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Yuan M, Wang W, Hawes I, Han J, Yao Z, Bertaina A. Advancements in γδT cell engineering: paving the way for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360237. [PMID: 38576617 PMCID: PMC10991697 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360237] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Comprising only 1-10% of the circulating T cell population, γδT cells play a pivotal role in cancer immunotherapy due to their unique amalgamation of innate and adaptive immune features. These cells can secrete cytokines, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and can directly eliminate tumor cells through mechanisms like Fas/FasL and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Unlike conventional αβT cells, γδT cells can target a wide variety of cancer cells independently of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) presentation and function as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Their ability of recognizing antigens in a non-MHC restricted manner makes them an ideal candidate for allogeneic immunotherapy. Additionally, γδT cells exhibit specific tissue tropism, and rapid responsiveness upon reaching cellular targets, indicating a high level of cellular precision and adaptability. Despite these capabilities, the therapeutic potential of γδT cells has been hindered by some limitations, including their restricted abundance, unsatisfactory expansion, limited persistence, and complex biology and plasticity. To address these issues, gene-engineering strategies like the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy, T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer, and the combination with γδT cell engagers are being explored. This review will outline the progress in various engineering strategies, discuss their implications and challenges that lie ahead, and the future directions for engineered γδT cells in both monotherapy and combination immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenjun Wang
- *Correspondence: Wenjun Wang, ; Alice Bertaina,
| | | | | | | | - Alice Bertaina
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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2
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Wang CQ, Lim PY, Tan AHM. Gamma/delta T cells as cellular vehicles for anti-tumor immunity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1282758. [PMID: 38274800 PMCID: PMC10808317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1282758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy as a new paradigm to treat cancers is exemplified by the FDA approval of six chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapies targeting hematological malignancies in recent years. Conventional αβ T cells applied in these therapies have proven efficacy but are confined almost exclusively to autologous use. When infused into patients with mismatched human leukocyte antigen, αβ T cells recognize tissues of such patients as foreign and elicit devastating graft-versus-host disease. Therefore, one way to overcome this challenge is to use naturally allogeneic immune cell types, such as γδ T cells. γδ T cells occupy the interface between innate and adaptive immunity and possess the capacity to detect a wide variety of ligands on transformed host cells. In this article, we review the fundamental biology of γδ T cells, including their subtypes, expression of ligands, contrasting roles in and association with cancer prognosis or survival, as well as discuss the gaps in knowledge pertaining to this cell type which we currently endeavor to elucidate. In addition, we propose how to harness the unique properties of γδ T cells for cellular immunotherapy based on lessons gleaned from past clinical trials and provide an update on ongoing trials involving these cells. Lastly, we elaborate strategies that have been tested or can be explored to improve the anti-tumor activity and durability of γδ T cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsia Qiuxia Wang
- Immune Cell Manufacturing, Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pei Yu Lim
- Immune Cell Manufacturing, Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andy Hee-Meng Tan
- Immune Cell Manufacturing, Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Food, Chemical and Biotechnology Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Zhao Y, Dong P, He W, Zhang J, Chen H. γδ T cells: Major advances in basic and clinical research in tumor immunotherapy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:21-33. [PMID: 37592858 PMCID: PMC10766231 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT γδ T cells are a kind of innate immune T cell. They have not attracted sufficient attention because they account for only a small proportion of all immune cells, and many basic factors related to these cells remain unclear. However, in recent years, with the rapid development of tumor immunotherapy, γδ T cells have attracted increasing attention because of their ability to exert cytotoxic effects on most tumor cells without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction. An increasing number of basic studies have focused on the development, antigen recognition, activation, and antitumor immune response of γδ T cells. Additionally, γδ T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies are being developed, and the number of clinical trials investigating such strategies is increasing. This review mainly summarizes the progress of basic research and the clinical application of γδ T cells in tumor immunotherapy to provide a theoretical basis for further the development of γδ T cell-based strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqi Zhao
- Department of Immunology, CAMS Key Laboratory for T Cell and Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Peng Dong
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Immunology, CAMS Key Laboratory for T Cell and Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, CAMS Key Laboratory for T Cell and Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Immunology, CAMS Key Laboratory for T Cell and Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
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4
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Pang Z, Lu MM, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Bai JJ, Gu JY, Xie L, Wu WZ. Neoantigen-targeted TCR-engineered T cell immunotherapy: current advances and challenges. Biomark Res 2023; 11:104. [PMID: 38037114 PMCID: PMC10690996 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00534-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T) is a promising approach for cancer therapy with an expectation of no significant side effects. In the human body, mature T cells are armed with an incredible diversity of T cell receptors (TCRs) that theoretically react to the variety of random mutations generated by tumor cells. The outcomes, however, of current clinical trials using TCR-T cell therapies are not very successful especially involving solid tumors. The therapy still faces numerous challenges in the efficient screening of tumor-specific antigens and their cognate TCRs. In this review, we first introduce TCR structure-based antigen recognition and signaling, then describe recent advances in neoantigens and their specific TCR screening technologies, and finally summarize ongoing clinical trials of TCR-T therapies against neoantigens. More importantly, we also present the current challenges of TCR-T cell-based immunotherapies, e.g., the safety of viral vectors, the mismatch of T cell receptor, the impediment of suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we highlight new insights and directions for personalized TCR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Pang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Man-Man Lu
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jin-Jin Bai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jian-Ying Gu
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lu Xie
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Wei-Zhong Wu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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5
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Malviya M, Aretz Z, Molvi Z, Lee J, Pierre S, Wallisch P, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Challenges and solutions for therapeutic TCR-based agents. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:58-82. [PMID: 37455333 PMCID: PMC11141734 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent development of methods to discover and engineer therapeutic T-cell receptors (TCRs) or antibody mimics of TCRs, and to understand their immunology and pharmacology, lag two decades behind therapeutic antibodies. Yet we have every expectation that TCR-based agents will be similarly important contributors to the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, especially cancers. TCR engineered cells, soluble TCRs and their derivatives, TCR-mimic antibodies, and TCR-based CAR T cells promise the possibility of highly specific drugs that can expand the scope of immunologic agents to recognize intracellular targets, including mutated proteins and undruggable transcription factors, not accessible by traditional antibodies. Hurdles exist regarding discovery, specificity, pharmacokinetics, and best modality of use that will need to be overcome before the full potential of TCR-based agents is achieved. HLA restriction may limit each agent to patient subpopulations and off-target reactivities remain important barriers to widespread development and use of these new agents. In this review we discuss the unique opportunities for these new classes of drugs, describe their unique antigenic targets, compare them to traditional antibody therapeutics and CAR T cells, and review the various obstacles that must be overcome before full application of these drugs can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Malviya
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Zita Aretz
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Zaki Molvi
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Jayop Lee
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Stephanie Pierre
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Tri-Institutional Medical Scientist Program, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Patrick Wallisch
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
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6
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Ishihara M, Miwa H, Fujiwara H, Akahori Y, Kato T, Tanaka Y, Tawara I, Shiku H. αβ-T cell receptor transduction gives superior mitochondrial function to γδ-T cells with promising persistence. iScience 2023; 26:107802. [PMID: 37720098 PMCID: PMC10502403 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using allogeneic γδ-T cells is a promising option for off-the-shelf T cell products with a low risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Long-term persistence may boost the clinical development of γδ-T cell products. In this study, we found that genetically modified Vγ9+Vδ2+ T cells expressing a tumor antigen-specific αβ-TCR and CD8 coreceptor (GMC) showed target-specific killing and excellent persistence. To determine the mechanisms underlying these promising effects, we investigated metabolic characteristics. Cytokine secretion by γδ-TCR-stimulated nongene-modified γδ-T cells (NGMCs) and αβ-TCR-stimulated GMCs was equally suppressed by a glycolysis inhibitor, although the cytokine secretion of αβ-TCR-stimulated GMCs was more strongly inhibited by ATP synthase inhibitors than that of γδ-TCR-stimulated NGMCs. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses, flow cytometry analysis using mitochondria-labeling dyes and extracellular flux analysis consistently suggest that αβ-TCR-transduced γδ-T cells acquire superior mitochondrial function. In conclusion, αβ-TCR-transduced γδ-T cells acquire superior mitochondrial function with promising persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikiya Ishihara
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mie University Hospital, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Miwa
- Department of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Fujiwara
- Department of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yasushi Akahori
- Department of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Takuma Kato
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Isao Tawara
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shiku
- Department of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
