1
|
Ciccone R, Quintarelli C, Camera A, Pezzella M, Caruso S, Manni S, Ottaviani A, Guercio M, Del Bufalo F, Quadraccia MC, Orlando D, Di Cecca S, Sinibaldi M, Aurigemma M, Iaffaldano L, Sarcinelli A, D'Amore ML, Ceccarelli M, Nazio F, Marabitti V, Giorda E, Pezzullo M, De Stefanis C, Carai A, Rossi S, Alaggio R, Del Baldo G, Becilli M, Mastronuzzi A, De Angelis B, Locatelli F. GD2-Targeting CAR T-cell Therapy for Patients with GD2+ Medulloblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2545-2557. [PMID: 38551501 PMCID: PMC11145172 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Medulloblastoma (MB), the most common childhood malignant brain tumor, has a poor prognosis in about 30% of patients. The current standard of care, which includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, is often responsible for cognitive, neurologic, and endocrine side effects. We investigated whether chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells directed toward the disialoganglioside GD2 can represent a potentially more effective treatment with reduced long-term side effects. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN GD2 expression was evaluated on primary tumor biopsies of MB children by flow cytometry. GD2 expression in MB cells was also evaluated in response to an EZH2 inhibitor (tazemetostat). In in vitro and in vivo models, GD2+ MB cells were targeted by a CAR-GD2.CD28.4-1BBζ (CAR.GD2)-T construct, including the suicide gene inducible caspase-9. RESULTS GD2 was expressed in 82.68% of MB tumors. The SHH and G3-G4 subtypes expressed the highest levels of GD2, whereas the WNT subtype expressed the lowest. In in vitro coculture assays, CAR.GD2 T cells were able to kill GD2+ MB cells. Pretreatment with tazemetostat upregulated GD2 expression, sensitizing GD2dimMB cells to CAR.GD2 T cells cytotoxic activity. In orthotopic mouse models of MB, intravenously injected CAR.GD2 T cells significantly controlled tumor growth, prolonging the overall survival of treated mice. Moreover, the dimerizing drug AP1903 was able to cross the murine blood-brain barrier and to eliminate both blood-circulating and tumor-infiltrating CAR.GD2 T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our experimental data indicate the potential efficacy of CAR.GD2 T-cell therapy. A phase I/II clinical trial is ongoing in our center (NCT05298995) to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of CAR.GD2 therapy in high-risk MB patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roselia Ciccone
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Camera
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Pezzella
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Caruso
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Manni
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Ottaviani
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Guercio
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cecilia Quadraccia
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Orlando
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Cecca
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Sinibaldi
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariasole Aurigemma
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Iaffaldano
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sarcinelli
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa D'Amore
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Ceccarelli
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Nazio
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Marabitti
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzullo
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Department of Laboratories, Pathology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Alaggio
- Department of Laboratories, Pathology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Becilli
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Onco-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miele E, Anghileri E, Calatozzolo C, Lazzarini E, Patrizi S, Ciolfi A, Pedace L, Patanè M, Abballe L, Paterra R, Maddaloni L, Barresi S, Mastronuzzi A, Petruzzi A, Tramacere I, Farinotti M, Gurrieri L, Pirola E, Scarpelli M, Lombardi G, Villani V, Simonelli M, Merli R, Salmaggi A, Tartaglia M, Silvani A, DiMeco F, Calistri D, Lamperti E, Locatelli F, Indraccolo S, Pollo B. Clinicopathological and molecular landscape of 5-year IDH-wild-type glioblastoma survivors: A multicentric retrospective study. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216711. [PMID: 38423245 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216711] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Five-year glioblastoma (GBM) survivors (LTS) are the minority of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild-type GBM patients, and their molecular fingerprint is still largely unexplored. This multicenter retrospective study analyzed a large LTS-GBM cohort from nine Italian institutions and molecularly characterized a subgroup of patients by mutation, DNA methylation (DNAm) and copy number variation (CNV) profiling, comparing it to standard survival GBM. Mutation scan allowed the identification of pathogenic variants in most cases, showing a similar mutational spectrum in both groups, and highlighted TP53 as the most commonly mutated gene in the LTS group. We confirmed DNAm as a valuable tool for GBM classification with a diagnostic refinement by using brain tumor classifier v12.5. LTS were more heterogeneous with more cases classified as diffuse pediatric high-grade glioma subtypes and having peculiar CNVs. We observed a global higher methylation in CpG islands and in gene promoters of LTS with methylation levels of distinct gene promoters correlating with prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Miele
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Anghileri
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Calatozzolo
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lazzarini
- Basic and Translational Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara Patrizi
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Pedace
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Patanè
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosina Paterra
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Maddaloni
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy
| | - Sabina Barresi
- Pathology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Petruzzi
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Tramacere
- Department of Research and Clinical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariangela Farinotti
- Neuroepidemiology-Brain Cancer Registry, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorena Gurrieri
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Italy
| | - Elena Pirola
- Department of Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Scarpelli
- Neurology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lombardi
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Veronica Villani
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Simonelli
- Department of Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Merli
- Neurosurgery Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Marco Tartaglia
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Silvani
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco DiMeco
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological Surgery, John Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniele Calistri
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Elena Lamperti
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Indraccolo
- Basic and Translational Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Padua, Italy; Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Bianca Pollo
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
van Hees EP, Morton LT, Remst DFG, Wouters AK, Van den Eynde A, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MH. Self-sufficient primary natural killer cells engineered to express T cell receptors and interleukin-15 exhibit improved effector function and persistence. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368290. [PMID: 38690288 PMCID: PMC11058644 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368290] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background NK cells can be genetically engineered to express a transgenic T-cell receptor (TCR). This approach offers an alternative strategy to target heterogenous tumors, as NK:TCR cells can eradicate both tumor cells with high expression of HLA class I and antigen of interest or HLA class I negative tumors. Expansion and survival of NK cells relies on the presence of IL-15. Therefore, autonomous production of IL-15 by NK:TCR cells might improve functional persistence of NK cells. Here we present an optimized NK:TCR product harnessed with a construct encoding for soluble IL-15 (NK:TCR/IL-15), to support their proliferation, persistence and cytotoxic capabilities. Methods Expression of tumor-specific TCRs in peripheral blood derived NK-cells was achieved following retroviral transduction. NK:TCR/IL-15 cells were compared with NK:TCR cells for autonomous cytokine production, proliferation and survival. NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15 cells, expressing a HLA-B*07:02-restricted TCR against BOB1, a B-cell lineage specific transcription factor highly expressed in all B-cell malignancies, were compared with control NK:BOB1-TCR and NK:CMV-TCR/IL-15 cells for effector function against TCR antigen positive malignant B-cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Results Viral incorporation of the interleukin-15 gene into engineered NK:TCR cells was feasible and high expression of the TCR was maintained, resulting in pure NK:TCR/IL-15 cell products generated from peripheral blood of multiple donors. Self-sufficient secretion of IL-15 by NK:TCR cells enables engineered NK cells to proliferate in vitro without addition of extra cytokines. NK:TCR/IL-15 demonstrated a marked enhancement of TCR-mediated cytotoxicity as well as enhanced NK-mediated cytotoxicity resulting in improved persistence and performance of NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15 cells in an orthotopic multiple myeloma mouse model. However, in contrast to prolonged anti-tumor reactivity by NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15, we observed in one of the experiments an accumulation of NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15 cells in several organs of treated mice, leading to unexpected death 30 days post-NK infusion. Conclusion This study showed that NK:TCR/IL-15 cells secrete low levels of IL-15 and can proliferate in an environment lacking cytokines. Repeated in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the effectiveness and target specificity of our product, in which addition of IL-15 supports TCR- and NK-mediated cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Els P. van Hees
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Laura T. Morton
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dennis F. G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anne K. Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Astrid Van den Eynde
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Mirjam H.M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yang H, Li M, Deng Y, Wen H, Luo M, Zhang W. Roles and interactions of tumor microenvironment components in medulloblastoma with implications for novel therapeutics. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23233. [PMID: 38607297 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors, can be classified into the wingless, sonic hedgehog (SHH), group 3, and group 4 subgroups. Among them, the SHH subgroup with the TP53 mutation and group 3 generally present with the worst patient outcomes due to their high rates of recurrence and metastasis. A novel and effective treatment for refractory medulloblastomas is urgently needed. To date, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to influence tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis through immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and chronic inflammation. Treatments targeting TME components have emerged as promising approaches to the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we summarize progress in research on medulloblastoma microenvironment components and their interactions. We also discuss challenges and future research directions for TME-targeting medulloblastoma therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanjie Yang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Deng
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huantao Wen
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minjie Luo
