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De Sanctis F, Dusi S, Caligola S, Anselmi C, Petrova V, Rossi B, Angelini G, Erdeljan M, Wöll S, Schlitter AM, Metzler T, Steiger K, Borok Z, Bailey P, Bauer A, Halin C, Boschi F, Giugno R, Canè S, Lawlor R, Corbo V, Scarpa A, Constantin G, Ugel S, Vascotto F, Sahin U, Türeci Ö, Bronte V. Expression of the membrane tetraspanin claudin 18 on cancer cells promotes T lymphocyte infiltration and antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. Immunity 2024; 57:1378-1393.e14. [PMID: 38749447 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Tumors weakly infiltrated by T lymphocytes poorly respond to immunotherapy. We aimed to unveil malignancy-associated programs regulating T cell entrance, arrest, and activation in the tumor environment. Differential expression of cell adhesion and tissue architecture programs, particularly the presence of the membrane tetraspanin claudin (CLDN)18 as a signature gene, demarcated immune-infiltrated from immune-depleted mouse pancreatic tumors. In human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and non-small cell lung cancer, CLDN18 expression positively correlated with more differentiated histology and favorable prognosis. CLDN18 on the cell surface promoted accrual of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), facilitating direct CTL contacts with tumor cells by driving the mobilization of the adhesion protein ALCAM to the lipid rafts of the tumor cell membrane through actin. This process favored the formation of robust immunological synapses (ISs) between CTLs and CLDN18-positive cancer cells, resulting in increased T cell activation. Our data reveal an immune role for CLDN18 in orchestrating T cell infiltration and shaping the tumor immune contexture.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Mice
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Claudins/metabolism
- Claudins/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Immunological Synapses/metabolism
- Immunological Synapses/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Membrane Microdomains/metabolism
- Membrane Microdomains/immunology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco De Sanctis
- Section of Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Silvia Dusi
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Anselmi
- Section of Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Varvara Petrova
- Section of Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Barbara Rossi
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gabriele Angelini
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michael Erdeljan
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Wöll
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna Melissa Schlitter
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Metzler
- Comparative Experimental Pathology (CEP), Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Comparative Experimental Pathology (CEP), Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Zea Borok
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Peter Bailey
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Aline Bauer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Halin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalba Giugno
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Canè
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Rita Lawlor
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gabriela Constantin
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; The Center for Biomedical Computing (CBMC), University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Section of Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fulvia Vascotto
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany; University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Özlem Türeci
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany; University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Musiu C, Lupo F, Agostini A, Lionetto G, Bevere M, Paiella S, Carbone C, Corbo V, Ugel S, De Sanctis F. Cellular collusion: cracking the code of immunosuppression and chemo resistance in PDAC. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341079. [PMID: 38817612 PMCID: PMC11137177 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341079] [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: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the efforts, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still highly lethal. Therapeutic challenges reside in late diagnosis and establishment of peculiar tumor microenvironment (TME) supporting tumor outgrowth. This stromal landscape is highly heterogeneous between patients and even in the same patient. The organization of functional sub-TME with different cellular compositions provides evolutive advantages and sustains therapeutic resistance. Tumor progressively establishes a TME that can suit its own needs, including proliferation, stemness and invasion. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, the main non-neoplastic cellular TME components, follow soluble factors-mediated neoplastic instructions and synergize to promote chemoresistance and immune surveillance destruction. Unveiling heterotypic stromal-neoplastic interactions is thus pivotal to breaking this synergism and promoting the reprogramming of the TME toward an anti-tumor milieu, improving thus the efficacy of conventional and immune-based therapies. We underscore recent advances in the characterization of immune and fibroblast stromal components supporting or dampening pancreatic cancer progression, as well as novel multi-omic technologies improving the current knowledge of PDAC biology. Finally, we put into context how the clinic will translate the acquired knowledge to design new-generation clinical trials with the final aim of improving the outcome of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Musiu
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Lupo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lionetto
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Bevere
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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3
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Canè S, Barouni RM, Fabbi M, Cuozzo J, Fracasso G, Adamo A, Ugel S, Trovato R, De Sanctis F, Giacca M, Lawlor R, Scarpa A, Rusev B, Lionetto G, Paiella S, Salvia R, Bassi C, Mandruzzato S, Ferrini S, Bronte V. Neutralization of NET-associated human ARG1 enhances cancer immunotherapy. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabq6221. [PMID: 36921034 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq6221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid cells can restrain antitumor immunity by metabolic pathways, such as the degradation of l-arginine, whose concentrations are regulated by the arginase 1 (ARG1) enzyme. Results from preclinical studies indicate the important role of arginine metabolism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression, suggesting a potential for clinical application; however, divergent evolution in ARG1 expression and function in rodents and humans has restricted clinical translation. To overcome this dichotomy, here, we show that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), released by spontaneously activated neutrophils isolated from patients with PDAC, create a microdomain where cathepsin S (CTSS) cleaves human (h)ARG1 into different molecular forms endowed with enhanced enzymatic activity at physiological pH. NET-associated hARG1 suppresses T lymphocytes whose proliferation is restored by either adding a hARG1-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) or preventing CTSS-mediated cleavage, whereas small-molecule inhibitors are not effective. We show that ARG1 blockade, combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, can restore CD8+ T cell function in ex vivo PDAC tumors. Furthermore, anti-hARG1 mAbs increase the frequency of adoptively transferred tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in tumor and enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint therapy in humanized mice. Thus, this study shows that extracellular ARG1, released by activated myeloid cells, localizes in NETs, where it interacts with CTSS that in turn cleaves ARG1, producing major molecular forms endowed with different enzymatic activity at physiological pH. Once exocytosed, ARG1 activity can be targeted by mAbs, which bear potential for clinical application for the treatment of PDAC and require further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Canè
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Roza Maria Barouni
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Marina Fabbi
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS, Genova16132, Italy
| | - John Cuozzo
- ZebiAI Therapeutics Inc., Waltham, MA 02467, USA
| | - Giulio Fracasso
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Annalisa Adamo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Trovato
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | | | - Rita Lawlor
- ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Borislav Rusev
- ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lionetto
- General and Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvia
- General and Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Claudio Bassi
- General and Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Susanna Mandruzzato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche Oncologiche e Gastroenterologiche, University of Padova, Padova 35122, Italy.,Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova 35128, Italy
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Maggadóttir SM, Kvalheim G, Wernhoff P, Sæbøe-Larssen S, Revheim ME, Josefsen D, Wälchli S, Helland Å, Inderberg EM. A phase I/II escalation trial design T-RAD: Treatment of metastatic lung cancer with mRNA-engineered T cells expressing a T cell receptor targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Front Oncol 2022; 12:1031232. [PMID: 36439452 PMCID: PMC9685610 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1031232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) with genetically modified T cells aims to redirect T cells against resistant cancers through introduction of a T cell receptor (TCR). The Radium-4 TCR was isolated from a responding patient in a cancer vaccination study and recognizes the enzymatic component of human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) presented on MHC class II (HLA-DP04). hTERT is a constitutively overexpressed tumor-associated antigen present in most human cancers, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the second most common type of cancer worldwide. Treatment alternatives for relapsing NSCLC are limited and survival is poor. To improve patient outcome we designed a TCR-based ACT study targeting hTERT. Methods T-RAD is a phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Radium-4 mRNA electroporated autologous T cells in the treatment of metastatic NSCLC with no other treatment option. Transient TCR expression is applied for safety considerations. Participants receive two intravenous injections with escalating doses of redirected T cells weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Primary objectives are safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives include progression-free survival, time to progression, overall survival, patient reported outcomes and overall radiological response. Discussion Treatment for metastatic NSCLC is scarce and new personalized treatment options are in high demand. hTERT is a tumor target applicable to numerous cancer types. This proof-of-concept study will explore for the first time the safety and efficacy of TCR mRNA electroporated autologous T cells targeting hTERT. The T-RAD study will thus evaluate an attractive candidate for future immunotherapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sólrún Melkorka Maggadóttir
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Section for Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunnar Kvalheim
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Section for Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Patrik Wernhoff
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stein Sæbøe-Larssen
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Section for Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Dag Josefsen
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Section for Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sébastien Wälchli
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Section for Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åslaug Helland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Section for Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Else Marit Inderberg,
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Baharoon B, Shaik A, El-Hamidy SM, Eid El-Araby R, Batawi AH, Abdel Salam M. Influence of halloysite nanotubes on the efficiency of Asparaginase against mice Ehrlich solid carcinoma. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:3626-3634. [PMID: 35844382 PMCID: PMC9280262 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, the impact of the halloysite nanotubes to suppress the side effects of Asparaginase (ANase) cellular proliferation was investigated. Methods: A total of 100 adult male mice was employed. These mice were divided into four equal groups; Group 1 (control), Group 2 (ESC group) of a single dose of 0.15 ml Ehrlich cells (2 × 106) intraperitoneal infusion(IP), Group 3 (ESC + ANase group) received six doses equal treatments of Intratumoral (IT) 0.07 ml Aspragnase (7 mg/kg) over two weeks. For two weeks, Group 4 (ESC + ASNase + HNTs) received an IT administration of 0.07 ml Asparaginase stocked on Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) (30 mg/kg) three times per week. A blood specimen was collected, and the liver was removed to be investigated histologically. Results: TEM measurements for the Halloysite nanoclay showed their tubular cylindrical shape with a mean diameter of 50 nm and an average length of 1 μm, whereas The X-ray diffraction pattern of the Halloysite nanoclay showed their characteristic peaks. ESC increases the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin than control and other groups, even as albumin and total protein were decreasing. After using Halloysite Nanotube, the rates of these variables were enhanced up to 75%. The hepatocytes histological studies showed protection against Ehrlich Solid carcinoma-induced degenerative, necrotic, and inflammatory changes up to 70%. In conclusion, halloysite nanotubes have demonstrated effective removal of Ehrlich solid carcinoma in mice using an ASNase delivery system. It promoted the ASNase to inhibit the adverse effect of ANase's on the liver and remove the tumour cells.
