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Li J, Hu H, Lian K, Zhang D, Hu P, He Z, Zhang Z, Wang Y. CAR-NK cells in combination therapy against cancer: A potential paradigm. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27196. [PMID: 38486782 PMCID: PMC10937699 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27196] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Various preclinical and a limited number of clinical studies of CAR-NK cells have shown promising results: efficient elimination of target cells without side effects similar to CAR-T therapy. However, the homing and infiltration abilities of CAR-NK cells are poor due to the inhibitory tumor microenvironment. From the perspective of clinical treatment strategies, combined with the biological and tumor microenvironment characteristics of NK cells, CAR-NK combination therapy strategies with anti-PD-1/PD-L1, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, kinase inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, STING agonist, oncolytic virus, photothermal therapy, can greatly promote the proliferation, migration and cytotoxicity of the NK cells. In this review, we will summarize the targets selection, structure constructions and combinational therapies of CAR-NK cells for tumors to provide feasible combination strategies for overcoming the inhibitory tumor microenvironment and improving the efficacy of CAR-NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Li
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
| | - Hong Hu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
| | - Kai Lian
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
| | - Pengchao Hu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
| | - Zhibing He
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Translational Medicine Center, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Nano-Biomedical Technology for Diagnosis and Therapy & Guangdong Provincial Education Department Key Laboratory of Nano-Immunoregulation Tumour Microenvironment, Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, China
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2
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Nguyen TTT, Kim YT, Jeong G, Jin M. Immunopathology of and potential therapeutics for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome: a translational perspective. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:559-569. [PMID: 38448692 PMCID: PMC10984945 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01182-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (sHLH/MAS) is a life-threatening immune disorder triggered by rheumatic disease, infections, malignancies, or medications. Characterized by the presence of hemophagocytic macrophages and a fulminant cytokine storm, sHLH/MAS leads to hyperferritinemia and multiorgan failure and rapidly progresses to death. The high mortality rate and the lack of specific treatments necessitate the development of a new drug. However, the complex and largely unknown immunopathologic mechanisms of sHLH/MAS, which involve dysfunction of various immune cells, diverse etiologies, and different clinical contexts make this effort challenging. This review introduces the terminology, diagnosis, and clinical features of sHLH/MAS. From a translational perspective, this review focuses on the immunopathological mechanisms linked to various etiologies, emphasizing potential drug targets, including key molecules and signaling pathways. We also discuss immunomodulatory biologics, existing drugs under clinical evaluation, and novel therapies in clinical trials. This systematic review aims to provide insights and highlight opportunities for the development of novel sHLH/MAS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tram T T Nguyen
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Tae Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Geunyeol Jeong
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mirim Jin
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
- Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Dagher OK, Posey AD. Forks in the road for CAR T and CAR NK cell cancer therapies. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1994-2007. [PMID: 38012406 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01659-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has resulted in unprecedented long-term clearance of relapse/refractory hematological malignancies in both pediatric and adult patients. However, severe toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, associated with CAR T cells affect therapeutic utility; and treatment efficacies for solid tumors are still not impressive. As a result, engineering strategies that modify other immune cell types, especially natural killer (NK) cells have arisen. Owing to both CAR-dependent and CAR-independent (innate immune-mediated) antitumor killing capacity, major histocompatibility complex-independent cytotoxicity, reduced risk of alloreactivity and lack of major CAR T cell toxicities, CAR NK cells constitute one of the promising next-generation CAR immune cells that are also amenable as 'off-the-shelf' therapeutics. In this Review, we compare CAR T and CAR NK cell therapies, with particular focus on immunological synapses, engineering strategies and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oula K Dagher
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Avery D Posey
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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4
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Liu Z, Xu X, Liu H, Zhao X, Yang C, Fu R. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for multiple myeloma immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:99. [PMID: 38017516 PMCID: PMC10685608 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00456-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is related to immune disorders, recent studys have revealed that immunotherapy can greatly benefit MM patients. Immune checkpoints can negatively modulate the immune system and are closely associated with immune escape. Immune checkpoint-related therapy has attracted much attention and research in MM. However, the efficacy of those therapies need further improvements. There need more thoughts about the immune checkpoint to translate their use in clinical work. In our review, we aggregated the currently known immune checkpoints and their corresponding ligands, further more we propose various ways of potential translation applying treatment based on immune checkpoints for MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xintong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xianghong Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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5
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Nersesian S, Carter EB, Lee SN, Westhaver LP, Boudreau JE. Killer instincts: natural killer cells as multifactorial cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269614. [PMID: 38090565 PMCID: PMC10715270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269614] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells integrate heterogeneous signals for activation and inhibition using germline-encoded receptors. These receptors are stochastically co-expressed, and their concurrent engagement and signaling can adjust the sensitivity of individual cells to putative targets. Against cancers, which mutate and evolve under therapeutic and immunologic pressure, the diversity for recognition provided by NK cells may be key to comprehensive cancer control. NK cells are already being trialled as adoptive cell therapy and targets for immunotherapeutic agents. However, strategies to leverage their naturally occurring diversity and agility have not yet been developed. In this review, we discuss the receptors and signaling pathways through which signals for activation or inhibition are generated in NK cells, focusing on their roles in cancer and potential as targets for immunotherapies. Finally, we consider the impacts of receptor co-expression and the potential to engage multiple pathways of NK cell reactivity to maximize the scope and strength of antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily B. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Jeanette E. Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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6
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Bjorgen JC, Dick JK, Cromarty R, Hart GT, Rhein J. NK cell subsets and dysfunction during viral infection: a new avenue for therapeutics? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1267774. [PMID: 37928543 PMCID: PMC10620977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1267774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the setting of viral challenge, natural killer (NK) cells play an important role as an early immune responder against infection. During this response, significant changes in the NK cell population occur, particularly in terms of their frequency, location, and subtype prevalence. In this review, changes in the NK cell repertoire associated with several pathogenic viral infections are summarized, with a particular focus placed on changes that contribute to NK cell dysregulation in these settings. This dysregulation, in turn, can contribute to host pathology either by causing NK cells to be hyperresponsive or hyporesponsive. Hyperresponsive NK cells mediate significant host cell death and contribute to generating a hyperinflammatory environment. Hyporesponsive NK cell populations shift toward exhaustion and often fail to limit viral pathogenesis, possibly enabling viral persistence. Several emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing NK cell dysregulation have arisen in the last three decades in the setting of cancer and may prove to hold promise in treating viral diseases. However, the application of such therapeutics to treat viral infections remains critically underexplored. This review briefly explores several therapeutic approaches, including the administration of TGF-β inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive NK cell therapies, CAR NK cells, and NK cell engagers among other therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C. Bjorgen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jenna K. Dick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Ross Cromarty
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Geoffrey T. Hart
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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7
