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Greiner D, Xue Q, Waddell TQ, Kurudza E, Belote RL, Dotti G, Judson-Torres RL, Reeves MQ, Cheshier SH, Roh-Johnson M. CSPG4-targeting CAR-macrophages inhibit melanoma growth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.597413. [PMID: 38895447 PMCID: PMC11185669 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.597413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies but has been clinically less effective in solid tumors. Engineering macrophages with CARs has emerged as a promising approach to overcome some of the challenges faced by CAR-T cells due to the macrophage's ability to easily infiltrate tumors, phagocytose their targets, and reprogram the immune response. We engineered CAR-macrophages (CAR-Ms) to target chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), an antigen expressed in melanoma, and several other solid tumors. CSPG4-targeting CAR-Ms exhibited specific phagocytosis of CSPG4-expressing melanoma cells. Combining CSPG4-targeting CAR-Ms with CD47 blocking antibodies synergistically enhanced CAR-M-mediated phagocytosis and effectively inhibited melanoma spheroid growth in 3D. Furthermore, CSPG4-targeting CAR-Ms inhibited melanoma tumor growth in mouse models. These results suggest that CSPG4-targeting CAR-M immunotherapy is a promising solid tumor immunotherapy approach for treating melanoma. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE We engineered macrophages with CARs as an alternative approach for solid tumor treatment. CAR-macrophages (CAR-Ms) targeting CSPG4, an antigen expressed in melanoma and other solid tumors, phagocytosed melanoma cells and inhibited melanoma growth in vivo . Thus, CSPG4-targeting CAR-Ms may be a promising strategy to treat patients with CSPG4-expressing tumors.
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Kouro T, Higashijima N, Horaguchi S, Mano Y, Kasajima R, Xiang H, Fujimoto Y, Kishi H, Hamana H, Hoshino D, Himuro H, Matsuura R, Tsuji S, Imai K, Sasada T. Novel chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells targeting the malignant mesothelioma-specific antigen sialylated HEG1. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1828-1841. [PMID: 38212893 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The selection of highly specific target antigens is critical for the development of clinically efficient and safe chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). In search of diagnostic marker for malignant mesothelioma (MM), we have established SKM9-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) which recognizes a MM-specific molecule, sialylated Protein HEG homolog 1 (HEG1), with high specificity and sensitivity. In this study, to develop a novel therapeutic approach against MM, we generated SKM9-2 mAb-derived CARs that included the CD28 (SKM-28z) or 4-1BB (SKM-BBz) costimulatory domain. SKM-28z CAR-T cells showed continuous growth and enhanced Tim-3, LAG-3, and PD-1 expression in vitro, which might be induced by tonic signaling caused by self-activation; however, these phenotypes were not observed in SKM-BBz CAR-T cells. In addition, SKM-BBz CAR-T cells exhibited slightly stronger in vitro killing activity against MM cell lines than SKM-28z CAR-T cells. More importantly, only SKM-BBz CAR-T cells, but not SKM-28z CAR-T cells, significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo in a MM cell line xenograft mouse model. Gene expression profiling and reporter assays revealed differential signaling pathway activation; in particular, SKM-BBz CAR-T cells exhibited enhanced NF-kB signaling and reduced NFAT activation. In addition, SKM-BBz CAR-T cells showed upregulation of early memory markers, such as TCF7 and CCR7, as well as downregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as BAK1 and BID, which may be associated with phenotypical and functional differences between SKM-BBz and SKM-28z CAR-T cells. In conclusion, we developed novel SKM9-2-derived CAR-T cells with the 4-1BB costimulatory domain, which could provide a promising therapeutic approach against refractory MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Kouro
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naoko Higashijima
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shun Horaguchi
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunobu Mano
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Rika Kasajima
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Huihui Xiang
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yuki Fujimoto
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kishi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamana
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hoshino
- Cancer Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Himuro
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Rieko Matsuura
- Division of Cancer Therapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shoutaro Tsuji
- Division of Cancer Therapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Medical Technology & Clinical Engineering, Gunma University of Health and Welfare, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kohzoh Imai
- Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Sasada
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan
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KUROKAWA T, IMAI K. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4: An attractive target for antibody-based immunotherapy. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2024; 100:293-308. [PMID: 38735753 PMCID: PMC11260911 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.100.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Multifunctional molecules involved in tumor progression and metastasis have been identified as valuable targets for immunotherapy. Among these, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), a significant tumor cell membrane-bound proteoglycan, has emerged as a promising target, especially in light of advances in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The profound bioactivity of CSPG4 and its role in pivotal processes such as tumor proliferation, migration, and neoangiogenesis underline its therapeutic potential. We reviewed the molecular intricacies of CSPG4, its functional attributes within tumor cells, and the latest clinical-translational advances targeting it. Strategies such as blocking monoclonal antibodies, conjugate therapies, bispecific antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapies, trispecific killer engagers, and ribonucleic acid vaccines against CSPG4 were assessed. CSPG4 overexpression in diverse tumors and its correlation with adverse prognostic outcomes emphasize its significance in cancer biology. These findings suggest that targeting CSPG4 offers a promising avenue for future cancer therapy, with potential synergistic effects when combined with existing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro KUROKAWA
- Department of Medical Epigenomics Research, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kohzoh IMAI
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Chamorro DF, Somes LK, Hoyos V. Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:124. [PMID: 38201551 PMCID: PMC10778447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Chamorro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Teppert K, Winter N, Herbel V, Brandes C, Lennartz S, Engert F, Kaiser A, Schaser T, Lock D. Combining CSPG4-CAR and CD20-CCR for treatment of metastatic melanoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1178060. [PMID: 37901209 PMCID: PMC10603253 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1178060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma is poor and treatment options are limited. Genetically-engineered T cell therapy targeting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), however, represents a promising treatment option, especially as both primary melanoma cells as well as metastases uniformly express CSPG4. Aiming to prevent off-tumor toxicity while maintaining a high cytolytic potential, we combined a chimeric co-stimulatory receptor (CCR) and a CSPG4-directed second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) with moderate potency. CCRs are artificial receptors similar to CARs, but lacking the CD3ζ activation element. Thus, T cells expressing solely a CCR, do not induce any cytolytic activity upon target cell binding, but are capable of boosting the CAR T cell response when both CAR and CCR engage their target antigens simultaneously. Here we demonstrate that co-expression of a CCR can significantly enhance the anti-tumor response of CSPG4-CAR T cells in vitro as well as in vivo. Importantly, this boosting effect was not dependent on co-expression of both CCR- and CAR-target on the very same tumor cell, but was also achieved upon trans activation. Finally, our data support the idea of using a CCR as a powerful tool to enhance the cytolytic potential of CAR T cells, which might open a novel therapeutic window for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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Kropp KN, Fatho M, Huduti E, Faust M, Lübcke S, Lennerz V, Paschen A, Theobald M, Wölfel T, Wölfel C. Targeting the melanoma-associated antigen CSPG4 with HLA-C*07:01-restricted T-cell receptors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1245559. [PMID: 37849763 PMCID: PMC10577170 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1245559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Intorduction Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), also known as high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen, is expressed in melanoma but also other tumor entities and constitutes an attractive target for immunotherapeutic approaches. While recent preclinical reports focused on anti-CSPG4 chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), we here explore T-cell receptor (TCR)-based approaches targeting CSPG4. Methods The TCRs of two CSPG4-reactive T-cell clones (11C/73 and 2C/165) restricted by the highly prevalent HLA-C*07:01 allele were isolated and the respective αβTCR pairs were retrovirally expressed in CRISPR/Cas9-edited TCR-knockout T cells for functional testing. We also combined alpha and beta TCR chains derived from 11C/73 and 2C/165 in a cross-over fashion to assess for hemichain dominance. CSPG4+ melanoma, glioblastoma and lung cancer cell lines were identified and, if negative, retrovirally transduced with HLA-C*07:01. Results Functional tests confirmed specific recognition of CSPG4+HLA-C*07:01+ target cells by the αβTCR retrieved from the parental T-cell clones and in part also by the cross-over TCR construct 2Cα-11Cβ. Despite high surface expression, the 11Cα-2Cβ combination, however, was not functional. Discussion Collectively, 11C/73- and 2C/165-expressing T cells specifically and efficiently recognized CSPG4+HLA-C*07:01+ cancer cells which warrants further preclinical and clinical evaluation of these TCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korbinian N. Kropp
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Martina Fatho
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Enes Huduti
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marilena Faust
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Silke Lübcke
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Lennerz
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- Dermatology, University Hospital, University Duisburg/Essen and German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Duesseldorf, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Theobald
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Wölfel
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Catherine Wölfel
- Internal Medicine III, University Cancer Center (UCT), Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Nehama D, Woodell AS, Maingi SM, Hingtgen SD, Dotti G. Cell-based therapies for glioblastoma: Promising tools against tumor heterogeneity. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1551-1562. [PMID: 37179459 PMCID: PMC10484163 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor with a devastating impact on quality-of-life and abysmal survivorship. Patients have very limited effective treatment options. The successes of targeted small molecule drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors seen in various solid tumors have not translated to GBM, despite significant advances in our understanding of its molecular, immune, and microenvironment landscapes. These discoveries, however, have unveiled GBM's incredible heterogeneity and its role in treatment failure and survival. Novel cellular therapy technologies are finding successes in oncology and harbor characteristics that make them uniquely suited to overcome challenges posed by GBM, such as increased resistance to tumor heterogeneity, modularity, localized delivery, and safety. Considering these advantages, we compiled this review article on cellular therapies for GBM, focusing on cellular immunotherapies and stem cell-based therapies, to evaluate their utility. We categorize them based on their specificity, review their preclinical and clinical data, and extract valuable insights to help guide future cellular therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Nehama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alex S Woodell
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Spencer M Maingi
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Grossauer A, Uranowska K, Kitzwögerer M, Mostegel M, Breiteneder H, Hafner C. Immunohistochemical detection of the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 protein in primary and metastatic melanoma. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:382. [PMID: 37559576 PMCID: PMC10407859 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, continues to be a major challenge for clinicians. New targeted therapies with kinase inhibitors or drugs which modify the immune response are often accompanied by the development of resistance or severe side effects. In this context, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), a highly immunogenic melanoma tumor antigen, could be a potential target for alternative therapeutic approaches. The aim of the present study was to identify differences in the levels of CSPG4 protein expression in primary and metastatic melanomas as well as to analyze correlations between CSPG4 expression and histopathological data and patient characteristics. A total of 189 melanoma tissue samples from Lower Austria, including primary melanomas and melanoma metastases, were immunohistochemically stained for the expression of CSPG4 and statistical analyses were performed. A total of 65.6% of melanoma tissue samples stained positive for the expression of CSPG4. Primary nodular and primary superficial spreading melanomas demonstrated a significantly higher number of positively stained tissue samples for CSPG4 compared with primary lentigo maligna melanomas. No significant differences in the expression of CSPG4 were demonstrated between primary melanomas and melanoma metastases. The present study supports the advancement of the understanding of CSPG4 tissue expression patterns in melanoma patients and provides additional information for further investigation of CSPG4 as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grossauer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital St. Poelten, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3100 St. Poelten, Austria
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Krems, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Karolina Uranowska
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital St. Poelten, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3100 St. Poelten, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Melitta Kitzwögerer
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital St. Poelten, A-3100 St. Poelten, Austria
| | - Margit Mostegel
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Krems, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Heimo Breiteneder
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Hafner
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital St. Poelten, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3100 St. Poelten, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner Institute of Dermatological Research, Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft, A-3100 St. Poelten, Austria
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Xiong Q, Zhu J, Zhang Y, Deng H. CAR-NK cell therapy for glioblastoma: what to do next? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1192128. [PMID: 37404752 PMCID: PMC10315652 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1192128] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a malignant tumor with the highest morbidity and mortality in the central nervous system. Conventional surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy has a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. The 5-year survival rate of patients is less than 10%. In tumor immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy represented by chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells has achieved great success in hematological tumors. However, the application of CAR-T cells in solid tumors such as glioblastoma still faces many challenges. CAR-NK cells are another potential adoptive cell therapy strategy after CAR-T cells. Compared with CAR-T cell therapy, CAR-NK cells have similar anti-tumor effects. CAR-NK cells can also avoid some deficiencies in CAR-T cell therapy, a research hotspot in tumor immunity. This article summarizes the preclinical research status of CAR-NK cells in glioblastoma and the problems and challenges faced by CAR-NK in glioblastoma.
