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Prelog T, Bucek S, Brozic A, Peterlin J, Kavcic M, Omerzel M, Markelc B, Jesenko T, Prevodnik VK. The influence of cytotoxic drugs on the immunophenotype of blast cells in paediatric B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Radiol Oncol 2024; 58:133-144. [PMID: 38378030 PMCID: PMC10878768 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2024-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flow cytometry plays is important in the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and when antigen-specific immunotherapy is indicated. We have investigated the effects of prednisolone, vincristine, daunorubicin, asparaginase and methotrexate on the antigen expression on blast cells that could influence the planning of antigen-specific therapy as well as risk-based treatment assignment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients aged ≤ 17 years with de novo B-cell ALL (B-ALL) were enrolled in the study. Blast cells were isolated and exposed in vitro to 5 individual cytotoxic drugs in logarithmically increasing concentrations. Then, the expression of CD10, CD19, CD20, CD27, CD34, CD45, CD58, CD66c and CD137 antigens was determined by quantitative flow cytometry. RESULTS Cytotoxic drugs caused dose-dependent or dose-independent modulation of antigen expression. Daunorubicin caused a dose-dependent down-modulation of CD10, CD19, CD34, CD45 and CD58 and an up-modulation of CD137. Vincristine caused a dose-dependent down-modulation of CD19 and CD58 and an up-modulation of CD45. Daunorubicin also caused dose-independent down-modulation of CD27 and prednisolone down-modulation of CD10, CD19, CD27, CD34 and CD58. Down-modulation of CD20 was detected only in relation to the specific dose of daunorubicin. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study have shown that cytotoxic drugs can alter the expression of antigens that are important for immunotherapy. Importantly, daunorubicin, prednisolone and vincristine caused down-modulation of CD19 and CD58, suggesting that these drugs are better avoided during bridging therapy prior to bispecific antibodies or CAR-T cell therapy. In addition, immunophenotypic changes on blast cells induced by different drugs could also influence risk-based treatment assignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaz Prelog
- Department of Haemato-Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Bucek
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Brozic
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jakob Peterlin
- Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Kavcic
- Department of Haemato-Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Masa Omerzel
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Veronika Kloboves Prevodnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
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Saijo A, Ogino H, Butowski NA, Tedesco MR, Gibson D, Watchmaker PB, Okada K, Wang AS, Shai A, Salazar AM, Molinaro AM, Rabbitt JE, Shahin M, Perry A, Clarke JL, Taylor JW, Daras M, Oberheim Bush NA, Hervey-Jumper SL, Phillips JJ, Chang SM, Hilf N, Mayer-Mokler A, Keler T, Berger MS, Okada H. A combinatory vaccine with IMA950 plus varlilumab promotes effector memory T-cell differentiation in the peripheral blood of patients with low-grade gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:335-347. [PMID: 37758193 PMCID: PMC10836773 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) WHO grade 2 low-grade glioma (LGG) patients are at high risk for recurrence and with unfavorable long-term prognosis due to the treatment resistance and malignant transformation to high-grade glioma. Considering the relatively intact systemic immunity and slow-growing nature, immunotherapy may offer an effective treatment option for LGG patients. METHODS We conducted a prospective, randomized pilot study to evaluate the safety and immunological response of the multipeptide IMA950 vaccine with agonistic anti-CD27 antibody, varlilumab, in CNS WHO grade 2 LGG patients. Patients were randomized to receive combination therapy with IMA950 + poly-ICLC and varlilumab (Arm 1) or IMA950 + poly-ICLC (Arm 2) before surgery, followed by adjuvant vaccines. RESULTS A total of 14 eligible patients were enrolled in the study. Four patients received pre-surgery vaccines but were excluded from postsurgery vaccines due to the high-grade diagnosis of the resected tumor. No regimen-limiting toxicity was observed. All patients demonstrated a significant increase of anti-IMA950 CD8+ T-cell response postvaccine in the peripheral blood, but no IMA950-reactive CD8+ T cells were detected in the resected tumor. Mass cytometry analyses revealed that adding varlilumab promoted T helper type 1 effector memory CD4+ and effector memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation in the PBMC but not in the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSION The combinational immunotherapy, including varlilumab, was well-tolerated and induced vaccine-reactive T-cell expansion in the peripheral blood but without a detectable response in the tumor. Further developments of strategies to overcome the blood-tumor barrier are warranted to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for LGG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuro Saijo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tokushima Prefecture Naruto Hospital, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Ogino
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Rheumatology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Nicholas A Butowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meghan R Tedesco
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Gibson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Payal B Watchmaker
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kaori Okada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Albert S Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anny Shai
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Annette M Molinaro
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jane E Rabbitt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maryam Shahin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arie Perry
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Clarke
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennie W Taylor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mariza Daras
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nancy Ann Oberheim Bush
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shawn L Hervey-Jumper
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanna J Phillips
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Susan M Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Norbert Hilf
- Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Mayer-Mokler
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Theraepeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ, USA
| | - Mitchel S Berger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Nguyen KD, Kajiura H, Kamiya R, Yoshida T, Misaki R, Fujiyama K. Production and N-glycan engineering of Varlilumab in Nicotiana benthamiana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1215580. [PMID: 37615027 PMCID: PMC10442953 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1215580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
N-glycan engineering has dramatically evolved for the development and quality control of recombinant antibodies. Fc region of IgG contains two N-glycans whose galactose terminals on Fc-glycan have been shown to increase the stability of CH2 domain and improve effector functions. Nicotiana benthamiana has become one of the most attractive production systems for therapeutic antibodies. In this study, Varlilumab, a CD27-targeting monoclonal antibody, was transiently produced in fresh leaves of soil-grown and hydroponic-grown N. benthamiana, resulted in the yield of 174 and 618 µg/gram, respectively. However, the IgG produced in wild-type N. benthamiana lacked the terminal galactose residues in its N-glycan. Therefore, N-glycan engineering was applied to fine-tune recombinant antibodies produced in plant platforms. We further co-expressed IgG together with murine β1,4-galactosyltransferase (β1,4-GALT) to modify plant N-glycan with β1,4-linked Gal residue(s) and Arabidopsis thaliana β1,3-galactosylatransferase (β1,3-GALT) to improve galactosylation. The co-expression of IgG with each of GALTs successfully resulted in modification of N-glycan structures on the plant-produced IgG. Notably, IgG co-expressed with murine β1,4-GALT in soil-grown N. benthamiana had 42.5% of N-glycans variants having galactose (Gal) residues at the non-reducing terminus and 55.3% of that in hydroponic-grown N. benthamiana plants. Concomitantly, N-glycan profile analysis of IgG co-expressed with β1,3-GALT demonstrated that there was an increased efficiency of galactosylation and an enhancement in the formation of Lewis a structure in plant-derived antibodies. Taken together, our findings show that the first plant-derived Varlilumab was successfully produced with biantennary β1,4-galactosylated N-glycan structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Dua Nguyen
- International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kajiura
- International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Industrial Biotechnology Initiative Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryo Kamiya
- GreenLand-Kidaya Group Co Ltd., Fukui, Japan
| | | | - Ryo Misaki
- International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Industrial Biotechnology Initiative Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Fujiyama
- International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Industrial Biotechnology Initiative Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Osaka University Cooperative Research Station in Southeast Asia (OU: CRS), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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4
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Leitner J, Egerer R, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Steinberger P. FcγR requirements and costimulatory capacity of Urelumab, Utomilumab, and Varlilumab. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208631. [PMID: 37575254 PMCID: PMC10413977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Targeting costimulatory receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily with agonistic antibodies is a promising approach in cancer immuno therapy. It is known that their efficacy strongly depends on FcγR cross-linking. Methods In this study, we made use of a Jurkat-based reporter platform to analyze the influence of individual FcγRs on the costimulatory activity of the 41BB agonists, Urelumab and Utomilumab, and the CD27 agonist, Varlilumab. Results We found that Urelumab (IgG4) can activate 41BB-NFκB signaling without FcγR cross-linking, but the presence of the FcγRs (CD32A, CD32B, CD64) augments the agonistic activity of Urelumab. The human IgG2 antibody Utomilumab exerts agonistic function only when crosslinked via CD32A and CD32B. The human IgG1 antibody Varlilumab showed strong agonistic activity with all FcγRs tested. In addition, we analyzed the costimulatory effects of Urelumab, Utomilumab, and Varlilumab in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Interestingly, we observed a very weak capacity of Varlilumab to enhance cytokine production and proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells. In the presence of Varlilumab the percentage of annexin V positive T cells was increased, indicating that this antibody mediated FcγR-dependent cytotoxic effects. Conclusion Collectively, our data underscore the importance to perform studies in reductionist systems as well as in primary PBMC samples to get a comprehensive understanding of the activity of costimulation agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Egerer
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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5
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Melo V, Nelemans LC, Vlaming M, Lourens HJ, Wiersma VR, Bilemjian V, Huls G, de Bruyn M, Bremer E. EGFR-selective activation of CD27 co-stimulatory signaling by a bispecific antibody enhances anti-tumor activity of T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1191866. [PMID: 37545491 PMCID: PMC10399592 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1191866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A higher density of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment, particularly cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, is associated with improved clinical outcome in various cancers. However, local inhibitory factors can suppress T cell activity and hinder anti-tumor immunity. Notably, TILs from various cancer types express the co-stimulatory Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor CD27, making it a potential target for co-stimulation and re-activation of tumor-infiltrated and tumor-reactive T cells. Anti-cancer therapeutics based on exploiting CD27-mediated T cell co-stimulation have proven safe, but clinical responses remain limited. This is likely because current monoclonal antibodies fail to effectively activate CD27 signaling, as this receptor requires higher-order receptor cross-linking. Here, we report on a bispecific antibody, CD27xEGFR, that targets both CD27 and the tumor antigen, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). By targeting EGFR, which is commonly expressed on carcinomas, CD27xEGFR induced cancer cell-localized crosslinking and activation of CD27. The design of CD27xEGFR includes an Fc-silent domain, which is designed to minimize potential toxicity by reducing Fc gamma receptor-mediated binding and activation of immune cells. CD27xEGFR bound to both of its targets simultaneously and triggered EGFR-restricted co-stimulation of T cells as measured by T cell proliferation, T cell activation markers, cytotoxicity and IFN-γ release. Further, CD27xEGFR augmented T cell cytotoxicity in a panel of artificial antigen-presenting carcinoma cell line models, leading to Effector-to-Target ratio-dependent elimination of cancer cells. Taken together, we present the in vitro characterization of a novel bispecific antibody that re-activates T cell immunity in EGFR-expressing cancers through targeted co-stimulation of CD27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicio Melo
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Levi Collin Nelemans