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Schaft N, Dörrie J, Schuler G, Schuler-Thurner B, Sallam H, Klein S, Eisenberg G, Frankenburg S, Lotem M, Khatib A. The future of affordable cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1248867. [PMID: 37736099 PMCID: PMC10509759 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1248867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of cancer was revolutionized within the last two decades by utilizing the mechanism of the immune system against malignant tissue in so-called cancer immunotherapy. Two main developments boosted cancer immunotherapy: 1) the use of checkpoint inhibitors, which are characterized by a relatively high response rate mainly in solid tumors; however, at the cost of serious side effects, and 2) the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, which were shown to be very efficient in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but failed to show high clinical effectiveness in solid tumors until now. In addition, active immunization against individual tumors is emerging, and the first products have reached clinical approval. These new treatment options are very cost-intensive and are not financially compensated by health insurance in many countries. Hence, strategies must be developed to make cancer immunotherapy affordable and to improve the cost-benefit ratio. In this review, we discuss the following strategies: 1) to leverage the antigenicity of "cold tumors" with affordable reagents, 2) to use microbiome-based products as markers or therapeutics, 3) to apply measures that make adoptive cell therapy (ACT) cheaper, e.g., the use of off-the-shelf products, 4) to use immunotherapies that offer cheaper platforms, such as RNA- or peptide-based vaccines and vaccines that use shared or common antigens instead of highly personal antigens, 5) to use a small set of predictive biomarkers instead of the "sequence everything" approach, and 6) to explore affordable immunohistochemistry markers that may direct individual therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Husam Sallam
- Molecular Genetics and Genetic Toxicology, Health Science Department, American Arab University, Ramallah, Palestine
| | - Shiri Klein
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Galit Eisenberg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shoshana Frankenburg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Lotem
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
- Hadassah Cancer Research Institute, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Areej Khatib
- Women's Health Research Unit, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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8
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Choi H, Kim TG, Jeun SS, Ahn S. Human gamma-delta (γδ) T cell therapy for glioblastoma: A novel alternative to overcome challenges of adoptive immune cell therapy. Cancer Lett 2023; 571:216335. [PMID: 37544475 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216335] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common brain malignancy with devastating prognosis. Numerous clinical trials using various target therapeutic agents have failed and recent clinical trials using check point inhibitors also failed to provide survival benefits for glioblastoma patients. Adoptive T cell transfer is suggested as a novel therapeutic approach that has exhibited promise in preliminary clinical studies. However, the clinical outcomes are inconsistent, and there are several limitations of current adoptive T cell transfer strategies for glioblastoma treatment. As an alternative cell therapy, gamma-delta (γδ) T cells have been recently introduced for several cancers including glioblastoma. Since the leading role of γδ T cells is immune surveillance by recognizing a broad range of ligands including stress molecules, phosphoantigens, or lipid antigens, recent studies have suggested the potential benefits of γδ T cell transfer against glioblastomas. However, γδ T cells, as a small subset (1-5%) of T cells in human peripheral blood, are relatively unknown compared to conventional alpha-beta (αβ) T cells. In this context, our study introduced γδ T cells as an alternative and novel option to overcome several challenges regarding immune cell therapy in glioblastoma treatment. We described the unique characteristics and advantages of γδ T cells compared to conventional αβ T cells and summarize several recent preclinical studies using human gamma-delta T cell therapy for glioblastomas. Finally, we suggested future direction of human γδ T cell therapy for glioblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haeyoun Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Rebpulic of Korea; Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Gyu Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Rebpulic of Korea; Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Soo Jeun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Stephen Ahn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Zhang P, Zhang G, Wan X. Challenges and new technologies in adoptive cell therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:97. [PMID: 37596653 PMCID: PMC10439661 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01492-8] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) have existed for decades. From the initial infusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to the subsequent specific enhanced T cell receptor (TCR)-T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies, many novel strategies for cancer treatment have been developed. Owing to its promising outcomes, CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the field of ACTs, particularly for hematologic malignancies. Despite these advances, CAR-T cell therapy still has limitations in both autologous and allogeneic settings, including practicality and toxicity issues. To overcome these challenges, researchers have focused on the application of CAR engineering technology to other types of immune cell engineering. Consequently, several new cell therapies based on CAR technology have been developed, including CAR-NK, CAR-macrophage, CAR-γδT, and CAR-NKT. In this review, we describe the development, advantages, and possible challenges of the aforementioned ACTs and discuss current strategies aimed at maximizing the therapeutic potential of ACTs. We also provide an overview of the various gene transduction strategies employed in immunotherapy given their importance in immune cell engineering. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that strategies capable of creating a positive feedback immune circuit, as healthy immune systems do, could address the flaw of a single type of ACT, and thus serve as key players in future cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Guizhong Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Zhang Y, Liu Z, Wei W, Li Y. TCR engineered T cells for solid tumor immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:38. [PMID: 35725570 PMCID: PMC9210724 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell immunotherapy remains an attractive approach for cancer immunotherapy. T cell immunotherapy mainly employs chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)- and T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells. CAR-T cell therapy has been an essential breakthrough in treating hematological malignancies. TCR-T cells can recognize antigens expressed both on cell surfaces and in intracellular compartments. Although TCR-T cells have not been approved for clinical application, a number of clinical trials have been performed, particularly for solid tumors. In this article, we summarized current TCR-T cell advances and their potential advantages for solid tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipality Tianhe Nuoya Bio-engineering Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, 510663, China.,Guangdong Cord blood bank, Guangzhou, 510663, China.,Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- Guangzhou Municipality Tianhe Nuoya Bio-engineering Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, 510663, China.,Guangdong Cord blood bank, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Guangzhou Municipality Tianhe Nuoya Bio-engineering Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, 510663, China. .,Guangdong Cord blood bank, Guangzhou, 510663, China.
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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11
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Dong R, Zhang Y, Xiao H, Zeng X. Engineering γδ T Cells: Recognizing and Activating on Their Own Way. Front Immunol 2022; 13:889051. [PMID: 35603176 PMCID: PMC9120431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.889051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) with engineered T cells has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of malignant tumors. Among them, there is great interest in engineered γδ T cells for ACT. With both adaptive and innate immune characteristics, γδ T cells can be activated by γδ TCRs to recognize antigens in a MHC-independent manner, or by NK receptors to recognize stress-induced molecules. The dual recognition system enables γδ T cells with unique activation and cytotoxicity profiles, which should be considered for the design of engineered γδ T cells. However, the current designs of engineered γδ T cells mostly follow the strategies that used in αβ T cells, but not making good use of the specific characteristics of γδ T cells. Therefore, it is no surprising that current engineered γδ T cells in preclinical or clinical trials have limited efficacy. In this review, we summarized the patterns of antigen recognition of γδ T cells and the features of signaling pathways for the functions of γδ T cells. This review will additionally discuss current progress in engineered γδ T cells and provide insights in the design of engineered γδ T cells based on their specific characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Dong
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haowen Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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12
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Kang S, Li Y, Qiao J, Meng X, He Z, Gao X, Yu L. Antigen-Specific TCR-T Cells for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: State of the Art and Challenges. Front Oncol 2022; 12:787108. [PMID: 35356211 PMCID: PMC8959347 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.787108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytogenetic abnormalities and molecular mutations involved in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) lead to unique treatment challenges. Although adoptive T-cell therapies (ACT) such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have shown promising results in the treatment of leukemias, especially B-cell malignancies, the optimal target surface antigen has yet to be discovered for AML. Alternatively, T-cell receptor (TCR)-redirected T cells can target intracellular antigens presented by HLA molecules, allowing the exploration of a broader territory of new therapeutic targets. Immunotherapy using adoptive transfer of WT1 antigen-specific TCR-T cells, for example, has had positive clinical successes in patients with AML. Nevertheless, AML can escape from immune system elimination by producing immunosuppressive factors or releasing several cytokines. This review presents recent advances of antigen-specific TCR-T cells in treating AML and discusses their challenges and future directions in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Synat Kang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yisheng Li
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingqiao Qiao
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyu Meng
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ziqian He
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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13
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The Role of γδ T Cells as a Line of Defense in Viral Infections after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Opportunities and Challenges. Viruses 2022; 14:v14010117. [PMID: 35062321 PMCID: PMC8779492 DOI: 10.3390/v14010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the complex interplay between inflammation and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), viral reactivations are often observed and cause substantial morbidity and mortality. As toxicity after allo-HSCT within the context of viral reactivations is mainly driven by αβ T cells, we describe that by delaying αβ T cell reconstitution through defined transplantation techniques, we can harvest the full potential of early reconstituting γδ T cells to control viral reactivations. We summarize evidence of how the γδ T cell repertoire is shaped by CMV and EBV reactivations after allo-HSCT, and their potential role in controlling the most important, but not all, viral reactivations. As most γδ T cells recognize their targets in an MHC-independent manner, γδ T cells not only have the potential to control viral reactivations but also to impact the underlying hematological malignancies. We also highlight the recently re-discovered ability to recognize classical HLA-molecules through a γδ T cell receptor, which also surprisingly do not associate with GVHD. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of γδ T cells and their receptors within and outside the context of allo-HSCT, as well as the opportunities and challenges for developers and for payers.