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gelmi MC, Gezgin G, van der Velden PA, Luyten GPM, Luk SJ, Heemskerk MHM, Jager MJ. PRAME Expression: A Target for Cancer Immunotherapy and a Prognostic Factor in Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:36. [PMID: 38149971 PMCID: PMC10755595 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.15.36] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare disease with a high mortality, and new therapeutic options are being investigated. Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer testis antigen, expressed in the testis, but also in cancers, including uveal melanoma. PRAME is considered a target for immune therapy in several cancers, and PRAME-specific T cell clones have been shown to kill UM cells. Methods We studied the literature on PRAME expression in hematological and solid malignancies, including UM, and its role as a target for immunotherapy. The distribution of tumor features was compared between PRAME-high and PRAME-low UM in a 64-patient cohort from the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort of 80 cases and differential gene expression analysis was performed in the LUMC cohort. Results PRAME is expressed in many malignancies, it is frequently associated with a negative prognosis, and can be the target of T cell receptor (TCR)-transduced T cells, a promising treatment option with high avidity and safety. In UM, PRAME is expressed in 26% to 45% of cases and is correlated with a worse prognosis. In the LUMC and the TCGA cohorts, high PRAME expression was associated with larger diameter, higher Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage, more frequent gain of chromosome 8q, and an inflammatory phenotype. Conclusions We confirm that PRAME is associated with poor prognosis in UM and has a strong connection with extra copies of 8q. We show that PRAME-specific immunotherapy in an adjuvant setting is promising in treatment of malignancies, including UM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gulçin Gezgin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sietse J. Luk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lamas NJ, Lassalle S, Martel A, Nahon-Estève S, Macocco A, Zahaf K, Lalvee S, Fayada J, Lespinet-Fabre V, Bordone O, Pedeutour F, Baillif S, Hofman P. Characterisation of the protein expression of the emerging immunotherapy targets VISTA, LAG-3 and PRAME in primary uveal melanoma: insights from a southern French patient cohort. Pathology 2023; 55:929-944. [PMID: 37863710 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.08.003] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumour in adults, with dismal prognosis once metastases develop, since therapeutic options for the metastatic disease are ineffective. Over the past decade, novel cancer therapies based on immunotherapy have changed the landscape of treatment of different forms of cancer leading to many hopes of improvement in patient overall survival (OS). VISTA, LAG-3 and PRAME are novel promising targets of immunotherapy that have recently gained attention in different solid tumours, but whose relevance in UM remained to be comprehensively evaluated until now. Here, we studied the protein expression of VISTA, LAG-3 and PRAME using immunohistochemistry in representative whole tissue sections from primary UM cases in a cohort of 30 patients from a single centre (Nice University Hospital, Nice, France). The expression of each of these markers was correlated with different clinical and pathological parameters, including onset of metastases and OS. We demonstrated the protein expression of VISTA and LAG-3 in small lymphocytes infiltrating the tumour, while no expression of the proteins was detected in UM cells. For PRAME, nuclear expression was observed in UM cells, but no expression in tumour infiltrating immune cells was identified. Increased levels of VISTA expression in tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were associated with nuclear BAP1 expression and better prognosis. Higher levels of LAG-3 in TILs were associated with higher levels of CD8-positive TILs. PRAME nuclear positivity in melanoma cells was associated with epithelioid cell dominant (>90%) UM histological subtype, higher mitotic numbers and a higher percentage of chromosome 8q gain. This study proposes VISTA as a novel relevant immune checkpoint molecule in primary UM and contributes to confirm LAG-3 and PRAME as potentially important immunotherapy targets in the treatment of UM patients, helping to expand the number of immunotherapy candidate molecules that are relevant to modulate in this aggressive cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Jorge Lamas
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Anatomic Pathology Service, Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António (CHUdSA), Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sandra Lassalle
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; IRCAN Team 4, Inserm U1081/CNRS 7284, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France; FHU OncoAge, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Arnaud Martel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Department of Ophthalmology, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Sacha Nahon-Estève
- Université Côte d'Azur, Department of Ophthalmology, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Adam Macocco
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Katia Zahaf
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Salome Lalvee
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Julien Fayada
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Virginie Lespinet-Fabre
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; IRCAN Team 4, Inserm U1081/CNRS 7284, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France; FHU OncoAge, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Olivier Bordone
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; IRCAN Team 4, Inserm U1081/CNRS 7284, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France; FHU OncoAge, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Florence Pedeutour
- Laboratory of Solid Tumour Genetics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Stéphanie Baillif
- Université Côte d'Azur, Department of Ophthalmology, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- Université Côte d'Azur, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Biobank BB-0033-00025, Pasteur Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; IRCAN Team 4, Inserm U1081/CNRS 7284, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France; FHU OncoAge, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li Y, Rezvani K, Rafei H. Next-generation chimeric antigen receptors for T- and natural killer-cell therapies against cancer. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:217-235. [PMID: 37548050 PMCID: PMC10841677 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of various hematologic malignancies. However, the broad application of this approach for myeloid malignancies and solid cancers has been limited by the paucity and heterogeneity of target antigen expression, and lack of bona fide tumor-specific antigens that can be targeted without cross-reactivity against normal tissues. This may lead to unwanted on-target off-tumor toxicities that could undermine the desired antitumor effect. Recent advances in synthetic biology and genetic engineering have enabled reprogramming of immune effector cells to enhance their selectivity toward tumors, thus mitigating on-target off-tumor adverse effects. In this review, we outline the current strategies being explored to improve CAR selectivity toward tumor cells with a focus on natural killer (NK) cells, and the progress made in translating these strategies to the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Li
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hind Rafei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Le MK, Vuong HG, Dunn IF, Kondo T. Molecular and clinicopathological implications of PRAME expression in adult glioma. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290542. [PMID: 37796789 PMCID: PMC10553321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma) is a biomarker studied in various human cancers. Little is known about the biological implications of PRAME in glioma. We aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis to explore PRAME gene expression and its biological and clinicopathological significance in gliomas. METHODS AND MATERIALS We accessed the human cancer atlas (TCGA) database to collect glioma patients (n = 668) with primary tumors and gene expression data. Single nucleotide variants, copy number variation, DNA methylation data, and other clinicopathological factors were also extracted for the analysis. RESULTS Overall, 170, 484, and 14 tumors showed no expression, low expression (FPKM≤1), and overexpression (FPKM>1) of the PRAME gene, respectively. The principal component analysis and pathway analyses showed that PRAME-positive gliomas (n = 498), which consisted of tumors with PRAME low expression and overexpression, expressed different oncogenic profiles, possessing higher activity of Hedgehog, P3IK-AKT-mTOR, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways (p<0.001). DNA methylation analysis also illustrated that PRAME-positive tumors were distributed more densely within a grade 4-related cluster (p<0.001). PRAME positivity was an independent prognostic factor for poor outcomes in a multivariate cox analysis adjusted for clinical characteristics and genetic events. Kaplan-Meier analysis stratified by revised classification showed that PRAME positivity was solely associated with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma, grade 4. Finally, PRAME-overexpressing cases (n = 14) had the worst clinical outcome compared to the PRAME-negative and PRAME-low cohorts (adjusted p<0.001) in pairwise comparisons. CONCLUSION PRAME expression statuses may dictate different biological and clinicopathological profiles in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Khang Le
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
| | - Huy Gia Vuong
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Ian F. Dunn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America
| | - Tetsuo Kondo
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang Q, Xin X, Dai Q, Sun M, Chen J, Mostafavi E, Shen Y, Li X. Medulloblastoma targeted therapy: From signaling pathways heterogeneity and current treatment dilemma to the recent advances in development of therapeutic strategies. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108527. [PMID: 37703952 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a major pediatric malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum. MB tumors exhibit highly heterogeneous driven by diverse genetic alterations and could be divided into four major subgroups based on their different biological drivers and molecular features (Wnt, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), group 3, and group 4 MB). Even though the therapeutic strategies for each MB subtype integrate their pathogenesis and were developed to focus on their specific target sites, the unexpected drug non-selective cytotoxicity, low drug accumulation in the brain, and complexed MB tumor microenvironment still be huge obstacles to achieving satisfied MB therapeutic efficiency. This review discussed the current advances in modern MB therapeutic strategy development. Through the recent advances in knowledge of the origin, molecular pathogenesis of MB subtypes and their current therapeutic barriers, we particularly reviewed the current development in advanced MB therapeutic strategy committed to overcome MB treatment obstacles, focusing on novel signaling pathway targeted therapeutic agents and their combination discovery, advanced drug delivery systems design, and MB immunotherapy strategy development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qihao Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Mengjuan Sun
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinhua Chen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ebrahim Mostafavi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Yan Shen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xueming Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Manni S, Del Bufalo F, Merli P, Silvestris DA, Guercio M, Caruso S, Reddel S, Iaffaldano L, Pezzella M, Di Cecca S, Sinibaldi M, Ottaviani A, Quadraccia MC, Aurigemma M, Sarcinelli A, Ciccone R, Abbaszadeh Z, Ceccarelli M, De Vito R, Lodi MC, Cefalo MG, Mastronuzzi A, De Angelis B, Locatelli F, Quintarelli C. Neutralizing IFNγ improves safety without compromising efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy in B-cell malignancies. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3423. [PMID: 37296093 PMCID: PMC10256701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38723-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy may achieve long-lasting remission in patients with B-cell malignancies not responding to conventional therapies. However, potentially severe and hard-to-manage side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity and macrophage activation syndrome, and the lack of pathophysiological experimental models limit the applicability and development of this form of therapy. Here we present a comprehensive humanized mouse model, by which we show that IFNγ neutralization by the clinically approved monoclonal antibody, emapalumab, mitigates severe toxicity related to CAR-T cell therapy. We demonstrate that emapalumab reduces the pro-inflammatory environment in the model, thus allowing control of severe CRS and preventing brain damage, characterized by multifocal hemorrhages. Importantly, our in vitro and in vivo experiments show that IFNγ inhibition does not affect the ability of CD19-targeting CAR-T (CAR.CD19-T) cells to eradicate CD19+ lymphoma cells. Thus, our study provides evidence that anti-IFNγ treatment might reduce immune related adverse effect without compromising therapeutic success and provides rationale for an emapalumab-CAR.CD19-T cell combination therapy in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Manni
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Merli
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marika Guercio
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Caruso
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sofia Reddel
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Iaffaldano
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Pezzella
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Cecca
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Sinibaldi
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Ottaviani
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cecilia Quadraccia
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariasole Aurigemma
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sarcinelli
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roselia Ciccone
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Zeinab Abbaszadeh
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Ceccarelli
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita De Vito
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Lodi
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppina Cefalo
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Haematology-Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Turi M, Anilkumar Sithara A, Hofmanová L, Žihala D, Radhakrishnan D, Vdovin A, Knápková S, Ševčíková T, Chyra Z, Jelínek T, Šimíček M, Gullà A, Anderson KC, Hájek R, Hrdinka M. Transcriptome Analysis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cells Inducibly Expressing MyD88 L265P Mutation Identifies Upregulated CD44, LGALS3, NFKBIZ, and BATF as Downstream Targets of Oncogenic NF-κB Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065623. [PMID: 36982699 PMCID: PMC10057398 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
During innate immune responses, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) functions as a critical signaling adaptor protein integrating stimuli from toll-like receptors (TLR) and the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) family and translates them into specific cellular outcomes. In B cells, somatic mutations in MyD88 trigger oncogenic NF-κB signaling independent of receptor stimulation, which leads to the development of B-cell malignancies. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and downstream signaling targets remain unresolved. We established an inducible system to introduce MyD88 to lymphoma cell lines and performed transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) to identify genes differentially expressed by MyD88 bearing the L265P oncogenic mutation. We show that MyD88L265P activates NF-κB signaling and upregulates genes that might contribute to lymphomagenesis, including CD44, LGALS3 (coding Galectin-3), NFKBIZ (coding IkBƺ), and BATF. Moreover, we demonstrate that CD44 can serve as a marker of the activated B-cell (ABC) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and that CD44 expression is correlated with overall survival in DLBCL patients. Our results shed new light on the downstream outcomes of MyD88L265P oncogenic signaling that might be involved in cellular transformation and provide novel therapeutical targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Turi