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Martijn Vlaming
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Harm Jan Lourens
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Valerie R. Wiersma
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Vrouyr Bilemjian
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Gerwin Huls
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marco de Bruyn
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Edwin Bremer
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Guelen L, Fischmann TO, Wong J, Mauze S, Guadagnoli M, Bąbała N, Wagenaars J, Juan V, Rosen D, Prosise W, Habraken M, Lodewijks I, Gu D, Stammen-Vogelzangs J, Yu Y, Baker J, Lutje Hulsik D, Driessen-Engels L, Malashock D, Kreijtz J, Bertens A, de Vries E, Bovens A, Bramer A, Zhang Y, Wnek R, Troth S, Chartash E, Dobrenkov K, Sadekova S, van Elsas A, Cheung JK, Fayadat-Dilman L, Borst J, Beebe AM, Van Eenennaam H. Preclinical characterization and clinical translation of pharmacodynamic markers for MK-5890: a human CD27 activating antibody for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005049. [PMID: 36100308 PMCID: PMC9472132 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have radically changed cancer therapy, but most patients with cancer are unresponsive or relapse after treatment. MK-5890 is a CD27 agonist antibody intended to complement ICI therapy. CD27 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily that plays a critical role in promoting responses of T cells, B cells and NK cells. Methods Anti-CD27 antibodies were generated and selected for agonist activity using NF-кB luciferase reporter assays. Antibodies were humanized and characterized for agonism using in vitro T-cell proliferation assays. The epitope recognized on CD27 by MK-5890 was established by X-ray crystallography. Anti-tumor activity was evaluated in a human CD27 knock-in mouse. Preclinical safety was tested in rhesus monkeys. Pharmacodynamic properties were examined in mouse, rhesus monkeys and a phase 1 dose escalation clinical study in patients with cancer. Results Humanized anti-CD27 antibody MK-5890 (hIgG1) was shown to bind human CD27 on the cell surface with sub-nanomolar potency and to partially block binding to its ligand, CD70. Crystallization studies revealed that MK-5890 binds to a unique epitope in the cysteine-rich domain 1 (CRD1). MK-5890 activated CD27 expressed on 293T NF-κB luciferase reporter cells and, conditional on CD3 stimulation, in purified CD8+ T cells without the requirement of crosslinking. Functional Fc-receptor interaction was required to activate CD8+ T cells in an ex vivo tumor explant system and to induce antitumor efficacy in syngeneic murine subcutaneous tumor models. MK-5890 had monotherapy efficacy in these models and enhanced efficacy of PD-1 blockade. MK-5890 reduced in an isotype-dependent and dose-dependent manner circulating, but not tumor-infiltrating T-cell numbers in these mouse models. In rhesus monkey and human patients, reduction in circulating T cells was transient and less pronounced than in mouse. MK-5890 induced transient elevation of chemokines MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β in the serum of mice, rhesus monkeys and patients with cancer. MK-5890 was well tolerated in rhesus monkeys and systemic exposure to MK-5890 was associated with CD27 occupancy at all doses. Conclusions MK-5890 is a novel CD27 agonistic antibody with the potential to complement the activity of PD-1 checkpoint inhibition in cancer immunotherapy and is currently undergoing clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Guelen
- BioNovion/Aduro Biotech Europe, Oss, The Netherlands
| | - Thierry O Fischmann
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jerelyn Wong
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Smita Mauze
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Nikolina Bąbała
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Veronica Juan
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David Rosen
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Winnie Prosise
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - Danling Gu
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Ying Yu
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeanne Baker
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Dan Malashock
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joost Kreijtz
- BioNovion/Aduro Biotech Europe, Oss, The Netherlands
| | | | - Evert de Vries
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid Bovens
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Bramer
- BioNovion/Aduro Biotech Europe, Oss, The Netherlands
| | - Yiwei Zhang
- Clinical Development, Merck & Co Inc, Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard Wnek
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sean Troth
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elliot Chartash
- Clinical Development, Merck & Co Inc, Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Svetlana Sadekova
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jason K Cheung
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co Inc, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Laurence Fayadat-Dilman
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jannie Borst
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amy M Beebe
- Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine, Merck & Co Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
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7
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Sanborn RE, Pishvaian MJ, Callahan MK, Weise A, Sikic BI, Rahma O, Cho DC, Rizvi NA, Sznol M, Lutzky J, Bauman JE, Bitting RL, Starodub A, Jimeno A, Reardon DA, Kaley T, Iwamoto F, Baehring JM, Subramaniam DS, Aragon-Ching JB, Hawthorne TR, Rawls T, Yellin M, Keler T. Safety, tolerability and efficacy of agonist anti-CD27 antibody (varlilumab) administered in combination with anti-PD-1 (nivolumab) in advanced solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005147. [PMID: 35940825 PMCID: PMC9364417 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phase 1/2 dose-escalation and expansion study evaluating varlilumab, a fully human agonist anti-CD27 mAb, with nivolumab in anti-PD-1/L1 naïve, refractory solid tumors. METHODS Phase 1 evaluated the safety of varlilumab (0.1-10 mg/kg) with nivolumab (3 mg/kg) administered once every 2 weeks. Phase 2 evaluated varlilumab regimens (3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks, 3 mg/kg once every 12 weeks, and 0.3 mg/kg once every 4 weeks) with nivolumab 240 mg once every 2 weeks in tumor-specific cohorts. Primary objective was safety; key clinical endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival rate at 12 months (OS12) (glioblastoma (GBM) only). Exploratory objectives included determination of effects on peripheral blood and intratumoral immune signatures. RESULTS 175 patients were enrolled (36 in phase 1 and 139 in phase 2). Phase 1 dose-escalation proceeded to the highest varlilumab dose level without determining a maximum tolerated dose. In phase 2, ORR were ovarian 12.5%, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck 12.5%, colorectal cancer 5%, and renal cell carcinoma 0%; GBM OS12 was 40.9%. Increased tumor PD-L1 and intratumoral T cell infiltration were observed in ovarian cancer patients, with increases of ≥5% associated with better progression-free survival. The most common treatment related adverse events were fatigue (18%), pruritus (16%), and rash (15%). CONCLUSION Varlilumab and nivolumab were well tolerated, without significant toxicity beyond that expected for each agent alone. Clinical activity was observed in patients that are typically refractory to anti-PD-1 therapy, however, overall was not greater than expected for nivolumab monotherapy. Treatment was associated with proinflammatory changes in the tumor microenvironment, particularly in ovarian cancer where the changes were associated with better clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02335918.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Sanborn
- Providence Cancer Institute, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Michael J Pishvaian
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Margaret K Callahan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy Weise
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Branimir I Sikic
- Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Osama Rahma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel C Cho
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Naiyer A Rizvi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mario Sznol
- Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jose Lutzky
- Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Julie E Bauman
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tuscon, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Antonio Jimeno
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Reardon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Kaley
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fabio Iwamoto
- Department of Neurology, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joachim M Baehring
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale New Haven Health Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Deepa S Subramaniam
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | | | - Tracey Rawls
- Celldex Therapeutics Inc, Hampton, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Tibor Keler
- R & D, Celldex Therapeutics Inc, Hampton, New Jersey, USA
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8
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Heckel F, Turaj AH, Fisher H, Chan HTC, Marshall MJE, Dadas O, Penfold CA, Inzhelevskaya T, Mockridge CI, Alvarado D, Tews I, Keler T, Beers SA, Cragg MS, Lim SH. Agonistic CD27 antibody potency is determined by epitope-dependent receptor clustering augmented through Fc-engineering. Commun Biol 2022; 5:229. [PMID: 35288635 PMCID: PMC8921514 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03182-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonistic CD27 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have demonstrated impressive anti-tumour efficacy in multiple preclinical models but modest clinical responses. This might reflect current reagents delivering suboptimal CD27 agonism. Here, using a novel panel of CD27 mAb including a clinical candidate, we investigate the determinants of CD27 mAb agonism. Epitope mapping and in silico docking analysis show that mAb binding to membrane-distal and external-facing residues are stronger agonists. However, poor epitope-dependent agonism could partially be overcome by Fc-engineering, using mAb isotypes that promote receptor clustering, such as human immunoglobulin G1 (hIgG1, h1) with enhanced affinity to Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) IIb, or hIgG2 (h2). This study provides the critical knowledge required for the development of agonistic CD27 mAb that are potentially more clinically efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Heckel
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Anna H Turaj
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Hayden Fisher
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - H T Claude Chan
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Michael J E Marshall
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Osman Dadas
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Christine A Penfold
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Tatyana Inzhelevskaya
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - C Ian Mockridge
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | | | - Ivo Tews
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Stephen A Beers
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Mark S Cragg
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Sean H Lim
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
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9
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Expression signature, prognosis value and immune characteristics of cathepsin F in non-small cell lung cancer identified by bioinformatics assessment. BMC Pulm Med 2021; 21:420. [PMID: 34923982 PMCID: PMC8686609 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01796-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, immunotherapies and targeted therapies contribute to population-level improvement in NSCLC cancer-specific survival, however, the two novel therapeutic options have mainly benefit patients containing mutated driven genes. Thus, to explore other potential genes related with immunity or targeted therapies may provide novel options to improve survival of lung cancer patients without mutated driven genes. CTSF is unique in human cysteine proteinases. Presently, CTSF has been detected in several cell lines of lung cancer, but its role in progression and prognosis of lung cancer remains unclear. Methods CTSF expression and clinical datasets of lung cancer patients were obtained from GTEx, TIMER, CCLE, THPA, and TCGA, respectively. Association of CTSF expression with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of lung cancer patients was analyzed using UALCAN and Kaplan–Meier Plotter, respectively. LinkedOmics were used to analyze correlation between CTSF and CTSF co-expressed genes. Protein–protein interaction and gene–gene interaction were analyzed using STRING and GeneMANIA, respectively. Association of CTSF with molecular markers of immune cells and immunomodulators was analyzed with Immunedeconv and TISIDB, respectively. Results CTSF expression was currently only available for patients with NSCLC. Compared to normal tissues, CTSF was downregulated in NSCLC samples and high expressed CTSF was correlated with favorable prognosis of NSCLC. Additionally, CTSF expression was correlated with that of immune cell molecular markers and immunomodulators both in LUAD and LUSC. Noticeably, high expression of CTSF-related CTLA-4 was found to be associated with better OS of LUAD patients. Increased expression of CTSF-related LAG-3 was related with poor prognosis of LUAD patients while there was no association between CTSF-related PD-1/PD-L1 and prognosis of LUAD patients. Moreover, increased expression of CTSF-related CD27 was related with poor prognosis of LUAD patients while favorable prognosis of LUSC patients. Conclusions CTSF might play an anti-tumor effect via regulating immune response of NSCLC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01796-w.