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14
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Barros MDS, de Araújo ND, Magalhães-Gama F, Pereira Ribeiro TL, Alves Hanna FS, Tarragô AM, Malheiro A, Costa AG. γδ T Cells for Leukemia Immunotherapy: New and Expanding Trends. Front Immunol 2021; 12:729085. [PMID: 34630403 PMCID: PMC8493128 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, many discoveries have elucidated the cellular and molecular diversity in the leukemic microenvironment and improved our knowledge regarding their complex nature. This has allowed the development of new therapeutic strategies against leukemia. Advances in biotechnology and the current understanding of T cell-engineering have led to new approaches in this fight, thus improving cell-mediated immune response against cancer. However, most of the investigations focus only on conventional cytotoxic cells, while ignoring the potential of unconventional T cells that until now have been little studied. γδ T cells are a unique lymphocyte subpopulation that has an extensive repertoire of tumor sensing and may have new immunotherapeutic applications in a wide range of tumors. The ability to respond regardless of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression, the secretion of antitumor mediators and high functional plasticity are hallmarks of γδ T cells, and are ones that make them a promising alternative in the field of cell therapy. Despite this situation, in particular cases, the leukemic microenvironment can adopt strategies to circumvent the antitumor response of these lymphocytes, causing their exhaustion or polarization to a tumor-promoting phenotype. Intervening in this crosstalk can improve their capabilities and clinical applications and can make them key components in new therapeutic antileukemic approaches. In this review, we highlight several characteristics of γδ T cells and their interactions in leukemia. Furthermore, we explore strategies for maximizing their antitumor functions, aiming to illustrate the findings destined for a better mobilization of γδ T cells against the tumor. Finally, we outline our perspectives on their therapeutic applicability and indicate outstanding issues for future basic and clinical leukemia research, in the hope of contributing to the advancement of studies on γδ T cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus de Souza Barros
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Nilberto Dias de Araújo
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Fábio Magalhães-Gama
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Instituto René Rachou - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thaís Lohana Pereira Ribeiro
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Silva Alves Hanna
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Andréa Monteiro Tarragô
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Adriana Malheiro
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Allyson Guimarães Costa
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, UEA, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD), Manaus, Brazil
- Escola de Enfermagem de Manaus, UFAM, Manaus, Brazil
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15
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Trial Watch: Adoptive TCR-Engineered T-Cell Immunotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184519. [PMID: 34572745 PMCID: PMC8469736 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer with an extremely grim prognosis. This is due to the fact that the majority of patients will relapse after frontline treatment. Overall survival of relapsed AML is very low, and treatment options are few. T lymphocytes harnessed with antitumor T-cell receptors (TCRs) can produce objective clinical responses in certain cancers, such as melanoma, but have not entered the main road for AML. In this review, we describe the current status of the field of TCR-T-cell therapies for AML. Abstract Despite the advent of novel therapies, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains associated with a grim prognosis. This is exemplified by 5-year overall survival rates not exceeding 30%. Even with frontline high-intensity chemotherapy regimens and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the majority of patients with AML will relapse. For these patients, treatment options are few, and novel therapies are urgently needed. Adoptive T-cell therapies represent an attractive therapeutic avenue due to the intrinsic ability of T lymphocytes to recognize tumor cells with high specificity and efficiency. In particular, T-cell therapies focused on introducing T-cell receptors (TCRs) against tumor antigens have achieved objective clinical responses in solid tumors such as synovial sarcoma and melanoma. However, contrary to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells with groundbreaking results in B-cell malignancies, the use of TCR-T cells for hematological malignancies is still in its infancy. In this review, we provide an overview of the status and clinical advances in adoptive TCR-T-cell therapy for the treatment of AML.
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16
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Consonni M, Garavaglia C, Grilli A, de Lalla C, Mancino A, Mori L, De Libero G, Montagna D, Casucci M, Serafini M, Bonini C, Häussinger D, Ciceri F, Bernardi M, Mastaglio S, Bicciato S, Dellabona P, Casorati G. Human T cells engineered with a leukemia lipid-specific TCR enables donor-unrestricted recognition of CD1c-expressing leukemia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4844. [PMID: 34381053 PMCID: PMC8358059 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25223-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute leukemia relapsing after chemotherapy plus allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be treated with donor-derived T cells, but this is hampered by the need for donor/recipient MHC-matching and often results in graft-versus-host disease, prompting the search for new donor-unrestricted strategies targeting malignant cells. Leukemia blasts express CD1c antigen-presenting molecules, which are identical in all individuals and expressed only by mature leukocytes, and are recognized by T cell clones specific for the CD1c-restricted leukemia-associated methyl-lysophosphatidic acid (mLPA) lipid antigen. Here, we show that human T cells engineered to express an mLPA-specific TCR, target diverse CD1c-expressing leukemia blasts in vitro and significantly delay the progression of three models of leukemia xenograft in NSG mice, an effect that is boosted by mLPA-cellular immunization. These results highlight a strategy to redirect T cells against leukemia via transfer of a lipid-specific TCR that could be used across MHC barriers with reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease. Leukaemia therapy may benefit from the use of antigens that are less restricted to individual donors. Here the authors engineered T cells with a TCR specific for a CD1c restricted lipid leukaemia antigen and show that they can protect against disease progression in mouse leukaemia xenograft models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Consonni
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Garavaglia
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Andrea Grilli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Claudia de Lalla
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mancino
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Lucia Mori
- Experimental Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gennaro De Libero
- Experimental Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Montagna
- Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo; Department of Sciences Clinic-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Monica Casucci
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Serafini
- M. Tettamanti Research Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Häussinger
- NMR-Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Bernardi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Mastaglio
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Dellabona
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy.
| | - Giulia Casorati
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy.
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17
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Arnaud M, Bobisse S, Chiffelle J, Harari A. The Promise of Personalized TCR-Based Cellular Immunotherapy for Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:701636. [PMID: 34394096 PMCID: PMC8363295 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.701636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutation-derived neoantigens are now established as attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy. The field of adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) therapy was significantly reshaped by tumor neoantigens and is now moving towards the genetic engineering of T cells with neoantigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs). Yet, the identification of neoantigen-reactive TCRs remains challenging and the process needs to be adapted to clinical timelines. In addition, the state of recipient T cells for TCR transduction is critical and can affect TCR-ACT efficacy. Here we provide an overview of the main strategies for TCR-engineering, describe the selection and expansion of optimal carrier cells for TCR-ACT and discuss the next-generation methods for rapid identification of relevant TCR candidates for gene transfer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Arnaud
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Bobisse
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johanna Chiffelle
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
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18
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Jones HF, Molvi Z, Klatt MG, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Empirical and Rational Design of T Cell Receptor-Based Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2021; 11:585385. [PMID: 33569049 PMCID: PMC7868419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of T cells reactive with intracellular tumor-associated or tumor-specific antigens has been a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapies in the past three decades, but the approach has been constrained by a limited understanding of the T cell receptor’s (TCR) complex functions and specificities. Newer TCR and T cell-based approaches are in development, including engineered adoptive T cells with enhanced TCR affinities, TCR mimic antibodies, and T cell-redirecting bispecific agents. These new therapeutic modalities are exciting opportunities by which TCR recognition can be further exploited for therapeutic benefit. In this review we summarize the development of TCR-based therapeutic strategies and focus on balancing efficacy and potency versus specificity, and hence, possible toxicity, of these powerful therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather F Jones
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.,Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zaki Molvi
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Martin G Klatt
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - David A Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.,Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Perez C, Gruber I, Arber C. Off-the-Shelf Allogeneic T Cell Therapies for Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges Using Naturally Occurring "Universal" Donor T Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583716. [PMID: 33262761 PMCID: PMC7685996 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cell therapies individually prepared for each patient with autologous T cells have recently changed clinical practice in the management of B cell malignancies. Even though CARs used to redirect polyclonal T cells to the tumor are not HLA restricted, CAR T cells are also characterized by their endogenous T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Tumor-antigen targeted TCR-based T cell therapies in clinical trials are thus far using “conventional” αβ-TCRs that recognize antigens presented as peptides in the context of the major histocompatibility complex. Thus, both CAR- and TCR-based adoptive T cell therapies (ACTs) are dictated by compatibility of the highly polymorphic HLA molecules between donors and recipients in order to avoid graft-versus-host disease and rejection. The development of third-party healthy donor derived well-characterized off-the-shelf cell therapy products that are readily available and broadly applicable is an intensive area of research. While genome engineering provides the tools to generate “universal” donor cells that can be redirected to cancers, we will focus our attention on third-party off-the-shelf strategies with T cells that are characterized by unique natural features and do not require genome editing for safe administration. Specifically, we will discuss the use of virus-specific T cells, lipid-restricted (CD1) T cells, MR1-restricted T cells, and γδ-TCR T cells. CD1- and MR1-restricted T cells are not HLA-restricted and have the potential to serve as a unique source of universal TCR sequences to be broadly applicable in TCR-based ACT as their targets are presented by the monomorphic CD1 or MR1 molecules on a wide variety of tumor types. For each cell type, we will summarize the stage of preclinical and clinical development and discuss opportunities and challenges to deliver off-the-shelf targeted cellular therapies against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Perez
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Gruber
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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20
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Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy has proven effective against hematologic malignancies and demonstrated efficacy against a variety of solid tumors in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Nonetheless, antitumor responses against solid tumors remain modest, highlighting the need to enhance the effectiveness of this therapy. Genetic modification of T cells with RNA has been explored to enhance T-cell antigen specificity, effector function, and migration to tumor sites, thereby potentiating antitumor immunity. This review describes the rationale for RNA-electroporated T cell modifications and provides an overview of their applications in preclinical and clinical investigations for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pohl-Guimarães
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lan B Hoang-Minh
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Duane A Mitchell
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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21
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Gaissmaier L, Elshiaty M, Christopoulos P. Breaking Bottlenecks for the TCR Therapy of Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:E2095. [PMID: 32937956 PMCID: PMC7564186 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have redefined the treatment of cancer, but their efficacy depends critically on the presence of sufficient tumor-specific lymphocytes, and cellular immunotherapies develop rapidly to fill this gap. The paucity of suitable extracellular and tumor-associated antigens in solid cancers necessitates the use of neoantigen-directed T-cell-receptor (TCR)-engineered cells, while prevention of tumor evasion requires combined targeting of multiple neoepitopes. These can be currently identified within 2 weeks by combining cutting-edge next-generation sequencing with bioinformatic pipelines and used to select tumor-reactive TCRs in a high-throughput manner for expeditious scalable non-viral gene editing of autologous or allogeneic lymphocytes. "Young" cells with a naive, memory stem or central memory phenotype can be additionally armored with "next-generation" features against exhaustion and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, where they wander after reinfusion to attack heavily pretreated and hitherto hopeless neoplasms. Facilitated by major technological breakthroughs in critical manufacturing steps, based on a solid preclinical rationale, and backed by rapidly accumulating evidence, TCR therapies break one bottleneck after the other and hold the promise to become the next immuno-oncological revolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Gaissmaier
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany; (L.G.); (M.E.)