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Ma S, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. Harnessing Natural Killer Cells for Lung Cancer Therapy. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3327-3339. [PMID: 37531223 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although natural killer (NK) cells are garnering interest as a potential anticancer therapy because they selectively recognize and eliminate cancer cells, their use in treating solid tumors, including lung cancer, has been limited due to impediments to their efficacy, such as their limited ability to reach tumor tissues, the reduced antitumor activity of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, and the suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of the cross-talk between the lung cancer TME and NK cells. We highlight the various mechanisms used by the TME to modulate NK-cell phenotypes and limit infiltration, explore the role of the TME in limiting the antitumor activity of NK cells, and discuss the current challenges and obstacles that hinder the success of NK-cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer. Potential opportunities and promising strategies to address these challenges have been implemented or are being developed to optimize NK-cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer. Through critical evaluation of existing literature and emerging trends, this review provides a comprehensive outlook on the future of NK-cell-based immunotherapy for treating lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
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8
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Ruf B, Greten TF, Korangy F. Innate lymphoid cells and innate-like T cells in cancer - at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:351-371. [PMID: 37081117 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00562-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies targeting conventional T cells have revolutionized systemic treatment for many cancers, yet only a subset of patients benefit from these approaches. A better understanding of the complex immune microenvironment of tumours is needed to design the next generation of immunotherapeutics. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and innate-like T cells (ILTCs) are abundant, tissue-resident lymphocytes that have recently been shown to have critical roles in many types of cancers. ILCs and ILTCs rapidly respond to changes in their surrounding environment and act as the first responders to bridge innate and adaptive immunity. This places ILCs and ILTCs as pivotal orchestrators of the final antitumour immune response. In this Review, we outline hallmarks of ILCs and ILTCs and discuss their emerging role in antitumour immunity, as well as the pathophysiological adaptations leading to their pro-tumorigenic function. We explore the pleiotropic, in parts redundant and sometimes opposing, mechanisms that underlie the delicate interplay between the different subsets of ILCs and ILTCs. Finally, we highlight their role in amplifying and complementing conventional T cell functions and summarize immunotherapeutic strategies for targeting ILCs and ILTCs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ruf
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Firouzeh Korangy
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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9
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Yu Y. The Function of NK Cells in Tumor Metastasis and NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082323. [PMID: 37190251 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic tumors cause the most deaths in cancer patients. Treating metastasis remains the primary goal of current cancer research. Although the immune system prevents and kills the tumor cells, the function of the immune system in metastatic cancer has been unappreciated for decades because tumors are able to develop complex signaling pathways to suppress immune responses, leading them to escape detection and elimination. Studies showed NK cell-based therapies have many advantages and promise for fighting metastatic cancers. We here review the function of the immune system in tumor progression, specifically focusing on the ability of NK cells in antimetastasis, how metastatic tumors escape the NK cell attack, as well as the recent development of effective antimetastatic immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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10
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Berrien-Elliott MM, Jacobs MT, Fehniger TA. Allogeneic natural killer cell therapy. Blood 2023; 141:856-868. [PMID: 36416736 PMCID: PMC10023727 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in adoptive cell therapy for treating cancer is exploding owing to early clinical successes of autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T lymphocyte therapy. However, limitations using T cells and autologous cell products are apparent as they (1) take weeks to generate, (2) utilize a 1:1 donor-to-patient model, (3) are expensive, and (4) are prone to heterogeneity and manufacturing failures. CAR T cells are also associated with significant toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and prolonged cytopenias. To overcome these issues, natural killer (NK) cells are being explored as an alternative cell source for allogeneic cell therapies. NK cells have an inherent ability to recognize cancers, mediate immune functions of killing and communication, and do not induce graft-versus-host disease, cytokine release syndrome, or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. NK cells can be obtained from blood or cord blood or be derived from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, and can be expanded and cryopreserved for off-the-shelf availability. The first wave of point-of-care NK cell therapies led to the current allogeneic NK cell products being investigated in clinical trials with promising preliminary results. Basic advances in NK cell biology and cellular engineering have led to new translational strategies to block inhibition, enhance and broaden target cell recognition, optimize functional persistence, and provide stealth from patients' immunity. This review details NK cell biology, as well as NK cell product manufacturing, engineering, and combination therapies explored in the clinic leading to the next generation of potent, off-the-shelf cellular therapies for blood cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriam T. Jacobs
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Todd A. Fehniger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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11
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Aggarwal R, Sharma M, Singh U, Poulton K, Bhatia T, Mangat N, Kakkar N, Bansal D. Understanding the killer-cell immunoglobulin like receptor polymorphism in retinoblastoma. Ophthalmic Genet 2023; 44:1-5. [PMID: 36594723 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2022.2163404] [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: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The KIR receptors present on the natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role by exercising cytotoxicity to eliminate tumor cells. Both KIR and class-I HLA molecules exhibit extensive polymorphism. Although RB1 inactivation triggers the initiation of retinoblastoma; however additional immune alterations trigger tumor development. The aim was to explore the KIR/HLA polymorphism and its role in the pathogenesis of retinoblastoma. METHODS Patients with unilateral, non-familial retinoblastoma were enrolled as cases. Healthy individuals matched for ethnicity were enrolled as controls. KIR genotyping was performed by sequence-specific primer assay. The investigated KIR genes included: inhibitory (2DL1, 2DL2, 2DL3, 2DL4, 2DL5A, 2DL5B), activating (2DS1, 2DS2, 2DS3, 2DS4*FUL, 2DS4*DEL, 2DS5, 3DL1, 3DL2, 3DL3, 3DS1) and pseudogenes (2DP1, 3DP1*FUL, 3DP1*DEL). In addition, HLA ligands were investigated by sequence-specific oligonucleotide assay for HLA-A, B, and C locus. RESULTS KIR genotyping was performed in 48 cases and 107 controls. The mean age of cases was 2.9 ± 2.2 years (range: 0.25-10). Among the 19 KIR genes, the frequency of KIR2DS4*FUL (p = 0.0019) and 2DS5 (p = 0.0095) was increased among cases. HLA ligands were investigated in 25 cases and 50 controls. The frequency of HLA ligands (C1/C2, Bw4, A3/A11) was similar among cases and controls. However, the KIR/HLA combination frequency for KIR3DS1/HLA-Bw4 was decreased in cases (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION It is the pioneer study to report the association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in retinoblastoma. KIR2DS4*FUL and KIR2DS5 had a susceptible, and KIR3DS1/HLA-BW4 had a protective role in retinoblastoma. The results will aid in exploring the therapeutic potential of NK cell-based therapy for retinoblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Aggarwal
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Madhulika Sharma
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Usha Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kay Poulton
- Transplantation Laboratory, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Tanvi Bhatia
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Navdeep Mangat
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nandita Kakkar
- Department of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Deepak Bansal
- Hematology-Oncology unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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12