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Anjana Anilkumar Sithara
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Hofmanová
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - David Žihala
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Dhwani Radhakrishnan
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Vdovin
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Sofija Knápková
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Ševčíková
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 70100 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Chyra
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Jelínek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Šimíček
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Annamaria Gullà
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kenneth Carl Anderson
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Roman Hájek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Hrdinka
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Guzman G, Pellot K, Reed MR, Rodriguez A. CAR T-cells to treat brain tumors. Brain Res Bull 2023; 196:76-98. [PMID: 36841424 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Tremendous success using CAR T therapy in hematological malignancies has garnered significant interest in developing such treatments for solid tumors, including brain tumors. This success, however, has yet to be mirrored in solid organ neoplasms. CAR T function has shown limited efficacy against brain tumors due to several factors including the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, blood-brain barrier, and tumor-antigen heterogeneity. Despite these considerations, CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to be implemented as a treatment modality for brain tumors. Here, we review adult and pediatric brain tumors, including glioblastoma, diffuse midline gliomas, and medulloblastomas that continue to portend a grim prognosis. We describe insights gained from different preclinical models using CAR T therapy against various brain tumors and results gathered from ongoing clinical trials. Furthermore, we outline the challenges limiting CAR T therapy success against brain tumors and summarize advancements made to overcome these obstacles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Guzman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | | | - Megan R Reed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schossig P, Coskun E, Arsenic R, Horst D, Sehouli J, Bergmann E, Andresen N, Sigler C, Busse A, Keller U, Ochsenreither S. Target Selection for T-Cell Therapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Systematic Prioritization of Self-Antigens. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032292. [PMID: 36768616 PMCID: PMC9916968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032292] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell-receptor therapy (ACT) could represent a promising approach in the targeted treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, the identification of suitable tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) as targets is challenging. We identified and prioritized TAAs for ACT and other immunotherapeutic interventions in EOC. A comprehensive list of pre-described TAAs was created and candidates were prioritized, using predefined weighted criteria. Highly ranked TAAs were immunohistochemically stained in a tissue microarray of 58 EOC samples to identify associations of TAA expression with grade, stage, response to platinum, and prognosis. Preselection based on expression data resulted in 38 TAAs, which were prioritized. Along with already published Cyclin A1, the TAAs KIF20A, CT45, and LY6K emerged as most promising targets, with high expression in EOC samples and several identified peptides in ligandome analysis. Expression of these TAAs showed prognostic relevance independent of molecular subtypes. By using a systematic vetting algorithm, we identified KIF20A, CT45, and LY6K to be promising candidates for immunotherapy in EOC. Results are supported by IHC and HLA-ligandome data. The described method might be helpful for the prioritization of TAAs in other tumor entities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Schossig
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ebru Coskun
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruza Arsenic
- Department of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Horst
- Insitute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Department of Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Tumorbank Ovarian Cancer Network, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Bergmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Andresen
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Sigler
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia Busse
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ochsenreither
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
van Amerongen RA, Morton LT, Chaudhari UG, Remst DF, Hagedoorn RS, van den Berg CW, Freund C, Falkenburg JF, Heemskerk MH. Human iPSC-derived preclinical models to identify toxicity of tumor-specific T cells with clinical potential. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:249-261. [PMID: 36816758 PMCID: PMC9931760 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.01.005] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The balance between safety and efficacy of T cell therapies remains challenging and T cell mediated toxicities have occurred. The stringent selection of tumor-specific targets and careful selection of tumor-specific T cells using T cell toxicity screenings are essential. In vitro screening options against vital organs or specialized cell subsets would be preferably included in preclinical pipelines, but options remain limited. Here, we set up preclinical models with human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes, epicardial cells, and kidney organoids to investigate toxicity risks of tumor-specific T cells more thoroughly. CD8+T cells reactive against PRAME, HA-1H, CD20, or WT1, currently used or planned to be used in phase I/II clinical studies, were included. Using these hiPSC-derived preclinical models, we demonstrated that WT1-specific T cells caused on-target toxicity that correlated with target gene expression. Multiple measures of T cell reactivity demonstrated this toxicity on the level of T cells and hiPSC-derived target cells. In addition, phenotypic analysis illustrated interaction and crosstalk between infiltrated T cells and kidney organoids. In summary, we demonstrated the benefit of hiPSC-derived models in determining toxicity risks of tumor-specific T cells. Furthermore, our data emphasizes the additional value of other measures of T cell reactivity on top of the commonly used cytokine levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A. van Amerongen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Laura T. Morton
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Umesh G. Chaudhari
- LUMC hiPSC Hotel, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis F.G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Renate S. Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Cathelijne W. van den Berg
- Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology and Einthoven Laboratory of Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Freund
- LUMC hiPSC Hotel, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H.M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands,Corresponding author: Mirjam H.M. Heemskerk, Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tumor immunology. Clin Immunol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-818006-8.00003-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
16
|
Coppock JD, Gradecki SE, Mills AM. PRAME Expression in Endometrioid and Serous Endometrial Carcinoma: A Potential Immunotherapeutic Target and Possible Diagnostic Pitfall. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2023; 42:35-42. [PMID: 35512215 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000000864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer testes antigen initially employed as a diagnostic marker for melanoma. Although negative in most normal tissues, its expression has been reported in benign endometrial glands. Additionally, PRAME expression has been identified in a growing list of solid and hematologic malignancies and is of interest as a predictive biomarker, as cancer vaccination strategies and adoptive T-cell transfer targeting this molecule are under clinical investigation; additionally, PRAME may identify candidates for retinoid therapy. However, expression of PRAME has not been well-studied in endometrial cancers. We herein evaluate PRAME expression in endometrial carcinomas to better characterize its limitations as a diagnostic melanoma marker as well as its potential as a predictive biomarker in endometrial carcinomas. PRAME expression was evaluated in 256 endometrioid (n=235) and serous (n=21) endometrial carcinomas via tissue microarray. In all, 89% (227/256) demonstrated some degree of nuclear PRAME expression, including 88% (207/235) of endometrioid carcinomas and 95% (20/21) of serous carcinomas. Diffuse (>50%) expression was observed in 70% (179/256) of all cases, including 69% (163/235) of endometrioid carcinomas and 76% (16/21) of serous carcinomas. There was no association between degree of expression and grade, mismatch repair protein status, or stage. The widespread expression of PRAME in endometrial carcinomas suggests this marker should not be interpreted as specific for melanoma in this context. However PRAME may have utility as a predictive biomarker in endometrial cancer, and expansion of testing of PRAME-based therapies to endometrioid and serous endometrial carcinomas may lead to new therapeutic options for these endometrial cancer subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Coppock
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tang YF, An PG, Gu BX, Yi S, Hu X, Wu WJ, Zhang J. Transcriptomic insights into adenoid cystic carcinoma via RNA sequencing. Front Genet 2023; 14:1144945. [PMID: 37152992 PMCID: PMC10160386 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1144945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) at the transcriptome level. Materials and methods: We obtained paired tumor and normal salivary gland tissues from 15 ACC patients, which were prepared for RNA sequencing. Results: Gene enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated pathways were mainly involved in axonogenesis, and the downregulated pathways were mainly related to leukocyte migration, the adaptive immune response, lymphocyte-mediated immunity, and the humoral immune response. T-cells, B-cells and NK cells showed low infiltration in ACC tissues. In addition to the gene fusions MYB-NFIB and MYBL1-NFIB, a new gene fusion, TVP23C-CDRT4, was also detected in 3 ACC tissues. PRAME was significantly upregulated in ACC tissues, while antigen-presenting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes were downregulated. Conclusion: We found a new gene fusion, TVP23C-CDRT4, that was highly expressed in ACC. PRAME may be an attractive target for ACC immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Fang Tang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- Department of Stomatology, Xinqiao Hospital (the Second Affiliated Hospital), Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pu-Gen An
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Bao-Xin Gu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Shu Yi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Jie Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Wen-Jie Wu, ; Jie Zhang,
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- National Center of Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Wen-Jie Wu, ; Jie Zhang,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Schakelaar MY, Monnikhof M, Crnko S, Pijnappel E, Meeldijk J, Ten Broeke T, Bovenschen N. Cellular Immunotherapy for Medulloblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2022; 25:617-627. [PMID: 36219688 PMCID: PMC10076947 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, making up ~20% of all primary pediatric brain tumors. Current therapies consist of maximal surgical resection and aggressive radio- and chemotherapy. A third of the treated patients cannot be cured and survivors are often left with devastating long-term side effects. Novel efficient and targeted treatment is desperately needed for this patient population. Cellular immunotherapy aims to enhance and utilize immune cells to target tumors, and has been proven successful in various cancers. However, for MB, the knowledge and possibilities of cellular immunotherapy are limited. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of cellular immunotherapy for MB, from fundamental in vitro research to in vivo models and (ongoing) clinical trials. In addition, we compare our findings to cellular immunotherapy in glioma, an MB-like intracranial tumor. Finally, future possibilities for MB are discussed to improve efficacy and safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y Schakelaar
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Monnikhof
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Crnko
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Bachelor Research Hub, Educational Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Emma Pijnappel
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Bachelor Research Hub, Educational Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Meeldijk
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Bachelor Research Hub, Educational Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Toine Ten Broeke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Bachelor Research Hub, Educational Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niels Bovenschen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Bachelor Research Hub, Educational Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Füchsl F, Krackhardt AM. Paving the Way to Solid Tumors: Challenges and Strategies for Adoptively Transferred Transgenic T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4192. [PMID: 36077730 PMCID: PMC9454442 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are important players in the antitumor immune response. Over the past few years, the adoptive transfer of genetically modified, autologous T cells-specifically redirected toward the tumor by expressing either a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-has been adopted for use in the clinic. At the moment, the therapeutic application of CD19- and, increasingly, BCMA-targeting-engineered CAR-T cells have been approved and have yielded partly impressive results in hematologic malignancies. However, employing transgenic T cells for the treatment of solid tumors remains more troublesome, and numerous hurdles within the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) need to be overcome to achieve tumor control. In this review, we focused on the challenges that these therapies must face on three different levels: infiltrating the tumor, exerting efficient antitumor activity, and overcoming T cell exhaustion and dysfunction. We aimed to discuss different options to pave the way for potent transgenic T cell-mediated tumor rejection by engineering either the TME or the transgenic T cell itself, which responds to the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Füchsl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Angela M. Krackhardt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