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Key Words
- ALB, Albumin
- ALP, Alkaline Phosphatase
- ALT, Aniline Aminotransferase
- ASNase, Asparaginase
- AST, Aspartate Aminotransferase
- Asparaginase
- BCP, bromocresol purple
- BD, Bile Duct
- CV, Central Vein
- DDS, Drug Delivery Systems
- EAC, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma
- ESC, Ehrlich Solid Carcenoma
- HNTs, Halloysite Nanotubes
- Halloysite nanotubes, Cancer
- Histopathology
- IFCC, international federation of clinical chemistry
- IM, Intramuscularly
- IP, Intraperitoneal
- IT, Intratumorally
- KAU, King Abdulaziz University
- KFMRC, King Fahd Medical Research Center
- Liver
- Liver functions
- PV, Portal Vein
- TBIL, Total Bilirubin
- TEM, Transmission Electron Microscope
- TP, Total protein
- XRD, X-Ray Diffraction
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Affiliation(s)
- B.M.M. Baharoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - A.M. Shaik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim M. El-Hamidy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rady Eid El-Araby
- Central Lab, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) Ministry of Scientific Research, Egypt
| | - Ashwaq H. Batawi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Abdel Salam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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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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Genetic Modification of T Cells for the Immunotherapy of Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10030457. [PMID: 35335089 PMCID: PMC8949949 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a beneficial treatment approach for multiple cancers, however, current therapies are effective only in a small subset of patients. Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) is a facet of immunotherapy where T cells targeting the tumor cells are transferred to the patient with several primary forms, utilizing unmodified or modified T cells: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), genetically modified T cell receptor transduced T cells, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced T cells. Many clinical trials are underway investigating the efficacy and safety of these different subsets of ACT, as well as trials that combine one of these subsets with another type of immunotherapy. The main challenges existing with ACT are improving clinical responses and decreasing adverse events. Current research focuses on identifying novel tumor targeting T cell receptors, improving safety and efficacy, and investigating ACT in combination with other immunotherapies.
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8
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Telomerase in Cancer: Function, Regulation, and Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030808. [PMID: 35159075 PMCID: PMC8834434 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cells undergoing malignant transformation must circumvent replicative senescence and eventual cell death associated with progressive telomere shortening that occurs through successive cell division. To do so, malignant cells reactivate telomerase to extend their telomeres and achieve cellular immortality, which is a “Hallmark of Cancer”. Here we review the telomere-dependent and -independent functions of telomerase in cancer, as well as its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target to diagnose and treat cancer patients. Abstract During the process of malignant transformation, cells undergo a series of genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic alterations, including the acquisition and propagation of genomic aberrations that impart survival and proliferative advantages. These changes are mediated in part by the induction of replicative immortality that is accompanied by active telomere elongation. Indeed, telomeres undergo dynamic changes to their lengths and higher-order structures throughout tumor formation and progression, processes overseen in most cancers by telomerase. Telomerase is a multimeric enzyme whose function is exquisitely regulated through diverse transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms to facilitate telomere extension. In turn, telomerase function depends not only on its core components, but also on a suite of binding partners, transcription factors, and intra- and extracellular signaling effectors. Additionally, telomerase exhibits telomere-independent regulation of cancer cell growth by participating directly in cellular metabolism, signal transduction, and the regulation of gene expression in ways that are critical for tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the complex mechanisms underlying telomere maintenance, with a particular focus on both the telomeric and extratelomeric functions of telomerase. We also explore the clinical utility of telomeres and telomerase in the diagnosis, prognosis, and development of targeted therapies for primary, metastatic, and recurrent cancers.