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Nowak J, Bentele M, Kutle I, Zimmermann K, Lühmann JL, Steinemann D, Kloess S, Koehl U, Roßberg W, Ahmed A, Schaudien D, Neubert L, Kamp JC, Kuehnel MP, Warnecke A, Schambach A, Morgan M. CAR-NK Cells Targeting HER1 (EGFR) Show Efficient Anti-Tumor Activity against Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3169. [PMID: 37370779 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: HNSCC is a highly heterogeneous and relapse-prone form of cancer. We aimed to expand the immunological tool kit against HNSCC by conducting a functional screen to generate chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK-92 cells that target HER1/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). (2) Methods: Selected CAR-NK-92 cell candidates were tested for enhanced reduction of target cells, CD107a expression and IFNγ secretion in different co-culture models. For representative HNSCC models, patient-derived primary HNSCC (pHNSCC) cell lines were generated by employing an EpCAM-sorting approach to eliminate the high percentage of non-malignant cells found. (3) Results: 2D and 3D spheroid co-culture experiments showed that anti-HER1 CAR-NK-92 cells effectively eliminated SCC cell lines and primary HNSCC (pHNSCC) cells. Co-culture of tumor models with anti-HER1 CAR-NK-92 cells led to enhanced degranulation and IFNγ secretion of NK-92 cells and apoptosis of target cells. Furthermore, remaining pHNSCC cells showed upregulated expression of putative cancer stem cell marker CD44v6. (4) Conclusions: These results highlight the promising potential of CAR-NK cell therapy in HNSCC and the likely necessity to target multiple tumor-associated antigens to reduce currently high relapse rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Nowak
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Marco Bentele
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ivana Kutle
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina Zimmermann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Doris Steinemann
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Willi Roßberg
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Amed Ahmed
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, ITEM, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lavinia Neubert
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan-Christopher Kamp
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark P Kuehnel
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Märkl F, Benmebarek MR, Keyl J, Cadilha BL, Geiger M, Karches C, Obeck H, Schwerdtfeger M, Michaelides S, Briukhovetska D, Stock S, Jobst J, Müller PJ, Majed L, Seifert M, Klüver AK, Lorenzini T, Grünmeier R, Thomas M, Gottschlich A, Klaus R, Marr C, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Rothenfusser S, Levesque MP, Heppt MV, Endres S, Klein C, Kobold S. Bispecific antibodies redirect synthetic agonistic receptor modified T cells against melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006436. [PMID: 37208128 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is an immune sensitive disease, as demonstrated by the activity of immune check point blockade (ICB), but many patients will either not respond or relapse. More recently, tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy has shown promising efficacy in melanoma treatment after ICB failure, indicating the potential of cellular therapies. However, TIL treatment comes with manufacturing limitations, product heterogeneity, as well as toxicity problems, due to the transfer of a large number of phenotypically diverse T cells. To overcome said limitations, we propose a controlled adoptive cell therapy approach, where T cells are armed with synthetic agonistic receptors (SAR) that are selectively activated by bispecific antibodies (BiAb) targeting SAR and melanoma-associated antigens. METHODS Human as well as murine SAR constructs were generated and transduced into primary T cells. The approach was validated in murine, human and patient-derived cancer models expressing the melanoma-associated target antigens tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) and melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP) (CSPG4). SAR T cells were functionally characterized by assessing their specific stimulation and proliferation, as well as their tumor-directed cytotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS MCSP and TYRP1 expression was conserved in samples of patients with treated as well as untreated melanoma, supporting their use as melanoma-target antigens. The presence of target cells and anti-TYRP1 × anti-SAR or anti-MCSP × anti-SAR BiAb induced conditional antigen-dependent activation, proliferation of SAR T cells and targeted tumor cell lysis in all tested models. In vivo, antitumoral activity and long-term survival was mediated by the co-administration of SAR T cells and BiAb in a syngeneic tumor model and was further validated in several xenograft models, including a patient-derived xenograft model. CONCLUSION The SAR T cell-BiAb approach delivers specific and conditional T cell activation as well as targeted tumor cell lysis in melanoma models. Modularity is a key feature for targeting melanoma and is fundamental towards personalized immunotherapies encompassing cancer heterogeneity. Because antigen expression may vary in primary melanoma tissues, we propose that a dual approach targeting two tumor-associated antigens, either simultaneously or sequentially, could avoid issues of antigen heterogeneity and deliver therapeutic benefit to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Märkl
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mohamed-Reda Benmebarek
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julius Keyl
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno L Cadilha
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Geiger
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Clara Karches
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Obeck
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwerdtfeger
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanos Michaelides
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Daria Briukhovetska
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Stock
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jakob Jobst
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Jie Müller
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lina Majed
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Seifert
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna-Kristina Klüver
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Theo Lorenzini
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ruth Grünmeier
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Thomas
- Institute of AI for Health, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Adrian Gottschlich
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard Klaus
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. v. Haunersches Kinderspital, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Marr
- Institute of AI for Health, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon
- Department of Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Rothenfusser
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Markus Vincent Heppt
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Endres
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Department of Medicine IV, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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12
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Chauhan J, Grandits M, Palhares LCGF, Mele S, Nakamura M, López-Abente J, Crescioli S, Laddach R, Romero-Clavijo P, Cheung A, Stavraka C, Chenoweth AM, Sow HS, Chiaruttini G, Gilbert AE, Dodev T, Koers A, Pellizzari G, Ilieva KM, Man F, Ali N, Hobbs C, Lombardi S, Lionarons DA, Gould HJ, Beavil AJ, Geh JLC, MacKenzie Ross AD, Healy C, Calonje E, Downward J, Nestle FO, Tsoka S, Josephs DH, Blower PJ, Karagiannis P, Lacy KE, Spicer J, Karagiannis SN, Bax HJ. Anti-cancer pro-inflammatory effects of an IgE antibody targeting the melanoma-associated antigen chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2192. [PMID: 37185332 PMCID: PMC10130092 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37811-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Outcomes for half of patients with melanoma remain poor despite standard-of-care checkpoint inhibitor therapies. The prevalence of the melanoma-associated antigen chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) expression is ~70%, therefore effective immunotherapies directed at CSPG4 could benefit many patients. Since IgE exerts potent immune-activating functions in tissues, we engineer a monoclonal IgE antibody with human constant domains recognizing CSPG4 to target melanoma. CSPG4 IgE binds to human melanomas including metastases, mediates tumoricidal antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and stimulates human IgE Fc-receptor-expressing monocytes towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes. IgE demonstrates anti-tumor activity in human melanoma xenograft models engrafted with human effector cells and is associated with enhanced macrophage infiltration, enriched monocyte and macrophage gene signatures and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment. IgE prolongs the survival of patient-derived xenograft-bearing mice reconstituted with autologous immune cells. No ex vivo activation of basophils in patient blood is measured in the presence of CSPG4 IgE. Our findings support a promising IgE-based immunotherapy for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitesh Chauhan
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Melanie Grandits
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Lais C G F Palhares
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Silvia Mele
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Mano Nakamura
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jacobo López-Abente
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Silvia Crescioli
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Roman Laddach
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - Pablo Romero-Clavijo
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Anthony Cheung
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Chara Stavraka
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Cancer Centre at Guy's, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Alicia M Chenoweth
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Heng Sheng Sow
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Giulia Chiaruttini
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Amy E Gilbert
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Tihomir Dodev
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Asthma UK Centre, Allergic Mechanisms in Asthma, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Alexander Koers
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Giulia Pellizzari
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Kristina M Ilieva
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Francis Man
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Niwa Ali
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Carl Hobbs
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sara Lombardi
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Guy's and St. Thomas' Oncology & Haematology Clinical Trials (OHCT), Cancer Centre at Guy's, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Daniël A Lionarons
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Hannah J Gould
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Asthma UK Centre, Allergic Mechanisms in Asthma, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Andrew J Beavil
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Asthma UK Centre, Allergic Mechanisms in Asthma, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jenny L C Geh
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Skin Tumour Unit, St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | - Ciaran Healy
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Eduardo Calonje
- Dermatopathology Department, St. John's Institute of Dermatology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Frank O Nestle
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Sanofi US, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sophia Tsoka
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - Debra H Josephs
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Cancer Centre at Guy's, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Philip J Blower
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Panagiotis Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Oncology, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katie E Lacy
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - James Spicer
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Cancer Centre at Guy's, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Heather J Bax
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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13
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The New Frontier of Immunotherapy: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) Cell and Macrophage (CAR-M) Therapy against Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051597. [PMID: 36900394 PMCID: PMC10000829 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer represents one of the most common tumor histologies. To date, based on the specific histotype, different therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapies, capable of prolonging survival are used. More recently, the astonishing results that were obtained from CAR-T cell therapy in haematological neoplasms led to the application of this new therapeutic strategy in solid tumors as well. Our article will deal with chimeric antigen receptor-based immunotherapy (CAR-T cell and CAR-M therapy) in breast cancer.