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Anderko RR, Mailliard RB. Mapping the interplay between NK cells and HIV: therapeutic implications. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:109-138. [PMID: 36822173 PMCID: PMC10043732 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Although highly effective at durably suppressing plasma HIV-1 viremia, combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment regimens do not eradicate the virus, which persists in long-lived CD4+ T cells. This latent viral reservoir serves as a source of plasma viral rebound following treatment interruption, thus requiring lifelong adherence to ART. Additionally, challenges remain related not only to access to therapy but also to a higher prevalence of comorbidities with an inflammatory etiology in treated HIV-1+ individuals, underscoring the need to explore therapeutic alternatives that achieve sustained virologic remission in the absence of ART. Natural killer (NK) cells are uniquely positioned to positively impact antiviral immunity, in part due to the pleiotropic nature of their effector functions, including the acquisition of memory-like features, and, therefore, hold great promise for transforming HIV-1 therapeutic modalities. In addition to defining the ability of NK cells to contribute to HIV-1 control, this review provides a basic immunologic understanding of the impact of HIV-1 infection and ART on the phenotypic and functional character of NK cells. We further delineate the qualities of "memory" NK cell populations, as well as the impact of HCMV on their induction and subsequent expansion in HIV-1 infection. We conclude by highlighting promising avenues for optimizing NK cell responses to improve HIV-1 control and effect a functional cure, including blockade of inhibitory NK receptors, TLR agonists to promote latency reversal and NK cell activation, CAR NK cells, BiKEs/TriKEs, and the role of HIV-1-specific bNAbs in NK cell-mediated ADCC activity against HIV-1-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee R Anderko
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Robbie B Mailliard
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
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13
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Guo Z, Zhang R, Yang AG, Zheng G. Diversity of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121285. [PMID: 36960057 PMCID: PMC10027905 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Finding effective treatments for cancer remains a challenge. Recent studies have found that the mechanisms of tumor evasion are becoming increasingly diverse, including abnormal expression of immune checkpoint molecules on different immune cells, in particular T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages and others. In this review, we discuss the checkpoint molecules with enhanced expression on these lymphocytes and their consequences on immune effector functions. Dissecting the diverse roles of immune checkpoints in different immune cells is crucial for a full understanding of immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - An-Gang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxu Zheng, ; An-Gang Yang,
| | - Guoxu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxu Zheng, ; An-Gang Yang,
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Leveraging Natural Killer Cell Innate Immunity against Hematologic Malignancies: From Stem Cell Transplant to Adoptive Transfer and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010204. [PMID: 36613644 PMCID: PMC9820370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous recent advancements in T-cell based immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies. In the race towards the first approved allogeneic cellular therapy product, there is growing interest in utilizing natural killer (NK) cells as a platform for off-the-shelf cellular therapies due to their scalable manufacturing potential, potent anti-tumor efficacy, and superior safety profile. Allogeneic NK cell therapies are now being actively explored in the setting of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and adoptive transfer. Increasingly sophisticated gene editing techniques have permitted the engineering of chimeric antigen receptors, ectopic cytokine expression, and tumor recognition signals to improve the overall cytotoxicity of NK cell therapies. Furthermore, the enhancement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity has been achieved through the use of NK cell engagers and combination regimens with monoclonal antibodies that act synergistically with CD16-expressing NK cells. Finally, a greater understanding of NK cell biology and the mechanisms of resistance have allowed the preclinical development of NK checkpoint blockade and methods to modulate the tumor microenvironment, which have been evaluated in early phase trials. This review will discuss the recent clinical advancements in NK cell therapies in hematologic malignancies as well as promising avenues of future research.
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15
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Pantel K, Alix-Panabières C. Crucial roles of circulating tumor cells in the metastatic cascade and tumor immune escape: biology and clinical translation. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005615. [PMID: 36517082 PMCID: PMC9756199 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-related deaths are mainly caused by metastatic spread of tumor cells from the primary lesion to distant sites via the blood circulation. Understanding the mechanisms of blood-borne tumor cell dissemination by the detection and molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of patients with cancer has opened a new avenue in cancer research. Recent technical advances have enabled a comprehensive analysis of the CTCs at the genome, transcriptome and protein level as well as first functional studies using patient-derived CTC cell lines. In this review, we describe and discuss how research on CTCs has yielded important insights into the biology of cancer metastasis and the response of patients with cancer to therapies directed against metastatic cells. Future investigations will show whether CTCs leaving their primary site are more vulnerable to attacks by immune effector cells and whether cancer cell dissemination might be the 'Achilles heel' of metastatic progression. Here, we focus on the lessons learned from CTC research on the biology of cancer metastasis in patients with particular emphasis on the interactions of CTCs with the immune system. Moreover, we describe and discuss briefly the potential and challenges for implementing CTCs into clinical decision-making including detection of minimal residual disease, monitoring efficacies of systemic therapies and identification of therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumour Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany,Laboratory Detection of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Hospital Centre Montpellier, Montpellier, France,CREEC, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
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16
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Bertuglia G, Cani L, Larocca A, Gay F, D’Agostino M. Normalization of the Immunological Microenvironment and Sustained Minimal Residual Disease Negativity: Do We Need Both for Long-Term Control of Multiple Myeloma? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:15879. [PMID: 36555520 PMCID: PMC9781462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma (MM) has progressed significantly, with the introduction of several new drug classes that have greatly improved patient outcomes. At present, it is well known how the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment (ME) exerts an immunosuppressive action leading to an exhaustion of the immune system cells and promoting the proliferation and sustenance of tumor plasma cells. Therefore, having drugs that can reconstitute a healthy BM ME can improve results in MM patients. Recent findings clearly demonstrated that achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity and sustaining MRD negativity over time play a pivotal prognostic role. However, despite the achievement of MRD negativity, patients may still relapse. The understanding of immunologic changes in the BM ME during treatment, complemented by a deeper knowledge of plasma cell genomics and biology, will be critical to develop future therapies to sustain MRD negativity over time and possibly achieve an operational cure. In this review, we focus on the components of the BM ME and their role in MM, on the prognostic significance of MRD negativity and, finally, on the relative contribution of tumor plasma cell biology and BM ME to long-term disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Bertuglia
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cani
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Larocca
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Gay
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Mattia D’Agostino
- Division of Hematology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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17
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Deng X, Terunuma H. Harnessing NK Cells to Control Metastasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122018. [PMID: 36560427 PMCID: PMC9781233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has produced remarkable results in tumor treatment. Nevertheless, its effects are severely limited in patients with low or absent pre-existing T cell immunity. Accordingly, metastasis remains the major cause of tumor-associated death. On the other hand, natural killer (NK) cells have the unique ability to recognize and rapidly act against tumor cells and surveil tumor cell dissemination. The role of NK cells in metastasis prevention is undisputable as an increase in the number of these cells mostly leads to a favorable prognosis. Hence, it is reasonable to consider that successful metastasis involves evasion of NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Therefore, harnessing NK cells to control metastasis is promising. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the seeds for distant metastasis, and the number of CTCs detected in the blood of patients with tumor is associated with a worse prognosis, whereas NK cells can eliminate highly motile CTCs especially in the blood. Here, we review the role of NK cells during metastasis, particularly the specific interactions of NK cells with CTCs, which may provide essential clues on how to harness the power of NK cells against tumor metastasis. As a result, a new way to prevent or treat metastatic tumor may be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Deng
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5632-6080; Fax: +81-3-5632-6083
| | - Hiroshi Terunuma
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- N2 Clinic Yotsuya, 5F 2-6 Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0017, Japan
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18