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9
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De Sanctis F, Lamolinara A, Boschi F, Musiu C, Caligola S, Trovato R, Fiore A, Frusteri C, Anselmi C, Poffe O, Cestari T, Canè S, Sartoris S, Giugno R, Del Rosario G, Zappacosta B, Del Pizzo F, Fassan M, Dugnani E, Piemonti L, Bottani E, Decimo I, Paiella S, Salvia R, Lawlor RT, Corbo V, Park Y, Tuveson DA, Bassi C, Scarpa A, Iezzi M, Ugel S, Bronte V. Interrupting the nitrosative stress fuels tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003549. [PMID: 35022194 PMCID: PMC8756272 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest tumors owing to its robust desmoplasia, low immunogenicity, and recruitment of cancer-conditioned, immunoregulatory myeloid cells. These features strongly limit the success of immunotherapy as a single agent, thereby suggesting the need for the development of a multitargeted approach. The goal is to foster T lymphocyte infiltration within the tumor landscape and neutralize cancer-triggered immune suppression, to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of immune-based treatments, such as anticancer adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Methods We examined the contribution of immunosuppressive myeloid cells expressing arginase 1 and nitric oxide synthase 2 in building up a reactive nitrogen species (RNS)-dependent chemical barrier and shaping the PDAC immune landscape. We examined the impact of pharmacological RNS interference on overcoming the recruitment and immunosuppressive activity of tumor-expanded myeloid cells, which render pancreatic cancers resistant to immunotherapy. Results PDAC progression is marked by a stepwise infiltration of myeloid cells, which enforces a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment through the uncontrolled metabolism of L-arginine by arginase 1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, resulting in the production of large amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The extensive accumulation of myeloid suppressing cells and nitrated tyrosines (nitrotyrosine, N-Ty) establishes an RNS-dependent chemical barrier that impairs tumor infiltration by T lymphocytes and restricts the efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy. A pharmacological treatment with AT38 ([3-(aminocarbonyl)furoxan-4-yl]methyl salicylate) reprograms the tumor microenvironment from protumoral to antitumoral, which supports T lymphocyte entrance within the tumor core and aids the efficacy of ACT with telomerase-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Conclusions Tumor microenvironment reprogramming by ablating aberrant RNS production bypasses the current limits of immunotherapy in PDAC by overcoming immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technnology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Musiu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Simone Caligola
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Trovato
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fiore
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Frusteri
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Anselmi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ornella Poffe
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cestari
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Canè
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartoris
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalba Giugno
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technnology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Oncology-Institute for Hospitalization and Care Scientific, Padova, Italy
| | - Erica Dugnani
- Diabetes Research Institute, San Raffaele Research Centre, Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Diabetes Research Institute, San Raffaele Research Centre, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuela Bottani
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Decimo
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvia
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Corbo
- ARC-NET, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Youngkyu Park
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA.,Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Lustgarten Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA.,Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Lustgarten Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Claudio Bassi
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-NET, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technnology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bronte
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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10
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Mechanism of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase ( hTERT) Regulation and Clinical Impacts in Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081188. [PMID: 34440361 PMCID: PMC8392866 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081188] [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: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The proliferative capacity and continuous survival of cells are highly dependent on telomerase expression and the maintenance of telomere length. For this reason, elevated expression of telomerase has been identified in virtually all cancers, including leukemias; however, it should be noted that expression of telomerase is sometimes observed later in malignant development. This time point of activation is highly dependent on the type of leukemia and its causative factors. Many recent studies in this field have contributed to the elucidation of the mechanisms by which the various forms of leukemias increase telomerase activity. These include the dysregulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) at various levels which include transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational stages. The pathways and biological molecules involved in these processes are also being deciphered with the advent of enabling technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-Seq), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS), and many others. It has also been established that TERT possess diagnostic value as most adult cells do not express high levels of telomerase. Indeed, studies have shown that prognosis is not favorable in patients who have leukemias expressing high levels of telomerase. Recent research has indicated that targeting of this gene is able to control the survival of malignant cells and therefore offers a potential treatment for TERT-dependent leukemias. Here we review the mechanisms of hTERT regulation and deliberate their association in malignant states of leukemic cells. Further, we also cover the clinical implications of this gene including its use in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic discoveries.
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11
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Dillard P, Köksal H, Maggadottir SM, Winge-Main A, Pollmann S, Menard M, Myhre MR, Mælandsmo GM, Flørenes VA, Gaudernack G, Kvalheim G, Wälchli S, Inderberg EM. Targeting Telomerase with an HLA Class II-Restricted TCR for Cancer Immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1199-1213. [PMID: 33212301 PMCID: PMC7934585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell therapy is a promising cancer treatment approach. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is overexpressed in the majority of tumors and a potential target for adoptive cell therapy. We isolated a novel hTERT-specific TCR sequence, named Radium-4, from a clinically responding pancreatic cancer patient vaccinated with a long hTERT peptide. Radium-4 TCR-redirected primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells demonstrated in vitro efficacy, producing inflammatory cytokines and killing hTERT+ melanoma cells in both 2D and 3D settings, as well as malignant, patient-derived ascites cells. Importantly, T cells expressing Radium-4 TCR displayed no toxicity against bone marrow stem cells or mature hematopoietic cells. Notably, Radium-4 TCR+ T cells also significantly reduced tumor growth and improved survival in a xenograft mouse model. Since hTERT is a universal cancer antigen, and the very frequently expressed HLA class II molecules presenting the hTERT peptide to this TCR provide a very high (>75%) population coverage, this TCR represents an attractive candidate for immunotherapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Dillard
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hakan Köksal
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Anna Winge-Main
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sylvie Pollmann
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mathilde Menard
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Marit Renée Myhre
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunhild M Mælandsmo
- Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Vivi Ann Flørenes
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gustav Gaudernack
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunnar Kvalheim
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sébastien Wälchli
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway.