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10
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Barh D, Tiwari S, Gabriel Rodrigues Gomes L, Weener ME, Alzahrani KJ, Alsharif KF, Aljabali AAA, Tambuwala MM, Lundstrom K, Hassan SS, Serrano-Aroca Á, Takayama K, Ghosh P, Redwan EM, Silva Andrade B, Soares SDC, Azevedo V, Uversky VN. Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Rare Anti-Tumor Immune Response by SARS-CoV-2 in Isolated Cases of Lymphomas. Viruses 2021; 13:1927. [PMID: 34696358 PMCID: PMC8539762 DOI: 10.3390/v13101927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, two cases of complete remission of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) after SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported. However, the precise molecular mechanism of this rare event is yet to be understood. Here, we hypothesize a potential anti-tumor immune response of SARS-CoV-2 and based on a computational approach show that: (i) SARS-CoV-2 Spike-RBD may bind to the extracellular domains of CD15, CD27, CD45, and CD152 receptors of cHL or FL and may directly inhibit cell proliferation. (ii) Alternately, upon internalization after binding to these CD molecules, the SARS-CoV-2 membrane (M) protein and ORF3a may bind to gamma-tubulin complex component 3 (GCP3) at its tubulin gamma-1 chain (TUBG1) binding site. (iii) The M protein may also interact with TUBG1, blocking its binding to GCP3. (iv) Both the M and ORF3a proteins may render the GCP2-GCP3 lateral binding where the M protein possibly interacts with GCP2 at its GCP3 binding site and the ORF3a protein to GCP3 at its GCP2 interacting residues. (v) Interactions of the M and ORF3a proteins with these gamma-tubulin ring complex components potentially block the initial process of microtubule nucleation, leading to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. (vi) The Spike-RBD may also interact with and block PD-1 signaling similar to pembrolizumab and nivolumab- like monoclonal antibodies and may induce B-cell apoptosis and remission. (vii) Finally, the TRADD interacting "PVQLSY" motif of Epstein-Barr virus LMP-1, that is responsible for NF-kB mediated oncogenesis, potentially interacts with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, NSP7, NSP10, and spike (S) proteins, and may inhibit the LMP-1 mediated cell proliferation. Taken together, our results suggest a possible therapeutic potential of SARS-CoV-2 in lymphoproliferative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur 721172, West Bengal, India
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (S.T.); (L.G.R.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (S.T.); (L.G.R.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Lucas Gabriel Rodrigues Gomes
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (S.T.); (L.G.R.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Marianna E. Weener
- Clinical Research Center, Oftalmic, CRO, 119334 Bardina Str. 22/4, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia; (K.J.A.); (K.F.A.)
| | - Khalaf F. Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia; (K.J.A.); (K.F.A.)
| | - Alaa A. A. Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Murtaza M. Tambuwala
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK;
| | | | - Sk. Sarif Hassan
- Department of Mathematics, Pingla Thana Mahavidyalaya, Maligram, Paschim Medinipur 721140, West Bengal, India;
| | - Ángel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Lab, Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Kazuo Takayama
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
| | - Preetam Ghosh
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Elrashdy M. Redwan
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulazizi University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Bruno Silva Andrade
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Southwest Bahia (UESB), Jequié 45206-190, Brazil;
| | - Siomar de Castro Soares
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba 38025-180, Brazil;
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (S.T.); (L.G.R.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskiy pereulok, 9, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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11
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Galliano I, Daprà V, Ponti R, Alliaudi C, Fierro MT, Quaglino P, Bergallo M. CD27 mRNA expression in mycosis fungoides. Ital J Dermatol Venerol 2021; 157:275-280. [PMID: 34282858 DOI: 10.23736/s2784-8671.21.06953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiopathogenesis of MF remains obscure. CD27 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRS) that regulates lymphocyte function4. Expression of CD27 protein and mRNA has been reported in B-cell lymphomas5 and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma6. In this study, we examined the expression of CD27 in the skin of MF patients by real time PCR. The amount of CD27 was measured in MF patients and healthy controls. METHODS A total of 98 skin biopsies were analyzed: 12 obtained from healthy donors and 86 obtained Cryostatic sections OCT-embedded affected by MF. Relative quantification of mRNA CD27 expression was achieved by means of TaqMan amplification and normalization to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). RESULTS Housekeeping gene was detectable in all Skin samples and there isn't difference between healthy control and MF p value 0.1564. CD27 mRNA sequences were found in 3 of 12 (25%) of skin obtained from healthy donors and in 59 of 86 (68%) of skin obtained from Cryostatic sections OCT-embedded affected by MF. The chi-square statistic with Yates correction is 6.8413 and the p-value is 0.0089. When we compared the CD27 expression in MF and controls the RQ analysis show a value of 9.12±14.13. A RQ of 9.12 means that this gene is 9.12 times more expressed in MF skin samples then in the healthy skin samples. No difference were observed in the MF clustered by stages. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicates that CD27 can be used as diagnostic/prognostic markers, and whether anti-CD27 antibodies can be used in therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Galliano
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Renata Ponti
- Dermatology Section, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Carla Alliaudi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria T Fierro
- Dermatology Section, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Pietro Quaglino
- Dermatology Section, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy -
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12
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Wasiuk A, Weidlick J, Sisson C, Widger J, Crocker A, Vitale L, Marsh HC, Keler T, He LZ. Conditioning treatment with CD27 Ab enhances expansion and antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells in mice. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:97-109. [PMID: 34028568 PMCID: PMC8739312 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02958-9] [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: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide plus fludarabine (C/F) are currently used to improve the expansion and effectiveness of adoptive cell therapy (ACT). However, these chemotherapeutics cause pan-leukopenia and adverse events, suggesting that safer and more effective conditioning treatments are needed to improve ACT outcomes. Previously, we reported that varlilumab, a CD27-targeting antibody, mediates Treg -preferential T cell depletion, CD8-T cell dominant costimulation, and systemic immune activation in hCD27 transgenic mice and cancer patients. We reasoned that the activities induced by varlilumab may provide an effective conditioning regimen for ACT. Varlilumab pretreatment of hCD27+/+mCD27 − /− mice resulted in prominent proliferation of transferred T cells isolated from wild-type mice. These studies uncovered a critical role for CD27 signaling for the expansion of transferred T cells, as transfer of T cells from CD27 deficient mice or treatment with a CD70 blocking antibody greatly reduced their proliferation. In this model, varlilumab depletes endogenous hCD27+/+ T cells and blocks their subsequent access to CD70, allowing for more CD70 costimulation available to the mCD27+/+ transferred T cells. CD27-targeted depletion led to a greater expansion of transferred T cells compared to C/F conditioning and resulted in longer median survival and more cures than C/F conditioning in the E.G7 tumor model receiving OT-I cell therapy. We propose that translation of this work could be achieved through engineering of T cells for ACT to abrogate varlilumab binding but preserve CD70 ligation. Thus, varlilumab could be an option to chemotherapy as a conditioning regimen for ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wasiuk
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Jeff Weidlick
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Crystal Sisson
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Jenifer Widger
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Andrea Crocker
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Laura Vitale
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Henry C Marsh
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA, 02723, USA
| | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States
| | - Li-Zhen He
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, United States.
