked via their light chains to the C-termini of an IgG, and carries mutations for optimal chain pairing. The unique design enables generation of bsAbs with mAb-like attributes. Our data demonstrate that RUBY bsAbs are compatible with small-scale production systems for screening purposes and can be produced at high yields (>3 g/L) from stable cell lines. The bsAbs produced are shown to, in general, contain low amounts of aggregates and display favorable solubility and stress endurance profiles. Further, compatibility with various IgG isotypes is shown and tailored Fc gamma receptor binding confirmed. Also, retained interaction with FcRn is demonstrated to translate into a pharmacokinetic profile in mice and non-human primates that is comparable to mAb controls. Functionality of conditional active RUBY bsAbs is confirmed in vitro. Anti-tumor effects in vivo have previously been demonstrated, and shown to be superior to a comparable mAb, and here it is further shown that RUBY bsAbs penetrate and localize to tumor tissue in vivo. In all, the RUBY format has attractive mAb-like attributes and offers the possibility to mitigate many of the development challenges linked to other bsAb formats, facilitating both high functionality and developability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabas Nyesiga
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Mattias Levin
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Säll
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Rosén
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kim Jansson
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Fritzell
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
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10
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Guo X, Wu Y, Xue Y, Xie N, Shen G. Revolutionizing cancer immunotherapy: unleashing the potential of bispecific antibodies for targeted treatment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1291836. [PMID: 38106416 PMCID: PMC10722299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1291836] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent progressions in immunotherapy have transformed cancer treatment, providing a promising strategy that activates the immune system of the patient to find and eliminate cancerous cells. Bispecific antibodies, which engage two separate antigens or one antigen with two distinct epitopes, are of tremendous concern in immunotherapy. The bi-targeting idea enabled by bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) is especially attractive from a medical standpoint since most diseases are complex, involving several receptors, ligands, and signaling pathways. Several research look into the processes in which BsAbs identify different cancer targets such angiogenesis, reproduction, metastasis, and immune regulation. By rerouting cells or altering other pathways, the bispecific proteins perform effector activities in addition to those of natural antibodies. This opens up a wide range of clinical applications and helps patients with resistant tumors respond better to medication. Yet, further study is necessary to identify the best conditions where to use these medications for treating tumor, their appropriate combination partners, and methods to reduce toxicity. In this review, we provide insights into the BsAb format classification based on their composition and symmetry, as well as the delivery mode, focus on the action mechanism of the molecule, and discuss the challenges and future perspectives in BsAb development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Guo
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Xue
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Na Xie
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Guobo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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11
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Guarnera L, Bravo-Perez C, Visconte V. Immunotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Literature Review of Emerging Strategies. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1228. [PMID: 37892958 PMCID: PMC10604866 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101228] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last twenty years, we have witnessed a paradigm shift in the treatment and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), thanks to the introduction of new efficient drugs or approaches to refine old therapies, such as Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin, CPX 3-5-1, hypomethylating agents, and Venetoclax, the optimization of conditioning regimens in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the improvement of supportive care. However, the long-term survival of non-M3 and non-core binding factor-AML is still dismal. For this reason, the expectations for the recently developed immunotherapies, such as antibody-based therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor strategies, successfully tested in other hematologic malignancies, were very high. The inherent characteristics of AML blasts hampered the development of these treatments, and the path of immunotherapy in AML has been bumpy. Herein, we provide a detailed review of potential antigenic targets, available data from pre-clinical and clinical trials, and future directions of immunotherapies in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Guarnera
- Department of Translational Hematology & Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.B.-P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlos Bravo-Perez
- Department of Translational Hematology & Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.B.-P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, IMIB-Pascual Parrilla, CIBERER—Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 30005 Murcia, Spain
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology & Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.B.-P.); (V.V.)