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14
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Maher J, Davies DM. CAR-Based Immunotherapy of Solid Tumours-A Survey of the Emerging Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1171. [PMID: 36831514 PMCID: PMC9953954 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with CAR T-cells has revolutionised the treatment of B-cell and plasma cell-derived cancers. However, solid tumours present a much greater challenge for treatment using CAR-engineered immune cells. In a partner review, we have surveyed data generated in clinical trials in which patients with solid tumours that expressed any of 30 discrete targets were treated with CAR-based immunotherapy. That exercise confirms that efficacy of this approach falls well behind that seen in haematological malignancies, while significant toxic events have also been reported. Here, we consider approximately 60 additional candidates for which such clinical data are not available yet, but where pre-clinical data have provided support for their advancement to clinical evaluation as CAR target antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - David M. Davies
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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15
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Huang Z, Dewanjee S, Chakraborty P, Jha NK, Dey A, Gangopadhyay M, Chen XY, Wang J, Jha SK. CAR T cells: engineered immune cells to treat brain cancers and beyond. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:22. [PMID: 36721153 PMCID: PMC9890802 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01712-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant brain tumors rank among the most challenging type of malignancies to manage. The current treatment protocol commonly entails surgery followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, however, the median patient survival rate is poor. Recent developments in immunotherapy for a variety of tumor types spark optimism that immunological strategies may help patients with brain cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells exploit the tumor-targeting specificity of antibodies or receptor ligands to direct the cytolytic capacity of T cells. Several molecules have been discovered as potential targets for immunotherapy-based targeting, including but not limited to EGFRvIII, IL13Rα2, and HER2. The outstanding clinical responses to CAR T cell-based treatments in patients with hematological malignancies have generated interest in using this approach to treat solid tumors. Research results to date support the astounding clinical response rates of CD19-targeted CAR T cells, early clinical experiences in brain tumors demonstrating safety and evidence for disease-modifying activity, and the promise for further advances to ultimately assist patients clinically. However, several variable factors seem to slow down the progress rate regarding treating brain cancers utilizing CAR T cells. The current study offers a thorough analysis of CAR T cells' promise in treating brain cancer, including design and delivery considerations, current strides in clinical and preclinical research, issues encountered, and potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoufang Huang
- grid.452437.3Department of Hematology, Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- grid.216499.10000 0001 0722 3459Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032 India
| | - Pratik Chakraborty
- grid.216499.10000 0001 0722 3459Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032 India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- grid.412552.50000 0004 1764 278XDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- grid.412537.60000 0004 1768 2925Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032 India
| | - Moumita Gangopadhyay
- grid.502979.00000 0004 6087 8632Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Xuan-Yu Chen
- grid.264091.80000 0001 1954 7928Institute for Biotechnology, St. John’s University, Queens, New York, 11439 USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Affiliated Jiangyin People’s Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangyin, 214400 China
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- grid.412552.50000 0004 1764 278XDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India ,grid.448792.40000 0004 4678 9721Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413 India ,grid.449906.60000 0004 4659 5193Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, 248007 India
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16
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VT68.2: An Antibody to Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) Displays Reactivity against a Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigen. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032506. [PMID: 36768830 PMCID: PMC9917008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The anti-CSPG4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have shown anti-tumor activity and therapeutic potential for treating breast cancer. In addition, CSPG4 is a dominant tumor-associated antigen that is also involved in normal-tissue development in humans. Therefore, the potential for off-tumor activity remains a serious concern when targeting CSPG4 therapeutically. Previous work suggested that glycans contribute to the binding of specific anti-CSPG4 antibodies to tumor cells, but the specificity and importance of this contribution are unknown. In this study, the reactivity of anti-CSPG4 mAbs was characterized with a peptide mimetic of carbohydrate antigens expressed in breast cancer. ELISA, flow cytometry, and microarray assays were used to screen mAbs for their ability to bind to carbohydrate-mimicking peptides (CMPs), cancer cells, and glycans. The mAb VT68.2 displayed a distinctly strong binding to a CMP (P10s) and bound to triple-negative breast cancer cells. In addition, VT68.2 showed a higher affinity for N-linked glycans that contain terminal fucose and fucosylated lactosamines. The functional assays demonstrated that VT68.2 inhibited cancer cell migration. These results define the glycoform reactivity of an anti-CSPG4 antibody and may lead to the development of less toxic therapeutic approaches that target tumor-specific glyco-peptides.
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Nasiri F, Kazemi M, Mirarefin SMJ, Mahboubi Kancha M, Ahmadi Najafabadi M, Salem F, Dashti Shokoohi S, Evazi Bakhshi S, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P. CAR-T cell therapy in triple-negative breast cancer: Hunting the invisible devil. Front Immunol 2022; 13. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as the most intricate and hard-to-treat subtype of breast cancer. TNBC cells do not express the well-known estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressed by other breast cancer subtypes. This phenomenon leaves no room for novel treatment approaches including endocrine and HER2-specific antibody therapies. To date, surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy remain the principal therapy options for TNBC treatment. However, in numerous cases, these approaches either result in minimal clinical benefit or are nonfunctional, resulting in disease recurrence and poor prognosis. Nowadays, chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is becoming more established as an option for the treatment of various types of hematologic malignancies. CAR-Ts are genetically engineered T lymphocytes that employ the body’s immune system mechanisms to selectively recognize cancer cells expressing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) of interest and efficiently eliminate them. However, despite the clinical triumph of CAR-T therapy in hematologic neoplasms, CAR-T therapy of solid tumors, including TNBC, has been much more challenging. In this review, we will discuss the success of CAR-T therapy in hematological neoplasms and its caveats in solid tumors, and then we summarize the potential CAR-T targetable TAAs in TNBC studied in different investigational stages.