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mariam Elshiaty
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany; (L.G.); (M.E.)
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petros Christopoulos
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany; (L.G.); (M.E.)
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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22
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Morandi F, Yazdanifar M, Cocco C, Bertaina A, Airoldi I. Engineering the Bridge between Innate and Adaptive Immunity for Cancer Immunotherapy: Focus on γδ T and NK Cells. Cells 2020; 9:E1757. [PMID: 32707982 PMCID: PMC7464083 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most studies on genetic engineering technologies for cancer immunotherapy based on allogeneic donors have focused on adaptive immunity. However, the main limitation of such approaches is that they can lead to severe graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). An alternative approach would bolster innate immunity by relying on the natural tropism of some subsets of the innate immune system, such as γδ T and natural killer (NK) cells, for the tumor microenvironment and their ability to kill in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent manner. γδ T and NK cells have the unique ability to bridge innate and adaptive immunity while responding to a broad range of tumors. Considering these properties, γδ T and NK cells represent ideal sources for developing allogeneic cell therapies. Recently, significant efforts have been made to exploit the intrinsic anti-tumor capacity of these cells for treating hematologic and solid malignancies using genetic engineering approaches such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR). Here, we review over 30 studies on these two approaches that use γδ T and NK cells in adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for treating cancer. Based on those studies, we propose several promising strategies to optimize the clinical translation of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini, 516147 Genova, Italy; (F.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Claudia Cocco
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini, 516147 Genova, Italy; (F.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Alice Bertaina
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Irma Airoldi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini, 516147 Genova, Italy; (F.M.); (C.C.)
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23
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Lo Presti E, Dieli F, Fourniè JJ, Meraviglia S. Deciphering human γδ T cell response in cancer: Lessons from tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells. Immunol Rev 2020; 298:153-164. [PMID: 32691450 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The finding that γδ T cells are present among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in humans suggests they participate in tumor immune surveillance, but their relevance is unclear because the relative abundance of tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells correlates with positive or negative, or even do not correlate with prognosis. This likely depends on the fact that tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells may play substantially different effector or regulatory functions, and correlation with patient's prognosis relies on distinct γδ T cell subsets in the context of the tumor. There is interest to exploit γδ T cells in tumor immunotherapy, but to make this approach successful there is urgent need to fully understand the biological functions of γδ T cells and of how they can be manipulated in vivo and ex vivo to safely provide benefit to the host. This review focuses on our previous and ongoing studies of tumor-infiltrating γδ T lymphocytes in different types of human cancer. Moreover, we discuss the interaction of tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells with other cells and molecules present in the tumor microenvironment, and their clinical relevance on the ground, that deep knowledge in this field can be used further for better immunotherapeutic intervention in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lo Presti
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Jean Jacques Fourniè
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Toulouse University, Toulouse, France.,ERL 5294 CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence 'TOUCAN', Toulouse, France
| | - Serena Meraviglia
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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24
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Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with engineered T cells is at the forefront of cancer treatment. T cells can be engineered to express T-cell receptors (TCRs) specific for tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) derived from intracellular or cell surface proteins. T cells engineered with TCRs (TCR-T) allow for targeting diverse types of TAAs, including proteins overexpressed in malignant cells, those with lineage-restricted expression, cancer-testis antigens, and neoantigens created from abnormal, malignancy-restricted proteins. Minor histocompatibility antigens can also serve as TAAs for TCR-T to treat relapsed hematologic malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Moreover, TCR constructs can be modified to improve safety and enhance function and persistence of TCR-T. Transgenic T-cell receptor therapies targeting 3 different TAAs are in early-phase clinical trials for treatment of hematologic malignancies. Preclinical studies of TCR-T specific for many other TAAs are underway and offer great promise as safe and effective therapies for a wide range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda A Biernacki
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Michelle Brault
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Marie Bleakley
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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25
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He Q, Jiang X, Zhou X, Weng J. Targeting cancers through TCR-peptide/MHC interactions. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:139. [PMID: 31852498 PMCID: PMC6921533 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy has achieved dramatic success in a clinic, and the Food and Drug Administration approved two chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cell (CAR-T) therapies that target hematological cancers in 2018. A significant issue faced by CAR-T therapies is the lack of tumor-specific biomarkers on the surfaces of solid tumor cells, which hampers the application of CAR-T therapies to solid tumors. Intracellular tumor-related antigens can be presented as peptides in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the cell surface, which interact with the T cell receptors (TCR) on antigen-specific T cells to stimulate an anti-tumor response. Multiple immunotherapy strategies have been developed to eradicate tumor cells through targeting the TCR-peptide/MHC interactions. Here, we summarize the current status of TCR-based immunotherapy strategies, with particular focus on the TCR structure, activated signaling pathways, the effects and toxicity associated with TCR-based therapies in clinical trials, preclinical studies examining immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTACs), and TCR-fusion molecules. We propose several TCR-based therapeutic strategies to achieve optimal clinical responses without the induction of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua He
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 621 Gangwan Rd, Huangpu Qu, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Xianhan Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Xinke Zhou
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 621 Gangwan Rd, Huangpu Qu, Guangzhou, 510700, China. .,Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China.