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12
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Peroni E, Randi ML, Rosato A, Cagnin S. Acute myeloid leukemia: from NGS, through scRNA-seq, to CAR-T. dissect cancer heterogeneity and tailor the treatment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:259. [PMID: 37803464 PMCID: PMC10557350 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02841-8] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant blood cancer with marked cellular heterogeneity due to altered maturation and differentiation of myeloid blasts, the possible causes of which are transcriptional or epigenetic alterations, impaired apoptosis, and excessive cell proliferation. This neoplasm has a high rate of resistance to anticancer therapies and thus a high risk of relapse and mortality because of both the biological diversity of the patient and intratumoral heterogeneity due to the acquisition of new somatic changes. For more than 40 years, the old gold standard "one size fits all" treatment approach included intensive chemotherapy treatment with anthracyclines and cytarabine.The manuscript first traces the evolution of the understanding of the pathology from the 1970s to the present. The enormous strides made in its categorization prove to be crucial for risk stratification, enabling an increasingly personalized diagnosis and treatment approach.Subsequently, we highlight how, over the past 15 years, technological advances enabling single cell RNA sequencing and T-cell modification based on the genomic tools are affecting the classification and treatment of AML. At the dawn of the new millennium, the advent of high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled the profiling of patients evidencing different facets of the same disease, stratifying risk, and identifying new possible therapeutic targets that have subsequently been validated. Currently, the possibility of investigating tumor heterogeneity at the single cell level, profiling the tumor at the time of diagnosis or after treatments exist. This would allow the identification of underrepresented cellular subclones or clones resistant to therapeutic approaches and thus responsible for post-treatment relapse that would otherwise be difficult to detect with bulk investigations on the tumor biopsy. Single-cell investigation will then allow even greater personalization of therapy to the genetic and transcriptional profile of the tumor, saving valuable time and dangerous side effects. The era of personalized medicine will take a huge step forward through the disclosure of each individual piece of the complex puzzle that is cancer pathology, to implement a "tailored" therapeutic approach based also on engineered CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Peroni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padova, 35128, Italy.
| | - Maria Luigia Randi
- First Medical Clinic, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padova, 35128, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Cagnin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
- CIR-Myo Myology Center, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
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13
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Omer MH, Shafqat A, Ahmad O, Alkattan K, Yaqinuddin A, Damlaj M. Bispecific Antibodies in Hematological Malignancies: A Scoping Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4550. [PMID: 37760519 PMCID: PMC10526328 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184550] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) and bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) have revolutionized the treatment landscape of hematological malignancies. By directing T cells towards specific tumor antigens, BiTEs and BiAbs facilitate the T-cell-mediated lysis of neoplastic cells. The success of blinatumomab, a CD19xCD3 BiTE, in acute lymphoblastic leukemia spearheaded the expansive development of BiTEs/BiAbs in the context of hematological neoplasms. Nearly a decade later, numerous BiTEs/BiAbs targeting a range of tumor-associated antigens have transpired in the treatment of multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute myelogenous leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, despite their generally favorable safety profiles, particular toxicities such as infections, cytokine release syndrome, myelosuppression, and neurotoxicity after BiAb/BiTE therapy raise valid concerns. Moreover, target antigen loss and the immunosuppressive microenvironment of hematological neoplasms facilitate resistance towards BiTEs/BiAbs. This review aims to highlight the most recent evidence from clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of BiAbs/BiTEs. Additionally, the review will provide mechanistic insights into the limitations of BiAbs whilst outlining practical applications and strategies to overcome these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H. Omer
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Areez Shafqat
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (O.A.); (K.A.); (A.Y.)
| | - Omar Ahmad
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (O.A.); (K.A.); (A.Y.)
| | - Khaled Alkattan
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (O.A.); (K.A.); (A.Y.)
| | - Ahmed Yaqinuddin
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (O.A.); (K.A.); (A.Y.)