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Nasiri F, Kazemi M, Mirarefin SMJ, Mahboubi Kancha M, Ahmadi Najafabadi M, Salem F, Dashti Shokoohi S, Evazi Bakhshi S, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P. CAR-T cell therapy in triple-negative breast cancer: Hunting the invisible devil. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018786. [PMID: 36483567 PMCID: PMC9722775 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as the most intricate and hard-to-treat subtype of breast cancer. TNBC cells do not express the well-known estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressed by other breast cancer subtypes. This phenomenon leaves no room for novel treatment approaches including endocrine and HER2-specific antibody therapies. To date, surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy remain the principal therapy options for TNBC treatment. However, in numerous cases, these approaches either result in minimal clinical benefit or are nonfunctional, resulting in disease recurrence and poor prognosis. Nowadays, chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is becoming more established as an option for the treatment of various types of hematologic malignancies. CAR-Ts are genetically engineered T lymphocytes that employ the body's immune system mechanisms to selectively recognize cancer cells expressing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) of interest and efficiently eliminate them. However, despite the clinical triumph of CAR-T therapy in hematologic neoplasms, CAR-T therapy of solid tumors, including TNBC, has been much more challenging. In this review, we will discuss the success of CAR-T therapy in hematological neoplasms and its caveats in solid tumors, and then we summarize the potential CAR-T targetable TAAs in TNBC studied in different investigational stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Nasiri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Production Platforms & Analytics, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mehrasa Kazemi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Thalassemia Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Maral Mahboubi Kancha
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Milad Ahmadi Najafabadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faeze Salem
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setareh Dashti Shokoohi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Evazi Bakhshi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Qu C, Zhang H, Cao H, Tang L, Mo H, Liu F, Zhang L, Yi Z, Long L, Yan L, Wang Z, Zhang N, Luo P, Zhang J, Liu Z, Ye W, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Tumor buster - where will the CAR-T cell therapy 'missile' go? Mol Cancer 2022; 21:201. [PMID: 36261831 PMCID: PMC9580202 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01669-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy based on gene editing technology represents a significant breakthrough in personalized immunotherapy for human cancer. This strategy uses genetic modification to enable T cells to target tumor-specific antigens, attack specific cancer cells, and bypass tumor cell apoptosis avoidance mechanisms to some extent. This method has been extensively used to treat hematologic diseases, but the therapeutic effect in solid tumors is not ideal. Tumor antigen escape, treatment-related toxicity, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) limit their use of it. Target selection is the most critical aspect in determining the prognosis of patients receiving this treatment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of all therapeutic targets used in the clinic or shown promising potential. We summarize CAR-T cell therapies’ clinical trials, applications, research frontiers, and limitations in treating different cancers. We also explore coping strategies when encountering sub-optimal tumor-associated antigens (TAA) or TAA loss. Moreover, the importance of CAR-T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunrun Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, The Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lanhua Tang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haoyang Mo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fangkun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenjie Yi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lifu Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Luzhe Yan
- XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,One-third Lab, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Weijie Ye
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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20
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Harrer DC, Schenkel C, Berking C, Herr W, Abken H, Dörrie J, Schaft N. Decitabine-Mediated Upregulation of CSPG4 in Ovarian Carcinoma Cells Enables Targeting by CSPG4-Specific CAR-T Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205033. [PMID: 36291817 PMCID: PMC9599610 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The addition of CAR-T cells to the armamentarium of immunotherapy revigorated the field of oncology by inducing long-lasting remissions in patients with relapsing/refractory hematological malignancies. Nevertheless, in the lion's share of patients diagnosed with solid tumors, CAR-T-cell therapy so far failed to demonstrate satisfactory anti-tumor activity. A crucial cause of resistance against the antigen-specific attack of CAR-T cells is predicated on the primary or secondary absence of suitable target antigens. Thus, the necessity to create a broad repertoire of different target antigens is vital. We aimed to evaluate the potential of the well-established melanoma antigen chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as an inducible antigen in ovarian cancer cells, using CSPG4-negative SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells as a model. Based on the hypomethylating activity of the FDA-approved drug decitabine, we refined a protocol to upregulate CSPG4 in the majority of decitabine-treated SKOV-3 cells. CSPG4-specific CAR-T cells generated by mRNA-electroporation showed CSPG4-directed cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity towards decitabine-treated SKOV-3. Another ovarian cancer cell line (Caov-3) and the neoplastic cell line 293T behaved similar. In aggregate, we generated proof-of-concept data paving the way for the further exploration of CSPG4 as an inducible antigen for CAR-T cells in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Department of Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Charlotte Schenkel
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Östliche Stadtmauerstraße 30, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Östliche Stadtmauerstraße 30, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Östliche Stadtmauerstraße 30, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-913-1853-1127
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21
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Zhou T, Chen W, Wu Z, Cai J, Zhou C. A newly defined basement membrane-related gene signature for the prognosis of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:994208. [PMID: 36186476 PMCID: PMC9520985 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.994208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Basement membranes (BMs) are associated with cell polarity, differentiation, migration, and survival. Previous studies have shown that BMs play a key role in the progression of cancer, and thus could serve as potential targets for inhibiting the development of cancer. However, the association between basement membrane-related genes (BMRGs) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. To address that gap, we constructed a novel risk signature utilizing BMRGs to explore the relationship between ccRCC and BMs.Methods: We gathered transcriptome and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and randomly separated the data into training and test sets to look for new potential biomarkers and create a predictive signature of BMRGs for ccRCC. We applied univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analyses to establish the model. The risk signature was further verified and evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA), the Kaplan-Meier technique, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC). A nomogram was constructed to predict the overall survival (OS). The possible biological pathways were investigated through functional enrichment analysis. In this study, we also determined tumor mutation burden (TMB) and performed immunological analysis and immunotherapeutic drug analysis between the high- and low-risk groups.Results: We identified 33 differentially expressed genes and constructed a risk model of eight BMRGs, including COL4A4, FREM1, CSPG4, COL4A5, ITGB6, ADAMTS14, MMP17, and THBS4. The PCA analysis showed that the signature could distinguish the high- and low-risk groups well. The K-M and ROC analysis demonstrated that the model could predict the prognosis well from the areas under the curves (AUCs), which was 0.731. Moreover, the nomogram showed good predictability. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis validated that the model results supported the hypothesis that BMRGs were independent risk factors for ccRCC. Furthermore, immune cell infiltration, immunological checkpoints, TMB, and the half-inhibitory concentration varied considerably between high- and low-risk groups.Conclusion: Employing eight BMRGs to construct a risk model as a prognostic indicator of ccRCC could provide us with a potential progression trajectory as well as predictions of therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weikang Chen
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhigang Wu, ; Jian Cai, ; Chaofeng Zhou,
| | - Jian Cai
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhigang Wu, ; Jian Cai, ; Chaofeng Zhou,
| | - Chaofeng Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhigang Wu, ; Jian Cai, ; Chaofeng Zhou,
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22
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Nota SPFT, Osei-Hwedieh DO, Drum DL, Wang X, Sabbatino F, Ferrone S, Schwab JH. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 expression in chondrosarcoma: A potential target for antibody-based immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:939166. [PMID: 36110930 PMCID: PMC9468862 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma is a common primary bone malignancy whose phenotype increases with its histologic grade. They are relatively resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy limiting curative options for disseminated disease. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface proteoglycan that is highly expressed across various human cancers, including chondrosarcoma, and has restricted distribution in healthy tissues, making it an attractive target for the antibody-based therapy. CSPG4 specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have been shown to be effective in treating other cancers such as melanoma and triple negative breast cancer. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of CSPG4 in human chondrosarcoma and to assess the efficacy of CSPG4 specific CAR T cells in lysing chondrosarcoma cells in vitro. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), we stained a tissue microarray containing primary conventional and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma from 76 patients with CSPG4 specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In addition, we incubated 2 chondrosarcoma cell lines with CSPG4-targeting CAR T cells and subsequently evaluated cell survival. Our results showed medium to high expression of CSPG4 in 29 of 41 (71%) conventional chondrosarcoma tumors and in 3 of 20 (15%) dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma tumors. CSPG4 expression showed a positive association with time to metastasis and survival in both subtypes. CSPG4 CAR T treated cell lines showed a lysis of respectively >80% and 70% demonstrating CSPG4-targeted CAR T cells effective in killing CSPG4-positive chondrosarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd P. F. T. Nota
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - David O. Osei-Hwedieh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David L. Drum
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joseph H. Schwab
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Joseph H. Schwab,
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23
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Mitochondrial fission induces immunoescape in solid tumors through decreasing MHC-I surface expression. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3882. [PMID: 35794100 PMCID: PMC9259736 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31417-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMitochondrial dynamics can regulate Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-I antigen expression by cancer cells and their immunogenicity in mice and in patients with malignancies. A crucial role in the mitochondrial fragmentation connection with immunogenicity is played by the IRE1α-XBP-1s axis. XBP-1s is a transcription factor for aminopeptidase TPP2, which inhibits MHC-I complex cell surface expression likely by degrading tumor antigen peptides. Mitochondrial fission inhibition with Mdivi-1 upregulates MHC-I expression on cancer cells and enhances the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy in patient-derived tumor models. Therefore mitochondrial fission inhibition might provide an approach to enhance the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapy.
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24
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Zhang J, Siller-Farfán JA. Current and future perspectives of chimeric antigen receptors against glioblastoma. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2022; 2:ltac014. [PMID: 36284838 PMCID: PMC9585667 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant form of cancer in the central nervous system; even with treatment, it has a 5-year survival rate of 7.2%. The adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has shown a remarkable success against hematological malignancies, namely leukemia and multiple myeloma. However, CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors, and more specifically GBM, is still riddled with challenges preventing its widespread adoption. Here, we first establish the obstacles in ACT against GBM, including on-target/off-tumor toxicity, antigen modulation, tumor heterogeneity, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We then present recent preclinical and clinical studies targeting well-characterized GBM antigens, which include the interleukin-13 receptor α2 and the epidermal growth factor receptor. Afterward, we turn our attention to alternative targets in GBM, including less-explored antigens such as B7-H3 (CD276), carbonic anhydrase IX, and the GD2 ganglioside. We also discuss additional target ligands, namely CD70, and natural killer group 2 member D ligands. Finally, we present the possibilities afforded by novel CAR architectures. In particular, we examine the use of armored CARs to improve the survival and proliferation of CAR T cells. We conclude by discussing the advantages of tandem and synNotch CARs when targeting multiple GBM antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Zhang
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St , Baltimore 21218, United States
- St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, Woodstock Rd , Oxford OX2 6HS, United Kingdom
| | - Jesús A Siller-Farfán
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, S Parks Rd , Oxford OX1 3DP, United Kingdom
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25