El Moukhtari SH, Garbayo E, Fernández-Teijeiro A, Rodríguez-Nogales C, Couvreur P, Blanco-Prieto MJ. Nanomedicines and cell-based therapies for embryonal tumors of the nervous system. J Control Release 2022; 348:553-571. [PMID: 35705114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Embryonal tumors of the nervous system are neoplasms predominantly affecting the pediatric population. Among the most common and aggressive ones are neuroblastoma (NB) and medulloblastoma (MB). NB is a sympathetic nervous system tumor, which is the most frequent extracranial solid pediatric cancer, usually detected in children under two. MB originates in the cerebellum and is one of the most lethal brain tumors in early childhood. Their tumorigenesis presents some similarities and both tumors often have treatment resistances and poor prognosis. High-risk (HR) patients require high dose chemotherapy cocktails associated with acute and long-term toxicities. Nanomedicine and cell therapy arise as potential solutions to improve the prognosis and quality of life of children suffering from these tumors. Indeed, nanomedicines have been demonstrated to efficiently reduce drug toxicity and improve drug efficacy. Moreover, these systems have been extensively studied in cancer research over the last few decades and an increasing number of anticancer nanocarriers for adult cancer treatment has reached the clinic. Among cell-based strategies, the clinically most advanced approach is chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy for both pathologies, which is currently under investigation in phase I/II clinical trials. However, pediatric drug research is especially hampered due not only to ethical issues but also to the lack of efficient pre-clinical models and the inadequate design of clinical trials. This review provides an update on progress in the treatment of the main embryonal tumors of the nervous system using nanotechnology and cell-based therapies and discusses key issues behind the gap between preclinical studies and clinical trials in this specific area. Some directions to improve their translation into clinical practice and foster their development are also provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Souhaila H El Moukhtari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad de Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, C/Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elisa Garbayo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad de Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, C/Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Teijeiro
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, School of Medicine, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Dr, Fedriani 3, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas (SEHOP), Spain
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Nogales
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Couvreur
- Institut Galien Paris-Sud, UMRCNRS8612,Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry 92296, France
| | - María J Blanco-Prieto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad de Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, C/Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
van Amerongen RA, Hagedoorn RS, Remst DFG, Assendelft DC, van der Steen DM, Wouters AK, van de Meent M, Kester MGD, de Ru AH, Griffioen M, van Veelen PA, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. WT1-specific TCRs directed against newly identified peptides install antitumor reactivity against acute myeloid leukemia and ovarian carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004409. [PMID: 35728869 PMCID: PMC9214430 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcription factor Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) is an ideal tumor target based on its expression in a wide range of tumors, low-level expression in normal tissues and promoting role in cancer progression. In clinical trials, WT1 is targeted using peptide-based or dendritic cell-based vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies. Antitumor reactivities were reported, but T-cell reactivity is hampered by self-tolerance to WT1 and limited number of WT1 peptides, which were thus far selected based on HLA peptide binding algorithms. Methods In this study, we have overcome both limitations by searching in the allogeneic T-cell repertoire of healthy donors for high-avidity WT1-specific T cells, specific for WT1 peptides derived from the HLA class I associated ligandome of primary leukemia and ovarian carcinoma samples. Results Using broad panels of malignant cells and healthy cell subsets, T-cell clones were selected that demonstrated potent and specific anti-WT1 T-cell reactivity against five of the eight newly identified WT1 peptides. Notably, T-cell clones for WT1 peptides previously used in clinical trials lacked reactivity against tumor cells, suggesting limited processing and presentation of these peptides. The TCR sequences of four T-cell clones were analyzed and TCR gene transfer into CD8+ T cells installed antitumor reactivity against WT1-expressing solid tumor cell lines, primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts, and ovarian carcinoma patient samples. Conclusions Our approach resulted in a set of naturally expressed WT1 peptides and four TCRs that are promising candidates for TCR gene transfer strategies in patients with WT1-expressing tumors, including AML and ovarian carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A van Amerongen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Danique C Assendelft
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne K Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marian van de Meent
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Thorner PS, Chong AS, Nadaf J, Benlimame N, Marrano P, Chami R, Fu L, Foulkes WD. PRAME protein expression in DICER1-related tumours. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY CLINICAL RESEARCH 2022; 8:294-304. [PMID: 35297207 PMCID: PMC8977278 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
DICER1 syndrome is an autosomal dominant tumour predisposition syndrome usually affecting persons under 30 years of age. Many of the associated benign and malignant lesions occur almost exclusively in DICER1 syndrome. One such tumour, pituitary blastoma (pitB), overexpresses PRAME 500x above control levels. PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma) is expressed in malignancies that are not DICER1-related (e.g. melanoma). To address whether PRAME expression is part of the DICER1 phenotype, or simply a feature of pitB, a series of 75 DICER1-mutated specimens and 33 non-mutated specimens was surveyed using immunohistochemistry for PRAME, together with EZH2, which complexes with PRAME. In DICER1-mutated specimens, positive staining for PRAME was only seen in malignant tumours; 7 of 11 histological types and 34/62 individual tumours were positive, while non-tumourous lesions were always negative. Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) showed a continuum in staining, with type I lesions being PRAME negative (n = 7) but all type II and type III lesions PRAME positive (n = 7). Similarly, cystic nephroma (CN) was negative (n = 8), with anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney being positive (n = 2). However, one atypical CN with mesenchymal cell proliferation was PRAME-positive. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with DICER1 pathogenic variants (PVs) was positive for PRAME (5/6), but the same tumour type without DICER1 PVs was also positive (9/15). Staining for EZH2 corresponded to that seen with PRAME, validating the latter. This study leads us to conclude that (1) PRAME expression occurs in two-thirds of DICER1-related malignancies; (2) PRAME may be a marker for the progression that certain DICER1-related lesions are thought to undergo, such as PPB and CN; and (3) PRAME expression in some tumours, such as RMS, appears to be an intrinsic feature of the tumour, rather than specifically related to DICER1 PVs. Therapy directed against PRAME may offer novel treatment options in patients with the DICER1 syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Thorner
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne-Sophie Chong
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cancer Axis, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Javad Nadaf
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cancer Axis, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Naciba Benlimame
- Research Pathology Facility, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Paula Marrano
- Division of Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rose Chami
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lili Fu
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - William D Foulkes
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cancer Axis, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Takata K, Chong LC, Ennishi D, Aoki T, Li MY, Thakur A, Healy S, Viganò E, Dao T, Kwon D, Duns G, Nielsen JS, Ben-Neriah S, Tse E, Hung SS, Boyle M, Mun SS, Bourne CM, Woolcock B, Telenius AH, Kishida M, Rai S, Zhang AW, Bashashati A, Saberi S, D' Antonio G, Nelson BH, Shah SP, Hoodless PA, Melnick AM, Gascoyne RD, Connors JM, Scheinberg DA, Béguelin W, Scott DW, Steidl C. Tumor associated antigen PRAME exhibits dualistic functions that are targetable in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:145343. [PMID: 35380993 PMCID: PMC9106353 DOI: 10.1172/jci145343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PRAME is a prominent member of the cancer testis antigen family of proteins, which triggers autologous T cell–mediated immune responses. Integrative genomic analysis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) uncovered recurrent and highly focal deletions of 22q11.22, including the PRAME gene, which were associated with poor outcome. PRAME-deleted tumors showed cytotoxic T cell immune escape and were associated with cold tumor microenvironments. In addition, PRAME downmodulation was strongly associated with somatic EZH2 Y641 mutations in DLBCL. In turn, PRC2-regulated genes were repressed in isogenic PRAME-KO lymphoma cell lines, and PRAME was found to directly interact with EZH2 as a negative regulator. EZH2 inhibition with EPZ-6438 abrogated these extrinsic and intrinsic effects, leading to PRAME expression and microenvironment restoration in vivo. Our data highlight multiple functions of PRAME during lymphomagenesis and provide a preclinical rationale for synergistic therapies combining epigenetic reprogramming with PRAME-targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren C Chong
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Daisuke Ennishi
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tomohiro Aoki
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Michael Yu Li
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Avinash Thakur
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shannon Healy
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elena Viganò
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel Kwon
- Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gerben Duns
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Julie S Nielsen
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Ethan Tse
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stacy S Hung
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Merrill Boyle
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sung Soo Mun
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States of America
| | - Christopher M Bourne
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States of America
| | - Bruce Woolcock
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Makoto Kishida
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shinya Rai
- Lymphoid Cancer Research, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Allen W Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ali Bashashati
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Saeed Saberi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gianluca D' Antonio
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Brad H Nelson
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sohrab P Shah
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Ari M Melnick
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States of America
| | | | | | - David A Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States of America
| | - Wendy Béguelin
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States of America
| | - David W Scott
- Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christian Steidl
- Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, BC Cancer Research, Vancouver, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Multidisciplinary Management of Medulloblastoma: Consensus, Challenges, and Controversies. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2423:215-235. [PMID: 34978701 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1952-0_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a highly aggressive "small round blue cell tumor" of the posterior fossa predominantly seen in children. Historically aggressive multimodality regimens have achieved encouraging outcomes with the caveat of severe long-term toxicities. The last decade has unleashed a revolution in terms of evolved understanding of this heterogeneous disease entity in terms of molecular biology. Medulloblastoma as of today is grouped into one of four canonical molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4) each characterized by different putative cells of origin, characteristic aberrations at the molecular level, radiogenomics, and outcomes. Our understanding continues to grow in this regard. The future promises much in terms of personalized medicine in tailoring therapy to the needs of individual patients based on their clinical and molecular profile in order to maximize individual and population based outcomes at the cost of minimizing toxicity.