| | - Moussab Damlaj
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 11001, United Arab Emirates;
- College of Medicine, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
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14
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Meckler JF, Levis DJ, Vang DP, Tuscano JM. A Novel bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) targeting CD22 and CD3 has both in vitro and in vivo activity and synergizes with blinatumomab in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) tumor model. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:2939-2948. [PMID: 37247022 PMCID: PMC10412491 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03444-0] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer therapy. Two recently FDA-approved immunotherapies for B-cell malignancies target CD19, in the form of a Bispecific T-Cell Engager (BiTE) antibody construct or chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. Blinatumomab, an FDA-approved BiTE, binds to CD19 on B cells and to CD3 on T cells, mediating effector-target cell contact and T-cell activation that results in effective elimination of target B cells. Although CD19 is expressed by essentially all B-cell malignancies at clinical presentation, relapses with loss or reduction in CD19 surface expression are increasingly recognized as a cause of treatment failure. Therefore, there is a clear need to develop therapeutics for alternate targets. We have developed a novel BiTE consisting of humanized anti-CD22 and anti-CD3 single chain variable fragments. Target binding of the anti-CD22 and anti-CD3 moieties was confirmed by flow cytometry. CD22-BiTE promoted in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity in a dose and effector: target (E:T)-dependent fashion. Additionally, in an established acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) xenograft mouse model, CD22-BiTE demonstrated tumor growth inhibition, comparable to blinatumomab. Further, the combination of blinatumomab and CD22-BiTE yielded increased efficacy in vivo when compared to the single agents. In conclusion, we report here the development of a new BiTE with cytotoxic activity against CD22+ cells which could represent an alternate or complementary therapeutic option for B-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua F Meckler
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Daniel J Levis
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Daniel P Vang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Joseph M Tuscano
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Healthcare System, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Davis Health System, 4501 X Street, Suite 3016, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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15
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Peschke JC, Bergmann R, Mehnert M, Gonzalez Soto KE, Loureiro LR, Mitwasi N, Kegler A, Altmann H, Wobus M, Máthé D, Szigeti K, Feldmann A, Bornhäuser M, Bachmann M, Fasslrinner F, Arndt C. FLT3-directed UniCAR T-cell therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2023; 202:1137-1150. [PMID: 37460273 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Adaptor chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy offers solutions for improved safety and antigen escape, which represent main obstacles for the clinical translation of CAR T-cell therapy in myeloid malignancies. The adaptor CAR T-cell platform 'UniCAR' is currently under early clinical investigation. Recently, the first proof of concept of a well-tolerated, rapidly switchable, CD123-directed UniCAR T-cell product treating patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was reported. Relapsed and refractory AML is prone to high plasticity under therapy pressure targeting one single tumour antigen. Thus, targeting of multiple tumour antigens seems to be required to achieve durable anti-tumour responses, underlining the need to further design alternative AML-specific target modules (TM) for the UniCAR platform. We here present the preclinical development of a novel FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-directed UniCAR T-cell therapy, which is highly effective for in vitro killing of both AML cell lines and primary AML samples. Furthermore, we show in vivo functionality in a murine xenograft model. PET analyses further demonstrate a short serum half-life of FLT3 TMs, which will enable a rapid on/off switch of UniCAR T cells. Overall, the presented preclinical data encourage the further development and clinical translation of FLT3-specific UniCAR T cells for the therapy of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Peschke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC): German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
| | - R Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - M Mehnert
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - K E Gonzalez Soto
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - L R Loureiro
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - N Mitwasi
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - A Kegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - H Altmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC): German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Wobus
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - D Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Szeged, Hungary
| | - K Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - A Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC): German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Bornhäuser
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC): German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Science, King's College, London, UK
| | - M Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC): German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - F Fasslrinner