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Yaping W, Zhe W, Zhuling C, Ruolei L, Pengyu F, Lili G, Cheng J, Bo Z, Liuyin L, Guangdong H, Yaoling W, Niuniu H, Rui L. The soldiers needed to be awakened: Tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Front Genet 2022; 13:988703. [PMID: 36246629 PMCID: PMC9558824 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.988703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) are a key component. Different types of TIICs play distinct roles. CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells could secrete soluble factors to hinder tumor cell growth, whereas regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) release inhibitory factors to promote tumor growth and progression. In the meantime, a growing body of evidence illustrates that the balance between pro- and anti-tumor responses of TIICs is associated with the prognosis in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, in order to boost anti-tumor response and improve the clinical outcome of tumor patients, a variety of anti-tumor strategies for targeting TIICs based on their respective functions have been developed and obtained good treatment benefits, including mainly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), adoptive cell therapies (ACT), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and various monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, the tumor-specific features of immune cells are further investigated by various methods, such as using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and the results indicate that these cells have diverse phenotypes in different types of tumors and emerge inconsistent therapeutic responses. Hence, we concluded the recent advances in tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including functions, prognostic values, and various immunotherapy strategies for each immune cell in different tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Yaping
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wang Zhe
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chu Zhuling
- Department of General Surgery, Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Ruolei
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fan Pengyu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guo Lili
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ji Cheng
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhang Bo
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Liu Liuyin
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hou Guangdong
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wang Yaoling
- Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hou Niuniu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of General Surgery, Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Hou Niuniu, ; Ling Rui,
| | - Ling Rui
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hou Niuniu, ; Ling Rui,
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19
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Therapeutic targets and biomarkers of tumor immunotherapy: response versus non-response. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:331. [PMID: 36123348 PMCID: PMC9485144 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers are highly complex diseases that are characterized by not only the overgrowth of malignant cells but also an altered immune response. The inhibition and reprogramming of the immune system play critical roles in tumor initiation and progression. Immunotherapy aims to reactivate antitumor immune cells and overcome the immune escape mechanisms of tumors. Represented by immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive cell transfer, tumor immunotherapy has seen tremendous success in the clinic, with the capability to induce long-term regression of some tumors that are refractory to all other treatments. Among them, immune checkpoint blocking therapy, represented by PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (nivolumab) and CTLA-4 inhibitors (ipilimumab), has shown encouraging therapeutic effects in the treatment of various malignant tumors, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. In addition, with the advent of CAR-T, CAR-M and other novel immunotherapy methods, immunotherapy has entered a new era. At present, evidence indicates that the combination of multiple immunotherapy methods may be one way to improve the therapeutic effect. However, the overall clinical response rate of tumor immunotherapy still needs improvement, which warrants the development of novel therapeutic designs as well as the discovery of biomarkers that can guide the prescription of these agents. Learning from the past success and failure of both clinical and basic research is critical for the rational design of studies in the future. In this article, we describe the efforts to manipulate the immune system against cancer and discuss different targets and cell types that can be exploited to promote the antitumor immune response.
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20
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Helmin-Basa A, Gackowska L, Balcerowska S, Ornawka M, Naruszewicz N, Wiese-Szadkowska M. The application of the natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in treating various types of cancer. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2019-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are involved in the surveillance and clearance of tumor. Intensive research has exposed the mechanisms of recognition and elimination of tumor cells by these immune cells as well as how cancers evade immune response. Hence, harnessing the immune cells has proven to be an effective therapy in treating a variety of cancers. Strategies aimed to harness and augment effector function of these cells for cancer therapy have been the subject of intense researches over the decades. Different immunotherapeutic possibilities are currently being investigated for anti-tumor activity. Pharmacological agents known to influence immune cell migration and function include therapeutic antibodies, modified antibody molecules, toll-like receptor agonists, nucleic acids, chemokine inhibitors, fusion proteins, immunomodulatory drugs, vaccines, adoptive cell transfer and oncolytic virus–based therapy. In this review, we will focus on the preclinical and clinical applications of NK cell, macrophage and DC immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helmin-Basa
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Lidia Gackowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Sara Balcerowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Marcelina Ornawka
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Natalia Naruszewicz
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Małgorzata Wiese-Szadkowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
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21
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Valeri A, García-Ortiz A, Castellano E, Córdoba L, Maroto-Martín E, Encinas J, Leivas A, Río P, Martínez-López J. Overcoming tumor resistance mechanisms in CAR-NK cell therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:953849. [PMID: 35990652 PMCID: PMC9381932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.953849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the impressive results of autologous CAR-T cell therapy in refractory B lymphoproliferative diseases, CAR-NK immunotherapy emerges as a safer, faster, and cost-effective approach with no signs of severe toxicities as described for CAR-T cells. Permanently scrutinized for its efficacy, recent promising data in CAR-NK clinical trials point out the achievement of deep, high-quality responses, thus confirming its potential clinical use. Although CAR-NK cell therapy is not significantly affected by the loss or downregulation of its CAR tumor target, as in the case of CAR-T cell, a plethora of common additional tumor intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms that could also disable NK cell function have been described. Therefore, considering lessons learned from CAR-T cell therapy, the emergence of CAR-NK cell therapy resistance can also be envisioned. In this review we highlight the processes that could be involved in its development, focusing on cytokine addiction and potential fratricide during manufacturing, poor tumor trafficking, exhaustion within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and NK cell short in vivo persistence on account of the limited expansion, replicative senescence, and rejection by patient’s immune system after lymphodepletion recovery. Finally, we outline new actively explored alternatives to overcome these resistance mechanisms, with a special emphasis on CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genetic engineering approaches, a promising platform to optimize CAR-NK cell function to eradicate refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valeri
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena García-Ortiz
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Castellano
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Córdoba
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Maroto-Martín
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jessica Encinas
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Leivas
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Río
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Joaquín Martínez-López,
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22
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Sanmamed MF, Berraondo P, Rodriguez-Ruiz ME, Melero I. Charting roadmaps towards novel and safe synergistic immunotherapy combinations. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:665-680. [PMID: 35764745 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00401-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer immunotherapy is often combined in the clinic with other immunotherapy strategies, targeted therapies, chemotherapy or standard-of-care treatments to achieve superior therapeutic efficacy. The large number of immunotherapy combinations that are currently undergoing clinical testing necessitate the establishment of faithful criteria to prioritize optimal combinations with evidence of synergy, to determine their safety and optimal sequence of administration and to identify biomarkers of therapy resistance and response. In this review, we focus on recent developments in immunotherapy combinations and reflect on how combinations should be optimized to maximize the impact of immunotherapy in clinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel F Sanmamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Oncology and Immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria E Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Oncology and Immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.
- Departments of Oncology and Immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.