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Corti C, Venetis K, Sajjadi E, Zattoni L, Curigliano G, Fusco N. CAR-T cell therapy for triple-negative breast cancer and other solid tumors: preclinical and clinical progress. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:593-605. [PMID: 35311430 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2054326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most breast cancer-related deaths arise from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Molecular heterogeneity, aggressiveness and the lack of effective therapies are major hurdles to therapeutic progress. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic strategy in TNBC. This approach combines the antigen specificity of an antibody with the effector function of T cells. AREAS COVERED This review examines the opportunities provided by CAR-T cell therapies in solid tumors. Emerging targets, ongoing clinical trials, and prospective clinical implications in TNBC are considered later. An emphasis is placed on the key challenges and possible solutions for this therapeutic approach. EXPERT OPINION A challenge for CAR-T cell therapy is the selection of the optimal targets to minimize on-target/off-tumor toxicity. Tumor escape via antigen loss and intrinsic heterogeneity is a further hurdle. TROP2, GD2, ROR1, MUC1 and EpCAM are promising targets. Persistence and trafficking to tumor cells may be enhanced by the implementation of CARs with a chemokine receptor and/or constitutively activated interleukin receptors. Fourth-generation CARs (TRUCKs) may redirect T-cells for universal cytokine-mediated killing. Combinatorial approaches and the application of CARs to other immune cells could revert the suppressive immune environment that characterizes solid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Corti
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elham Sajjadi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zattoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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26
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Hu ZY, Zheng C, Yang J, Ding S, Tian C, Xie N, Xue L, Wu M, Fu S, Rao Z, Price MA, McCarthy JB, Ouyang Q, Lin J, Deng X. Co-Expression and Combined Prognostic Value of CSPG4 and PDL1 in TP53-Aberrant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:804466. [PMID: 35280756 PMCID: PMC8907582 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.804466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), PDL1/PD1-directed immunotherapy is effective in less than 20% of patients. In our preliminary study, we have found CSPG4 to be highly expressed together with PDL1 in TNBCs, particularly those harboring TP53 aberrations. However, the clinical implications of co-expressed CSPG4 and PDL1 in TNBCs remain elusive. Methods A total of 85 advanced TNBC patients treated in the Hunan Cancer Hospital between January 2017 and August 2019 were recruited. The expressions of CSPG4 and PDL1 in TNBC tissues were investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The RNA-seq dataset from the TCGA-BRCA project was further used to analyze the mRNA expression of CSPG4 and PDL1 in TP53-aberrant TNBCs. Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier curves with Logrank test was used to analyze the effects of CSPG4 and PDL1 on survival. TNBC cell lines were further used to investigate the molecular mechanism that were involved. Results TP53 aberrations occurred in more than 50% of metastatic TNBCs and were related to higher tumor mutation burden (TMB). In TCGA-BRCA RNA-seq dataset analysis, both CSPG4 and PDL1 levels were high in TNBCs, especially in TP53-aberrant TNBCs. IHC assay showed nearly 60% of advanced TNBCs to be CSPG4-positive and about 25% to be both CSPG4-positive and PDL1-positive. The levels of CSPG4 and PDL1 were high in TNBC cell lines as revealed by flow cytometry and immunoblotting compared with non-TNBC cells. Univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that CSPG4 positivity was a significant risk factor for progression-free survival in metastatic TNBCs, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.26 (P = 0.05). KM curves with Logrank test also identified high level of CSPG4 as a significant risk factor for overall survival in advanced breast cancers in TCGA-BRCA samples (P = 0.02). The immunoblotting assays showed that EMT-related pathways were involved in CSPG4-mediated invasion. Conclusions CSPG4 expression level is associated with PDL1 positivity in TP53-aberrant TNBC cells. Patients with CSPG4 expression have poor treatment response and poor overall survival. Co-expressed CSPG4 and PDL1 may have an important prognostic value and provide new therapeutic targets in TNBC patients. CSPG4 might mediate tumor invasion and PDL1 overexpression through EMT-related pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe-Yu Hu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chanjuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianbo Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,The Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical Center, Fuzhou, China
| | - Siyu Ding
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Can Tian
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ning Xie
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lian Xue
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Muyao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Shujun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhouzhou Rao
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Matthew A Price
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - James B McCarthy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Quchang Ouyang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China.,Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jizhen Lin
- The Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical Center, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Otolaryngology, Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, MN, United States
| | - Xiyun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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Hirabayashi K, Du H, Xu Y, Shou P, Zhou X, Fucá G, Landoni E, Sun C, Chen Y, Savoldo B, Dotti G. Dual Targeting CAR-T Cells with Optimal Costimulation and Metabolic Fitness enhance Antitumor Activity and Prevent Escape in Solid Tumors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 2:904-918. [PMID: 34746799 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-021-00244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells showed great activity in hematologic malignancies. However, heterogeneous antigen expression in tumor cells and suboptimal CAR-T cell persistence remain critical aspects to achieve clinical responses in patients with solid tumors. Here we show that CAR-T cells targeting simultaneously two tumor-associated antigens and providing transacting CD28 and 4-1BB costimulation, while sharing the sane CD3ζ-chain cause rapid antitumor effects in in vivo stress conditions, protection from tumor re-challenge and prevention of tumor escape due to low antigen density. Molecular and signaling studies indicate that T cells engineered with the proposed CAR design demonstrate sustained phosphorylation of T cell receptor-associated (TCR) signaling molecules and a molecular signature supporting CAR-T cell proliferation and long-term survival. Furthermore, metabolic profiling of CAR-T cells displayed induction of glycolysis that sustains rapid effector T cell function, but also preservation of oxidative functions, which are critical for T cell long-term persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Hirabayashi
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hongwei Du
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yang Xu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Peishun Shou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Giovanni Fucá
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chuang Sun
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuhui Chen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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28
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Egan CE, Stefanova D, Ahmed A, Raja VJ, Thiesmeyer JW, Chen KJ, Greenberg JA, Zhang T, He B, Finnerty BM, Zarnegar R, Jin MM, Scognamiglio T, Dephoure N, Fahey T, Min IM. CSPG4 Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2021; 31:1481-1493. [PMID: 34078123 PMCID: PMC8917884 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2021.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare cancer with poor prognosis and few treatment options. The objective of this study was to investigate new immune-associated therapeutic targets by identifying ATC-derived, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-presenting peptides. One protein that generated multiple peptides in ATC was chondroitin sulfate-proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4), a transmembrane proteoglycan with increased expression in multiple aggressive cancers, but not yet investigated in ATC. Methods: We applied autologous peripheral blood T cells to ATC patient-derived xenografted mice to examine whether ATC induces a tumor-specific T cell response. We then identified peptide antigens eluted from the HLA-DQ complex in ATC patient-derived cells using mass spectrometry, detecting abundant CSPG4-derived peptides specific to the ATC sample. Next, we analyzed the surface expression level of CSPG4 in thyroid cancer cell lines and primary cell culture using flow cytometry. In addition, we used immunohistochemistry to compare the expression level and localization of the CSPG4 protein in ATC, papillary thyroid cancer, and normal thyroid tissue. We then investigated the correlation between CSPG4 expression and clinicopathological features of patients with thyroid cancer. Results: We found that ATC tissue had a high level of HLA-DQ expression and that the patient's CD4+ T cells showed activation when exposed to ATC. By eluting the HLA-DQ complex of ATC tissue, we found that CSPG4 generated one of the most abundant and specific peptides. CSPG4 expression at the cell surface of thyroid cancer was also significantly high when determined by flow cytometry, with the majority of ATC cell lines exhibiting ∼10-fold higher mean fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, most ATC patient cases expressed CSPG4 in the cytoplasm or membrane of the tumor cells. CSPG4 expression was correlated with tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) circumferential expression. CSPG4 mRNA overexpression was associated with worse overall survival in patients with ATC and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer. Conclusions: CSPG4 expression is significantly elevated in aggressive thyroid cancers, with a strong correlation with a poor prognosis. The vast number of HLA-DQ eluted CSPG4 peptides was identified in ATC, demonstrating the potential of CSPG4 as a novel immunotherapeutic target for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Egan
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Adnan Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vijay J. Raja
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Kevin J. Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Taotao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bing He
- Department of Pathology, and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Rasa Zarnegar
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Moonsoo M. Jin
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Noah Dephoure
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Fahey
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Irene M. Min
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Yoo HJ, Harapan BN. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy: basic principles, current advances, and future prospects in neuro-oncology. Immunol Res 2021; 69:471-486. [PMID: 34554405 PMCID: PMC8580929 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
With recent advances, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy has become a promising modality for patients with refractory cancer diseases. The successful results of CAR T cell therapy in relapsed and refractory B-cell malignancies shifted the paradigm of cancer immunotherapy by awakening the scientific, clinical, and commercial interest in translating this technology for the treatment of solid cancers. This review elaborates on fundamental principles of CAR T cell therapy (development of CAR construct, challenges of CAR T cell therapy) and its application on solid tumors as well as CAR T cell therapy potential in the field of neuro-oncology. Glioblastoma (GBM) is identified as one of the most challenging solid tumors with a permissive immunological milieu and dismal prognosis. Standard multimodal treatment using maximal safe resection, radiochemotherapy, and maintenance chemotherapy extends the overall survival beyond a year. Recurrence is, however, inevitable. GBM holds several unique features including its vast intratumoral heterogeneity, immunosuppressive environment, and a partially permissive anatomic blood–brain barrier, which offers a unique opportunity to investigate new treatment approaches. Tremendous efforts have been made in recent years to investigate novel CAR targets and target combinations with standard modalities for solid tumors and GBM to improve treatment efficacy. In this review, we outline the history of CAR immunotherapy development, relevant CAR target antigens validated with CAR T cells as well as preclinical approaches in combination with adjunct approaches via checkpoint inhibition, bispecific antibodies, and second-line systemic therapies that enhance anticancer efficacy of the CAR-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Joo Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Biyan Nathanael Harapan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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30
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Zam W, Assaad A. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CARs) in cancer treatment. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 15:532-546. [PMID: 34382510 DOI: 10.2174/1874467214666210811150255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation were the main cancer treatment approaches for several years but due to their limited effectiveness, there was a constant search for new therapeutic approaches. Cancer immunotherapy that utilizes and enhances the normal capacity of the patient's immune system was used to fight against cancer. Genetically engineered T-cells that express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) showed remarkable anti-tumor activity against hematologic malignancies and is now being investigated in a variety of solid tumors. The use of this therapy in the last few years has been successful, achieving a great success in improving the quality of life and prolonging the survival time of patients with a reduction in remission rates. However, many challenges still need to be resolved in order for this technology to gain widespread adoption. <P> Objective: This review summarizes various experimental approaches towards the use of CAR T-cells in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. <P> Conclusion: Finally, we address the challenges posed by CAR T-cells and discuss strategies for improving the performance of these T cells in fighting cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wissam Zam
- Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Wadi International University, Homs. Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Amany Assaad
- 2. Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy,Tartous University, Tartous. Syrian Arab Republic
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31
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Chokshi CR, Brakel BA, Tatari N, Savage N, Salim SK, Venugopal C, Singh SK. Advances in Immunotherapy for Adult Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143400. [PMID: 34298615 PMCID: PMC8305609 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Therapy failure and disease recurrence are hallmarks of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and lethal tumor in adults that originates in the brain. Despite aggressive standards of care, tumor recurrence is inevitable with no standardized second-line therapy. Recent clinical studies evaluating therapies that augment the anti-tumor immune response (i.e., immunotherapies) have yielded promising results in subsets of GBM patients. Here, we summarize clinical studies in the past decade that evaluate vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for treatment of GBM. Although immunotherapies have yet to return widespread efficacy for the majority of GBM patients, critical insights from completed and ongoing clinical trials are informing development of the next generation of therapies, with the goal to alleviate disease burden and extend patient survival. Abstract Despite aggressive multimodal therapy, glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. With the advent of therapies that revitalize the anti-tumor immune response, several immunotherapeutic modalities have been developed for treatment of GBM. In this review, we summarize recent clinical and preclinical efforts to evaluate vaccination strategies, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Although these modalities have shown long-term tumor regression in subsets of treated patients, the underlying biology that may predict efficacy and inform therapy development is being actively investigated. Common to all therapeutic modalities are fundamental mechanisms of therapy evasion by tumor cells, including immense intratumoral heterogeneity, suppression of the tumor immune microenvironment and low mutational burden. These insights have led efforts to design rational combinatorial therapies that can reignite the anti-tumor immune response, effectively and specifically target tumor cells and reliably decrease tumor burden for GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirayu R. Chokshi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (C.R.C.); (B.A.B.); (N.T.); (N.S.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Benjamin A. Brakel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (C.R.C.); (B.A.B.); (N.T.); (N.S.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Nazanin Tatari