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - C Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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16
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Tapia-Galisteo A, Álvarez-Vallina L, Sanz L. Bi- and trispecific immune cell engagers for immunotherapy of hematological malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:83. [PMID: 37501154 PMCID: PMC10373336 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01482-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune cell engagers are engineered antibodies with at least one arm binding a tumor-associated antigen and at least another one directed against an activating receptor in immune effector cells: CD3 for recruitment of T cells and CD16a for NK cells. The first T cell engager (the anti-CD19 blinatumomab) was approved by the FDA in 2014, but no other one hit the market until 2022. Now the field is gaining momentum, with three approvals in 2022 and 2023 (as of May): the anti-CD20 × anti-CD3 mosunetuzumab and epcoritamab and the anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) × anti-CD3 teclistamab, and another three molecules in regulatory review. T cell engagers will likely revolutionize the treatment of hematological malignancies in the short term, as they are considerably more potent than conventional monoclonal antibodies recognizing the same tumor antigens. The field is thriving, with a plethora of different formats and targets, and around 100 bispecific T cell engagers more are already in clinical trials. Bispecific NK cell engagers are also in early-stage clinical studies and may offer similar efficacy with milder side effects. Trispecific antibodies (engaging either T cell or NK cell receptors) raise the game even further with a third binding moiety, which allows either the targeting of an additional tumor-associated antigen to increase specificity and avoid immune escape or the targeting of additional costimulatory receptors on the immune cell to improve its effector functions. Altogether, these engineered molecules may change the paradigm of treatment for relapsed or refractory hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Tapia-Galisteo
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Biomedical Research Institute Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Biomedical Research Institute Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Biomedical Research Institute Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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17
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Spillane DR, Assouline S. Immunotherapy for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia: where do we stand? Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:819-834. [PMID: 37819154 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2268273] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are generally characterized by a poor prognosis with currently available therapies. Immunotherapies have already seen success in treating a variety of malignant disorders, and their role in managing myeloid cancers is evolving rapidly. AREAS COVERED This is a review of the immunotherapies tested in MDS and AML, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and cell therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, with a focus on clinical trials conducted to date and future directions. EXPERT OPINION Initial clinical trials exploring checkpoint inhibitors in MDS and AML have demonstrated high toxicity and disappointing efficacy. However, ongoing trials adding novel checkpoint inhibitors to standard therapy are more promising. Technological advances are improving the outlook for bispecific antibodies, and cellular therapies like adoptive NK cell infusion have favorable efficacy and tolerability in early trials. As our understanding of the immune microenvironment in MDS and AML improves, the role for immunotherapy in the treatment of these diseases will become clearer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Spillane
- Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sarit Assouline
- Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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18
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Gambles MT, Yang J, Kopeček J. Multi-targeted immunotherapeutics to treat B cell malignancies. J Control Release 2023; 358:232-258. [PMID: 37121515 PMCID: PMC10330463 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The concept of multi-targeted immunotherapeutic systems has propelled the field of cancer immunotherapy into an exciting new era. Multi-effector molecules can be designed to engage with, and alter, the patient's immune system in a plethora of ways. The outcomes can vary from effector cell recruitment and activation upon recognition of a cancer cell, to a multipronged immune checkpoint blockade strategy disallowing evasion of the cancer cells by immune cells, or to direct cancer cell death upon engaging multiple cell surface receptors simultaneously. Here, we review the field of multi-specific immunotherapeutics implemented to treat B cell malignancies. The mechanistically diverse strategies are outlined and discussed; common B cell receptor antigen targeting strategies are outlined and summarized; and the challenges of the field are presented along with optimistic insights for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tommy Gambles
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jiyuan Yang
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Jindřich Kopeček
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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19