Collapse
|
25
|
Medulloblastoma: Immune microenvironment and targeted nano-therapy. OPENNANO 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onano.2022.100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
26
|
The Current Landscape of Targeted Clinical Trials in Non-WNT/Non-SHH Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030679. [PMID: 35158947 PMCID: PMC8833659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030679] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Medulloblastoma is a form of malignant brain tumor that arises predominantly in infants and young children and can be divided into different groups based on molecular markers. The group of non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma includes a spectrum of heterogeneous subgroups that differ in their biological characteristics, genetic underpinnings, and clinical course of disease. Non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma is currently treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; however, new drugs are needed to treat patients who are not yet curable and to reduce treatment-related toxicity and side effects. We here review which new treatment options for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma are currently clinically tested. Furthermore, we illustrate the challenges that have to be overcome to reach a new therapeutic standard for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma, for instance the current lack of good preclinical models, and the necessity to conduct trials in a comparably small patient collective. Abstract Medulloblastoma is an embryonal pediatric brain tumor and can be divided into at least four molecularly defined groups. The category non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma summarizes medulloblastoma groups 3 and 4 and is characterized by considerable genetic and clinical heterogeneity. New therapeutic strategies are needed to increase survival rates and to reduce treatment-related toxicity. We performed a noncomprehensive targeted review of the current clinical trial landscape and literature to summarize innovative treatment options for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma. A multitude of new drugs is currently evaluated in trials for which non-WNT/non-SHH patients are eligible, for instance immunotherapy, kinase inhibitors, and drugs targeting the epigenome. However, the majority of these trials is not restricted to medulloblastoma and lacks molecular classification. Whereas many new molecular targets have been identified in the last decade, which are currently tested in clinical trials, several challenges remain on the way to reach a new therapeutic strategy for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma. These include the severe lack of faithful preclinical models and predictive biomarkers, the question on how to stratify patients for clinical trials, and the relative lack of studies that recruit large, homogeneous patient collectives. Innovative trial designs and international collaboration will be a key to eventually overcome these obstacles.
Collapse
|
27
|
Poplawska M, Dutta D, Lee Y, Lim SH. Sperm protein 17 targeting for epithelial ovarian cancer treatment in the era of modern immunoengineering. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 23:378-386. [PMID: 34853809 PMCID: PMC8604669 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
|
28
|
Zhang J, Wang T. Immune cell landscape and immunotherapy of medulloblastoma. Pediatr Investig 2021; 5:299-309. [PMID: 34938973 PMCID: PMC8666938 DOI: 10.1002/ped4.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common primary pediatric malignancy of the central nervous system. Recurrent and refractory patients account for approximately 30% of them. Immune cells are an important component of the brain tumor microenvironment, including tumor-associated macrophages, T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils and B lymphocytes. Understanding how they behave and interact is important in the investigation of the onset and progression of medulloblastoma. Here, we overview the features and recent advances of each component of immune cells in medulloblastoma. Meanwhile, immunotherapy is a promising but also challenging treatment strategy for medulloblastoma. At present, there are a growing number of immunotherapeutic approaches under investigation including immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, cancer vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, and natural killer cells in recurrent and refractory medulloblastoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- Department of PediatricsBeijing Shijitan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Hematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tianyou Wang
- Hematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors against Tumor Microenvironment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113135. [PMID: 34831357 PMCID: PMC8619966 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting the hedgehog (HH) pathway to treat aggressive cancers of the brain, breast, pancreas, and prostate has been ongoing for decades. Gli gene amplifications have been long discovered within malignant glioma patients, and since then, inhibitors against HH pathway-associated molecules have successfully reached the clinical stage where several of them have been approved by the FDA. Albeit this success rate implies suitable progress, clinically used HH pathway inhibitors fail to treat patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. This is mainly due to heterogeneous tumor cells that have acquired resistance to the inhibitors along with the obstacle of effectively targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME). Severe side effects such as hyponatremia, diarrhea, fatigue, amenorrhea, nausea, hair loss, abnormal taste, and weight loss have also been reported. Furthermore, HH signaling is known to be involved in the regulation of immune cell maturation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and polarization of macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. It is critical to determine key mechanisms that can be targeted at different levels of tumor development and progression to address various clinical issues. Hence current research focus encompasses understanding how HH controls TME to develop TME altering and combinatorial targeting strategies. In this review, we aim to discuss the pros and cons of targeting HH signaling molecules, understand the mechanism involved in treatment resistance, reveal the role of the HH pathway in anti-tumor immune response, and explore the development of potential combination treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors with HH pathway inhibitors to target HH-driven cancers.
Collapse
|
30
|
Melcher V, Kerl K. The Growing Relevance of Immunoregulation in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5601. [PMID: 34830753 PMCID: PMC8615622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are genetically heterogeneous solid neoplasms. With a prevailing poor prognosis and widespread resistance to conventional multimodal therapy, these aggressive tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths worldwide. Advancement in molecular research revealed their unique genetic and epigenetic characteristics and paved the way for more defined prognostication and targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, uncovering the intratumoral metrics on a single-cell level placed non-malignant cell populations such as innate immune cells into the context of tumor manifestation and progression. Targeting immune cells in pediatric brain tumors entails unique challenges but promising opportunities to improve outcome. Herein, we outline the current understanding of the role of the immune regulation in pediatric brain tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Melcher
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Greenbaum U, Dumbrava EI, Biter AB, Haymaker CL, Hong DS. Engineered T-cell Receptor T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1252-1261. [PMID: 34728535 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Engineering immune cells to target cancer is a rapidly advancing technology. The first commercial products, chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, are now approved for hematologic malignancies. However, solid tumors pose a greater challenge for cellular therapy, in part because suitable cancer-specific antigens are more difficult to identify and surrounding healthy tissues are harder to avoid. In addition, impaired trafficking of immune cells to solid tumors, the harsh immune-inhibitory microenvironment, and variable antigen density and presentation help tumors evade immune cells targeting cancer-specific antigens. To overcome these obstacles, T cells are being engineered to express defined T-cell receptors (TCR). Given that TCRs target intracellular peptides expressed on tumor MHC molecules, this provides an expanded pool of potential targetable tumor-specific antigens relative to the cell-surface antigens that are targeted by CAR T cells. The affinity of TCR T cells can be tuned to allow for better tumor recognition, even with varying levels of antigen presentation on the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. Further enhancements to TCR T cells include improved platforms that enable more robust cell expansion and persistence; coadministration of small molecules that enhance tumor recognition and immune activation; and coexpression of cytokine-producing moieties, activating coreceptors, or mediators that relieve checkpoint blockade. Early-phase clinical trials pose logistical challenges involving production, large-scale manufacturing, and more. The challenges and obstacles to successful TCR T-cell therapy, and ways to overcome these and improve anticancer activity and efficacy, are discussed herein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uri Greenbaum
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ecaterina I Dumbrava
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amadeo B Biter
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cara L Haymaker
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Voskamp MJ, Li S, van Daalen KR, Crnko S, ten Broeke T, Bovenschen N. Immunotherapy in Medulloblastoma: Current State of Research, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5387. [PMID: 34771550 PMCID: PMC8582409 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), a primary tumor of the central nervous system, is among the most prevalent pediatric neoplasms. The median age of diagnosis is six. Conventional therapies include surgical resection of the tumor with subsequent radiation and chemotherapy. However, these therapies often cause severe brain damage, and still, approximately 75% of pediatric patients relapse within a few years. Because the conventional therapies cause such severe damage, especially in the pediatric developing brain, there is an urgent need for better treatment strategies such as immunotherapy, which over the years has gained accumulating interest. Cancer immunotherapy aims to enhance the body's own immune response to tumors and is already widely used in the clinic, e.g., in the treatment of melanoma and lung cancer. However, little is known about the possible application of immunotherapy in brain cancer. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current consensus on MB classification and the state of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research concerning immunotherapy in MB. Based on existing evidence, we will especially focus on immune checkpoint inhibition and CAR T-cell therapy. Additionally, we will discuss challenges associated with these immunotherapies and relevant strategies to overcome those.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marije J. Voskamp
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.J.V.); (S.L.); (S.C.); (T.t.B.)