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13
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Safety and activity of varlilumab, a novel and first-in-class agonist anti-CD27 antibody, for hematologic malignancies. Blood Adv 2021; 4:1917-1926. [PMID: 32380537 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD27, a costimulatory molecule on T cells, induces intracellular signals mediating cellular activation, proliferation, effector function, and cell survival on binding to its ligand, CD70. Varlilumab, a novel, first-in-class, agonist immunoglobulin G1 anti-CD27 antibody, mediates antitumor immunity and direct killing of CD27+ tumor cells in animal models. This first-in-human, dose-escalation, and expansion study evaluated varlilumab in patients with hematologic malignancies. Primary objectives were to assess safety and the maximum tolerated and optimal biologic doses of varlilumab. Secondary objectives were to evaluate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and antitumor activity. In a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design, 30 patients with B-cell (n = 25) or T-cell (n = 5) malignancies received varlilumab (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg IV) as a single dose with a 28-day observation period, followed by weekly dosing (4 doses per cycle, up to 5 cycles, depending on tumor response). In an expansion cohort, 4 additional patients with Hodgkin lymphoma received varlilumab at 0.3 mg/kg every 3 weeks (4 doses per cycle, up to 5 cycles). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Treatment-related adverse events, generally grade 1 to 2, included fatigue, decreased appetite, anemia, diarrhea, and headache. Exposure was linear and dose-proportional across dose groups and resulted in increases in proinflammatory cytokines and soluble CD27. One patient with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma experienced a complete response and remained in remission at >33 months with no further anticancer therapy. These data support further investigation of varlilumab for hematologic malignancies, particularly in combination approaches targeting nonredundant immune regulating pathways. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01460134.
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14
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Csizmar CM, Ansell SM. Engaging the Innate and Adaptive Antitumor Immune Response in Lymphoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3302. [PMID: 33804869 PMCID: PMC8038124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a powerful therapeutic strategy for many malignancies, including lymphoma. As in solid tumors, early clinical trials have revealed that immunotherapy is not equally efficacious across all lymphoma subtypes. For example, immune checkpoint inhibition has a higher overall response rate and leads to more durable outcomes in Hodgkin lymphomas compared to non-Hodgkin lymphomas. These observations, combined with a growing understanding of tumor biology, have implicated the tumor microenvironment as a major determinant of treatment response and prognosis. Interactions between lymphoma cells and their microenvironment facilitate several mechanisms that impair the antitumor immune response, including loss of major histocompatibility complexes, expression of immunosuppressive ligands, secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, and the recruitment, expansion, and skewing of suppressive cell populations. Accordingly, treatments to overcome these barriers are being rapidly developed and translated into clinical trials. This review will discuss the mechanisms of immune evasion, current avenues for optimizing the antitumor immune response, clinical successes and failures of lymphoma immunotherapy, and outstanding hurdles that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen M. Ansell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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15
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Thomas LJ, He LZ, Marsh H, Keler T. Targeting human CD27 with an agonist antibody stimulates T-cell activation and antitumor immunity. Oncoimmunology 2021; 3:e27255. [PMID: 24605266 PMCID: PMC3937191 DOI: 10.4161/onci.27255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CD27 is an important co-stimulatory receptor of T cells that can potentially be exploited for immunotherapy. We developed a human IgG1 antibody that targets human CD27, and demonstrated its immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activity in various preclinical models. Currently, the antibody (1F5, CDX-1127) is being tested in patients affected by advanced malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li-Zhen He
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.; Phillipsburg, NJ USA
| | | | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.; Phillipsburg, NJ USA
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16
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Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors in B-Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020214. [PMID: 33430146 PMCID: PMC7827333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immune-based treatment strategies, which include immune checkpoint inhibition, have recently become a new frontier for the treatment of B-cell-derived lymphoma. Whereas checkpoint inhibition has given oncologists and patients hope in specific lymphoma subtypes like Hodgkin lymphoma, other entities do not benefit from such promising agents. Understanding the factors that determine the efficacy and safety of checkpoint inhibition in different lymphoma subtypes can lead to improved therapeutic strategies, including combinations with various chemotherapies, biologics and/or different immunologic agents with manageable safety profiles. Abstract For years, immunotherapy has been considered a viable and attractive treatment option for patients with cancer. Among the immunotherapy arsenal, the targeting of intratumoral immune cells by immune-checkpoint inhibitory agents has recently revolutionised the treatment of several subtypes of tumours. These approaches, aimed at restoring an effective antitumour immunity, rapidly reached the market thanks to the simultaneous identification of inhibitory signals that dampen an effective antitumor response in a large variety of neoplastic cells and the clinical development of monoclonal antibodies targeting checkpoint receptors. Leading therapies in solid tumours are mainly focused on the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death 1 (PD-1) pathways. These approaches have found a promising testing ground in both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, mainly because, in these diseases, the malignant cells interact with the immune system and commonly provide signals that regulate immune function. Although several trials have already demonstrated evidence of therapeutic activity with some checkpoint inhibitors in lymphoma, many of the immunologic lessons learned from solid tumours may not directly translate to lymphoid malignancies. In this sense, the mechanisms of effective antitumor responses are different between the different lymphoma subtypes, while the reasons for this substantial difference remain partially unknown. This review will discuss the current advances of immune-checkpoint blockade therapies in B-cell lymphoma and build a projection of how the field may evolve in the near future. In particular, we will analyse the current strategies being evaluated both preclinically and clinically, with the aim of fostering the use of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in lymphoma, including combination approaches with chemotherapeutics, biological agents and/or different immunologic therapies.
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17
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Starzer AM, Berghoff AS. New emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy: CD27 (TNFRSF7). ESMO Open 2020; 4:e000629. [PMID: 32152062 PMCID: PMC7082637 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2019-000629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation 27 (CD27) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily and plays a key role in T-cell activation by providing a costimulatory signal. Bound to its natural ligand CD70, CD27 signalling enhances T-cell proliferation and differentiation to effector and memory T cells and therefore has potential as an immune modulatory target in cancer treatment. The CD27 agonistic antibody varlilumab showed promising efficacy in haematological as well as solid cancers. Current studies investigate the combination of the CD27 agonistic antibody varlilumab in combination with the PD1 axis targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab or atezolizumab. Further, CD70 expression is used as a therapeutic target for ADCs, antibodies inducing ADCC, as well as the immunological target for chimeric antigen receptor gene-modified T cells and specific dendritic cell vaccination. In line with this, targeting the CD27 axis was shown to be feasible and safe in early clinical trials with the most commonly occurring side effects being thrombocytopenia, fatigue and nausea. In this mini review, we aimed to elucidate the immunobiology of CD27 and its potential as a target in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika M Starzer
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna S Berghoff
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Immunotherapy in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Innate, adaptive and targeted immunological strategies. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 88:102042. [PMID: 32521386 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the clinical introduction of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies into lymphoma treatment, immunologic approaches in lymphoma have made substantial progress. Advances in our understanding of tumor immunology have led to the development of strategies to overcome immunologic barriers responsible for an ineffective immune response. Specifically, therapeutic agents have been developed and tested against molecules that are responsible for T-cell exhaustion. The use of monoclonal antibodies against immune checkpoints in the adaptive immune system, such as programmed cell death-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, has changed the landscape of cancer therapy including the treatment of lymphoma. This achievement has recently been accompanied by the development of novel immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the innate immune system, including the CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway, and this approach has yielded promising results. To overcome impaired antigen presentation, antibody-based cytotoxic strategies, namely antibody-drug conjugates (polatuzumab vedotin and brentuximab vedotin) and bispecific T-cell or NK-cell engagers (blinatumomab, REGN1979, RG6206, and AFM13), have rapidly evolved with promising clinical activity. As additional tools become available for lymphoma treatment, formulation of safe, rational combination strategies to combine them with standard therapy will be of paramount importance. A successful approach to the treatment of lymphoma may require both an optimized anti-tumor immune response as well as effective depletion of malignant lymphoid cells.
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Vitale LA, He LZ, Thomas LJ, Wasiuk A, O'Neill T, Widger J, Crocker A, Mills-Chen L, Forsberg E, Weidlick J, Patterson C, Hammond RA, Boyer J, Sisson C, Alvarado D, Goldstein J, Marsh HC, Keler T. Development of CDX-527: a bispecific antibody combining PD-1 blockade and CD27 costimulation for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:2125-2137. [PMID: 32451681 PMCID: PMC7511290 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02610-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CD27 is a costimulatory molecule that provides a complementary target to the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint axis on T cells. Combining a CD27 agonist antibody with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade has shown synergistic antitumor activity in preclinical models, which led to clinical studies of the combination in cancer patients. We theorized that coupling CD27 costimulation with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in a bispecific antibody (BsAb) may provide greater immune activating properties than combining the individual mAbs due to enhanced CD27 activation by cross-linking through PD-L1 and Fc receptors. To test this approach, we developed CDX-527, a tetravalent PD-L1xCD27 IgG1-scFv BsAb. CDX-527 potently inhibits PD-1 signaling and induces CD27-mediated T cell costimulation through PD-L1 cross-linking. In mixed lymphocyte reaction assays, CDX-527 is more potent than the combination of the parental antibodies, suggesting that cross-linking through both Fc receptors and PD-L1 results in enhanced CD27 agonist activity. CDX-527 was shown to mediate effector function against tumor cells overexpressing either CD27 or PD-L1. In human CD27 transgenic mice, we observed that antigen-specific T cell responses to a vaccine are greatly enhanced with a surrogate PD-L1xCD27 BsAb. Furthermore, the BsAb exhibits greater antitumor activity than the combination of the parental antibodies in a syngeneic lymphoma model. A pilot study of CDX-527 in cynomolgus macaques confirmed a mAb-like pharmacokinetic profile without noted toxicities. These studies demonstrate that CDX-527 effectively combines PD-1 blockade and CD27 costimulation into one molecule that is more potent than combination of the parental antibodies providing the rationale to advance this BsAb toward clinical studies in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Vitale
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Li-Zhen He
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Lawrence J Thomas
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA, 02723, USA
| | - Anna Wasiuk
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Thomas O'Neill
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Jenifer Widger
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Andrea Crocker
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Laura Mills-Chen
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Eric Forsberg
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA, 02723, USA
| | - Jeffrey Weidlick
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Colleen Patterson
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Russell A Hammond
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA, 02723, USA
| | - James Boyer
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA, 02723, USA
| | - Crystal Sisson
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Diego Alvarado
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 300 George Street, Suite 530, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Joel Goldstein
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA
| | - Henry C Marsh
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA, 02723, USA
| | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., 53 Frontage Road, Suite 220, Hampton, NJ, 08827, USA.