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12
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Guterres AN, Villanueva J. Targeting telomerase for cancer therapy. Oncogene 2020; 39:5811-5824. [PMID: 32733068 PMCID: PMC7678952 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01405-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Telomere maintenance via telomerase reactivation is a nearly universal hallmark of cancer cells which enables replicative immortality. In contrast, telomerase activity is silenced in most adult somatic cells. Thus, telomerase represents an attractive target for highly selective cancer therapeutics. However, development of telomerase inhibitors has been challenging and thus far there are no clinically approved strategies exploiting this cancer target. The discovery of prevalent mutations in the TERT promoter region in many cancers and recent advances in telomerase biology has led to a renewed interest in targeting this enzyme. Here we discuss recent efforts targeting telomerase, including immunotherapies and direct telomerase inhibitors, as well as emerging approaches such as targeting TERT gene expression driven by TERT promoter mutations. We also address some of the challenges to telomerase-directed therapies including potential therapeutic resistance and considerations for future therapeutic applications and translation into the clinical setting. Although much work remains to be done, effective strategies targeting telomerase will have a transformative impact for cancer therapy and the prospect of clinically effective drugs is boosted by recent advances in structural models of human telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam N Guterres
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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13
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Anti-cancer Immunotherapies Targeting Telomerase. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082260. [PMID: 32806719 PMCID: PMC7465444 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that maintains telomeres length, compensating for the attrition of chromosomal ends that occurs during each replication cycle. Telomerase is expressed in germ cells and stem cells, whereas it is virtually undetectable in adult somatic cells. On the other hand, telomerase is broadly expressed in the majority of human tumors playing a crucial role in the replicative behavior and immortality of cancer cells. Several studies have demonstrated that telomerase-derived peptides are able to bind to HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class I and class II molecules and effectively activate both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells subsets. Due to its broad and selective expression in cancer cells and its significant immunogenicity, telomerase is considered an ideal universal tumor-associated antigen, and consequently, a very attractive target for anti-cancer immunotherapy. To date, different telomerase targeting immunotherapies have been studied in pre-clinical and clinical settings, these approaches include peptide vaccination and cell-based vaccination. The objective of this review paper is to discuss the role of human telomerase in cancer immunotherapy analyzing recent developments and future perspectives in this field.
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14
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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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15
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Long-term surviving cancer patients as a source of therapeutic TCR. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:859-865. [PMID: 31915853 PMCID: PMC7183495 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02468-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have established a platform for the isolation of tumour-specific TCR from T cells of patients who experienced clinical benefit from cancer vaccination. In this review we will present the rationale behind this strategy and discuss the advantages of working with “natural” wild type TCRs. Indeed, the general trend in the field has been to use various modifications to enhance the affinity of such therapeutic TCRs. This was done to obtain stronger T cell responses, often at the cost of safety. We further describe antigen targets and recent in vitro and in vivo results obtained to validate them. We finally discuss the use of MHC class II-restricted TCR in immunotherapy. Typically cellular anti-tumour immune responses have been attributed to CD8 T cells; however, we isolated mainly CD4 T cells. Importantly, these MHC class II-restricted TCRs have the potential to induce broad, long lasting immune responses that enable cancer control. The use of CD4 T cell-derived TCRs for adoptive immunotherapy has so far been limited and we will here discuss their therapeutic potential.