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.J.V.); (S.L.); (S.C.); (T.t.B.)
| | - Kim R. van Daalen
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 8RN, UK;
| | - Sandra Crnko
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.J.V.); (S.L.); (S.C.); (T.t.B.)
| | - Toine ten Broeke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.J.V.); (S.L.); (S.C.); (T.t.B.)
| | - Niels Bovenschen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.J.V.); (S.L.); (S.C.); (T.t.B.)
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Klopp A, Schreiber S, Kosinska AD, Pulé M, Protzer U, Wisskirchen K. Depletion of T cells via Inducible Caspase 9 Increases Safety of Adoptive T-Cell Therapy Against Chronic Hepatitis B. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734246. [PMID: 34691041 PMCID: PMC8527178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell therapy with T cells that are re-directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected cells by virus-specific receptors is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-associated cancer. Due to the high number of target cells, however, side effects such as cytokine release syndrome or hepatotoxicity may limit safety. A safeguard mechanism, which allows depletion of transferred T cells on demand, would thus be an interesting means to increase confidence in this approach. In this study, T cells were generated by retroviral transduction to express either an HBV-specific chimeric antigen receptor (S-CAR) or T-cell receptor (TCR), and in addition either inducible caspase 9 (iC9) or herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) as a safety switch. Real-time cytotoxicity assays using HBV-replicating hepatoma cells as targets revealed that activation of both safety switches stopped cytotoxicity of S-CAR- or TCR-transduced T cells within less than one hour. In vivo, induction of iC9 led to a strong and rapid reduction of transferred S-CAR T cells adoptively transferred into AAV-HBV-infected immune incompetent mice. One to six hours after injection of the iC9 dimerizer, over 90% reduction of S-CAR T cells in the blood and the spleen and of over 99% in the liver was observed, thereby limiting hepatotoxicity and stopping cytokine secretion. Simultaneously, however, the antiviral effect of S-CAR T cells was diminished because remaining S-CAR T cells were mostly non-functional and could not be restimulated with HBsAg. A second induction of iC9 was only able to deplete T cells in the liver. In conclusion, T cells co-expressing iC9 and HBV-specific receptors efficiently recognize and kill HBV-replicating cells. Induction of T-cell death via iC9 proved to be an efficient means to deplete transferred T cells in vitro and in vivo containing unwanted hepatotoxicity.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer/adverse effects
- Animals
- Caspase 9/biosynthesis
- Caspase 9/genetics
- Cell Death
- Cell Line
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme Induction
- Female
- Hepatitis B Antigens/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/pathogenicity
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/metabolism
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/therapy
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Simplexvirus/enzymology
- Simplexvirus/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/enzymology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Thymidine Kinase/genetics
- Thymidine Kinase/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic
- Mice
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Klopp
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Schreiber
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D. Kosinska
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pulé
- Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Targeting cancer stem cells in medulloblastoma by inhibiting AMBRA1 dual function in autophagy and STAT3 signalling. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:537-564. [PMID: 34302498 PMCID: PMC8357694 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a childhood malignant brain tumour comprising four main subgroups characterized by different genetic alterations and rate of mortality. Among MB subgroups, patients with enhanced levels of the c-MYC oncogene (MBGroup3) have the poorest prognosis. Here we identify a previously unrecognized role of the pro-autophagy factor AMBRA1 in regulating MB. We demonstrate that AMBRA1 expression depends on c-MYC levels and correlates with Group 3 patient poor prognosis; also, knockdown of AMBRA1 reduces MB stem potential, growth and migration of MBGroup3 stem cells. At a molecular level, AMBRA1 mediates these effects by suppressing SOCS3, an inhibitor of STAT3 activation. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy profoundly affects both stem and invasion potential of MBGroup3 stem cells, and a combined anti-autophagy and anti-STAT3 approach impacts the MBGroup3 outcome. Taken together, our data support the c-MYC/AMBRA1/STAT3 axis as a strong oncogenic signalling pathway with significance for both patient stratification strategies and targeted treatments of MBGroup3.
Collapse
|
35
|
Audi ZF, Saker Z, Rizk M, Harati H, Fares Y, Bahmad HF, Nabha SM. Immunosuppression in Medulloblastoma: Insights into Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:83. [PMID: 34328587 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00874-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain malignancy, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of around 65%. The conventional MB treatment, comprising surgical resection followed by irradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy, often leads to impairment in normal body functions and poor quality of life, especially with the increased risk of recurrence and subsequent development of secondary malignancies. The development and progression of MB are facilitated by a variety of immune-evading mechanisms such as the secretion of immunosuppressive molecules, activation of immunosuppressive cells, inhibition of immune checkpoint molecules, impairment of adhesive molecules, downregulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, protection against apoptosis, and activation of immunosuppressive pathways. Understanding the tumor-immune relationship in MB is crucial for effective development of immune-based therapeutic strategies. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the immunological aspect of the brain, focusing on the current knowledge tackling the mechanisms of MB immune suppression and evasion. We also highlight several key immunotherapeutic approaches developed to date for the treatment of MB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa F Audi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahraa Saker
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mahdi Rizk
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL, USA.
| | - Sanaa M Nabha
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Quintarelli C, Guercio M, Manni S, Boffa I, Sinibaldi M, Di Cecca S, Caruso S, Abbaszadeh Z, Camera A, Cembrola B, Ciccone R, Orfao A, Martin-Martin L, Gutierrez-Herrero S, Herrero-Garcia M, Cazzaniga G, Nunes V, Songia S, Marcatili P, Marin FI, Ruella M, Bertaina V, Vinti L, Del Bufalo F, Algeri M, Merli P, De Angelis B, Locatelli F. Strategy to prevent epitope masking in CAR.CD19+ B-cell leukemia blasts. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001514. [PMID: 34135100 PMCID: PMC8211055 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR T-cells) for the treatment of relapsing/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia have led to exciting clinical results. However, CAR T-cell approaches revealed a potential risk of CD19-/CAR+ leukemic relapse due to inadvertent transduction of leukemia cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Quintarelli
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy .,Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Guercio
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Manni
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Iolanda Boffa
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Sinibaldi
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Cecca
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Caruso
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Zeinab Abbaszadeh
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Camera
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Cembrola
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roselia Ciccone
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Translational Program, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC, USAL-CSIC), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), CIBERONC and Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS Research Support Platform), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lourdes Martin-Martin
- Translational Program, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC, USAL-CSIC), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), CIBERONC and Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS Research Support Platform), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sara Gutierrez-Herrero
- Translational Program, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC, USAL-CSIC), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), CIBERONC and Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS Research Support Platform), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Maria Herrero-Garcia
- Translational Program, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC, USAL-CSIC), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), CIBERONC and Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS Research Support Platform), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Gianni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Pediatric Department, Fondazione MBBM, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Vittorio Nunes
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Pediatric Department, Fondazione MBBM, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Simona Songia
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Pediatric Department, Fondazione MBBM, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Paolo Marcatili
- Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Frederikke I Marin
- Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marco Ruella
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Valentina Bertaina
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciana Vinti
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Algeri
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Merli
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Shrestha S, Morcavallo A, Gorrini C, Chesler L. Biological Role of MYCN in Medulloblastoma: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities and Challenges Ahead. Front Oncol 2021; 11:694320. [PMID: 34195095 PMCID: PMC8236857 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.694320] [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: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The constitutive and dysregulated expression of the transcription factor MYCN has a central role in the pathogenesis of the paediatric brain tumour medulloblastoma, with an increased expression of this oncogene correlating with a worse prognosis. Consequently, the genomic and functional alterations of MYCN represent a major therapeutic target to attenuate tumour growth in medulloblastoma. This review will provide a comprehensive synopsis of the biological role of MYCN and its family components, their interaction with distinct signalling pathways, and the implications of this network in medulloblastoma development. We will then summarise the current toolbox for targeting MYCN and highlight novel therapeutic avenues that have the potential to results in better-tailored clinical treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Shrestha
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Alaide Morcavallo
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Gorrini
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom.,Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Quintarelli C, Camera A, Ciccone R, Alessi I, Del Bufalo F, Carai A, Del Baldo G, Mastronuzzi A, De Angelis B. Innovative and Promising Strategies to Enhance Effectiveness of Immunotherapy for CNS Tumors: Where Are We? Front Immunol 2021; 12:634031. [PMID: 34163465 PMCID: PMC8216238 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634031] [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: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are several immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors under evaluation, currently none of these approaches have received approval from the regulatory agencies. CNS tumors, especially glioblastomas, are tumors characterized by highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, limiting the possibility of effectively eliciting an immune response. Moreover, the peculiar anatomic location of these tumors poses relevant challenges in terms of safety, since uncontrolled hyper inflammation could lead to cerebral edema and cranial hypertension. The most promising strategies of immunotherapy in neuro-oncology consist of the use of autologous T cells redirected against tumor cells through chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) constructs or genetically modified T-cell receptors. Trials based on native or genetically engineered oncolytic viruses and on vaccination with tumor-associated antigen peptides are also under evaluation. Despite some sporadic complete remissions achieved in clinical trials, the outcome of patients with CNS tumors treated with different immunotherapeutic approaches remains poor. Based on the lessons learned from these unsatisfactory experiences, novel immune-therapy approaches aimed at overcoming the profound immunosuppressive microenvironment of these diseases are bringing new hope to reach the cure for CNS tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Quintarelli