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23
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Allegra A, Casciaro M, Lo Presti E, Musolino C, Gangemi S. Harnessing Unconventional T Cells and Innate Lymphoid Cells to Prevent and Treat Hematological Malignancies: Prospects for New Immunotherapy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060754. [PMID: 35740879 PMCID: PMC9221132 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unconventional T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) make up a heterogeneous set of cells that characteristically show prompt responses toward specific antigens. Unconventional T cells recognize non-peptide antigens, which are bound and presented by diverse non-polymorphic antigen-presenting molecules and comprise γδ T cells, MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAITs), and natural killer T cells (NKTs). On the other hand, ILCs lack antigen-specific receptors and act as the innate counterpart to the T lymphocytes found in the adaptive immune response. The alteration of unconventional T cells and ILCs in frequency and functionality is correlated with the onset of several autoimmune diseases, allergy, inflammation, and tumor. However, depending on the physio-pathological framework, unconventional T cells may exhibit either protective or pathogenic activity in a range of neoplastic diseases. Nonetheless, experimental models and clinical studies have displayed that some unconventional T cells are potential therapeutic targets, as well as prognostic and diagnostic markers. In fact, cell-mediated immune response in tumors has become the focus in immunotherapy against neoplastic disease. This review concentrates on the present knowledge concerning the function of unconventional T cell sets in the antitumor immune response in hematological malignancies, such as acute and chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoproliferative disorders. Moreover, we discuss the possibility that modulating the activity of unconventional T cells could be useful in the treatment of hematological neoplasms, in the prevention of specific conditions (such as graft versus host disease), and in the formulation of an effective anticancer vaccine therapy. The exact knowledge of the role of these cells could represent the prerequisite for the creation of a new form of immunotherapy for hematological neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Allegra
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, Division of Hematology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Marco Casciaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-221-2013
| | - Elena Lo Presti
- National Research Council (CNR)—Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Caterina Musolino
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, Division of Hematology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
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24
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Ohmine K, Uchibori R. Novel immunotherapies in multiple myeloma. Int J Hematol 2022; 115:799-810. [PMID: 35583724 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-022-03365-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
For a substantial period, options for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) were limited; however, the advent of novel therapies into clinical practice in the 1990s resulted in dramatic changes in the prognosis of the disease. Subsequently, new proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators with innovations in efficacy and toxicity were introduced; yet there remains a spectrum of patients with poor outcomes with current treatment strategies. One of the causes of disease progression in MM is the loss of the ability of the dysfunctional immune environment to control virulent cell clones. In recent years, therapies to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and activate the host immune system have shown promise in MM, especially in relapsed and refractory disease. Clinical use of this approach has been approved for several immunotherapies, and a number of studies are currently underway in clinical trials. This review outlines three of the newest and most promising approaches being investigated to enhance the immune system against MM: (1) overcoming immunosuppression with checkpoint inhibitors, (2) boosting immunity against tumors with vaccines, and (3) enhancing immune effectors with adoptive cell therapy. Information on the latest clinical trials in each class will be provided, and further developments will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Ohmine
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan.
- Division of Immuno-Gene and Cell Therapy (Takara Bio), Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Uchibori
- Division of Immuno-Gene and Cell Therapy (Takara Bio), Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
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Sönmez C, Wölfer J, Holling M, Brokinkel B, Stummer W, Wiendl H, Thomas C, Schulte-Mecklenbeck A, Grauer OM. Blockade of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and IL-2 triggering reverses the functional hypoactivity of tumor-derived NK-cells in glioblastomas. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6769. [PMID: 35474089 PMCID: PMC9042843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10680-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) comprise a group of highly polymorphic inhibitory receptors which are specific for classical HLA class-I molecules. Peripheral blood and freshly prepared tumor cell suspensions (n = 60) as well as control samples (n = 32) were investigated for the distribution, phenotype, and functional relevance of CD158ab/KIR2DL1,-2/3 expressing NK-cells in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. We found that GBM were scarcely infiltrated by NK-cells that preferentially expressed CD158ab/KIR2DL1,-2/3 as inhibitory receptors, displayed reduced levels of the activating receptors CD335/NKp46, CD226/DNAM-1, CD159c/NKG2C, and showed diminished capacity to produce IFN-γ and perforin. Functional hypoactivity of GBM-derived NK-cells persisted despite IL-2 preactivation. Blockade with a specific KIR2DL-1,2/3 monoclonal antibody reversed NK-cell inhibition and significantly enhanced degranulation and IFN-γ production of IL-2 preactivated NK-cells in the presence of primary GBM cells and HLA-C expressing but not HLA class-I deficient K562 cells. Additional analysis revealed that significant amounts of IL-2 could be produced by tumor-derived CD4+ and CD8+CD45RA- memory T-cells after combined anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulation. Our data indicate that both blockade of inhibitory KIR and IL-2 triggering of tumor-derived NK-cells are necessary to enhance NK-cell responsiveness in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cüneyt Sönmez
- Department of Neurology With Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Department of Spine Surgery, Klinikum Herford, 32049, Herford, Germany
| | - Johannes Wölfer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery, Hufeland Klinikum GmbH, 99974, Mühlhausen, Germany
| | - Markus Holling
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Benjamin Brokinkel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Walter Stummer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology With Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Schulte-Mecklenbeck
- Department of Neurology With Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Oliver M Grauer
- Department of Neurology With Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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26
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Ye Y, Yang L, Yuan X, Huang H, Luo Y. Optimization of Donor Lymphocyte Infusion for AML Relapse After Allo-HCT in the Era of New Drugs and Cell Engineering. Front Oncol 2022; 11:790299. [PMID: 35155192 PMCID: PMC8829143 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.790299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is a key strategy for the treatment of AML relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and has been used for either prophylactic, pre-emptive, or therapeutic purposes. However, the prognosis of these patients remains dismal even after DLI infusion (2-year overall survival, ~25%), and the efficacy is achieved at the cost of toxicities such as graft-versus-host (GVH) disease. Attempts to optimize DLI efficacy and safety, such as dose/timing modification and the use of cytoreduction, before DLI have been performed previously. Recently, a great number of novel targeted and immunomodulatory agents have emerged. Some of them, such as hypomethylating agents, FLT3 and Bcl-2 inhibitors, have been used in combination with DLI, aiming to enhance the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Moreover, manipulation of the DLI graft through cell selection (e.g., donor NK cells) or cell engineering (donor CAR-T cells) has shown potentially superior anti-tumor effects but less GVH effect than conventional DLI in clinical trials. This review summarizes the recent advances on the use of DLI for the prophylaxis/treatment of AML relapse and discusses future strategies which may further improve the treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishan Ye
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luxin Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Yuan
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - He Huang
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Luo
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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27