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16
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Zhang Y, Xu L, Chen S, Zha X, Wei W, Li Y. Identification of TCR Vβ11-2- Dβ1- Jβ1-1 T cell clone specific for WT1 peptides using high-throughput TCRβ gene sequencing. Biomark Res 2019; 7:12. [PMID: 31223481 PMCID: PMC6570921 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-019-0163-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified a TCR Vβ21 T cell clone which was specific to CML patients, and demonstrated that TCR Vα13/β21 gene-modified CD3+ T cells had specific cytotoxicity for HLA-A11+ K562 cells. However, it remains unclear which antigen is specifically recognized by the TCR Vβ21 T cell clone. In this study, CD3+ T cells from healthy donor peripheral blood were stimulated with the WT1 peptide or mixed BCR-ABL peptides in the presence or absence of IL-2 and IL-7. The distribution of the TCR Vβ repertoire was analyzed after different stimulations. We found that the mixed BCR-ABL peptides induced clonally expanded Vβ7-9-Dβ2-Jβ2-7 T cells while the Wilms Tumor 1 peptide induced clonally expanded Vβ11-2-Dβ1-Jβ1-1 T cells by high-throughput TCRβ sequencing and GeneScan. Interestingly, the sequence and CDR3 motif of Vβ11-2 T cell clone are similar to the TCR Vβ21 (a different TCR V region naming system) T cell clone that we previously found in CML patients. Thus, our findings suggest that the TCR Vβ21 T cell clone found in CML patients might be a T cell clone that specifically recognizes WT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, 510632 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, 510632 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, 510632 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianfeng Zha
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Wei Wei
- Guangzhou Municipality Tianhe Nuoya Bio-engineering Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, 510663 China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, 601 Huang Pu Da Dao Xi, 510632 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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17
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Robinson NJ, Taylor DJ, Schiemann WP. Stem cells, immortality, and the evolution of metastatic properties in breast cancer: telomere maintenance mechanisms and metastatic evolution. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2019; 5:39. [PMID: 31440584 PMCID: PMC6706062 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2019.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most significant cause of cancer-related death in women around the world. The vast majority of breast cancer-associated mortality stems from metastasis, which remains an incurable disease state. Metastasis results from evolution of clones that possess the insidious properties required for dissemination and colonization of distant organs. These clonal populations are descended from breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are also responsible for their prolonged maintenance and continued evolution. Telomeres impose a lifespan on cells that can be extended when they are actively elongated, as occurs in CSCs. Thus, changes in telomere structure serve to promote the survival of CSCs and subsequent metastatic evolution. The selection of telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) has important consequences not only for CSC survival and evolution, but also for their coordination of various signaling pathways that choreograph the metastatic cascade. Targeting the telomere maintenance machinery may therefore provide a boon to the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Here we review the two major TMMs and the roles they play in the development of stem and metastatic breast cancer cells. We also highlight current and future approaches to targeting these mechanisms in clinical settings to alleviate metastatic breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J. Robinson
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Derek J. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - William P. Schiemann
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
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18
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The Cellular Immunotherapy Revolution: Arming the Immune System for Precision Therapy. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:292-309. [DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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19
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Bauer J, Nelde A, Bilich T, Walz JS. Antigen Targets for the Development of Immunotherapies in Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061397. [PMID: 30897713 PMCID: PMC6471800 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic approaches, including allogeneic stem cell transplantation and donor lymphocyte infusion, have significantly improved the prognosis of leukemia patients. Further efforts are now focusing on the development of immunotherapies that are able to target leukemic cells more specifically, comprising monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and dendritic cell- or peptide-based vaccination strategies. One main prerequisite for such antigen-specific approaches is the selection of suitable target structures on leukemic cells. In general, the targets for anti-cancer immunotherapies can be divided into two groups: (1) T-cell epitopes relying on the presentation of peptides via human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and (2) surface structures, which are HLA-independently expressed on cancer cells. This review discusses the most promising tumor antigens as well as the underlying discovery and selection strategies for the development of anti-leukemia immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Bauer
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Annika Nelde
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Tatjana Bilich
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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20
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De Sanctis F, Trovato R, Ugel S. Anti-telomerase T cells adoptive transfer. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 9:2239-2240. [PMID: 29190214 PMCID: PMC5723682 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco De Sanctis
- University Hospital and Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Trovato
- University Hospital and Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- University Hospital and Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Verona, Italy
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21
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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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22