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Camera
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Roselia Ciccone
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Iside Alessi
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wang Y, Zhou C, Luo H, Cao J, Ma C, Cheng L, Yang Y. Prognostic implications of immune-related eight-gene signature in pediatric brain tumors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 54:e10612. [PMID: 34008756 PMCID: PMC8130135 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2020e10612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Genomic studies have provided insights into molecular subgroups and oncogenic drivers of pediatric brain tumors (PBT) that may lead to novel therapeutic strategies. Participants of the cohort Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas: CBTTC (CBTTC cohort), were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. In the training cohort, Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariate Cox regression model were applied to preliminary screening of prognostic genes. The LASSO Cox regression model was implemented to build a multi-gene signature, which was then validated in the validation and CBTTC cohorts through Kaplan-Meier, Cox, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses. Also, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immune infiltrating analyses were conducted to understand function annotation and the role of the signature in the tumor microenvironment. An eight-gene signature was built, which was examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis, revealing that a significant overall survival difference was seen, either in the training or validation cohorts. The eight-gene signature was further proven to be independent of other clinic-pathologic parameters via the Cox regression analyses. Moreover, ROC analysis demonstrated that this signature owned a better predictive power of PBT prognosis. Furthermore, GSEA and immune infiltrating analyses showed that the signature had close interactions with immune-related pathways and was closely related to CD8 T cells and monocytes in the tumor environment. Identifying the eight-gene signature (CBX7, JADE2, IGF2BP3, OR2W6P, PRAME, TICRR, KIF4A, and PIMREG) could accurately identify patients' prognosis and the signature had close interactions with the immunodominant tumor environment, which may provide insight into personalized prognosis prediction and new therapies for PBT patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Zhumadian Central Hospital, Zhumadian, China
| | - Chuan Zhou
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huan Luo
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and the Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and the Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lulu Cheng
- Digital Medical Laboratory, Zhumadian Central Hospital, Zhumadian, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Digital Medical Laboratory, Zhumadian Central Hospital, Zhumadian, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Advances in immunotherapeutic targets for childhood cancers: A focus on glypican-2 and B7-H3. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 223:107892. [PMID: 33992682 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies have revolutionized how we can treat adult malignancies and are being translated to pediatric oncology. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies targeting CD19 have shown success for the treatment of pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody has demonstrated efficacy in neuroblastoma. In this review, we summarize the immunotherapeutic agents that have been approved for treating childhood cancers and provide an updated review of molecules expressed by pediatric cancers that are under study or are emerging candidates for future immunotherapies. Advances in our knowledge of tumor immunology and in genome profiling of cancers has led to the identification of new tumor-specific/associated antigens. While cell surface antigens are normally targeted in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent manner using antibody-based therapies, intracellular antigens are normally targeted with MHC-dependent T cell therapies. Glypican 2 (GPC2) and B7-H3 (CD276) are two cell surface antigens that are expressed by a variety of pediatric tumors such as neuroblastoma and potentially can have a positive impact on the treatment of pediatric cancers in the clinic.
Collapse
|
41
|
Guercio M, Orlando D, Di Cecca S, Sinibaldi M, Boffa I, Caruso S, Abbaszadeh Z, Camera A, Cembrola B, Bovetti K, Manni S, Caruana I, Ciccone R, Del Bufalo F, Merli P, Vinti L, Girardi K, Ruggeri A, De Stefanis C, Pezzullo M, Giorda E, Scarsella M, De Vito R, Barresi S, Ciolfi A, Tartaglia M, Moretta L, Locatelli F, Quintarelli C, De Angelis B. CD28.OX40 co-stimulatory combination is associated with long in vivo persistence and high activity of CAR.CD30 T-cells. Haematologica 2021; 106:987-999. [PMID: 32381575 PMCID: PMC8018158 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.231183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of many patients with chemotherapy-refractory or multiply relapsed CD30+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) still remains poor, and novel therapeutic approaches are warranted to address this unmet clinical need. In light of this consideration, we designed and pre-clinically validated a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct characterized by a novel anti-CD30 single- chain variable-fragment cassette, linked to CD3ζ by the signaling domains of two co-stimulatory molecules, namely CD28.4-1BB or CD28.OX40. We found that CAR.CD30 T cells exhibit remarkable cytolytic activity in vitro against both HL and NHL cell lines, with sustained proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, even after multiple and sequential lymphoma-cell challenges. CAR.CD30 T cells also demonstrated anti-lymphoma activity in two in vivo xenograft immune-deficient mouse models of metastatic HL and NHL. We observed that administration of CAR.CD30 T cells, incorporating the CD28.OX40 co-stimulatory domains and manufactured in the presence of interleukin 7 and interleukin 15, were associated with the best overall survival in the treated mice, along with establishment of a long-term immunological memory able to protect mice from further tumor re-challenge. Our data indicate that, in the context of in vivo systemic metastatic xenograft mouse models, the co-stimulatory machinery of CD28.OX40 is crucial for improving persistence, in vivo expansion and proliferation of CAR.CD30 T cells upon tumor encounter. The CD28.OX40 co-stimulatory combination is ultimately responsible for the anti-tumor efficacy of the approach, paving the way to translate this therapeutic strategy into clinical use for patients with CD30+ HL and NHL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guercio
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Orlando
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Cecca
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Sinibaldi
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Iolanda Boffa
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Caruso
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Zeinab Abbaszadeh
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Camera
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Cembrola
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Bovetti
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Manni
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ignazio Caruana
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Roselia Ciccone
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Merli
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciana Vinti
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Girardi
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Ruggeri
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzullo
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Scarsella
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita De Vito
- Dept. of Laboratories, Pathology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Barresi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Div, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Div, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Div, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Dept Onco-Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Sivaccumar JP, Leonardi A, Iaccarino E, Corvino G, Sanguigno L, Chambery A, Russo R, Valletta M, Latino D, Capasso D, Doti N, Ruvo M, Sandomenico A. Development of a New Highly Selective Monoclonal Antibody against Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) and Identification of the Target Epitope by Bio-Layer Interferometry. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063166. [PMID: 33804612 PMCID: PMC8003813 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against cancer biomarkers are key reagents in diagnosis and therapy. One such relevant biomarker is a preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) that is selectively expressed in many tumors. Knowing mAb’s epitope is of utmost importance for understanding the potential activity and therapeutic prospective of the reagents. Methods: We generated a mAb against PRAME immunizing mice with PRAME fragment 161–415; the affinity of the antibody for the protein was evaluated by ELISA and SPR, and its ability to detect the protein in cells was probed by cytofluorimetry and Western blotting experiments. The antibody epitope was identified immobilizing the mAb on bio-layer interferometry (BLI) sensor chip, capturing protein fragments obtained following trypsin digestion and performing mass spectrometry analyses. Results: A mAb against PRAME with an affinity of 35 pM was obtained and characterized. Its epitope on PRAME was localized on residues 202–212, taking advantage of the low volumes and lack of fluidics underlying the BLI settings. Conclusions: The new anti-PRAME mAb recognizes the folded protein on the surface of cell membranes suggesting that the antibody’s epitope is well exposed. BLI sensor chips can be used to identify antibody epitopes.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibody Specificity
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/immunology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Development
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Epitopes/chemistry
- Epitopes/immunology
- Flow Cytometry
- Humans
- Interferometry
- Kinetics
- Melanoma
- Mice
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Protein Binding/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Leonardi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80142 Napoli, Italy; (A.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Napoli, Italy; (J.P.S.); (E.I.); (G.C.); (D.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Giusy Corvino
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Napoli, Italy; (J.P.S.); (E.I.); (G.C.); (D.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Luca Sanguigno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80142 Napoli, Italy; (A.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Angela Chambery
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche (DISTABIF), Università L. Vanvitelli, 80100 Caserta, Italy; (A.C.); (R.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Rosita Russo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche (DISTABIF), Università L. Vanvitelli, 80100 Caserta, Italy; (A.C.); (R.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Mariangela Valletta
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche (DISTABIF), Università L. Vanvitelli, 80100 Caserta, Italy; (A.C.); (R.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Debora Latino
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Napoli, Italy; (J.P.S.); (E.I.); (G.C.); (D.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Centro di Servizio di Ateneo per le Scienze e Tecnologie per la Vita (CESTEV), Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Napoli, Italy; (J.P.S.); (E.I.); (G.C.); (D.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Napoli, Italy; (J.P.S.); (E.I.); (G.C.); (D.L.); (N.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (A.S.)