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Marcinek A, Brauchle B, Rohrbacher L, Hänel G, Philipp N, Märkl F, Strzalkowski T, Lacher SM, Udiljak D, Spiekermann K, Theurich S, Kobold S, Kischel R, James JR, Bücklein VL, Subklewe M. CD33 BiTE ® molecule-mediated immune synapse formation and subsequent T-cell activation is determined by the expression profile of activating and inhibitory checkpoint molecules on AML cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023:10.1007/s00262-023-03439-x. [PMID: 37041225 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03439-x] [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: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE®) molecules recruit T cells to cancer cells through CD3ε binding, independently of T-cell receptor (TCR) specificity. Whereas physiological T-cell activation is dependent on signal 1 (TCR engagement) and signal 2 (co-stimulation), BiTE molecule-mediated T-cell activation occurs without additional co-stimulation. As co-stimulatory and inhibitory molecules modulate the strength and nature of T-cell responses, we studied the impact of the expression profile of those molecules on target cells for BiTE molecule-mediated T-cell activation in the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Accordingly, we created a novel in vitro model system using murine Ba/F3 cells transduced with human CD33 ± CD86 ± PD-L1. T-cell fitness was assessed by T-cell function assays in co-cultures and immune synapse formation by applying a CD33 BiTE molecule (AMG 330). Using our cell-based model platform, we found that the expression of positive co-stimulatory molecules on target cells markedly enhanced BiTE molecule-mediated T-cell activation. The initiation and stability of the immune synapse between T cells and target cells were significantly increased through the expression of CD86 on target cells. By contrast, the co-inhibitory molecule PD-L1 impaired the stability of BiTE molecule-induced immune synapses and subsequent T-cell responses. We validated our findings in primary T-cell-AML co-cultures, demonstrating a PD-L1-mediated reduction in redirected T-cell activation. The addition of the immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) lenalidomide to co-cultures led to stabilization of immune synapses and improved subsequent T-cell responses. We conclude that target cells modulate CD33 BiTE molecule-dependent T-cell activation and hence, combinatorial strategies might contribute to enhanced efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anetta Marcinek
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina Brauchle
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Rohrbacher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerulf Hänel
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Nora Philipp
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Märkl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Thaddäus Strzalkowski
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja M Lacher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Dragica Udiljak
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Karsten Spiekermann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Experimental Leukemia and Lymphoma Research (ELLF), Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Theurich
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Cancer-and Immunometabolism Research Group, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Roman Kischel
- AMGEN Research Munich GmbH, Munich, Germany
- AMGEN Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | - John R James
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Veit L Bücklein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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20
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Zekri L, Lutz M, Prakash N, Manz T, Klimovich B, Mueller S, Hoerner S, Hagelstein I, Engel M, Chashchina A, Pfluegler M, Heitmann JS, Jung G, Salih HR. An optimized IgG-based B7-H3xCD3 bispecific antibody for treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1033-1045. [PMID: 36793213 PMCID: PMC10124076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell-based immunotherapy has revolutionized oncological treatment. However, many patients do not respond to treatment, and long-term remissions remain rare, particularly in gastrointestinal cancers like colorectal cancer (CRC). B7-H3 is overexpressed in multiple cancer entities including CRC on both tumor cells and tumor vasculature, the latter facilitating influx of effector cells into the tumor site upon therapeutic targeting. We generated a panel of T cell-recruiting B7-H3xCD3 bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) and show that targeting a membrane-proximal B7-H3 epitope allows for a 100-fold reduction of CD3 affinity. In vitro, our lead compound CC-3 showed superior tumor cell killing, T cell activation, proliferation, and memory formation, whereas undesired cytokine release was reduced. In vivo, CC-3 mediated potent antitumor activity in three independent models using immunocompromised mice adoptively transferred with human effector cells with regard to prevention of lung metastasis and flank tumor growth as well as elimination of large established tumors. Thus, fine-tuning of both target and CD3 affinities as well as binding epitopes allowed for the generation of a B7-H3xCD3 bsAbs with promising therapeutic activity. CC-3 is presently undergoing good manufacturing practice (GMP) production to enable evaluation in a clinical "first-in-human" study in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifa Zekri
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Martina Lutz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Nisha Prakash
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Timo Manz
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Boris Klimovich
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Stefanie Mueller
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hoerner
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Monika Engel
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Anna Chashchina
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Martin Pfluegler
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Jonas S Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; DKFZ Partner Site Tuebingen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tuebingen 72076, Germany.