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Boschi F, De Sanctis F, Ugel S, Spinelli AE. T-cell tracking using Cerenkov and radioluminescence imaging. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201800093. [PMID: 29770603 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201800093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a promising strategy based on the ability of the immune system to kill selected cells. In the development of an effective T-cell therapy, the noninvasive cell tracking methods play a crucial role. Here, we investigate the potentialities of T-cell marked with radionuclides in order to detect their localization with imaging techniques in small animal rodents. A protocol to label T-cells with 32 P-ATP was tested and evaluated. The homing of 32 P-ATP labeled T lymphocytes was investigated by Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) and radioluminescence imaging (RLI). The first approach relies on the acquisition of Cerenkov photons produced by the beta particles emitted by the 32 P internalized by lymphocytes; the second one on the detection of photons coming from the conversion of radioactive energy in light done by scintillator crystals layered on the animals. The results show that T-cell biodistribution can be optically observed by both CLI and RLI in small animal rodents in in vivo and ex vivo acquisitions. T-cell localization in the tumor mass was definitively confirmed by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Verona, Italy
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23
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Sandri S, De Sanctis F, Lamolinara A, Boschi F, Poffe O, Trovato R, Fiore A, Sartori S, Sbarbati A, Bondanza A, Cesaro S, Krampera M, Scupoli MT, Nishimura MI, Iezzi M, Sartoris S, Bronte V, Ugel S. Effective control of acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia progression by telomerase specific adoptive T-cell therapy. Oncotarget 2017; 8:86987-87001. [PMID: 29152058 PMCID: PMC5675610 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase (TERT) is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that preserves the molecular organization at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Since TERT deregulation is a common step in leukaemia, treatments targeting telomerase might be useful for the therapy of hematologic malignancies. Despite a large spectrum of potential drugs, their bench-to-bedside translation is quite limited, with only a therapeutic vaccine in the clinic and a telomerase inhibitor at late stage of preclinical validation. We recently demonstrated that the adoptive transfer of T cell transduced with an HLA-A2-restricted T-cell receptor (TCR), which recognize human TERT with high avidity, controls human B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) progression without severe side-effects in humanized mice. In the present report, we show the ability of our approach to limit the progression of more aggressive leukemic pathologies, such as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL). Together, our findings demonstrate that TERT-based adoptive cell therapy is a concrete platform of T cell-mediated immunotherapy for leukaemia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sandri
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSi-Met), G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ornella Poffe
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Trovato
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fiore
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Sara Sartori
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Sbarbati
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Attilio Bondanza
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Hospital Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Simone Cesaro
- Department of Pediatric Haematology Oncology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Haematology, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria T Scupoli
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Haematology, Verona, Italy.,University of Verona, Interdepartmental Laboratory for Medical Research (LURM), Verona, Italy
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSi-Met), G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartoris
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bronte
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Section of Immunology, Verona, Italy
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24
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Kashyap MK, Amaya-Chanaga CI, Kumar D, Simmons B, Huser N, Gu Y, Hallin M, Lindquist K, Yafawi R, Choi MY, Amine AA, Rassenti LZ, Zhang C, Liu SH, Smeal T, Fantin VR, Kipps TJ, Pernasetti F, Castro JE. Targeting the CXCR4 pathway using a novel anti-CXCR4 IgG1 antibody (PF-06747143) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2017. [PMID: 28526063 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0435-x,] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CXCR4-CXCL12 axis plays an important role in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)-microenvironment interaction. Overexpression of CXCR4 has been reported in different hematological malignancies including CLL. Binding of the pro-survival chemokine CXCL12 with its cognate receptor CXCR4 induces cell migration. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis promotes cell survival and proliferation and may contribute to the tropism of leukemia cells towards lymphoid tissues and bone marrow. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeting CXCR4 with an IgG1 antibody, PF-06747143, may constitute an effective therapeutic approach for CLL. METHODS Patient-derived primary CLL-B cells were assessed for cytotoxicity in an in vitro model of CLL microenvironment. PF-06747143 was analyzed for cell death induction and for its potential to interfere with the chemokine CXCL12-induced mechanisms, including migration and F-actin polymerization. PF-06747143 in vivo efficacy was determined in a CLL murine xenograft tumor model. RESULTS PF-06747143, a novel-humanized IgG1 CXCR4 antagonist antibody, induced cell death of patient-derived primary CLL-B cells, in presence or absence of stromal cells. Moreover, cell death induction by the antibody was independent of CLL high-risk prognostic markers. The cell death mechanism was dependent on CXCR4 expression, required antibody bivalency, involved reactive oxygen species production, and did not require caspase activation, all characteristics reminiscent of programmed cell death (PCD). PF-06747143 also induced potent B-CLL cytotoxicity via Fc-driven antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity (CDC). PF-06747143 had significant combinatorial effect with standard of care (SOC) agents in B-CLL treatment, including rituximab, fludarabine (F-ara-A), ibrutinib, and bendamustine. In a CLL xenograft model, PF-06747143 decreased tumor burden and improved survival as a monotherapy, and in combination with bendamustine. CONCLUSIONS We show evidence that PF-06747143 has biological activity in CLL primary cells, supporting a rationale for evaluation of PF-06747143 for the treatment of CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj K Kashyap
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Carlos I Amaya-Chanaga
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Brett Simmons
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Nanni Huser
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Yin Gu
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Max Hallin
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.,Present Address: Mirati Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Lindquist
- Oncology Research & Development-Rinat Biotechnology Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rolla Yafawi
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael Y Choi
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA.,CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ale-Ali Amine
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Laura Z Rassenti
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA.,CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cathy Zhang
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Shu-Hui Liu