| | - Jinsheng Weng
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1414 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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26
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Zaghi E, Calvi M, Di Vito C, Mavilio D. Innate Immune Responses in the Outcome of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Cure Hematologic Malignancies. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2794. [PMID: 31849972 PMCID: PMC6892976 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of allogeneic transplant platforms, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) represents one of the latest and most promising curative strategies for patients affected by high-risk hematologic malignancies. Indeed, this platform ensures a suitable stem cell source immediately available for virtually any patents in need. Moreover, the establishment in recipients of a state of immunologic tolerance toward grafted hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remarkably improves the clinical outcome of this transplant procedure in terms of overall and disease free survival. However, the HLA-mismatch between donors and recipients has not been yet fully exploited in order to optimize the Graft vs. Leukemia effect. Furthermore, the efficacy of haplo-HSCT is currently hampered by several life-threatening side effects including the onset of Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD) and the occurrence of opportunistic viral infections. In this context, the quality and the kinetic of the immune cell reconstitution (IR) certainly play a major role and several experimental efforts have been greatly endorsed to better understand and accelerate the post-transplant recovery of a fully competent immune system in haplo-HSCT. In particular, the IR of innate immune system is receiving a growing interest, as it recovers much earlier than T and B cells and it is able to rapidly exert protective effects against both tumor relapses, GvHD and the onset of life-threatening opportunistic infections. Herein, we review our current knowledge in regard to the kinetic and clinical impact of Natural Killer (NK), γδ and Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) IRs in both allogeneic and haplo-HSCT. The present paper also provides an overview of those new therapeutic strategies currently being implemented to boost the alloreactivity of the above-mentioned innate immune effectors in order to ameliorate the prognosis of patients affected by hematologic malignancies and undergone transplant procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Calvi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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27
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Lo Presti E, Corsale AM, Dieli F, Meraviglia S. γδ cell-based immunotherapy for cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 19:887-895. [PMID: 31220420 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1634050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer immunotherapy relies on the development of an efficient and long-lasting anti-tumor response, generally mediated by cytotoxic T cells. γδ T cells possess distinctive features that justify their use in cancer immunotherapy. Areas covered: Here we will review our current knowledge on the functions of human γδ T cells that may be relevant in tumor immunity and the most recent advances in our understanding of how these functions are regulated in the tumor microenvironment. We will also discuss the major achievements and limitations of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy of cancer. Expert opinion: Several small-scale clinical trials have been conducted in cancer patients using either in vivo activation of γδ T cells or adoptive transfer of ex vivo-expanded γδ T cells. Both strategies are safe and give some clinical benefit to patients, thus providing a proof of principle for their utilization in addition to conventional therapies. However, low objective response rates have been obtained in both settings and therefore larger and well-controlled trials are needed. Discovering the factors which influence the success of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy will lead to a better understanding of their mechanism of action and to harness these cells for effective and durable anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lo Presti
- a Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.,b Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Anna Maria Corsale
- a Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.,b Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- a Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.,b Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Serena Meraviglia
- a Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.,b Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnosis, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
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28
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Wang RN, Wen Q, He WT, Yang JH, Zhou CY, Xiong WJ, Ma L. Optimized protocols for γδ T cell expansion and lentiviral transduction. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:1471-1480. [PMID: 30628681 PMCID: PMC6390064 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.9831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells are a subset of unconventional T cells that serve a critical role in infectious diseases and various types of cancer. Cell therapy with genetically‑modified γδ T cells is regarded as a promising tool for tumor treatment. However, since γδ T cells constitute a minority of T cells, their large‑scale expansion is difficult to realize in an efficient and cost‑effective manner. In the present study, based on previous studies, culture protocols for γδ T cells were tested using different combinations of isopentenyl pyrophosphate and interleukin 2 in order to satisfy different experimental purposes. One protocol was demonstrated to be the most suitable for lentiviral transduction. These results greatly reinforce the promising prospects of using γδ T cells in basic research and for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Ning Wang
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wen
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Ting He
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Hui Yang
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Chao-Ying Zhou
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Jing Xiong
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Li Ma
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
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29
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Jin Z, Xu L, Li Y. Approaches for generation of anti-leukemia specific T cells. CELL REGENERATION 2019; 7:40-44. [PMID: 30671229 PMCID: PMC6326242 DOI: 10.1016/j.cr.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As three decades ago, it was reported that adoptive T cell immunotherapy by infusion of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) mediated objective cancer regression in patients with metastatic melanoma. A new era of T cell immunotherapy arose since the improvement and clinical use of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) for the treatment of refractory and relapsed B lymphocyte leukemia. However, several challenges and difficulties remain on the way to reach generic and effective T cell immunotherapy, including lacking a generic method for generating anti-leukemia-specific T cells from every patient. Here, we summarize the current methods of generating anti-leukemia-specific T cells, and the promising approaches in the future.
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Key Words
- ACT, adoptive cellular immunotherapy
- APL, promyelocytic leukemia
- Anti-leukemia T cell
- B-ALL, cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- CAR-T
- CAR-T, chimeric antigen receptor T cells
- CML, chronic myelogenous leukemia
- CR, complete remission
- CTLs, cytotoxic T cells
- DLI, donor lymphocyte infusion
- FLT3-ITD, FLT3 internal tandem duplication
- GVHD, graft-versus-host disease
- GVL, graft-versus-leukemia
- HLA, human leukocyte antigen
- HPCs, hematopoietic progenitor cells
- IL-2, interleukin-2
- Ig, immunoglobulin
- T cell immunotherapy
- T cell reprogramming
- TAA, tumor-associated antigen
- TCR-T
- TCR-T, TCR gene-modified T cell
- TIL, infiltrating lymphocytes
- TKI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor
- WT1, Wilm's tumor antigen 1
- allo-HSCT, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- hESC, human embryonic stem cell
- iPSCs, induced pluripotent stem cells
- iTs, induced functional T cells
- scFv, single-chain variable fragment
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyi Jin
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education; Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine; Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.,Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education; Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine; Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.,Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education; Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine; Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.,Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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30
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Zhang Y, Li Y. T cell receptor-engineered T cells for leukemia immunotherapy. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:2. [PMID: 30622438 PMCID: PMC6317187 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, refractory and relapse are major issues for leukemia therapy and a major cause of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant failure. Over the last decade, many studies have demonstrated that adoptive cancer antigen-specific T cell therapy is an effective option for leukemia therapy. Recently, T cell immunotherapy studies have mainly focused on chimeric antigen receptor- and T cell receptor-engineered T cells. Clinical trials involving chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells have been a major breakthrough and became a novel therapy for leukemia. As another potential therapy for leukemia, clinical application of TCR-engineered T cells remains in its infancy. This article presents a review of the current status of anti-leukemia immunotherapy using leukemia antigen-specific TCR-engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Zhang
- 1Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, Guangzhou, 510632 People's Republic of China.,2Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- 1Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, Guangzhou, 510632 People's Republic of China.,2Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
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31
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Castella B, Melaccio A, Foglietta M, Riganti C, Massaia M. Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells as Strategic Weapons to Improve the Potency of Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Immune Interventions in Human Myeloma. Front Oncol 2018; 8:508. [PMID: 30460198 PMCID: PMC6232124 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of immune checkpoint (ICP) blockade has introduced an unprecedented paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Though very promising, there is still a substantial proportion of patients who do not respond or develop resistance to ICP blockade. In vitro and in vivo models are eagerly needed to identify mechanisms to maximize the immune potency of ICP blockade and overcome primary and acquired resistance to ICP blockade. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells isolated from the bone marrow (BM) from multiple myeloma (MM) are excellent tools to investigate the mechanisms of resistance to PD-1 blockade and to decipher the network of mutual interactions between PD-1 and the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Vγ9Vδ2 T cells can easily be interrogated to dissect the progressive immune competence impairment generated in the TME by the long-lasting exposure to myeloma cellss. BM MM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are PD-1+ and anergic to phosphoantigen (pAg) stimulation; notably, single agent PD-1 blockade is insufficient to fully recover their anti-tumor activity in vitro indicating that additional players are involved in the anergy of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. In this mini-review we will discuss the value of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells as investigational tools to improve the potency of ICP blockade and immune interventions in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Castella
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Biologia Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Assunta Melaccio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Medicina Interna ed Oncologia, Università degli studi di Bari "A. Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Myriam Foglietta
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Biologia Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy.,SC Ematologia, AO S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Massaia
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Biologia Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy.,SC Ematologia, AO S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
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32
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The potential role of γδ T cells after allogeneic HCT for leukemia. Blood 2018; 131:1063-1072. [PMID: 29358176 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-08-752162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HCT) offers an option for patients with hematologic malignancies, in whom conventional standard therapies failed or are not effective enough to cure the disease. Successful HCT can restore functional hematopoiesis and immune function, and the new donor-derived immune system can exert a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. However, allogenic HCT can also be associated with serious risks for transplantation-related morbidities or mortalities such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or life-threatening infectious complications. GVHD is caused by alloreactive T lymphocytes, which express the αβ T-cell receptor, whereas lymphocytes expressing the γδ T-cell receptor are not alloreactive and do not induce GVHD but can exhibit potent antileukemia and anti-infectious activities. Therefore, γδ T cells are becoming increasingly interesting in allogeneic HCT, and clinical strategies to exploit the full function of these lymphocytes have been and are being developed. Such strategies comprise the in vivo activation of γδ T cells or subsets after HCT by certain drugs or antibodies or the ex vivo expansion and manipulation of either patient-derived or donor-derived γδ T cells and their subsets and the adoptive transfer of the ex vivo-activated lymphocytes. On the basis of the absence of dysregulated alloreactivity, such approaches could induce potent GVL effects in the absence of GVHD. The introduction of large-scale clinical methods to enrich, isolate, expand, and manipulate γδ T cells will facilitate future clinical studies that aim to exploit the full function of these beneficial nonalloreactive lymphocytes.