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20
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De Paris K. Knowledge is power-Rational design of cancer immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 106:1003-1006. [PMID: 31556463 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5ce0819-238r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Discussion on how our increasing knowledge on tumor immunity and host defense mechanisms has drastically changed our ability to improve cancer outcomes through the rational design of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina De Paris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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21
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Abstract
Immunomodulatory antibodies that directly trigger and reawaken suppressed T-cell effector function are termed 'checkpoint inhibitors'. CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 molecules are the most studied inhibitory immune check points against cancer and because of this therapeutic property have entered the clinic for treating a variety of tumor types. The results so far demonstrate a positive impact on cancer remission. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that targeting a number of other T-cell surface molecules including both positive and negative immune regulators, also possesses strong antitumor activity. Some of these molecules have already entered clinical trials. In this report, we briefly highlight the status of these immune checkpoint inhibitors and discuss their side effects and future directions for their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dass S Vinay
- Section of Clinical Immunology, Allergy & Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Byoung S Kwon
- Section of Clinical Immunology, Allergy & Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.,Eutilex Institute for Biomedical Research, Suite #1401 Daeryung Technotown 17, Gasan digital 1-ro 25, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul Korea
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22
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Lim SH, Linton KM, Collins GP, Dhondt J, Caddy J, Rossiter L, Vadher K, Fines K, Rogers LE, Fernando D, Stanton L, Davies AJ, Johnson PWM, Griffiths G. RIVA - a phase IIa study of rituximab and varlilumab in relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2018; 19:619. [PMID: 30413184 PMCID: PMC6230275 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2996-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 12,000 new cases of B-cell malignancies are diagnosed in the UK each year, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) being the most common subtypes. Standard frontline therapy consists of immunochemotherapy with a CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb), such as rituximab, delivered in combination with multi-agent chemotherapy. Despite being considered a treatable and potentially curable cancer, approximately 30% of DLBCL cases will relapse after frontline therapy. Advanced stage FL is incurable and typically has a relapsing and remitting course with a frequent need for re-treatment. Based on supportive preclinical data, we hypothesised that the addition of varlilumab (an anti-CD27 mAb) to rituximab (an anti-CD20 mAb) can improve the rate, depth and duration of the response of rituximab monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. METHODS/DESIGN Combination treatment of varlilumab plus rituximab, in two different dosing regimens, is being tested in the RIVA trial. RIVA is a two-stage open-label randomised phase IIa design in up to 40 patients with low- or high-grade relapsed or refractory CD20+ B-cell lymphoma. The study is open to recruitment in the UK. Enrolled patients are randomised 1:1 to two different experimental varlilumab to rituximab combinations. The primary objective is to determine the safety and tolerability of the combination and the anti-tumour activity (response) in relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. Secondary objectives will include an evaluation of the duration of the response and overall survival. Tertiary translational objectives include assessment of B-cell depletion, changes in immune effector cell populations, expression of CD27 as a biomarker of response and pharmacokinetic properties. Analyses will not be powered for formal statistical comparisons between treatment arms. DISCUSSION RIVA will determine whether the combination of rituximab and varlilumab in relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies is active and safe prior to future phase II/III trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT, 2017-000302-37. Registered on 16 January 2017. ISRCTN, ISRCTN15025004 . Registered on 16 August 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean H. Lim
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Kim M. Linton
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Southampton, UK
| | - Graham P. Collins
- Department of Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Joke Dhondt
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Joshua Caddy
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Liz Rossiter
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Karan Vadher
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Keira Fines
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Laura E. Rogers
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Diana Fernando
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Louise Stanton
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | | | - Gareth Griffiths
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Thiemann M, Richards DM, Heinonen K, Kluge M, Marschall V, Merz C, Redondo Müller M, Schnyder T, Sefrin JP, Sykora J, Fricke H, Gieffers C, Hill O. A Single-Chain-Based Hexavalent CD27 Agonist Enhances T Cell Activation and Induces Anti-Tumor Immunity. Front Oncol 2018; 8:387. [PMID: 30298117 PMCID: PMC6160747 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 7 (TNFRSF7, CD27), expressed primarily by T cells, and its ligand CD27L (TNFSF7, CD70) provide co-stimulatory signals that boost T cell activation, differentiation, and survival. Agonistic stimulation of CD27 is therefore a promising therapeutic concept in immuno-oncology intended to boost and sustain T cell driven anti-tumor responses. Endogenous TNFSF/TNFRSF-based signal transmission is a structurally well-defined event that takes place during cell-to-cell-based contacts. It is well-established that the trimeric-trivalent TNFSF-receptor binding domain (TNFSF-RBD) exposed by the conducting cell and the resulting multi-trimer-based receptor clustering on the receiving cell are essential for agonistic signaling. Therefore, we have developed HERA-CD27L, a novel hexavalent TNF receptor agonist (HERA) targeting CD27 and mimicking the natural signaling concept. HERA-CD27L is composed of a trivalent but single-chain CD27L-receptor-binding-domain (scCD27L-RBD) fused to an IgG1 derived silenced Fc-domain serving as dimerization scaffold. The hexavalent agonist significantly boosted antigen-specific T cell responses while having no effect on non-specific T cells and was superior over stabilized recombinant trivalent CD27L. In addition, HERA-CD27L demonstrated potent single-agent anti-tumor efficacy in two different syngeneic tumor models, MC38-CEA and CT26wt. Furthermore, the combination of HERA-CD27L and an anti-PD-1 antibody showed additive anti-tumor effects highlighting the importance of both T cell activation and checkpoint inhibition in anti-tumor immunity. In this manuscript, we describe the development of HERA-CD27L, a true CD27 agonist with a clearly defined forward-signaling mechanism of action.
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24
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Riccione KA, He LZ, Fecci PE, Norberg PK, Suryadevara CM, Swartz A, Healy P, Reap E, Keler T, Li QJ, Congdon KL, Sanchez-Perez L, Sampson JH. CD27 stimulation unveils the efficacy of linked class I/II peptide vaccines in poorly immunogenic tumors by orchestrating a coordinated CD4/CD8 T cell response. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1502904. [PMID: 30524899 PMCID: PMC6279317 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1502904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their promise, tumor-specific peptide vaccines have limited efficacy. CD27 is a costimulatory molecule expressed on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that is important in immune activation. Here we determine if a novel CD27 agonist antibody (αhCD27) can enhance the antitumor T cell response and efficacy of peptide vaccines. We evaluated the effects of αhCD27 on the immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy of whole protein, class I-restricted, and class II-restricted peptide vaccines using a transgenic mouse expressing human CD27. We found that αhCD27 preferentially enhances the CD8+ T cell response in the setting of vaccines comprised of linked class I and II ovalbumin epitopes (SIINFEKL and TEWTSSNVMEERKIKV, respectively) compared to a peptide vaccine comprised solely of SIINFEKL, resulting in the antitumor efficacy of adjuvant αhCD27 against intracranial B16.OVA tumors when combined with vaccines containing linked class I/II ovalbumin epitopes. Indeed, we demonstrate that this efficacy is both CD8- and CD4-dependent and αhCD27 activity on ovalbumin-specific CD4+ T cells is necessary for its adjuvant effect. Importantly for clinical translation, a linked universal CD4+ helper epitope (tetanus P30) was sufficient to instill the efficacy of SIINFEKL peptide combined with αhCD27, eliminating the need for a tumor-specific class II-restricted peptide. This approach unveiled the efficacy of a class I-restricted peptide vaccine derived from the tumor-associated Trp2 antigen in mice bearing intracranial B16 tumors. CD27 agonist antibodies combined with peptide vaccines containing linked tumor-specific CD8+ epitopes and tumor-specific or universal CD4+ epitopes enhance the efficacy of active cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Riccione
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Peter E. Fecci
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Pamela K. Norberg
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carter M. Suryadevara
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Adam Swartz
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Patrick Healy
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Reap
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Qi-Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kendra L. Congdon
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Luis Sanchez-Perez
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John H. Sampson
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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25
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Han X, Vesely MD. Stimulating T Cells Against Cancer With Agonist Immunostimulatory Monoclonal Antibodies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 342:1-25. [PMID: 30635089 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Elimination of cancer cells through antitumor immunity has been a long-sought after goal since Sir F. Macfarlane Burnet postulated the theory of immune surveillance against tumors in the 1950s. Finally, the use of immunotherapeutics against established cancer is becoming a reality in the past 5years. Most notable are the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against inhibitory T-cell receptors cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death-1. The next generation of mAbs targeting T cells is designed to stimulate costimulatory receptors on T cells. Here we review the recent progress on these immunostimulatory agonist antibodies against the costimulatory receptors CD137, GITR, OX40, and CD27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Han
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Matthew D Vesely
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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26
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The promise and challenges of immune agonist antibody development in cancer. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:509-527. [PMID: 29904196 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune cell functions are regulated by co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptors. The first two generations of cancer immunotherapy agents consist primarily of antagonist antibodies that block negative immune checkpoints, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA4). Looking ahead, there is substantial promise in targeting co-stimulatory receptors with agonist antibodies, and a growing number of these agents are making their way through various stages of development. This Review discusses the key considerations and potential pitfalls of immune agonist antibody design and development, their differentiating features from antagonist antibodies and the landscape of agonist antibodies in clinical development for cancer treatment.