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (C.R.C.); (B.A.B.); (N.T.); (N.S.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Neil Savage
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (C.R.C.); (B.A.B.); (N.T.); (N.S.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Sabra K. Salim
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (C.R.C.); (B.A.B.); (N.T.); (N.S.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Chitra Venugopal
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada;
| | - Sheila K. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (C.R.C.); (B.A.B.); (N.T.); (N.S.); (S.K.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada;
- Correspondence:
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32
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Maggs L, Cattaneo G, Dal AE, Moghaddam AS, Ferrone S. CAR T Cell-Based Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:662064. [PMID: 34113233 PMCID: PMC8185049 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.662064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Current treatment options typically consist of surgery followed by chemotherapy or more frequently radiotherapy, however, median patient survival remains at just over 1 year. Therefore, the need for novel curative therapies for GBM is vital. Characterization of GBM cells has contributed to identify several molecules as targets for immunotherapy-based treatments such as EGFR/EGFRvIII, IL13Rα2, B7-H3, and CSPG4. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes collected from a patient can be genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for an identified tumor antigen (TA). These CAR T cells can then be re-administered to the patient to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The impressive clinical responses to TA-specific CAR T cell-based therapies in patients with hematological malignancies have generated a lot of interest in the application of this strategy with solid tumors including GBM. Several clinical trials are evaluating TA-specific CAR T cells to treat GBM. Unfortunately, the efficacy of CAR T cells against solid tumors has been limited due to several factors. These include the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, inadequate trafficking and infiltration of CAR T cells and their lack of persistence and activity. In particular, GBM has specific limitations to overcome including acquired resistance to therapy, limited diffusion across the blood brain barrier and risks of central nervous system toxicity. Here we review current CAR T cell-based approaches for the treatment of GBM and summarize the mechanisms being explored in pre-clinical, as well as clinical studies to improve their anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Maggs
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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33
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Dana H, Chalbatani GM, Jalali SA, Mirzaei HR, Grupp SA, Suarez ER, Rapôso C, Webster TJ. CAR-T cells: Early successes in blood cancer and challenges in solid tumors. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1129-1147. [PMID: 34094824 PMCID: PMC8144892 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
New approaches to cancer immunotherapy have been developed, showing the ability to harness the immune system to treat and eliminate cancer. For many solid tumors, therapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown promise. For hematologic malignancies, adoptive and engineered cell therapies are being widely developed, using cells such as T lymphocytes, as well as natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and potentially others. Among these adoptive cell therapies, the most active and advanced therapy involves chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, which are T cells in which a chimeric antigen receptor is used to redirect specificity and allow T cell recognition, activation and killing of cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Two autologous CAR-T products have been approved by several health authorities, starting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. These products have shown powerful, inducing, long-lasting effects against B cell cancers in many cases. In distinction to the results seen in hematologic malignancies, the field of using CAR-T products against solid tumors is in its infancy. Targeting solid tumors and trafficking CAR-T cells into an immunosuppressive microenvironment are both significant challenges. The goal of this review is to summarize some of the most recent aspects of CAR-T cell design and manufacturing that have led to successes in hematological malignancies, allowing the reader to appreciate the barriers that must be overcome to extend CAR-T therapies to solid tumors successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Dana
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 13145-158, Iran
| | - Ghanbar Mahmoodi Chalbatani
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717434, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Jalali
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717434, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran
| | - Stephan A. Grupp
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eloah Rabello Suarez
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Catarina Rapôso
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Thomas J. Webster
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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34
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Landoni E, Fucá G, Wang J, Chirasani VR, Yao Z, Dukhovlinova E, Ferrone S, Savoldo B, Hong LK, Shou P, Musio S, Padelli F, Finocchiaro G, Droste M, Kuhlman B, Shamshiev A, Pellegatta S, Dokholyan NV, Dotti G. Modifications to the Framework Regions Eliminate Chimeric Antigen Receptor Tonic Signaling. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:441-453. [PMID: 33547226 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) tonic signaling, defined as spontaneous activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines by CAR-T cells, is considered a negative attribute because it leads to impaired antitumor effects. Here, we report that CAR tonic signaling is caused by the intrinsic instability of the mAb single-chain variable fragment (scFv) to promote self-aggregation and signaling via the CD3ζ chain incorporated into the CAR construct. This phenomenon was detected in a CAR encoding either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory endodomains. Instability of the scFv was caused by specific amino acids within the framework regions (FWR) that can be identified by computational modeling. Substitutions of the amino acids causing instability, or humanization of the FWRs, corrected tonic signaling of the CAR, without modifying antigen specificity, and enhanced the antitumor effects of CAR-T cells. Overall, we demonstrated that tonic signaling of CAR-T cells is determined by the molecular instability of the scFv and that computational analyses of the scFv can be implemented to correct the scFv instability in CAR-T cells with either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Giovanni Fucá
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jian Wang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Venkat R Chirasani
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Zhiyuan Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Elena Dukhovlinova
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Lee K Hong
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Peishun Shou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Silvia Musio
- Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Brain Tumors, Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Padelli
- Experimental Imaging and Neuro-Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaetano Finocchiaro
- Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Brain Tumors, Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Miriam Droste
- Cell Medica Switzerland AG, Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Brian Kuhlman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Serena Pellegatta
- Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Brain Tumors, Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Nikolay V Dokholyan
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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35
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Razavi A, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Pawelek J, Rezaei N. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for melanoma. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:209-223. [PMID: 33481629 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1880895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a cancer treatment. After initial therapeutic success for hematologic malignancies, this approach has been extended for the treatment of solid tumors including melanoma. AREAS COVERED T cells need to be reprogramed to recognize specific antigens expressed only in tumor cells, a difficult problem since cancer cells are simply transformed normal cells. Tumor antigens, namely, CSPG4, CD70, and GD2 have been targeted by CAR-T cells for melanoma. Moreover, different co-stimulatory signaling domains need to be selected to direct T cell fate. In this review, various approaches for the treatment of melanoma and their effectiveness are comprehensively reviewed and the current status, challenges, and future perspective of CAR-T cell therapy for melanoma are discussed. Literature search was accomplished in three databases (PubMed, Google scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov). Published papers and clinical trials were screened and relevant documents were included by checking pre-defined eligibility criteria. EXPERT OPINION Despite obstacles and the risk of adverse events, CAR T cell therapy could be used for patients with treatment-resistant cancer. Clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy of this approach for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadehsadat Razavi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology Sciences, University of Kharazmi, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - John Pawelek
- Department of Dermatology and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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36
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Guerrouahen B, Elnaggar M, Al-Mohannadi A, Kizhakayil D, Bonini C, Benjamin R, Brentjens R, Buchholz CJ, Casorati G, Ferrone S, Locke FL, Martin F, Schambach A, Turtle C, Veys P, van der Vliet HJ, Maccalli C. Proceedings From the First International Workshop at Sidra Medicine: "Engineered Immune Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy (EICCI): From Discovery to Off-the-Shelf Development", 15 th-16 th February 2019, Doha, Qatar. Front Immunol 2021; 11:589381. [PMID: 33584653 PMCID: PMC7874217 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.589381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The progress in the isolation and characterization of tumor antigen (TA)-specific T lymphocytes and in the genetic modification of immune cells allowed the clinical development of adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Several clinical studies highlighted the striking clinical activity of T cells engineered to express either Chimeric Antigen (CAR) or T Cell (TCR) Receptors to target molecularly defined antigens expressed on tumor cells. The breakthrough of immunotherapy is represented by the approval of CAR-T cells specific for advanced or refractory CD19+ B cell malignancies by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicinal Agency (EMA). Moreover, advances in the manufacturing and gene editing of engineered immune cells contributed to the selection of drug products with desired phenotype, refined specificity and decreased toxicity. An important step toward the optimization of CAR-T cell therapy is the development of "off-the shelf" T cell products that allow to reduce the complexity and the costs of the manufacturing and to render these drugs available for a broad number of cancer patients. The Engineered Immune Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy (EICCI) workshop hosted in Doha, Qatar, renowned experts, from both academia and industry, to present and discuss the progress on both pre-clinical and clinical development of genetically modified immune cells, including advances in the "off-the-shelf" manufacturing. These experts have addressed also organizational needs and hurdles for the clinical grade production and application of these biological drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele and Hospital San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Reuben Benjamin
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renier Brentjens
- Cellular Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Research Unit for Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Giulia Casorati
- Experimental Immunology Unit, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele and Hospital San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Frederick L Locke
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Francisco Martin
- Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, Genomic Medicine Department, Granada, Spain
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boson, MA, United States
| | - Cameron Turtle
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Paul Veys
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Great Ormond Street (GOS) Hospital, and University College London GOS Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hans J van der Vliet
- Hans van Der Vliet, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University and Cancer Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Lava Therapeutics, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Xie Y, Hu Y, Zhou N, Yao C, Wu L, Liu L, Chen F. CAR T-cell therapy for triple-negative breast cancer: Where we are. Cancer Lett 2020; 491:121-131. [PMID: 32795486 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.07.044] [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: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most complex and challenging breast cancer subtype to treat, and chemotherapy remains the standard of care. Clinically, TNBC has a relatively high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis, which leads to a significant effort to discover novel strategies to treat patients with these tumors. Currently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-based immunotherapy redirects the patient's immune system directly to recognize and eradicate tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) expressing tumor cells being explored as a treatment for TNBC. A steadily increasing research in CAR T-cell therapy targeting different TAAs in TNBC has reported. In this review, we introduce the CAR technology and summarize the potential TAAs, available CARs, the antitumor activity, and the related toxicity of CARs currently under investigation for TNBC. We also highlight the potential strategies to prevent/reduce potential "on target, off tumor" toxicity induced by CAR T-cell therapy. This review will help to explore proper targets to expand further the CAR T-cell therapy for TNBCs in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuetao Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518038, China
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518038, China
| | - Nawu Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518038, China
| | - Cuicui Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518038, China
| | - Lixin Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518038, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Everest Medical Care, 2010 West Chester Pike, Havertown, PA, 19083, USA
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518038, China.