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33
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Lo Presti E, Pizzolato G, Gulotta E, Cocorullo G, Gulotta G, Dieli F, Meraviglia S. Current Advances in γδ T Cell-Based Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1401. [PMID: 29163482 PMCID: PMC5663908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells are a minor population (~5%) of CD3 T cells in the peripheral blood, but abound in other anatomic sites such as the intestine or the skin. There are two major subsets of γδ T cells: those that express Vδ1 gene, paired with different Vγ elements, abound in the intestine and the skin, and recognize the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecules such as MHC class I-related molecule A, MHC class I-related molecule B, and UL16-binding protein expressed on many stressed and tumor cells. Conversely, γδ T cells expressing the Vδ2 gene paired with the Vγ9 chain are the predominant (50-90%) γδ T cell population in the peripheral blood and recognize phosphoantigens (PAgs) derived from the mevalonate pathway of mammalian cells, which is highly active upon infection or tumor transformation. Aminobisphosphonates (n-BPs), which inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, a downstream enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, cause accumulation of upstream PAgs and therefore promote γδ T cell activation. γδ T cells have distinctive features that justify their utilization in antitumor immunotherapy: they do not require MHC restriction and are less dependent that αβ T cells on co-stimulatory signals, produce cytokines with known antitumor effects as interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α and display cytotoxic and antitumor activities in vitro and in mouse models in vivo. Thus, there is interest in the potential application of γδ T cells in tumor immunotherapy, and several small-sized clinical trials have been conducted of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy in different types of cancer after the application of PAgs or n-BPs plus interleukin-2 in vivo or after adoptive transfer of ex vivo-expanded γδ T cells, particularly the Vγ9Vδ2 subset. Results from clinical trials testing the efficacy of any of these two strategies have shown that γδ T cell-based therapy is safe, but long-term clinical results to date are inconsistent. In this review, we will discuss the major achievements and pitfalls of the γδ T cell-based immunotherapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lo Presti
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pizzolato
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Humanitas University, Rozzano-Milano, Italy
| | - Eliana Gulotta
- Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Cocorullo
- Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaspare Gulotta
- Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Meraviglia
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Harrer DC, Simon B, Fujii SI, Shimizu K, Uslu U, Schuler G, Gerer KF, Hoyer S, Dörrie J, Schaft N. RNA-transfection of γ/δ T cells with a chimeric antigen receptor or an α/β T-cell receptor: a safer alternative to genetically engineered α/β T cells for the immunotherapy of melanoma. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:551. [PMID: 28818060 PMCID: PMC5561563 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3539-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adoptive T-cell therapy relying on conventional T cells transduced with T-cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has caused substantial tumor regression in several clinical trials. However, genetically engineered T cells have been associated with serious side-effects due to off-target toxicities and massive cytokine release. To obviate these concerns, we established a protocol adaptable to GMP to expand and transiently transfect γ/δ T cells with mRNA. Methods PBMC from healthy donors were stimulated using zoledronic-acid or OKT3 to expand γ/δ T cells and bulk T cells, respectively. Additionally, CD8+ T cells and γ/δ T cells were MACS-isolated from PBMC and expanded with OKT3. Next, these four populations were electroporated with RNA encoding a gp100/HLA-A2-specific TCR or a CAR specific for MCSP. Thereafter, receptor expression, antigen-specific cytokine secretion, specific cytotoxicity, and killing of the endogenous γ/δ T cell-target Daudi were analyzed. Results Using zoledronic-acid in average 6 million of γ/δ T cells with a purity of 85% were generated from one million PBMC. MACS-isolation and OKT3-mediated expansion of γ/δ T cells yielded approximately ten times less cells. OKT3-expanded and CD8+ MACS-isolated conventional T cells behaved correspondingly similar. All employed T cells were efficiently transfected with the TCR or the CAR. Upon respective stimulation, γ/δ T cells produced IFNγ and TNF, but little IL-2 and the zoledronic-acid expanded T cells exceeded MACS-γ/δ T cells in antigen-specific cytokine secretion. While the cytokine production of γ/δ T cells was in general lower than that of conventional T cells, specific cytotoxicity against melanoma cell lines was similar. In contrast to OKT3-expanded and MACS-CD8+ T cells, mock-electroporated γ/δ T cells also lysed tumor cells reflecting the γ/δ T cell-intrinsic anti-tumor activity. After transfection, γ/δ T cells were still able to kill MHC-deficient Daudi cells. Conclusion We present a protocol adaptable to GMP for the expansion of γ/δ T cells and their subsequent RNA-transfection with tumor-specific TCRs or CARs. Given the transient receptor expression, the reduced cytokine release, and the equivalent cytotoxicity, these γ/δ T cells may represent a safer complementation to genetically engineered conventional T cells in the immunotherapy of melanoma (Exper Dermatol 26: 157, 2017, J Investig Dermatol 136: A173, 2016). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3539-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis C Harrer
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bianca Simon
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shin-Ichiro Fujii
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kanako Shimizu
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ugur Uslu
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin F Gerer
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hoyer
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, D-91052, Erlangen, Germany. .,Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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Bethune MT, Gee MH, Bunse M, Lee MS, Gschweng EH, Pagadala MS, Zhou J, Cheng D, Heath JR, Kohn DB, Kuhns MS, Uckert W, Baltimore D. Domain-swapped T cell receptors improve the safety of TCR gene therapy. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27823582 PMCID: PMC5101000 DOI: 10.7554/elife.19095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells engineered to express a tumor-specific αβ T cell receptor (TCR) mediate anti-tumor immunity. However, mispairing of the therapeutic αβ chains with endogenous αβ chains reduces therapeutic TCR surface expression and generates self-reactive TCRs. We report a general strategy to prevent TCR mispairing: swapping constant domains between the α and β chains of a therapeutic TCR. When paired, domain-swapped (ds)TCRs assemble with CD3, express on the cell surface, and mediate antigen-specific T cell responses. By contrast, dsTCR chains mispaired with endogenous chains cannot properly assemble with CD3 or signal, preventing autoimmunity. We validate this approach in cell-based assays and in a mouse model of TCR gene transfer-induced graft-versus-host disease. We also validate a related approach whereby replacement of αβ TCR domains with corresponding γδ TCR domains yields a functional TCR that does not mispair. This work enables the design of safer TCR gene therapies for cancer immunotherapy. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19095.001 T cells enable the immune system to recognize invading microbes and diseased cells while ignoring healthy cells. The ability of a T cell to recognize a specific microbe or diseased cell is determined by two proteins that pair to form its “T cell receptor.” The paired receptors are exported to the surface of the T cell, where they bind to infected or cancerous cells. Those T cells that produce receptors that bind healthy cells are eliminated during development. T cells can generally distinguish between the body’s own cells and the cells of invading bacteria or other microbes. However, cancer cells are more difficult to identify because they are similar to healthy cells. Efforts to develop therapies that enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize cancer cells have had only limited success. One successful approach – known as T cell receptor gene therapy – modifies T cells to destroy cancer cells by arming them with a cancer-specific T cell receptor. This technique produces T cells possessing two T cell receptors – the cancer-specific receptor and the one it had originally – so it is possible for proteins from the two receptors to mispair. This impedes the correct pairing of the cancer-specific T cell receptor, reducing the effectiveness of the therapy. More importantly, mispaired T cell receptors may cause the immune cells to attack healthy cells in the body, leading to autoimmune disease. To make T cell receptor gene therapy safe, the cancer-specific receptor must not mispair with the resident receptor. Here, Bethune et al. describe a new strategy to prevent T cell receptors from mispairing. The researchers altered the arrangement of particular regions in a cancer-specific T cell receptor to make a new receptor called a domain-swapped T cell receptor (dsTCR). Like normal T cell receptors, the dsTCRs were exported to the T cell surface and were able to interact with other proteins involved in immune responses. Furthermore, T cells armed with dsTCRs were able to kill cancer cells and prevent tumor growth in mice. Unlike other cancer-specific receptors, dsTCRs did not mispair with the resident T cell receptors in mouse or human cells, and did not cause autoimmune disease in mice. The findings of Bethune et al. show that the structure of the T cell receptor is unexpectedly robust, in that it still works even if it is modified. The next step is to study dsTCRs in more detail with the aim of optimizing them so that they might be used in human clinical trials in the future. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19095.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bethune
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| | - Marvin H Gee
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Mario Bunse
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark S Lee
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States.,The BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Eric H Gschweng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Meghana S Pagadala
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| | - Jing Zhou
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| | - Donghui Cheng
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - James R Heath
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| | - Donald B Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Michael S Kuhns