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27
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Herzyk DJ, Haggerty HG. Cancer Immunotherapy: Factors Important for the Evaluation of Safety in Nonclinical Studies. AAPS JOURNAL 2018; 20:28. [DOI: 10.1208/s12248-017-0184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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28
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Buchan SL, Rogel A, Al-Shamkhani A. The immunobiology of CD27 and OX40 and their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Blood 2018; 131:39-48. [PMID: 29118006 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-07-741025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) able to reinvigorate antitumor T-cell immunity have heralded a paradigm shift in cancer treatment. The most high profile of these mAbs block the inhibitory checkpoint receptors PD-1 and CTLA-4 and have improved life expectancy for patients across a range of tumor types. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that failure of some patients to respond to checkpoint inhibition is attributable to inadequate T-cell priming. For full T-cell activation, 2 signals must be received, and ligands providing the second of these signals, termed costimulation, are often lacking in tumors. Members of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) are key costimulators of T cells during infection, and there has been an increasing interest in harnessing these receptors to augment tumor immunity. We here review the immunobiology of 2 particularly promising TNFRSF target receptors, CD27 and OX40, and their respective ligands, CD70 and OX40L, focusing on their role within a tumor setting. We describe the influence of CD27 and OX40 on human T cells based on in vitro studies and on the phenotypes of several recently described individuals exhibiting natural deficiencies in CD27/CD70 and OX40. Finally, we review key literature describing progress in elucidating the efficacy and mode of action of OX40- and CD27-targeting mAbs in preclinical models and provide an overview of current clinical trials targeting these promising receptor/ligand pairings in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Buchan
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Rogel
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Aymen Al-Shamkhani
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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29
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Turaj AH, Hussain K, Cox KL, Rose-Zerilli MJJ, Testa J, Dahal LN, Chan HTC, James S, Field VL, Carter MJ, Kim HJ, West JJ, Thomas LJ, He LZ, Keler T, Johnson PWM, Al-Shamkhani A, Thirdborough SM, Beers SA, Cragg MS, Glennie MJ, Lim SH. Antibody Tumor Targeting Is Enhanced by CD27 Agonists through Myeloid Recruitment. Cancer Cell 2017; 32:777-791.e6. [PMID: 29198913 PMCID: PMC5734932 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can destroy tumors by recruiting effectors such as myeloid cells, or targeting immunomodulatory receptors to promote cytotoxic T cell responses. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of combining a direct tumor-targeting mAb, anti-CD20, with an extended panel of immunomodulatory mAbs. Only the anti-CD27/CD20 combination provided cures. This was apparent in multiple lymphoma models, including huCD27 transgenic mice using the anti-huCD27, varlilumab. Detailed mechanistic analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated that anti-CD27 stimulated CD8+ T and natural killer cells to release myeloid chemo-attractants and interferon gamma, to elicit myeloid infiltration and macrophage activation. This study demonstrates the therapeutic advantage of using an immunomodulatory mAb to regulate lymphoid cells, which then recruit and activate myeloid cells for enhanced killing of mAb-opsonized tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna H Turaj
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Khiyam Hussain
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Kerry L Cox
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthew J J Rose-Zerilli
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - James Testa
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827, USA
| | - Lekh N Dahal
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - H T Claude Chan
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Sonya James
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Vikki L Field
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthew J Carter
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Hyung J Kim
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jonathan J West
- Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | | | - Li-Zhen He
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827, USA
| | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827, USA
| | - Peter W M Johnson
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Aymen Al-Shamkhani
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephen M Thirdborough
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephen A Beers
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Mark S Cragg
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Martin J Glennie
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Sean H Lim
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Cancer Research UK Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
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Ansell SM. Harnessing the power of the immune system in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: immunomodulators, checkpoint inhibitors, and beyond. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2017; 2017:618-621. [PMID: 29222312 PMCID: PMC6142557 DOI: 10.1182/asheducation-2017.1.618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a malignancy of B lymphocytes that typically infiltrate sites of disease, including the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. Beyond the presence of malignant cells, many immune cells are also present within the tumor microenvironment. Although these immune cells have the potential to regulate the growth of malignant B cells, intratumoral immune cells are unable to eradicate lymphoma cells and most patients with lymphoma have clinical evidence of disease progression. Recent data have identified some of the mechanisms that account for the suppressed antitumor immune response and have created opportunities for treatment to overcome the deficiencies. Two general categories of immunological therapies are available. The first approach is to use agents that prevent inhibitory signals via immune checkpoint receptors that downregulate immune cell function. Blockade of suppressive programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or CTLA-4 signaling has resulted in significant clinical activity by allowing intratumoral T cells to remain activated and target malignant cells. A second approach is to additionally activate T cells that are suboptimally active or suppressed, by providing signals through costimulatory molecules including CD27 or CD40 or by adding immunostimulatory cytokines. There has been significant heterogeneity in the responses to these treatment approaches. Clinical responses are seen in many diseases, but the most promising responses have been with PD-1 blockade in Hodgkin lymphoma. In other lymphomas, responses are seen but only in a subset of patients. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms that account for response and to identify patients most likely to benefit from immune modulation.
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Wasiuk A, Testa J, Weidlick J, Sisson C, Vitale L, Widger J, Crocker A, Thomas LJ, Goldstein J, Marsh HC, Keler T, He LZ. CD27-Mediated Regulatory T Cell Depletion and Effector T Cell Costimulation Both Contribute to Antitumor Efficacy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:4110-4123. [PMID: 29109120 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CD27, a member of the TNFR superfamily, is constitutively expressed in most T cells and plays crucial roles in T cell effector functions. The costimulation and antitumor activity of CD27 agonistic Abs have been well documented in mouse models. Clinical testing of a human IgG1 anti-CD27 Ab, varlilumab (clone 1F5), is ongoing in cancer patients. In this study, we set out to further understand CD27 as an immunomodulatory target and to address the mechanism of antitumor efficacy using different IgG isotypes of 1F5 in human CD27-transgenic mice. 1F5mIgG1, the only isotype engaging inhibitory FcγRIIB expressed in B cells, elicited the most potent and broad immune response, but terminal differentiation, exhaustion, and apoptosis in the activated effector T cells were inevitable. Accordingly, this isotype was the most effective in eradicating BCL1 lymphoma but had limited efficacy in s.c. tumors. Conversely, 1F5mIgG2a, which interacts with cells expressing activating FcγRs, led to moderate immune activation, as well as to prominent reduction in the number and suppressive activity of regulatory T cells. These combined mechanisms imparted potent antitumor activity to 1F5mIgG2a, particularly against the s.c. tumors. 1F5hIgG1, varlilumab, showed balanced agonistic activity that was prominent at lower doses and depleting activity that was greater at higher doses. 1F5hIgG1 had good antitumor activity in all tumor models tested. Thus, both agonist and depleting properties contribute to the antitumor efficacy of CD27-targeted immunotherapy, and modulation of these activities in patients may be achieved by varying the dose and regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wasiuk
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827; and
| | - James Testa
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827; and
| | | | | | - Laura Vitale
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827; and
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827; and
| | - Li-Zhen He
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827; and
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Burugu S, Dancsok AR, Nielsen TO. Emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 52:39-52. [PMID: 28987965 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The first generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1) targeted natural immune homeostasis pathways, co-opted by cancers, to drive anti-tumor immune responses. These agents led to unprecedented results in patients with previously incurable metastatic disease and may become first-line therapies for some advanced cancers. However, these agents are efficacious in only a minority of patients. Newer strategies are becoming available that target additional immunomodulatory mechanisms to activate patients' own anti-tumor immune responses. Herein, we present a succinct summary of emerging immune targets with reported pre-clinical efficacy that have progressed to active investigation in clinical trials. These emerging targets include co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory markers of the innate and adaptive immune system. In this review, we discuss: 1) T lymphocyte markers: Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 [LAG-3], T-cell Immunoglobulin- and Mucin-domain-containing molecule 3 [TIM-3], V-domain containing Ig Suppressor of T cell Activation [VISTA], T cell ImmunoGlobulin and ITIM domain [TIGIT], B7-H3, Inducible T-cell Co-stimulator [ICOS/ICOS-L], CD27/CD70, and Glucocorticoid-Induced TNF Receptor [GITR]; 2) macrophage markers: CD47/Signal-Regulatory Protein alpha [SIRPα] and Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase [IDO]; and 3) natural killer cell markers: CD94/NKG2A and the Killer Immunoglobulin-like receptor [KIR] family. Finally, we briefly highlight combination strategies and potential biomarkers of response and resistance to these cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Burugu
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Koerner Pavilion, #G-227 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Amanda R Dancsok
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Koerner Pavilion, #G-227 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Torsten O Nielsen
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Koerner Pavilion, #G-227 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
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CD27 expression and its association with clinical outcome in children and adults with pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Cancer J 2017. [PMID: 28649984 PMCID: PMC5520402 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2017.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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Abstract
Hematological malignancies manifest as lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma, and remain a burden on society. From initial therapy to endless relapse-related treatment, societal burden is felt not only in the context of healthcare cost, but also in the compromised quality of life of patients. Long-term therapeutic strategies have become the standard in keeping hematological malignancies at bay as these cancers develop resistance to each round of therapy with time. As a result, there is a continual need for the development of new drugs to combat resistant disease in order to prolong patient life, if not to produce a cure. This review aims to summarize advances in targeting lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma through both cutting-edge and well established platforms. Current standard of treatment will be reviewed for these malignancies and emphasis will be made on new therapy development in the areas of antibody engineering, epigenetic small molecule inhibiting drugs, vaccine development, and chimeric antigen receptor cell engineering. In addition, platforms for the delivery of these and other drugs will be reviewed including antibody-drug conjugates, micro- and nanoparticles, and multimodal hydrogels. Lastly, we propose that tissue engineered constructs for hematological malignancies are the missing link in targeted drug discovery alongside mouse and patient-derived xenograft models.