- Oncology Research & Development-Rinat Biotechnology Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tod Smeal
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.,Present Address: Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Valeria R Fantin
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.,Present Address: ORIC Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Kipps
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA.,CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Flavia Pernasetti
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
| | - Januario E Castro
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA. .,CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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25
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Kashyap MK, Amaya-Chanaga CI, Kumar D, Simmons B, Huser N, Gu Y, Hallin M, Lindquist K, Yafawi R, Choi MY, Amine AA, Rassenti LZ, Zhang C, Liu SH, Smeal T, Fantin VR, Kipps TJ, Pernasetti F, Castro JE. Targeting the CXCR4 pathway using a novel anti-CXCR4 IgG1 antibody (PF-06747143) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:112. [PMID: 28526063 PMCID: PMC5438492 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0435-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CXCR4-CXCL12 axis plays an important role in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)-microenvironment interaction. Overexpression of CXCR4 has been reported in different hematological malignancies including CLL. Binding of the pro-survival chemokine CXCL12 with its cognate receptor CXCR4 induces cell migration. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis promotes cell survival and proliferation and may contribute to the tropism of leukemia cells towards lymphoid tissues and bone marrow. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeting CXCR4 with an IgG1 antibody, PF-06747143, may constitute an effective therapeutic approach for CLL. METHODS Patient-derived primary CLL-B cells were assessed for cytotoxicity in an in vitro model of CLL microenvironment. PF-06747143 was analyzed for cell death induction and for its potential to interfere with the chemokine CXCL12-induced mechanisms, including migration and F-actin polymerization. PF-06747143 in vivo efficacy was determined in a CLL murine xenograft tumor model. RESULTS PF-06747143, a novel-humanized IgG1 CXCR4 antagonist antibody, induced cell death of patient-derived primary CLL-B cells, in presence or absence of stromal cells. Moreover, cell death induction by the antibody was independent of CLL high-risk prognostic markers. The cell death mechanism was dependent on CXCR4 expression, required antibody bivalency, involved reactive oxygen species production, and did not require caspase activation, all characteristics reminiscent of programmed cell death (PCD). PF-06747143 also induced potent B-CLL cytotoxicity via Fc-driven antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity (CDC). PF-06747143 had significant combinatorial effect with standard of care (SOC) agents in B-CLL treatment, including rituximab, fludarabine (F-ara-A), ibrutinib, and bendamustine. In a CLL xenograft model, PF-06747143 decreased tumor burden and improved survival as a monotherapy, and in combination with bendamustine. CONCLUSIONS We show evidence that PF-06747143 has biological activity in CLL primary cells, supporting a rationale for evaluation of PF-06747143 for the treatment of CLL patients.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/immunology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- B-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/pathology
- CHO Cells
- Cell Death/drug effects
- Cricetulus
- Female
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/therapeutic use
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, SCID
- Reactive Oxygen Species/immunology
- Receptors, CXCR4/analysis
- Receptors, CXCR4/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, CXCR4/immunology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj K Kashyap
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Carlos I Amaya-Chanaga
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Brett Simmons
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Nanni Huser
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Yin Gu
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Max Hallin
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Present Address: Mirati Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Lindquist
- Oncology Research & Development-Rinat Biotechnology Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rolla Yafawi
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael Y Choi
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
- CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ale-Ali Amine
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
| | - Laura Z Rassenti
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
- CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cathy Zhang
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Shu-Hui Liu
- Oncology Research & Development-Rinat Biotechnology Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tod Smeal
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Present Address: Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Valeria R Fantin
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
- Present Address: ORIC Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Kipps
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA
- CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Flavia Pernasetti
- Oncology Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
| | - Januario E Castro
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Science Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0820, USA.
- CLL Research Consortium, and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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26
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Abstract
Advances in molecular technologies have led to the discovery of many disease-related genetic mutations as well as elucidation of aberrant gene and protein expression patterns in several human diseases, including cancer. This information has driven the development of novel therapeutic strategies, such as the utilization of small molecules to target specific cellular pathways and the use of retroviral vectors to retarget immune cells to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Retroviral-mediated gene transfer has allowed efficient production of T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which have demonstrated marked success in the treatment of hematological malignancies. As a safety point, these modified cells can be outfitted with suicide genes. Customized gene editing tools, such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated nucleases (CRISPR-Cas9), zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), or TAL-effector nucleases (TALENs), may also be combined with retroviral delivery to specifically delete oncogenes, inactivate oncogenic signaling pathways, or deliver wild-type genes. Additionally, the feasibility of retroviral gene transfer strategies to protect the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from the dose-limiting toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy was demonstrated. While some of these approaches have yet to be translated into clinical application, the potential implications for improved cellular replacement therapies to enhance and/or support the current treatment modalities are enormous.
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