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Clara JA, Levy ER, Reger R, Barisic S, Chen L, Cherkasova E, Chakraborty M, Allan DSJ, Childs R. High-affinity CD16 integration into a CRISPR/Cas9-edited CD38 locus augments CD38-directed antitumor activity of primary human natural killer cells. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003804. [PMID: 35135865 PMCID: PMC8830298 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells with augmented antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) capabilities and resistance to CD38 targeting has the potential to enhance the clinical anti-myeloma activity of daratumumab (DARA). Therefore, we sought to develop an efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing platform to disrupt CD38 expression (CD38 knockout (KO)) in ex vivo expanded NK cells and simultaneously arm CD38KO NK cells with a high-affinity CD16 (CD16-158V) receptor. Methods CD38KO human NK cells were generated using Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes. The platform was expanded by incorporating messenger RNA (mRNA) transfection of CD38KO NK cells and targeted gene insertion at the CD38 locus to mediate gene knockin (KI). The capacity of these gene-edited NK cells to persist and mediate ADCC in the presence of DARA was tested in vitro and in a MM.1S xenograft mouse model. Results Highly efficient CD38 gene disruption was achieved in ex vivo expanded NK cells without affecting their proliferative or functional capacity. CD38 KO conferred resistance to DARA-induced NK cell fratricide, enabling persistence and augmented ADCC against myeloma cell lines in the presence of DARA in vitro and in a MM.1S xenograft mouse model. CD38KO NK cells could be further modified by transfection with mRNA encoding a CD16-158V receptor, resulting in augmented DARA-mediated ADCC. Finally, we observed that a homology-directed repair template targeted to the CD38 locus facilitated an efficient 2-in-1 CD38 KO coupled with KI of a truncated CD34 reporter and CD16-158V receptor, with CD38KO/CD16KI NK cells demonstrating a further enhancement of DARA-mediated ADCC both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Adoptive immunotherapy using ex vivo expanded CD38KO/CD16KI NK cells has the potential to boost the clinical efficacy of DARA. By incorporating complementary genetic engineering strategies into a CD38 KO manufacturing platform, we generated NK cells with substantially augmented CD38-directed antitumor activity, establishing a strong rationale for exploring this immunotherapy strategy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Andrew Clara
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily R Levy
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Biologics Process Research and Development, Merck & Co Inc, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Robert Reger
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Stefan Barisic
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Long Chen
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena Cherkasova
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mala Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David S J Allan
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Childs
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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28
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Novel insights in CAR-NK cells beyond CAR-T cell technology; promising advantages. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 106:108587. [PMID: 35149294 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) technology, which has recently showed successful results in the treatment of hematological tumors, has been the focus of attention as one of the most potent approaches in tumor immunotherapy. However, side effects and limitations of this application, such as the risk of graft versus host disease (GvHD), make it challenging to be as accessible as other treatments. Natural killer cells (NK) could be transplanted without alloreactivity, making them as an off-the-shelf product. CAR-NK (chimeric antigen receptor NK cell) therapy can circumvent some serious limitations of CAR-T cell therapy. Application of CAR-NK cells have some considerable advantages over CAR-T cells. These include lack of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, and GvHD when using allogenic CAR-T cell. These features lessen the risk of tumor antigen loss and disease relapse. Moreover, NK cells which were derived from different sources, can make the CAR therapy more feasible. In this narrative review, we outlined the key features of CAR-NK cells as an alternative to CAR-T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy and highlighted the main advantages.
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29
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Liu H, Zhou S, Liu J, Chen F, Zhang Y, Liu M, Min S, Wang H, Wang X, Wu N. Lirilumab and Avelumab Enhance Anti-HPV+ Cervical Cancer Activity of Natural Killer Cells via Vav1-Dependent NF-κB Disinhibition. Front Oncol 2022; 12:747482. [PMID: 35174079 PMCID: PMC8841689 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.747482] [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: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We investigated the efficacy and mechanism of the anti-KIR immunotherapy lirilumab and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy avelumab on natural killer (NK) cell activity against HPV+ cervical cancer. Methods NK cell-mediated lysis of autologous biopsy-derived malignant cervical squamous cells and normal cervical squamous cells were measured by europium-release cytotoxicity assays. Cytokine and granzyme B release were measured by ELISPOT effector-cell-based assays and ELISA. Murine cervical cancer tumor models were constructed to assess implanted tumor volumes over time and intratumoral immune cell infiltration. Receptor-crosslinking and plate-immobilized antibody stimulation studies, with or without p65 and Vav1 silencing, were used to investigate NF-κB pathway disinhibition in NK cells. Results Lirilumab and avelumab each enhanced NK cell disinhibition and NK cell-mediated lysis of autologous cervical cancer cells in vitro while reducing HPV+ tumor volumes and increasing intratumoral NK cell infiltration and cytolysis in vivo. Moreover, lirilumab and avelumab each promoted NK cell NF-κB disinhibition as well as stimulated cytokine and granzyme B expression in a NF-κB-dependent manner. Lirilumab+avelumab enhanced all aforementioned effects compared to either monotherapy. Vav1 silencing eliminated disinhibition of NF-κB signaling by lirilumab and avelumab, indicating their disinhibiting effects are Vav1-dependent. Conclusions This study supports a novel approach to enhancing NK cell lysis against HPV+ cervical cancer cells through combining lirilumab and avelumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Sihui Zhou
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Molecular Diagnosis Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Fuliang Chen
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Molecular Diagnosis Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Mengjun Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Shengping Min
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Molecular Diagnosis Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Molecular Diagnosis Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojing Wang, ; Nan Wu,
| | - Nan Wu
- Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Molecular Diagnosis Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojing Wang, ; Nan Wu,
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30
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Clara JA, Childs RW. Harnessing natural killer cells for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Semin Oncol 2022; 49:69-85. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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31
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Khawar MB, Sun H. CAR-NK Cells: From Natural Basis to Design for Kill. Front Immunol 2022; 12:707542. [PMID: 34970253 PMCID: PMC8712563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.707542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are fusion proteins with an extracellular antigen recognition domain and numerous intracellular signaling domains that have been genetically modified. CAR-engineered T lymphocyte-based therapies have shown great success against blood cancers; however, potential fatal toxicity, such as in cytokine release syndrome, and high costs are some shortcomings that limit the clinical application of CAR-engineered T lymphocytes and remain to overcome. Natural killer (NK) cells are the focal point of current immunological research owing to their receptors that prove to be promising immunotherapeutic candidates for treating cancer. However, to date, manipulation of NK cells to treat malignancies has been moderately successful. Recent progress in the biology of NK cell receptors has greatly transformed our understanding of how NK cells recognize and kill tumor and infected cells. CAR-NK cells may serve as an alternative candidate for retargeting cancer because of their unique recognition mechanisms, powerful cytotoxic effects especially on cancer cells in both CAR-dependent and CAR-independent manners and clinical safety. Moreover, NK cells can serve as an ‘off-the-shelf product’ because NK cells from allogeneic sources can also be used in immunotherapies owing to their reduced risk of alloreactivity. Although ongoing fundamental research is in the beginning stages, this review provides an overview of recent developments implemented to design CAR constructs to stimulate NK activation and manipulate NK receptors for improving the efficiency of immunotherapy against cancer, summarizes the preclinical and clinical advances of CAR-NK cells against both hematological malignancies and solid tumors and confronts current challenges and obstacles of their applications. In addition, this review provides insights into prospective novel approaches that further enhance the efficiency of CAR-NK therapies and highlights potential questions that require to be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.,Laboratory of Molecular Biology & Genomics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
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32
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Abstract
Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological malignancy in adults, accounting for 2% of all cancer-related deaths in the UK. Current chemotherapy-based regimes are insufficient, as most patients relapse and develop therapy resistance. This review focuses on current novel antibody- and aptamer-based therapies aiming to overcome current therapy limitations, as well as their respective limitations and areas of improvement. The use of computer modeling methods, as a tool to study and improve ligand-receptor alignments for the use of novel therapy development will also be discussed, as it has become a rapid, reliable and comparatively inexpensive method of investigation.