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38
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Leuci V, Donini C, Grignani G, Rotolo R, Mesiano G, Fiorino E, Gammaitoni L, D'Ambrosio L, Merlini A, Landoni E, Medico E, Capellero S, Giraudo L, Cattaneo G, Iaia I, Pignochino Y, Basiricò M, Vigna E, Pisacane A, Fagioli F, Ferrone S, Aglietta M, Dotti G, Sangiolo D. CSPG4-Specific CAR.CIK Lymphocytes as a Novel Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Histotypes. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:6321-6334. [PMID: 32900797 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE No effective therapy is available for unresectable soft-tissue sarcomas (STS). This unmet clinical need prompted us to test whether chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4)-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CAR.CIK) are effective in eliminating tumor cells derived from multiple STS histotypes in vitro and in immunodeficient mice. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The experimental platform included patient-derived CAR.CIK and cell lines established from multiple STS histotypes. CAR.CIK were transduced with a retroviral vector encoding second-generation CSPG4-specific CAR (CSPG4-CAR) with 4-1BB costimulation. The functional activity of CSPG4-CAR.CIK was explored in vitro, in two- and three-dimensional STS cultures, and in three in vivo STS xenograft models. RESULTS CSPG4-CAR.CIK were efficiently generated from patients with STS. CSPG4 was highly expressed in multiple STS histotypes by in silico analysis and on all 16 STS cell lines tested by flow cytometry. CSPG4-CAR.CIK displayed superior in vitro cytolytic activity against multiple STS histotypes as compared with paired unmodified control CIK. CSPG4-CAR.CIK also showed strong antitumor activity against STS spheroids; this effect was associated with tumor recruitment, infiltration, and matrix penetration. CSPG4-CAR.CIK significantly delayed or reversed tumor growth in vivo in three STS xenograft models (leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and fibrosarcoma). Tumor growth inhibition persisted for up to 2 weeks following the last administration of CSPG4-CAR.CIK. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that CSPG4-CAR.CIK effectively targets multiple STS histotypes in vitro and in immunodeficient mice. These results provide a strong rationale to translate the novel strategy we have developed into a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Leuci
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Donini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Ramona Rotolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Mesiano
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Erika Fiorino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Merlini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Enzo Medico
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Sonia Capellero
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Lidia Giraudo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Cattaneo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilenia Iaia
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ymera Pignochino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Basiricò
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Vigna
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Franca Fagioli
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy. .,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
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39
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A Head Start: CAR-T Cell Therapy for Primary Malignant Brain Tumors. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2020; 21:73. [PMID: 32725495 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-00772-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Oncology is the midst of a therapeutic renaissance. The realization of immunotherapy as an efficacious and expanding treatment option has empowered physicians and patients alike. However, despite these remarkable advances, we have only just broached the potential immunotherapy has to offer and have yet to successfully expand these novel modalities to the field of neuro-oncology. In recent years, exciting results in preclinical studies of immune adjuvants, oncolytic viruses, or cell therapy have been met with only fleeting signs of response when taken to early phase trials. Although many have speculated why these innovative approaches result in impaired outcomes, we are left empty-handed in a field plagued by a drought of new therapies. Herein, we will review the recent advances across cellular therapy for primary malignant brain tumors, an approach that lends itself to overcoming the inherent resistance mechanisms which have impeded the success of prior treatment attempts.
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40
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A Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Delivering a DNA Mono-Alkylating Payload to Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan (CSPG4)-Expressing Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12041029. [PMID: 32331483 PMCID: PMC7226475 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite emerging targeted and immunotherapy treatments, no monoclonal antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) directly targeting tumor cells are currently approved for melanoma therapy. The tumor-associated antigen chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), a neural crest glycoprotein over-expressed on 70% of melanomas, contributes to proliferative signaling pathways, but despite highly tumor-selective expression it has not yet been targeted using ADCs. We developed a novel ADC comprising an anti-CSPG4 antibody linked to a DNA minor groove-binding agent belonging to the novel pyrridinobenzodiazepine (PDD) class. Unlike conventional DNA-interactive pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer payloads that cross-link DNA, PDD-based payloads are mono-alkylating agents but have similar efficacy and substantially enhanced tolerability profiles compared to PBD-based cross-linkers. We investigated the anti-tumor activity and safety of the anti-CSPG4-(PDD) ADC in vitro and in human melanoma xenografts. Anti-CSPG4-(PDD) inhibited CSPG4-expressing melanoma cell growth and colony formation and triggered apoptosis in vitro at low nanomolar to picomolar concentrations without off-target Fab-mediated or Fc-mediated toxicity. Anti-CSPG4-(PDD) restricted xenograft growth in vivo at 2 mg/kg doses. One 5 mg/kg injection triggered tumor regression in the absence of overt toxic effects or of acquired residual tumor cell resistance. This anti-CSPG4-(PDD) can deliver a highly cytotoxic DNA mono-alkylating payload to CSPG4-expressing tumors at doses tolerated in vivo.
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41
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Ferrone S, Whiteside TL. Targeting CSPG4 for isolation of melanoma cell-derived exosomes from body fluids. HNO 2020; 68:100-105. [PMID: 32006045 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-019-00811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript describes the functional properties of the exosomes released from melanoma cells. It details the characteristics of the tumor antigen chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), which is used as a marker to separate exosomes released by melanoma cells from exosomes released by nonmalignant cells. The results are discussed in view of the potential role of melanoma cell-derived exosomes in the escape of malignant cells from the host's immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, 02114, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - T L Whiteside
- Departments of Pathology, Immunology and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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42
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Abstract
The capacity of single-agent therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors to control solid cancers by unleashing preexisting local antitumor T cell responses has renewed interest in the broader use of T cells as anticancer therapeutics. At the same time, durable responses of refractory B-lineage malignancies to chimeric-receptor engineered T cells illustrate that T cells can be effectively redirected to cancers that lack preexisting tumor antigen-specific T cells, as most typical childhood cancers. This review summarizes strategies by which T cells can be modified to recognize defined antigens, with a focus on chimeric-receptor engineering. We provide an overview of candidate target antigens currently investigated in advanced preclinical and early clinical trials in pediatric malignancies and discuss the prerequisites for an adequate in vivo function of engineered T cells in the microenvironment of solid tumors and intrinsic and extrinsic limitations of current redirected T cell therapies. We further address innovative solutions to recruit therapeutic T cells to tumors, overcome the unreliable and heterogenous expression of most known tumor-associated antigens, and prevent functional inactivation of T cells in the hostile microenvironment of solid childhood tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin K Rauwolf
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, University Children's Hospital Muenster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, University Children's Hospital Muenster, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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43
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Harrer DC, Dörrie J, Schaft N. CSPG4 as Target for CAR-T-Cell Therapy of Various Tumor Entities-Merits and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20235942. [PMID: 31779130 PMCID: PMC6928974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting cancer cells using chimeric-antigen-receptor (CAR-)T cells has propelled adoptive T-cell therapy (ATT) to the next level. A plentitude of durable complete responses using CD19-specific CAR-T cells in patients suffering from various lymphoid malignancies resulted in the approval by the food and drug administration (FDA) of CD19-directed CAR-T cells for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A substantial portion of this success in hematological malignancies can be traced back to the beneficial properties of the target antigen CD19, which combines a universal presence on target cells with no detectable expression on indispensable host cells. Hence, to replicate response rates achieved in ALL and DLBCL in the realm of solid tumors, where ideal target antigens are scant and CAR-T cells are still lagging behind expectations, the quest for appropriate target antigens represents a crucial task to expedite the next steps in the evolution of CAR-T-cell therapy. In this review, we want to highlight the potential of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as a CAR-target antigen for a variety of different cancer entities. In particular, we discuss merits and challenges associated with CSPG4-CAR-T cells for the ATT of melanoma, leukemia, glioblastoma, and triple-negative breast cancer.