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21
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Niswander LM, Graff ZT, Chien CD, Chukinas JA, Meadows CA, Leach LC, Loftus JP, Kohler ME, Tasian SK, Fry TJ. Potent preclinical activity of FLT3-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy against FLT3- mutant acute myeloid leukemia and KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2023; 108:457-471. [PMID: 35950535 PMCID: PMC9890025 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.281456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapies targeting CD19 or CD22 induce remissions in the majority of patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), although relapse due to target antigen loss or downregulation has emerged as a major clinical dilemma. Accordingly, great interest exists in developing CAR T cells directed against alternative leukemia cell surface antigens that may help to overcome immunotherapeutic resistance. The fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (FLT3) is constitutively activated via FLT3 mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or wild-type FLT3 overexpression in KMT2A (lysine-specific methyltransferase 2A)-rearranged ALL, which are associated with poor clinical outcomes in children and adults. We developed monovalent FLT3-targeted CAR T cells (FLT3CART) and bispecific CD19xFLT3CART and assessed their anti-leukemia activity in preclinical models of FLT3-mutant AML and KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL. We report robust in vitro FLT3CART-induced cytokine production and cytotoxicity against AML and ALL cell lines with minimal cross-reactivity against normal hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. We also observed potent in vivo inhibition of leukemia proliferation in xenograft models of both FLT3-mutant AML and KMT2A-rearranged ALL, including a post-tisagenlecleucel ALL-to-AML lineage switch patient-derived xenograft model pairing. We further demonstrate significant in vitro and in vivo activity of bispecific CD19xFLT3CART against KMT2Arearranged ALL and posit that this additional approach might also diminish potential antigen escape in these high-risk leukemias. Our preclinical data credential FLT3CART as a highly effective immunotherapeutic strategy for both FLT3- mutant AML and KMT2A-rearranged ALL which is poised for further investigation and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Niswander
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research; Philadelphia PA
| | - Zachary T Graff
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado; Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO
| | - Christopher D Chien
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD
| | - John A Chukinas
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research; Philadelphia PA
| | - Christina A Meadows
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO
| | - Lillie C Leach
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO
| | - Joseph P Loftus
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research; Philadelphia, PA
| | - M Eric Kohler
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado; Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO
| | - Sarah K Tasian
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research; Philadelphia PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center; Philadelphia PA.
| | - Terry J Fry
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado; Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO.
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22
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Morse JW, Rios M, Ye J, Rios A, Zhang CC, Daver NG, DiNardo CD, Zhang N, An Z. Antibody therapies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: exploring current and emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:107-125. [PMID: 36762937 PMCID: PMC10031751 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2179482] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common and deadly type of leukemia affecting adults. It is typically managed with rounds of non-targeted chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplants, but this is only possible in patients who can tolerate these harsh treatments and many are elderly and frail. With the identification of novel tumor-specific cell surface receptors, there is great conviction that targeted antibody therapies will soon become available for these patients. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe the current landscape of known target receptors for monospecific and bispecific antibody-based therapeutics for AML. Here, we characterize each of the receptors and targeted antibody-based therapeutics in development, illustrating the rational design behind each therapeutic compound. We then discuss the bispecific antibodies in development and how they improve immune surveillance of AML. For each therapeutic, we also summarize the available pre-clinical and clinical data, including data from discontinued trials. EXPERT OPINION One antibody-based therapeutic has already been approved for AML treatment, the CD33-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin. Many more are currently in pre-clinical and clinical studies. These antibody-based therapeutics can perform tumor-specific, elaborate cytotoxic functions and there is growing confidence they will soon lead to personalized, safe AML treatment options that induce durable remissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W Morse
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Margarita Rios
- Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - John Ye
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Adan Rios
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cheng Cheng Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Naval G Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Courtney D DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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23