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States.,The BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Wolfgang Uckert
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Baltimore
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
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Realism and pragmatism in developing an effective chimeric antigen receptor T-cell product for solid cancers. Cytotherapy 2016; 18:1382-1392. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Mirzaei HR, Mirzaei H, Lee SY, Hadjati J, Till BG. Prospects for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) γδ T cells: A potential game changer for adoptive T cell cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2016; 380:413-423. [PMID: 27392648 PMCID: PMC5003697 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Excitement is growing for therapies that harness the power of patients' immune systems to combat their diseases. One approach to immunotherapy involves engineering patients' own T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to treat advanced cancers, particularly those refractory to conventional therapeutic agents. Although these engineered immune cells have made remarkable strides in the treatment of patients with certain hematologic malignancies, success with solid tumors has been limited, probably due to immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumor niche. In nearly all studies to date, T cells bearing αβ receptors have been used to generate CAR T cells. In this review, we highlight biological characteristics of γδ T cells that are distinct from those of αβ T cells, including homing to epithelial and mucosal tissues and unique functions such as direct antigen recognition, lack of alloreactivity, and ability to present antigens. We offer our perspective that these features make γδ T cells promising for use in cellular therapy against several types of solid tumors, including melanoma and gastrointestinal cancers. Engineered γδ T cells should be considered as a new platform for adoptive T cell cancer therapy for mucosal tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor delta
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/transplantation
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Tumor Microenvironment
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sang Yun Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Brian G Till
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Wang Z, Li B, Ren Y, Ye Z. T-Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Osteosarcoma: Challenges and Opportunities. Front Immunol 2016; 7:353. [PMID: 27683579 PMCID: PMC5021687 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though combining surgery with chemotherapy has significantly improved the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients, advanced, metastatic, or recurrent osteosarcomas are often non-responsive to chemotherapy, making development of novel efficient therapeutic methods an urgent need. Adoptive immunotherapy has the potential to be a useful non-surgical modality for treatment of osteosarcoma. Recently, alternative strategies, including immunotherapies using naturally occurring or genetically modified T cells, have been found to hold promise in the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. In this review, we will discuss possible T-cell-based therapies against osteosarcoma with a special emphasis on combination strategies to improve the effectiveness of adoptive T cell transfer and, thus, to provide a rationale for the clinical development of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Orthopaedic Research, Orthopaedics Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine , Hangzhou , China
| | - Binghao Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Orthopaedic Research, Orthopaedics Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine , Hangzhou , China
| | - Yingqing Ren
- Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Orthopaedic Research, Orthopaedics Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine , Hangzhou , China
| | - Zhaoming Ye
- Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Orthopaedic Research, Orthopaedics Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine , Hangzhou , China
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Fousek K, Ahmed N. The Evolution of T-cell Therapies for Solid Malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 21:3384-92. [PMID: 26240290 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Primary resistant, recurrent, and relapsed solid tumors are often nonresponsive to conventional antineoplastic therapies. Moreover, in responsive tumors, the therapeutic-to-toxic range of these interventions remains quite narrow, such that side effects of therapy are substantial. Targeted therapies, such as adoptive T-cell transfer, not only spare normal tissues but also use alternative killing mechanisms to which the tumor cells are usually not immune. Adoptive T-cell transfer for solid tumors faces unique challenges because of the inherent heterogeneity of tumor parenchyma, the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, and tumor occurrence in areas with limited therapeutic accessibility. In this review, we examine the recent evolution of various T-cell-based immunotherapeutics, the mechanisms of action behind their antitumor activity, their increasing complexity, and the prospect of building on previous successes in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Fousek
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas. Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
| | - Nabil Ahmed
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas. Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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40
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Paul S, Lal G. Regulatory and effector functions of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells and their therapeutic potential in adoptive cellular therapy for cancer. Int J Cancer 2016; 139:976-85. [PMID: 27012367 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
γδ T cells are an important innate immune component of the tumor microenvironment and are known to affect the immune response in a wide variety of tumors. Unlike αβ T cells, γδ T cells are capable of spontaneous secretion of IL-17A and IFN-γ without undergoing clonal expansion. Although γδ T cells do not require self-MHC-restricted priming, they can distinguish "foreign" or transformed cells from healthy self-cells by using activating and inhibitory killer Ig-like receptors. γδ T cells were used in several clinical trials to treat cancer patient due to their MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity, ability to distinguish transformed cells from normal cells, the capacity to secrete inflammatory cytokines and also their ability to enhance the generation of antigen-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cell response. In this review, we discuss the effector and regulatory function of γδ T cells in the tumor microenvironment with special emphasis on the potential for their use in adoptive cellular immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Paul
- Infection and Immunity Section, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | - Girdhari Lal
- Infection and Immunity Section, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
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Legut M, Cole DK, Sewell AK. The promise of γδ T cells and the γδ T cell receptor for cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2015; 12:656-68. [PMID: 25864915 PMCID: PMC4716630 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2015.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells form an important part of adaptive immune responses against infections and malignant transformation. The molecular targets of human γδ T cell receptors (TCRs) remain largely unknown, but recent studies have confirmed the recognition of phosphorylated prenyl metabolites, lipids in complex with CD1 molecules and markers of cellular stress. All of these molecules are upregulated on various cancer types, highlighting the potential importance of the γδ T cell compartment in cancer immunosurveillance and paving the way for the use of γδ TCRs in cancer therapy. Ligand recognition by the γδ TCR often requires accessory/co-stimulatory stress molecules on both T cells and target cells; this cellular stress context therefore provides a failsafe against harmful self-reactivity. Unlike αβ T cells, γδ T cells recognise their targets irrespective of HLA haplotype and therefore offer exciting possibilities for off-the-shelf, pan-population cancer immunotherapies. Here, we present a review of known ligands of human γδ T cells and discuss the promise of harnessing these cells for cancer treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Antigen Presentation
- Antigens, CD1/genetics
- Antigens, CD1/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Hemiterpenes/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Ligands
- Models, Molecular
- Monitoring, Immunologic
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Organophosphorus Compounds/immunology
- Phosphorylation
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Legut
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - David K Cole
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew K Sewell
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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Transfer of mRNA Encoding Invariant NKT Cell Receptors Imparts Glycolipid Specific Responses to T Cells and γδT Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131477. [PMID: 26121617 PMCID: PMC4488262 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapies using genetically engineered lymphocytes expressing antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) hold promise for the treatment of several types of cancers. Almost all studies using this modality have focused on transfer of TCR from CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The transfer of TCR from innate lymphocytes to other lymphocytes has not been studied. In the current study, innate and adaptive lymphocytes were transfected with the human NKT cell-derived TCRα and β chain mRNA (the Vα24 and Vβ11 TCR chains). When primary T cells transfected with NKT cell-derived TCR were subsequently stimulated with the NKT ligand, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), they secreted IFN-γ in a ligand-specific manner. Furthermore when γδT cells were transfected with NKT cell-derived TCR mRNA, they demonstrated enhanced proliferation, IFN-γ production and antitumor effects after α-GalCer stimulation as compared to parental γδT cells. Importantly, NKT cell TCR-transfected γδT cells responded to both NKT cell and γδT cell ligands, rendering them bi-potential innate lymphocytes. Because NKT cell receptors are unique and universal invariant receptors in humans, the TCR chains do not yield mispaired receptors with endogenous TCR α and β chains after the transfection. The transfection of NKT cell TCR has the potential to be a new approach to tumor immunotherapy in patients with various types of cancer.