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35
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Delivering safer immunotherapies for cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 114:79-101. [PMID: 28545888 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is now a powerful clinical reality, with a steady progression of new drug approvals and a massive pipeline of additional treatments in clinical and preclinical development. However, modulation of the immune system can be a double-edged sword: Drugs that activate immune effectors are prone to serious non-specific systemic inflammation and autoimmune side effects. Drug delivery technologies have an important role to play in harnessing the power of immune therapeutics while avoiding on-target/off-tumor toxicities. Here we review mechanisms of toxicity for clinically-relevant immunotherapeutics, and discuss approaches based in drug delivery technology to enhance the safety and potency of these treatments. These include strategies to merge drug delivery with adoptive cellular therapies, targeting immunotherapies to tumors or select immune cells, and localizing therapeutics intratumorally. Rational design employing lessons learned from the drug delivery and nanomedicine fields has the potential to facilitate immunotherapy reaching its full potential.
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Grant EJ, Nüssing S, Sant S, Clemens EB, Kedzierska K. The role of CD27 in anti-viral T-cell immunity. Curr Opin Virol 2017; 22:77-88. [PMID: 28086150 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CD27 is a co-stimulatory immune-checkpoint receptor, constitutively expressed on a broad range of T-cells (αβ and γδ), NK-cells and B-cells. Ligation of CD27 with CD70 results in potent co-stimulatory effects. In mice, co-stimulation of CD8+ T-cells through CD27 promotes immune activation and enhances primary, secondary, memory and recall responses towards viral infections. Limited in vitro human studies support mouse experiments and show that CD27 co-stimulation enhances antiviral T-cell immunity. Given the potent co-stimulatory effects of CD27, manipulating CD27 signalling is of interest for viral, autoimmune and anti-tumour immunotherapies. This review focuses on the role of CD27 co-stimulation in anti-viral T-cell immunity and discusses clinical studies utilising the CD27 co-stimulation pathway for anti-viral, anti-tumour and autoimmune immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Grant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia; Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Nüssing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Sneha Sant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - E Bridie Clemens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Kedzierska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia.
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Waight JD, Gombos RB, Wilson NS. Harnessing co-stimulatory TNF receptors for cancer immunotherapy: Current approaches and future opportunities. Hum Antibodies 2017; 25:87-109. [PMID: 28085016 DOI: 10.3233/hab-160308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Co-stimulatory tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) can sculpt the responsiveness of T cells recognizing tumor-associated antigens. For this reason, agonist antibodies targeting CD137, CD357, CD134 and CD27 have received considerable attention for their therapeutic utility in enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, particularly in combination with other immuno-modulatory antibodies targeting co-inhibitory pathways in T cells. The design of therapeutic antibodies that optimally engage and activate co-stimulatory TNFRs presents an important challenge of how to promote effective anti-tumor immunity while avoiding serious immune-related adverse events. Here we review our current understanding of the expression, signaling and structural features of CD137, CD357, CD134 and CD27, and how this may inform the design of pharmacologically active immuno-modulatory antibodies targeting these receptors. This includes the integration of our emerging knowledge of the role of Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) in facilitating antibody-mediated receptor clustering and forward signaling, as well as promoting immune effector cell-mediated activities. Finally, we bring our current preclinical and clinical knowledge of co-stimulatory TNFR antibodies into the context of opportunities for next generation molecules with improved pharmacologic properties.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Antigens, CD/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular/drug effects
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Receptors, IgG/agonists
- Receptors, IgG/genetics
- Receptors, IgG/immunology
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/agonists
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/immunology
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
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38
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Redeker A, Arens R. Improving Adoptive T Cell Therapy: The Particular Role of T Cell Costimulation, Cytokines, and Post-Transfer Vaccination. Front Immunol 2016; 7:345. [PMID: 27656185 PMCID: PMC5011476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) is a form of immunotherapy whereby antigen-specific T cells are isolated or engineered, expanded ex vivo, and transferred back to patients. Clinical benefit after ACT has been obtained in treatment of infection, various hematological malignancies, and some solid tumors; however, due to poor functionality and persistence of the transferred T cells, the efficacy of ACT in the treatment of most solid tumors is often marginal. Hence, much effort is undertaken to improve T cell function and persistence in ACT and significant progress is being made. Herein, we will review strategies to improve ACT success rates in the treatment of cancer and infection. We will deliberate on the most favorable phenotype for the tumor-specific T cells that are infused into patients and on how to obtain T cells bearing this phenotype by applying novel ex vivo culture methods. Moreover, we will discuss T cell function and persistence after transfer into patients and how these factors can be manipulated by means of providing costimulatory signals, cytokines, blocking antibodies to inhibitory molecules, and vaccination. Incorporation of these T cell stimulation strategies and combinations of the different treatment modalities are likely to improve clinical response rates further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Redeker
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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40
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Ryan JM, Wasser JS, Adler AJ, Vella AT. Enhancing the safety of antibody-based immunomodulatory cancer therapy without compromising therapeutic benefit: Can we have our cake and eat it too? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 16:655-74. [PMID: 26855028 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2016.1152256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefit in treating patients with cancer and have paved the way for additional immune-modulating mAbs such as those targeting costimulatory receptors. The full clinical utility of these agents, however, is hampered by immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can occur during therapy. AREAS COVERED We first provide a general overview of tumor immunity, followed by a review of the two major classes of immunomodulatory mAbs being developed as cancer therapeutics: checkpoint inhibitors and costimulatory receptor agonists. We then discuss therapy-associated adverse events. Finally, we describe in detail the mechanisms driving their therapeutic activity, with an emphasis on interactions between antibody fragment crystallizable (Fc) domains and Fc receptors (FcR). EXPERT OPINION Given that Fc-FcR interactions appear critical in facilitating the ability of immunomodulatory mAbs to elicit both therapeutically useful as well as adverse effects, the engineering of mAbs that can effectively engage their targets while limiting interaction with FcRs might represent a promising future avenue for developing the next generation of immune-enhancing tumoricidal agents with increased safety and retention of efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Ryan
- a Department of Immunology , UConn Health , Farmington , CT , USA
| | | | - Adam J Adler
- a Department of Immunology , UConn Health , Farmington , CT , USA
| | - Anthony T Vella
- a Department of Immunology , UConn Health , Farmington , CT , USA
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41
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Wouters MCA, Komdeur FL, de Bruyn M, Nijman HW. Size matters: Survival benefit conferred by intratumoral T cells is dependent on surgical outcome, treatment sequence and T cell differentiation. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1122863. [PMID: 27467933 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1122863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Outcome of cytoreductive surgery, treatment sequence and the differentiation status of T cells are key factors to take into account when studying the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in high grade serous ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C A Wouters
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - F L Komdeur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M de Bruyn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - H W Nijman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
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Chester C, Fritsch K, Kohrt HE. Natural Killer Cell Immunomodulation: Targeting Activating, Inhibitory, and Co-stimulatory Receptor Signaling for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2015; 6:601. [PMID: 26697006 PMCID: PMC4667030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There is compelling clinical and experimental evidence to suggest that natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in the recognition and eradication of tumors. Efforts at using NK cells as antitumor agents began over two decades ago, but recent advances in elucidating NK cell biology have accelerated the development of NK cell-targeting therapeutics. NK cell activation and the triggering of effector functions is governed by a complex set of activating and inhibitory receptors. In the early phases of cancer immune surveillance, NK cells directly identify and lyse cancer cells. Nascent transformed cells elicit NK cell activation and are eliminated. However, as tumors progress, cancerous cells develop immunosuppressive mechanisms that circumvent NK cell-mediated killing, allowing for tumor escape and proliferation. Therapeutic intervention aims to reverse tumor-induced NK cell suppression and sustain NK cells’ tumorlytic capacities. Here, we review tumor–NK cell interactions, discuss the mechanisms by which NK cells generate an antitumor immune response, and discuss NK cell-based therapeutic strategies targeting activating, inhibitory, and co-stimulatory receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cariad Chester
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA ; Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford, CA , USA
| | - Katherine Fritsch
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA
| | - Holbrook E Kohrt
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University , Stanford, CA , USA
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Assal A, Kaner J, Pendurti G, Zang X. Emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy: beyond CTLA-4 and PD-1. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:1169-86. [PMID: 26567614 PMCID: PMC4976877 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Manipulation of co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory checkpoint proteins allows for the reversal of tumor-induced T-cell anergy observed in cancer. The field has gained credence given success with CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors. These molecules include immunoglobulin family members and the B7 subfamily as well as the TNF receptor family members. PD-L1 inhibitors and LAG-3 inhibitors have progressed through clinical trials. Other B7 family members have shown promise in preclinical models. TNFR superfamily members have shown variable success in preclinical and clinical studies. As clinical investigation in tumor immunology gains momentum, the next stage becomes learning how to combine checkpoint inhibitors and agonists with each other as well as with traditional chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Assal