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Lutz MS, Zekri L, Weßling L, Berchtold S, Heitmann JS, Lauer UM, Jung G, Salih HR. IgG-based B7-H3xCD3 bispecific antibody for treatment of pancreatic, hepatic and gastric cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1163136. [PMID: 37122707 PMCID: PMC10140336 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1163136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell-based immunotherapy has significantly improved treatment options for many malignancies. However, despite these and other therapeutic improvements over the last decades, gastrointestinal cancers, in particular pancreatic, hepatic and gastric cancer, are still characterized by high relapse rates and dismal prognosis, with an accordingly high unmet medical need for novel treatment strategies. We here report on the preclinical characterization of a novel bispecific antibody in an IgG-based format termed CC-3 with B7-H3xCD3 specificity. In many cancer entities including pancreatic, hepatic and gastric cancers, B7-H3 (CD276) is overexpressed on tumor cells and also on the tumor vasculature, the latter allowing for improved access of immune effector cells into the tumor site upon therapeutic targeting. We demonstrate that CC-3 induces profound T cell reactivity against various pancreatic, hepatic and gastric cancer cell lines as revealed by analysis of activation, degranulation and secretion of IL2, IFNγ as well as perforin, resulting in potent target cell lysis. Moreover, CC-3 induced efficient T cell proliferation and formation of T cell memory subsets. Together, our results emphasize the potential of CC-3, which is presently being GMP-produced to enable clinical evaluation for treatment of pancreatic, hepatic and gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina S. Lutz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Latifa Zekri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Laura Weßling
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Berchtold
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, Medical Oncology & Pneumology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S. Heitmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich M. Lauer
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, Medical Oncology & Pneumology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R. Salih
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Helmut R. Salih,
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24
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Tecik M, Adan A. Therapeutic Targeting of FLT3 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Status and Novel Approaches. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:1449-1478. [PMID: 36474506 PMCID: PMC9719701 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s384293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is mutated in approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The presence of FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication, 20-25%) mutation and, to a lesser extent, FLT3-TKD (tyrosine kinase domain, 5-10%) mutation is associated with poorer diagnosis and therapy response since the leukemic cells become hyperproliferative and resistant to apoptosis after continuous activation of FLT3 signaling. Targeting FLT3 has been the focus of many pre-clinical and clinical studies. Hence, many small-molecule FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3is) have been developed, some of which are approved such as midostaurin and gilteritinib to be used in different clinical settings, either in combination with chemotherapy or alone. However, many questions regarding the best treatment strategy remain to be answered. On the other hand, various FLT3-dependent and -independent resistance mechanisms could be evolved during FLT3i therapy which limit their clinical impact. Therefore, identifying molecular mechanisms of resistance and developing novel strategies to overcome this obstacle is a current interest in the field. In this review, recent studies of approved FLT3i and knowledge about major resistance mechanisms of clinically approved FLT3i's will be discussed together with novel treatment approaches such as designing novel FLT3i and dual FLT3i and combination strategies including approved FLT3i plus small-molecule agents targeting altered molecules in the resistant cells to abrogate resistance. Moreover, how to choose an appropriate FLT3i for the patients will be summarized based on what is currently known from available clinical data. In addition, strategies beyond FLT3i's including immunotherapeutics, small-molecule FLT3 degraders, and flavonoids will be summarized to highlight potential alternatives in FLT3-mutated AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Tecik
- Bioengineering Program, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Aysun Adan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey
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25
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Shin HG, Yang HR, Yoon A, Lee S. Bispecific Antibody-Based Immune-Cell Engagers and Their Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5686. [PMID: 35628495 PMCID: PMC9146966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular diseases. Harnessing the power of immune cells is a promising strategy to improve the antitumor effect of cancer immunotherapy. Recent progress in recombinant DNA technology and antibody engineering has ushered in a new era of bispecific antibody (bsAb)-based immune-cell engagers (ICEs), including T- and natural-killer-cell engagers. Since the first approval of blinatumomab by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), various bsAb-based ICEs have been developed for the effective treatment of patients with cancer. Simultaneously, several potential therapeutic targets of bsAb-based ICEs have been identified in various cancers. Therefore, this review focused on not only highlighting the action mechanism, design and structure, and status of bsAb-based ICEs in clinical development and their approval by the US FDA for human malignancy treatment, but also on summarizing the currently known and emerging therapeutic targets in cancer. This review provides insights into practical considerations for developing next-generation ICEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Gyeong Shin
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea; (H.G.S.); (H.R.Y.)
| | - Ha Rim Yang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea; (H.G.S.); (H.R.Y.)
| | - Aerin Yoon
- R&D Division, GC Biopharma, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Sukmook Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea; (H.G.S.); (H.R.Y.)
- Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Major, School of Applied Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea
- Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea
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