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Abstract
Current therapy for sarcomas, though effective in treating local disease, is often ineffective for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. To improve outcomes, novel approaches are needed and cell therapy has the potential to meet this need since it does not rely on the cytotoxic mechanisms of conventional therapies. The recent successes of T-cell therapies for hematological malignancies have led to renewed interest in exploring cell therapies for solid tumors such as sarcomas. In this review, we will discuss current cell therapies for sarcoma with special emphasis on genetic approaches to improve the effector function of adoptively transferred cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Mata
- Center for Cell & Gene Therapy, Texa Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Center for Cell & Gene Therapy, Texa Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Deniger DC, Moyes JS, Cooper LJN. Clinical applications of gamma delta T cells with multivalent immunity. Front Immunol 2014; 5:636. [PMID: 25566249 PMCID: PMC4263175 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells hold promise for adoptive immunotherapy because of their reactivity to bacteria, viruses, and tumors. However, these cells represent a small fraction (1–5%) of the peripheral T-cell pool and require activation and propagation to achieve clinical benefit. Aminobisphosphonates specifically expand the Vγ9Vδ2 subset of γδ T cells and have been used in clinical trials of cancer where objective responses were detected. The Vγ9Vδ2 T cell receptor (TCR) heterodimer binds multiple ligands and results in a multivalent attack by a monoclonal T cell population. Alternatively, populations of γδ T cells with oligoclonal or polyclonal TCR repertoire could be infused for broad-range specificity. However, this goal has been restricted by a lack of applicable expansion protocols for non-Vγ9Vδ2 cells. Recent advances using immobilized antigens, agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), tumor-derived artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPC), or combinations of activating mAbs and aAPC have been successful in expanding gamma delta T cells with oligoclonal or polyclonal TCR repertoires. Immobilized major histocompatibility complex Class-I chain-related A was a stimulus for γδ T cells expressing TCRδ1 isotypes, and plate-bound activating antibodies have expanded Vδ1 and Vδ2 cells ex vivo. Clinically sufficient quantities of TCRδ1, TCRδ2, and TCRδ1negTCRδ2neg have been produced following co-culture on aAPC, and these subsets displayed differences in memory phenotype and reactivity to tumors in vitro and in vivo. Gamma delta T cells are also amenable to genetic modification as evidenced by introduction of αβ TCRs, chimeric antigen receptors, and drug-resistance genes. This represents a promising future for the clinical application of oligoclonal or polyclonal γδ T cells in autologous and allogeneic settings that builds on current trials testing the safety and efficacy of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew C Deniger
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Judy S Moyes
- Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Laurence J N Cooper
- Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA
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Poggi A, Zocchi MR. γδ T Lymphocytes as a First Line of Immune Defense: Old and New Ways of Antigen Recognition and Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2014; 5:575. [PMID: 25426121 PMCID: PMC4226920 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Among γδT cells, the Vδ1 subset, resident in epithelial tissues, is implied in the defense against viruses, fungi, and certain hematological malignancies, while the circulating Vδ2 subpopulation mainly respond to mycobacteria and solid tumors. Both subsets can be activated by stress-induced molecules (MIC-A, MIC-B, ULBPs) to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and lytic enzymes and destroy bacteria or damaged cells. γδT lymphocytes can also recognize lipids, as those associated to M. tuberculosis, presented by the CD1 molecule, or phosphoantigens (P-Ag), either autologous, which accumulates in virus-infected cells, or microbial produced by prokaryotes and parasites. In cancer cells, P-Ag accumulate due to alterations in the mevalonate pathway; recently, butyrophilin 3A1 has been shown to be the presenting molecule for P-Ag. Of interest, aminobisphosphonates indirectly activate Vδ2 T cells inducing the accumulation of P-Ag. Based on these data, γδT lymphocytes are attractive effectors for cancer immunotherapy. However, the results obtained in clinical trials so far have been disappointing: this review will focus on the possible reasons of this failure as well as on suggestions for implementation of the therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Poggi
- Unit of Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST , Genoa , Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Zocchi
- Division of Immunology, Transplants and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele , Milan , Italy
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Dörrie J, Krug C, Hofmann C, Müller I, Wellner V, Knippertz I, Schierer S, Thomas S, Zipperer E, Printz D, Fritsch G, Schuler G, Schaft N, Geyeregger R. Human adenovirus-specific γ/δ and CD8+ T cells generated by T-cell receptor transfection to treat adenovirus infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109944. [PMID: 25289687 PMCID: PMC4188623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Human adenovirus infection is life threatening after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Immunotherapy with donor-derived adenovirus-specific T cells is promising; however, 20% of all donors lack adenovirus-specific T cells. To overcome this, we transfected α/β T cells with mRNA encoding a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for the HLA-A*0101-restricted peptide LTDLGQNLLY from the adenovirus hexon protein. Furthermore, since allo-reactive endogenous TCR of donor T lymphocytes would induce graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in a mismatched patient, we transferred the TCR into γ/δ T cells, which are not allo-reactive. TCR-transfected γ/δ T cells secreted low quantities of cytokines after antigen-specific stimulation, which were increased dramatically after co-transfection of CD8α-encoding mRNA. In direct comparison with TCR-transfected α/β T cells, TCR-CD8α-co-transfected γ/δ T cells produced more tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and lysed peptide-loaded target cells as efficiently. Most importantly, TCR-transfected α/β T cells and TCR-CD8α-co-transfected γ/δ T cells efficiently lysed adenovirus-infected target cells. We show here, for the first time, that not only α/β T cells but also γ/δ T cells can be equipped with an adenovirus specificity by TCR-RNA electroporation. Thus, our strategy offers a new means for the immunotherapy of adenovirus infection after allogeneic HSCT.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoviridae Infections/etiology
- Adenoviridae Infections/immunology
- Adenoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Adenoviruses, Human/immunology
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- CD8 Antigens/chemistry
- CD8 Antigens/genetics
- CD8 Antigens/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Electroporation
- Gene Expression
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects
- Humans
- Jurkat Cells
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Peptides/pharmacology
- Primary Cell Culture
- RNA/genetics
- RNA/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Transfection
- Transplantation, Homologous
- Unrelated Donors
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Krug
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Hofmann
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ina Müller
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Wellner
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ilka Knippertz
- Department of Immune Modulation at the Dept. of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Schierer
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simone Thomas
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elke Zipperer
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Printz
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Fritsch
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Rene Geyeregger
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
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Construction and molecular characterization of a T-cell receptor-like antibody and CAR-T cells specific for minor histocompatibility antigen HA-1H. Gene Ther 2014; 21:575-84. [PMID: 24694533 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The genetic transfer of T-cell receptors (TCRs) directed toward target antigens into T lymphocytes has been used to generate antitumor T cells efficiently without the need for the in vitro induction and expansion of T cells with cognate specificity. Alternatively, T cells have been gene-modified with a TCR-like antibody or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). We show that immunization of HLA-A2 transgenic mice with tetramerized recombinant HLA-A2 incorporating HA-1 H minor histocompatibility antigen (mHag) peptides and β2-microglobulin (HA-1 H/HLA-A2) generate highly specific antibodies. One single-chain variable region moiety (scFv) antibody, #131, demonstrated high affinity (KD=14.9 nM) for the HA-1 H/HLA-A2 complex. Primary human T cells transduced with #131 scFV coupled to CD28 transmembrane and CD3ζ domains were stained with HA-1 H/HLA-A2 tetramers slightly more intensely than a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone specific for endogenously HLA-A2- and HA-1 H-positive cells. Although #131 scFv CAR-T cells required >100-fold higher antigen density to exert cytotoxicity compared with the cognate CTL clone, they could produce inflammatory cytokines against cells expressing HLA-A2 and HA-1 H transgenes. These data implicate that T cells with high-affinity antigen receptors reduce the ability to lyse targets with low-density peptide/MHC complexes (~100 per cell), while they could respond at cytokine production level.
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Norell H, Moretta A, Silva-Santos B, Moretta L. At the Bench: Preclinical rationale for exploiting NK cells and γδ T lymphocytes for the treatment of high-risk leukemias. J Leukoc Biol 2013; 94:1123-39. [PMID: 24108703 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0613312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells and γδ T lymphocytes display potent cytolytic activity against leukemias and CMV-infected cells and are thus, promising immune effector cells in the context of allo-HSCT. NK cells express HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors and preferentially kill HLA class I(low) tumors or virus-infected cells. Killing occurs upon engagement of activating NKRs with ligands that are up-regulated on tumors and infected cells. A similar activating receptor/ligand interaction strategy is used by γδ T cells, which in addition, use their TCRs for recognition of phosphorylated antigens and still largely undefined ligands on tumor cells. In the haploidentical allo-HSCT setting, alloreactive NK cells, derived from donor HSCs, can exert potent antileukemia activity and kill residual patient DCs and T cells, thus preventing GvHD and graft rejection. However, generation of KIR(+) alloreactive NK cells from HSCs requires many weeks, during which leukemia relapses, and life-threatening infections may occur. Importantly, mature NK cells and γδ T cells can control certain infectious agents efficiently, in particular, limit CMV reactivation, and infusion of such donor cells at the time of HSCT has been implemented. Development of novel, cell-based immunotherapies, allowing improved trafficking and better targeting, will endow NK cells and γδ T lymphocytes with enhanced anti-tumor activity, also making them key reagents for therapies against solid tumors. The clinical aspects of using NK cells and γδ T lymphocytes against hematological malignancies, including the allo-HSCT context, are reviewed in the related side-by-side paper by Locatelli and colleagues [1].
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Li Z. Potential of human γδ T cells for immunotherapy of osteosarcoma. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 40:427-37. [PMID: 23065272 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2077-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent or metastatic osteosarcomas remain a challenging malignancy to treat. Therefore, development and testing of novel therapeutic strategies to target these patients are needed. Adoptive cellular therapy strategies are being evaluated intensively as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer. Unlike αβ T cells requiring antigen processing and MHC-restricted peptide displayed by antigen-presenting cells, γδ T cells exhibit the potent MHC-unrestricted lytic activity against various tumors in vitro and in vivo. The recent considerable success of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy in lung metastasis of renal cell carcinoma warrants further efforts to apply this treatment to other cancers including osteosarcoma, especially recurrent and metastatic osteosarcomas. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on γδ T cell-based immunotherapy for osteosarcoma that has been achieved to date. More importantly, we discuss potential strategies of the combination of expanded γδ T cells and bisphosphonates, and modification and expansion of αβ TCR modified γδ T cells for improving its efficacy for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxu Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, No. 2, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, No. 15, Lequn Road, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China.
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Bleakley M, Turtle CJ, Riddell SR. Augmentation of anti-tumor immunity by adoptive T-cell transfer after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Expert Rev Hematol 2012; 5:409-25. [PMID: 22992235 PMCID: PMC3590108 DOI: 10.1586/ehm.12.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is currently the standard of care for most patients with high-risk acute leukemias and some other hematologic malignancies. Although HCT can be curative, many patients who undergo allogeneic HCT will later relapse. There is, therefore, a critical need for the development of novel post-HCT therapies for patients who are at high risk for disease recurrence following HCT. One potentially efficacious approach is adoptive T-cell immunotherapy, which is currently undergoing a renaissance that has been inspired by scientific insight into the key issues that impeded its previous clinical application. Translation of the next generation of adoptive T-cell therapies to the allogeneic HCT setting, using donor T cells of defined specificity and function, presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The challenges, progress and future of adoptive T-cell therapy following allogeneic HCT are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Bleakley
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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