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44
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Polito VA, Cristantielli R, Weber G, Del Bufalo F, Belardinilli T, Arnone CM, Petretto A, Antonucci L, Giorda E, Tumino N, Pitisci A, De Angelis B, Quintarelli C, Locatelli F, Caruana I. Universal Ready-to-Use Immunotherapeutic Approach for the Treatment of Cancer: Expanded and Activated Polyclonal γδ Memory T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2717. [PMID: 31824502 PMCID: PMC6883509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last years, important progresses have been registered in the treatment of patients suffering from oncological/haematological malignancies, but more still needs to be done to reduce toxicity and side effects, improve outcome and offer new strategies for relapsed or refractory disease. A remarkable part of these clinical benefits is due to advances in immunotherapy. Here, we investigate the generation of a novel, universal and ready-to-use immunotherapeutic product based on γδ-T lymphocytes. These cells are part of the innate immune system, exerting potent natural cytotoxicity against bacteria, viruses and tumours. This ability, coupled with their negligible alloreactivity, makes them attractive for adoptive immunotherapy approaches. To achieve a cell product suitable for clinical use, we developed a strategy capable to generate polyclonal γδ-T cells with predominant memory-Vδ1 phenotype in good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures with the additional possibility of gene-modification to improve their anti-tumour activity. Irradiated, engineered artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing CD86/41BBL/CD40L and the cytomegalovirus (CMV)-antigen-pp65 were used. The presence of CMV-pp65 and CD40L proved to be crucial for expansion of the memory-Vδ1 subpopulation. To allow clinical translation and guarantee patient safety, aAPCs were stably transduced with an inducible suicide gene. Expanded γδ-T cells showed high expression of activation and memory markers, without signs of exhaustion; they maintained polyclonality and potent anti-tumour activity both in vitro (against immortalised and primary blasts) and in in vivo studies without displaying alloreactivity signals. The molecular characterisation (phophoproteomic and gene-expression) of these cell products underlines their unique properties. These cells can further be armed with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) to improve anti-tumour capacity and persistence. We demonstrate the feasibility of establishing an allogeneic third-party, off-the-shelf and ready-to-use, γδ-T-cell bank. These γδ-T cells may represent an attractive therapeutic option endowed with broad clinical applications, including treatment of viral infections in highly immunocompromised patients, treatment of aggressive malignancies refractory to conventional approaches, bridging therapy to more targeted immunotherapeutic approaches and, ultimately, an innovative platform for the development of off-the-shelf CAR-T-cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicia A Polito
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosaria Cristantielli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerrit Weber
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Tamascia Belardinilli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia M Arnone
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Petretto
- Core Facilities, Proteomics Laboratory, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Antonucci
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Core Facilities, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, IRCSS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Pitisci
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Gynaecology/Obstetrics and Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ignazio Caruana
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cellular and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Burger MC, Zhang C, Harter PN, Romanski A, Strassheimer F, Senft C, Tonn T, Steinbach JP, Wels WS. CAR-Engineered NK Cells for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: Turning Innate Effectors Into Precision Tools for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2683. [PMID: 31798595 PMCID: PMC6868035 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults and currently incurable. Despite multimodal treatment regimens, median survival in unselected patient cohorts is <1 year, and recurrence remains almost inevitable. Escape from immune surveillance is thought to contribute to the development and progression of GB. While GB tumors are frequently infiltrated by natural killer (NK) cells, these are actively suppressed by the GB cells and the GB tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, ex vivo activation with cytokines can restore cytolytic activity of NK cells against GB, indicating that NK cells have potential for adoptive immunotherapy of GB if potent cytotoxicity can be maintained in vivo. NK cells contribute to cancer immune surveillance not only by their direct natural cytotoxicity which is triggered rapidly upon stimulation through germline-encoded cell surface receptors, but also by modulating T-cell mediated antitumor immune responses through maintaining the quality of dendritic cells and enhancing the presentation of tumor antigens. Furthermore, similar to T cells, specific recognition and elimination of cancer cells by NK cells can be markedly enhanced through expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which provides an opportunity to generate NK-cell therapeutics of defined specificity for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we discuss effects of the GB tumor microenvironment on NK-cell functionality, summarize early treatment attempts with ex vivo activated NK cells, and describe relevant CAR target antigens validated with CAR-T cells. We then outline preclinical approaches that employ CAR-NK cells for GB immunotherapy, and give an overview on the ongoing clinical development of ErbB2 (HER2)-specific CAR-NK cells currently applied in a phase I clinical trial in glioblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Burger
- Institute for Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Congcong Zhang
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Patrick N Harter
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Annette Romanski
- German Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian Strassheimer
- Institute for Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Senft
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany.,Transfusion Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joachim P Steinbach
- Institute for Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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46
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Choi BD, Curry WT, Carter BS, Maus MV. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy for glioblastoma: practical insights for neurosurgeons. Neurosurg Focus 2019; 44:E13. [PMID: 29852773 DOI: 10.3171/2018.2.focus17788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis for glioblastoma (GBM) remains exceedingly poor despite state-of-the-art multimodal therapy. Immunotherapy, particularly with cytotoxic T cells, represents a promising alternative. Perhaps the most prominent T-cell technology is the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which in 2017 received accelerated approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Several CARs for GBM have been recently tested in clinical trials with exciting results. The authors review these clinical data and discuss areas of ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D Choi
- 1Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, and.,Departments of2Neurosurgery and
| | | | | | - Marcela V Maus
- 1Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, and.,3Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Wiesinger M, März J, Kummer M, Schuler G, Dörrie J, Schuler-Thurner B, Schaft N. Clinical-Scale Production of CAR-T Cells for the Treatment of Melanoma Patients by mRNA Transfection of a CSPG4-Specific CAR under Full GMP Compliance. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081198. [PMID: 31426437 PMCID: PMC6721485 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells already showed impressive clinical regressions in leukemia and lymphoma. However, the development of CAR-T cells against solid tumors lags behind. Here we present the clinical-scale production of CAR-T cells for the treatment of melanoma under full GMP compliance. In this approach a CAR, specific for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is intentionally transiently expressed by mRNA electroporation for safety reasons. The clinical-scale protocol was optimized for: (i) expansion of T cells, (ii) electroporation efficiency, (iii) viability, (iv) cryopreservation, and (v) potency. Four consistency runs resulted in CAR-T cells in clinically sufficient numbers, i.e., 2.4 × 109 CAR-expressing T cells, starting from 1.77x108 PBMCs, with an average expansion of 13.6x, an electroporation efficiency of 88.0% CAR-positive cells, a survival of 74.1% after electroporation, and a viability of 84% after cryopreservation. Purity was 98.7% CD3+ cells, with 78.1% CD3+/CD8+ T cells and with minor contaminations of 1.2% NK cells and 0.6% B cells. The resulting CAR-T cells were tested for cytolytic activity after cryopreservation and showed antigen-specific and very efficient lysis of tumor cells. Although our work is descriptive rather than investigative in nature, we expect that providing this clinically applicable protocol to generate sufficient numbers of mRNA-transfected CAR-T cells will help in moving the field of adoptive cell therapy of cancer forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Wiesinger
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes März
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mirko Kummer
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany.
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Role of cell surface proteoglycans in cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 62:48-67. [PMID: 31336150 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, understanding how tumor cells evade the immune system and their communication with their tumor microenvironment, has been the subject of intense investigation, with the aim of developing new cancer immunotherapies. The current therapies against cancer such as monoclonal antibodies against checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell transfer, cytokines, vaccines, and oncolytic viruses have managed to improve the clinical outcome of the patients. However, in some tumor entities, the response is limited and could benefit from the identification of novel therapeutic targets. It is known that tumor-extracellular matrix interplay and matrix remodeling are necessary for anti-tumor and pro-tumoral immune responses. Proteoglycans are dominant components of the extracellular matrix and are a highly heterogeneous group of proteins characterized by the covalent attachment of a specific linear carbohydrate chain of the glycosaminoglycan type. At cell surfaces, these molecules modulate the expression and activity of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and function as signaling co-receptors. By these mechanisms, proteoglycans influence the behavior of cancer cells and their microenvironment during the progression of solid tumors and hematopoietic malignancies. In this review, we discuss why cell surface proteoglycans are attractive pharmacological targets in cancer, and we present current and recent developments in cancer immunology and immunotherapy utilizing proteoglycan-targeted strategies.
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CSPG4-Specific CAR T Cells for High-Risk Childhood B Cell Precursor Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112764. [PMID: 31195686 PMCID: PMC6600602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has proven to be a powerful asset in the arsenal of cancer immunotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and certain B cell lymphomas. However, a sizable portion of patients treated with CD19-CAR T cells relapse with CD19-negative cancer cells, necessitating the quest for back-up antigens. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) expression has been reported on leukemic blasts bearing the ill-fated MLL 11q23 rearrangement. We aimed at exploring the use of CSPG4-specific CAR T cells against mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemic blasts, using the precursor B cell leukemia cell line KOPN8 (MLL–MLLT1 translocation) as a model. First, we confirmed CSPG4 expression on KOPN8 cells. Bulk T cells electroporated with mRNA encoding a CSPG4-specific CAR upregulated activation markers and secreted the Th1 cytokines TNF and IFNγ in an antigen-specific manner upon co-culture with KOPN8 cells. More importantly, CSPG4-specific CAR T cells evinced specific degranulation towards KOPN8 cells and specifically lysed KOPN8 target cells in chromium lysis experiments. CSPG4 is a well-established CAR target in cutaneous melanoma. Here, we provide proof-of-principle data for the use of CSPG4-specific CAR T cells against MLL-translocated leukemias.
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Chen Q, Hu Q, Dukhovlinova E, Chen G, Ahn S, Wang C, Ligler FS, Dotti G, Gu Z. Photothermal Therapy Promotes Tumor Infiltration and Antitumor Activity of CAR T Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1900192. [PMID: 30916367 PMCID: PMC7262962 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected T lymphocytes (CAR T cells) show modest therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors. The desmoplastic structure of the tumor and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment usually account for the reduced efficacy of CAR T cells in solid tumors. Mild hyperthermia of the tumor reduces its compact structure and interstitial fluid pressure, increases blood perfusion, releases antigens, and promotes the recruitment of endogenous immune cells. Therefore, the combination of mild hyperthermia with the adoptive transfer of CAR T cells can potentially increase the therapeutic index of these cells in solid tumors. It is found that the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4)-specific CAR T cells infused in Nod scid gamma mice engrafted with the human melanoma WM115 cell line have superior antitumor activity after photothermal ablation of the tumor. The findings suggest that photothermal therapy facilitates the accumulation and effector function of CAR T cells within solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, 199 Ren’ai Road, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Quanyin Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Elena Dukhovlinova
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Guojun Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Sarah Ahn
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Chao Wang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, 199 Ren’ai Road, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Frances S. Ligler
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zhen Gu
- Department of Bioengineering, California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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