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33
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Natural Killer Cells and Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169044. [PMID: 34445750 PMCID: PMC8396475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) are specific innate lymphoid cell subsets that are key for the detection and elimination of pathogens and cancer cells. In liver, while they share a number of characteristics, they differ in many features. These include their developmental pathways, tissue distribution, phenotype and functions. NK cells and ILC1 contribute to organ homeostasis through the production of key cytokines and chemokines and the elimination of potential harmful bacteria and viruses. In addition, they are equipped with a wide range of receptors, allowing them to detect “stressed cells’ such as cancer cells. Our understanding of the role of innate lymphoid cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is growing owing to the development of mouse models, the progress in immunotherapeutic treatment and the recent use of scRNA sequencing analyses. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of NK cells and ILC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss future strategies to take advantage of these innate immune cells in anti-tumor immunity. Immunotherapies hold great promise in HCC, and a better understanding of the role and function of NK cells and ILC1 in liver cancer could pave the way for new NK cell and/or ILC1-targeted treatment.
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34
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NK Cell Therapy: A Rising Star in Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164129. [PMID: 34439285 PMCID: PMC8394762 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A cancer treatment approach known as immunotherapy has become popular in the medical field. In this case, immune cells are boosted for effective response against cancer. A type of immune cell with significant potential for use in immunotherapy is the natural killer (NK) cell. The number of NK cells in the cancer tissues has been shown to be lower than normal, and this contributes to the growth of cancer cells. Besides, the immune function of the NK cells is compromised, thus interfering with anticancer immunity. Many research studies are being conducted to develop cancer treatment strategies based on increasing the number of NK cells and enhancing their activity. Abstract Immunotherapy has become a robust and routine treatment strategy for patients with cancer; however, there are efficacy and safety issues that should be resolved. Natural killer (NK) cells are important innate immune cells that have attracted increasing attention owing to their major histocompatibility complex-independent immunosurveillance ability. These cells provide the first-line defense against carcinogenesis and are closely related to cancer development. However, NK cells are functionally suppressed owing to multiple immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment; thus, releasing the suppressed state of NK cells is an emergent project and a promising solution for immunotherapy. As a result, many clinical trials of NK cell therapy alone or in combination with other agents are currently underway. This review describes the current status of NK cell therapy for cancer treatment based on the effector function and releasing the inhibited state of NK cells in the cancer microenvironment.
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35
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Sun H, Martin TG, Marra J, Kong D, Keats J, Macé S, Chiron M, Wolf JL, Venstrom JM, Rajalingam R. Individualized genetic makeup that controls natural killer cell function influences the efficacy of isatuximab immunotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002958. [PMID: 34272304 PMCID: PMC8287616 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phase IIb clinical trial with isatuximab (Isa)-lenalidomide (Len)-dexamethasone (Dex) showed an improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but the efficacy varied by patient. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by natural killer (NK) cells plays a crucial role in arbitrating antitumor activities of therapeutic-antibodies. We tested if patient-specific genetic makeup known to set NK cell functional threshold influence response to Isa-Len-Dex therapy. METHODS We characterized 57 patients with RRMM receiving Isa-Len-Dex for polymorphisms of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, and FCGR3A loci. In vitro ADCC assay, coincubating primary NK cells expressing specific KIR repertoire with multiple myeloma cell lines (MM cells) expressing selected HLA class I ligands, was used to confirm the identified genetic correlatives of clinical response. RESULTS Patients with KIR3DL2+ and its cognate-ligand HLA-A3/11+ had superior PFS than patients missing this combination (HR=0.43; p=0.02), while patients carrying KIR2DL1+ and HLA-C2C2+ compared with to patients missing this pair showed short PFS (HR=3.54; p=0.05). Patients with KIR3DL2+ and HLA-A3/11+ plus high-affinity FCGR3A-158V allele showed the most prolonged PFS (HR=0.35; p=0.007). Consistent with these clinical data, mechanistic experiments demonstrated that NK cells expressing KIR3DL2 trigger greater ADCC when MM cells express HLA-A3/11. Inversely, NK cells expressing KIR2DL1 do not kill if MM cells express the HLA-C2C2 ligand. NK cells expressing high-affinity FCGR3A-158VV-induced greater ADCC compared with those with low-affinity FCGR3A-158FF. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that KIR3DL2+ and HLA-A3/11+ with FCGR3A-158V markers lead to enhanced Isa-dependent NK-mediated cytolysis against MM cells and results in improved PFS in patients with RRMM treated by Isa-Len-Dex. Moreover, the presence of KIR2DL1+ and HLA-C2C2+ identifies patients who may have a lower response to Isa-Len-Dex therapy linked to a reduced NK-mediated ADCC. These biomarkers could potentially identify, via precision medicine, patients more likely to respond to Isa-Len-Dex immunotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01749969.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Sun
- Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas G Martin
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - John Marra
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Denice Kong
- Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jonathon Keats
- Division of Integrated Cancer Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Sandrine Macé
- Translational and Experimental Medicine, Sanofi Research & Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Marielle Chiron
- Translational and Experimental Medicine, Sanofi Research & Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jeffrey L Wolf
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Venstrom
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Raja Rajalingam
- Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Miazek-Zapala N, Slusarczyk A, Kusowska A, Zapala P, Kubacz M, Winiarska M, Bobrowicz M. The "Magic Bullet" Is Here? Cell-Based Immunotherapies for Hematological Malignancies in the Twilight of the Chemotherapy Era. Cells 2021; 10:1511. [PMID: 34203935 PMCID: PMC8232692 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the introduction of a plethora of different anti-neoplastic approaches including standard chemotherapy, molecularly targeted small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and finally hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), there is still a need for novel therapeutic options with the potential to cure hematological malignancies. Although nowadays HSCT already offers a curative effect, its implementation is largely limited by the age and frailty of the patient. Moreover, its efficacy in combating the malignancy with graft-versus-tumor effect frequently coexists with undesirable graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Therefore, it seems that cell-based adoptive immunotherapies may constitute optimal strategies to be successfully incorporated into the standard therapeutic protocols. Thus, modern cell-based immunotherapy may finally represent the long-awaited "magic bullet" against cancer. However, enhancing the safety and efficacy of this treatment regimen still presents many challenges. In this review, we summarize the up-to-date state of the art concerning the use of CAR-T cells and NK-cell-based immunotherapies in hemato-oncology, identify possible obstacles, and delineate further perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Miazek-Zapala
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology of Hearing, World Hearing Center, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Aleksander Slusarczyk
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Department of General, Oncological and Functional Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Kusowska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Piotr Zapala
- Department of General, Oncological and Functional Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Matylda Kubacz
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Magdalena Winiarska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Malgorzata Bobrowicz
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