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134 Napoli, Italy; (J.P.S.); (E.I.); (G.C.); (D.L.); (N.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wu WT, Lin WY, Chen YW, Lin CF, Wang HH, Wu SH, Lee YY. New Era of Immunotherapy in Pediatric Brain Tumors: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052404. [PMID: 33673696 PMCID: PMC7957810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and dendritic cell therapy, has been incorporated as a fifth modality of modern cancer care, along with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and target therapy. Among them, CAR T-cell therapy emerges as one of the most promising treatments. In 2017, the first two CAR T-cell drugs, tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), respectively, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to the successful applications to hematological malignancies, CAR T-cell therapy has been investigated to potentially treat solid tumors, including pediatric brain tumor, which serves as the leading cause of cancer-associated death for children and adolescents. However, the employment of CAR T-cell therapy in pediatric brain tumors still faces multiple challenges, such as CAR T-cell transportation and expansion through the blood–brain barrier, and identification of the specific target antigen on the tumor surface and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, encouraging outcomes in both clinical and preclinical trials are coming to light. In this article, we outline the current propitious progress and discuss the obstacles needed to be overcome in order to unveil a new era of treatment in pediatric brain tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Tai Wu
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; (W.-T.W.); (Y.-W.C.); (C.-F.L.)
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ying Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Wei Chen
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; (W.-T.W.); (Y.-W.C.); (C.-F.L.)
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Fu Lin
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; (W.-T.W.); (Y.-W.C.); (C.-F.L.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hui Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Immunology and Nephrology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan;
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Hsien Wu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan;
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yen Lee
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; (W.-T.W.); (Y.-W.C.); (C.-F.L.)
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-2875-7491; Fax: +886-2-2875-7588
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Aoki T, Savage KJ, Steidl C. Biology in Practice: Harnessing the Curative Potential of the Immune System in Lymphoid Cancers. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:346-360. [PMID: 33434057 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.01761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Aoki
- Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kerry J Savage
- Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Medical Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christian Steidl
- Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Development of a prognostic model based on an immunogenomic landscape analysis of medulloblastoma. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:227393. [PMID: 33345275 PMCID: PMC7791544 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20202907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common central nervous system tumors in children. At present, the vital role of immune abnormalities has been proved in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the immune mechanism in MB is still poorly understood. In the present study, 51 differentially expressed immune-related genes (DE-IRGs) and 226 survival associated immune-related genes (Sur-IRGs) were screened by an integrated analysis of multi-array. Moreover, the potential pathways were enriched by functional analysis, such as ‘cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction’, ‘Ras signaling pathway’, ‘PI3K-Akt signaling pathway’ and ‘pathways in cancer’. Furthermore, 10 core IRGs were identified from DE-IRGs and Sur-IRGs. And the potential regulatory mechanisms of core IRGs were also explored. Additionally, a new prognostic model, including 7 genes (HDGF, CSK, PNOC, S100A13, RORB, FPR1, and ICAM2) based on IRGs, was established by multivariable COX analysis. In summary, our study revealed the underlying immune mechanism of MB. Moreover, we developed a prognostic model associated with clinical characteristics and could reflect the infiltration of immune cells.
Collapse
|
46
|
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of PRAME Overexpression in Human Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:8828579. [PMID: 33381588 PMCID: PMC7748905 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8828579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is abnormally expressed in various solid tumours. However, the clinicopathological features and prognostic value of the PRAME expression in patients with cancer remain unclear. Accordingly, we performed a meta-analysis to accurately assess the association of the expression level of PRAME with clinicopathological features and cancer prognosis. Relevant study collection was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase until 28 February 2020. A total of 14 original studies involving 2,421 patients were included. Our data indicated that the PRAME expression was significantly associated with tumour stage (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.48–2.67, P < 0.001) and positive lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.99–4.97, P < 0.001). Pooled results showed that overexpression of PRAME is positively correlated with poor disease-free survival (HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.36–1.88, P < 0.001), progression-free survival (HR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.02–3.46, P = 0.042), metastasis-free survival (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.05–3.31, P = 0.034), and overall survival (HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.53–1.99, P < 0.001). In summary, these data are suggesting that PRAME is tumorigenic and may serve as a prognostic biomarker for cancer.
Collapse
|
47
|
Sciandra M, De Feo A, Parra A, Landuzzi L, Lollini PL, Manara MC, Mattia G, Pontecorvi G, Baricordi C, Guerzoni C, Bazzocchi A, Longhi A, Scotlandi K. Circulating miR34a levels as a potential biomarker in the follow-up of Ewing sarcoma. J Cell Commun Signal 2020; 14:335-347. [PMID: 32504411 PMCID: PMC7511499 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-020-00567-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate tools for monitoring sarcoma progression are still limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of miR-34a-5p (miR34a) as a circulating biomarker to follow disease progression and measure the therapeutic response. Stable forced re-expression of miR34a in Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cells significantly limited tumor growth in mice. Absolute quantification of miR34a in the plasma of mice and 31 patients showed that high levels of this miRNA inversely correlated with tumor volume. In addition, miR34a expression was higher in the blood of localized EWS patients than in the blood of metastatic EWS patients. In 12 patients, we followed miR34a expression during preoperative chemotherapy. While there was no variation in the blood miR34a levels in metastatic patients at the time of diagnosis or after the last cycle of preoperative chemotherapy, there was an increase in the circulating miR34a levels in patients with localized tumors. The three patients with the highest fold-increase in the miR levels did not show evidence of metastasis. Although this analysis should be extended to a larger cohort of patients, these findings imply that detection of the miR34a levels in the blood of EWS patients may assist with the clinical management of EWS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marika Sciandra
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra De Feo
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Parra
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Manara
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Mattia
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Pontecorvi
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Baricordi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Clara Guerzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Bazzocchi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Longhi
- Department of Chemotherapy, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Patterson JD, Henson JC, Breese RO, Bielamowicz KJ, Rodriguez A. CAR T Cell Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1582. [PMID: 32903405 PMCID: PMC7435009 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has recently begun to be used for solid tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme. Many children with pediatric malignant brain tumors develop extensive long-term morbidity of intensive multimodal curative treatment. Others with certain diagnoses and relapsed disease continue to have limited therapies and a dismal prognosis. Novel treatments such as CAR T cells could potentially improve outcomes and ameliorate the toxicity of current treatment. In this review, we discuss the potential of using CAR therapy for pediatric brain tumors. The emerging insights on the molecular subtypes and tumor microenvironment of these tumors provide avenues to devise strategies for CAR T cell therapy. Unique characteristics of these brain tumors, such as location and associated morbid treatment induced neuro-inflammation, are novel challenges not commonly encountered in adult brain tumors. Despite these considerations, CAR T cell therapy has the potential to be integrated into treatment schema for aggressive pediatric malignant brain tumors in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Patterson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Jeffrey C Henson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Rebecca O Breese
- Department of General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Kevin J Bielamowicz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Duke ES, Packer RJ. Update on Pediatric Brain Tumors: the Molecular Era and Neuro-immunologic Beginnings. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2020; 20:30. [PMID: 32564169 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-020-01050-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an update on the current landscape of pediatric brain tumors and the impact of novel molecular insights on classification, diagnostics, and therapeutics. RECENT FINDINGS Scientific understanding of the genetic basis of central nervous system tumors has expanded rapidly over the last several years. The shift in classification of tumors to a molecularly based schema, accompanied by a growing number of early phase clinical trials of therapies aimed at inhibiting tumoral genetic and epigenetic programs, as well as those attempting to harness and magnify the immune response, has allowed a deeper pathophysiologic understanding of brain tumors and simultaneously provided opportunities for novel treatment. Over the last 5 years, there has been tremendous growth in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology with increasing understanding of the genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity of CNS tumors. Attempts are underway to translate these insights into tumor-specific treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Duke
- Brain Tumor Institute, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Roger J Packer
- Brain Tumor Institute, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA. .,Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kabir TF, Kunos CA, Villano JL, Chauhan A. Immunotherapy for Medulloblastoma: Current Perspectives. Immunotargets Ther 2020; 9:57-77. [PMID: 32368525 PMCID: PMC7182450 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s198162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune-mediated therapies have transformed the treatment of metastatic melanoma and renal, bladder, and both small and non-small cell lung carcinomas. However, immunotherapy is yet to demonstrate dramatic results in brain tumors like medulloblastoma for a variety of reasons. Recent pre-clinical and early phase human trials provide encouraging results that may overcome the challenges of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, which include the intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of these cancers, a lack of antigen targets, antigenic variability, and the immune-restrictive site of the CNS. These studies highlight the growing potential of immunotherapy to treat patients with medulloblastoma, a disease that is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality to children and young adults. Methods We conducted an inclusive review of the PubMed-indexed literature and studies listed in clinicaltrials.gov using combinations of the keywords medulloblastoma, immunotherapy, CNS tumors, brain tumors, vaccines, oncolytic virus, natural killer, and CAR T to identify trials evaluating immunotherapy in preclinical experiments or in patients with medulloblastoma. Given a limited number of investigations using immunotherapy to treat patients with medulloblastoma, 24 studies were selected for final analysis and manuscript citation. Results This review presents results from pre-clinical studies in medulloblastoma cell lines, animal models, and the limited trials involving human patients. Conclusion From our review, we suggest that cancer vaccines, oncolytic viral therapy, natural killer cells, and CAR T therapy hold promise against the innate immunosuppressive properties of medulloblastoma in order to prolong survival. There is an unmet need for immunotherapy regimens that target overexpressed antigens in medulloblastoma tumors. We advocate for more combination treatment clinical trials using conventional surgical and radiochemotherapy approaches in the near-term clinical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanvir F Kabir
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Charles A Kunos
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John L Villano
- Department of Internal Medicine-Medical Oncology, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Aman Chauhan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Medical Oncology, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|