- Department of Medicine, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Justin Kaner
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Gopichand Pendurti
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xingxing Zang
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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44
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Wouters MCA, Komdeur FL, Workel HH, Klip HG, Plat A, Kooi NM, Wisman GBA, Mourits MJE, Arts HJG, Oonk MHM, Yigit R, de Jong S, Melief CJM, Hollema H, Duiker EW, Daemen T, de Bruyn M, Nijman HW. Treatment Regimen, Surgical Outcome, and T-cell Differentiation Influence Prognostic Benefit of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 22:714-24. [PMID: 26384738 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are associated with a better prognosis in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). However, it is largely unknown how this prognostic benefit of TIL relates to current standard treatment of surgical resection and (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. To address this outstanding issue, we compared TIL infiltration in a unique cohort of patients with advanced-stage HGSC primarily treated with either surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Tissue microarray slides containing samples of 171 patients were analyzed for CD8(+) TIL by IHC. Freshly isolated CD8(+) TIL subsets were characterized by flow cytometry based on differentiation, activation, and exhaustion markers. Relevant T-cell subsets (CD27(+)) were validated using IHC and immunofluorescence. RESULTS A prognostic benefit for patients with high intratumoral CD8(+) TIL was observed if primary surgery had resulted in a complete cytoreduction (no residual tissue). By contrast, optimal (<1 cm of residual tumor) or incomplete cytoreduction fully abrogated the prognostic effect of CD8(+) TIL. Subsequent analysis of primary TIL by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence identified CD27 as a key marker for a less-differentiated, yet antigen-experienced and potentially tumor-reactive CD8(+) TIL subset. In line with this, CD27(+) TIL were associated with an improved prognosis even in incompletely cytoreduced patients. Neither CD8(+) nor CD27(+) cell infiltration was of prognostic benefit in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that treatment regimen, surgical result, and the differentiation of TIL should all be taken into account when studying immune factors in HGSC or, by extension, selecting patients for immunotherapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje C A Wouters
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, The Netherlands.
| | - Fenne L Komdeur
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Hagma H Workel
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Harry G Klip
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Annechien Plat
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Neeltje M Kooi
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands
| | - G Bea A Wisman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Marian J E Mourits
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Henriette J G Arts
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike H M Oonk
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Refika Yigit
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Steven de Jong
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J M Melief
- Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, The Netherlands. ISA Pharmaceuticals, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Hollema
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology, The Netherlands
| | - Evelien W Duiker
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology, The Netherlands
| | - Toos Daemen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, The Netherlands
| | - Marco de Bruyn
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
| | - Hans W Nijman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Netherlands
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Nicodemus CF. Antibody-based immunotherapy of solid cancers: progress and possibilities. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:923-39. [PMID: 26314410 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies remain a primary product option for novel cancer treatment. The properties of an antibody are a function of the antigen specificity and constant region incorporated. The rapid advance in molecular understanding of cancer biology and the host-tumor interaction has defined a new range of targets for antibody development. The clinical success of the checkpoint inhibitors has validated immune modulation and mobilization as a therapeutic approach. Solid cancers are distinguished from hematologic malignancies because the solid tumor stroma contains significant tumor promoting and immune dampening elements less prominent in hematologic cancer. This review highlights how engineered monoclonal antibody products are emerging as potential cornerstones of new more personalized cancer treatment paradigms that target both tumor and the stromal environment.
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Ramakrishna V, Sundarapandiyan K, Zhao B, Bylesjo M, Marsh HC, Keler T. Characterization of the human T cell response to in vitro CD27 costimulation with varlilumab. J Immunother Cancer 2015; 3:37. [PMID: 26500773 PMCID: PMC4619281 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-015-0080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical targeting of TNFR family of receptors (CD40, CD134 and CD137) with immunostimulatory monoclonal antibodies has been successful in cancer immunotherapy. However, targeting of CD27 with a mAb is a relatively new approach to provide costimulation of immune cells undergoing activation. Thus, activation of human CD27 (TNFRSF7) with a monoclonal antibody (varlilumab) has previously been demonstrated to result in T cell activation and anti-tumor activity in preclinical models, and is currently in early phase clinical trials in patients with advanced malignancies. In this study we used an in vitro system using human peripheral blood T cells to characterize the varlilumab-mediated costimulatory effects in combination with TCR stimulation in terms of phenotypic, transcriptional and functionality changes. Methods T cells were isolated from normal volunteer PBMCs using magnetic bead isolation kits and stimulated in vitro with plate bound anti-CD3 Ab (OKT3) and varlilumab or control Ab for 72 h. Activation profiles were monitored by ELISA or Luminex-based testing cytokine/chemokine releases, cell surface phenotyping for costimulatory and coinhibitory markers and CFSE dye dilution by proliferating T cells and Tregs. Changes in gene expression and transcriptome analysis of varlilumab-stimulated T cells was carried on Agilent Human whole genome microarray datasets using a suite of statistical and bioinformatic software tools. Results Costimulation of T cells with varlilumab required continuous TCR signaling as pre-activated T cells were unable to produce cytokines with CD27 signaling alone. Analysis of T cell subsets further revealed that memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were specifically activated with a bias toward CD8+ T lymphocyte proliferation. Activation was accompanied by upregulated cell surface expression of costimulatory [4-1BB, OX40, GITR and ICOS] and coinhibitory [PD-1] molecules. Importantly, varlilumab costimulation did not activate purified Tregs as measured by cytokine production, proliferation and suppression of dividing non-Treg T cells. Analysis of changes in gene expression during varlilumab stimulation of T cells revealed modulation of pro-inflammatory signatures consistent with cellular activation and proliferation, with the IL-2 pathway showing the highest frequency of gene modulation. Conclusions Altogether, the data reveal the requirements and T cell subtype-specific effects of CD27 costimulation, and helps select relevant biomarkers for studying the effects of varlilumab in patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40425-015-0080-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Biwei Zhao
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827 USA
| | | | | | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827 USA
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Burchill MA, Tamburini BA, Kedl RM. T cells compete by cleaving cell surface CD27 and blocking access to CD70-bearing APCs. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:3140-9. [PMID: 26179759 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
T cells compete against each other for access to molecules on APCs in addition to peptide/MHC complexes. However, the identity of cell surface molecules that influence T-cell competition, other than peptide/MHC, have yet to be defined. Here, we identify CD70, a TNF ligand expressed on activated APCs, as an important mediator of T-cell competition for APCs. Upon engagement of CD27 by CD70, CD27 is proteolytically cleaved from the surface of the interacting CD8(+) T cell and captured by CD70 expressing dendritic cells. The capture of CD27 effectively masks CD70 on APCs, disallowing the interaction with CD27 on other competing T cells. Collectively, our data indicate that T cells compete against each other for access to the TNF-ligand CD70, an interaction that affects the duration and potency of T cell/DC interactions, thus influencing the repertoire of responding CD8(+) T cells to self or foreign antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Burchill
- School of Medicine, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Beth A Tamburini
- School of Medicine, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ross M Kedl
- School of Medicine, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
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van de Ven K, Borst J. Targeting the T-cell co-stimulatory CD27/CD70 pathway in cancer immunotherapy: rationale and potential. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:655-67. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Rotte A, Bhandaru M, Zhou Y, McElwee KJ. Immunotherapy of melanoma: Present options and future promises. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2015; 34:115-28. [DOI: 10.1007/s10555-014-9542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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50
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Chester C, Marabelle A, Houot R, Kohrt HE. Dual antibody therapy to harness the innate anti-tumor immune response to enhance antibody targeting of tumors. Curr Opin Immunol 2015; 33:1-8. [PMID: 25576932 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly evolving field that offers a novel paradigm for cancer treatment: therapies focus on enhancing the immune system's innate and adaptive anti-tumor response. Early immunotherapeutics have achieved impressive clinical outcomes and monoclonal antibodies are now integral to therapeutic strategies in a variety of cancers. However, only recently have antibodies targeting innate immune cells entered clinical development. Innate immune effector cells play important roles in generating and maintaining antitumor immunity. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) are important innate immune mechanisms for tumor eradication. These cytolytic processes are initiated by the detection of a tumor-targeting antibody and can be augmented by activating co-stimulatory pathways or blocking inhibitory signals on innate immune cells. The combination of FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies with innate effector-targeting antibodies has demonstrated potent preclinical therapeutic synergy and early-phase combinatorial clinical trials are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cariad Chester
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Roch Houot
- Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France; CHU Rennes, Service Hématologie Clinique, F-35033 Rennes, France; INSERM, U917, F-35043 Rennes, France
| | - Holbrook E Kohrt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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