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Islam R, Pupovac A, Evtimov V, Boyd N, Shu R, Boyd R, Trounson A. Enhancing a Natural Killer: Modification of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051058. [PMID: 33946954 PMCID: PMC8146003 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent innate immune system effector lymphocytes armed with multiple mechanisms for killing cancer cells. Given the dynamic roles of NK cells in tumor surveillance, they are fast becoming a next-generation tool for adoptive immunotherapy. Many strategies are being employed to increase their number and improve their ability to overcome cancer resistance and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. These include the use of cytokines and synthetic compounds to bolster propagation and killing capacity, targeting immune-function checkpoints, addition of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to provide cancer specificity and genetic ablation of inhibitory molecules. The next generation of NK cell products will ideally be readily available as an “off-the-shelf” product and stem cell derived to enable potentially unlimited supply. However, several considerations regarding NK cell source, genetic modification and scale up first need addressing. Understanding NK cell biology and interaction within specific tumor contexts will help identify necessary NK cell modifications and relevant choice of NK cell source. Further enhancement of manufacturing processes will allow for off-the-shelf NK cell immunotherapies to become key components of multifaceted therapeutic strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Islam
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Aleta Pupovac
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Vera Evtimov
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicholas Boyd
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Runzhe Shu
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Richard Boyd
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Alan Trounson
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Rubio MT, Dhuyser A, Nguyen S. Role and Modulation of NK Cells in Multiple Myeloma. HEMATO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/hemato2020010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Myeloma tumor cells are particularly dependent on their microenvironment and sensitive to cellular antitumor immune response, including natural killer (NK) cells. These later are essential innate lymphocytes implicated in the control of viral infections and cancers. Their cytotoxic activity is regulated by a balance between activating and inhibitory signals resulting from the complex interaction of surface receptors and their respective ligands. Myeloma disease evolution is associated with a progressive alteration of NK cell number, phenotype and cytotoxic functions. We review here the different therapeutic approaches that could restore or enhance NK cell functions in multiple myeloma. First, conventional treatments (immunomodulatory drugs-IMids and proteasome inhibitors) can enhance NK killing of tumor cells by modulating the expression of NK receptors and their corresponding ligands on NK and myeloma cells, respectively. Because of their ability to kill by antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, NK cells are important effectors involved in the efficacy of anti-myeloma monoclonal antibodies targeting the tumor antigens CD38, CS1 or BCMA. These complementary mechanisms support the more recent therapeutic combination of IMids or proteasome inhibitors to monoclonal antibodies. We finally discuss the ongoing development of new NK cell-based immunotherapies, such as ex vivo expanded killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR)-mismatched NK cells, chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-NK cells, check point and KIR inhibitors.
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Wendel P, Reindl LM, Bexte T, Künnemeyer L, Särchen V, Albinger N, Mackensen A, Rettinger E, Bopp T, Ullrich E. Arming Immune Cells for Battle: A Brief Journey through the Advancements of T and NK Cell Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061481. [PMID: 33807011 PMCID: PMC8004685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review is intended to provide an overview on the history and recent advances of T cell and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. While the thymus was discovered as the origin of T cells in the 1960s, and NK cells were first described in 1975, the clinical application of adoptive cell therapies (ACT) only began in the early 1980s with the first lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell product for the treatment of cancer patients. Over the past decades, further immunotherapies have been developed, including ACT using cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, products based on the NK cell line NK-92 as well as specific T and NK cell preparations. Recent advances have successfully improved the effectiveness of T, NK, CIK or NK-92 cells towards tumor-targeting antigens generated by genetic engineering of the immune cells. Herein, we summarize the promising development of ACT over the past decades in the fight against cancer. Abstract The promising development of adoptive immunotherapy over the last four decades has revealed numerous therapeutic approaches in which dedicated immune cells are modified and administered to eliminate malignant cells. Starting in the early 1980s, lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells were the first ex vivo generated NK cell-enriched products utilized for adoptive immunotherapy. Over the past decades, various immunotherapies have been developed, including cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, as a peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)-based therapeutic product, the adoptive transfer of specific T and NK cell products, and the NK cell line NK-92. In addition to allogeneic NK cells, NK-92 cell products represent a possible “off-the-shelf” therapeutic concept. Recent approaches have successfully enhanced the specificity and cytotoxicity of T, NK, CIK or NK-92 cells towards tumor-specific or associated target antigens generated by genetic engineering of the immune cells, e.g., to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Here, we will look into the history and recent developments of T and NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wendel
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Reindl
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tobias Bexte
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leander Künnemeyer
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Särchen
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Nawid Albinger
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Medicine 5, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Tobias Bopp
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- University Cancer Center Mainz, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence:
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McCachren SS, Dhodapkar KM, Dhodapkar MV. Co-evolution of Immune Response in Multiple Myeloma: Implications for Immune Prevention. Front Immunol 2021; 12:632564. [PMID: 33717170 PMCID: PMC7952530 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.632564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells that reside in the bone marrow (BM), is universally preceded by a precursor state termed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Many individuals with MGUS never progress to MM or progress over many years. Therefore, MGUS provides a unique opportunity to surveil changes in the BM tumor microenvironment throughout disease progression. It is increasingly appreciated that MGUS cells carry many of the genetic changes found in MM. Prior studies have also shown that MGUS cells can be recognized by the immune system, leading to early changes in the BM immune environment compared to that of healthy individuals, including alterations in both innate and adaptive immunity. Progression to clinical MM is associated with attrition of T cells with stem memory-like features and instead accumulation of T cells with more terminally differentiated features. Recent clinical studies have suggested that early application of immune-modulatory drugs, which are known to activate both innate and adaptive immunity, can delay the progression to clinical MM. Understanding the biology of how the immune response and tumors coevolve over time is needed to develop novel immune-based approaches to achieve durable and effective prevention of clinical malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S. McCachren
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kavita M. Dhodapkar
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Madhav V. Dhodapkar
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Overexpressed CXCR4 and CCR7 on the surface of NK92 cell have improved migration and anti-tumor activity in human colon tumor model. Anticancer Drugs 2021; 31:333-344. [PMID: 31815761 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Successive infusion of natural killer cells is increasingly being explored as a treatment for cancer patients. The inadequate homing of natural killer cells into the tumor site resulted in the poor efficacy of natural killer cells on solid tumors. For the adoptive transfer of tumor-directed natural killer cell has been proved effective, it is hypothesized that there must be more association between the tumor-produced chemokines and the natural killer cells-expressed chemokine receptors. Increased CXCL12 and CCL21 could ameliorated colorectal cancer via generating an anti-tumor environment by preferentially attracting natural killer cells which expressed the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and CCR7. This study demonstrated that overexpressed CXCR4 and CCR7 on the surface of NK92 cell enhanced their migration to human colon cells. Moreover, the administration of such natural killer cells resulted in tumor shrinkage and a significantly increased survival of experimental mice when compared to ones undergoing the treatment of xenografts with natural killer cells expressing only the mock control. These suggested that chemokine receptor engineered natural killer cells could be a promising tool to improve adoptive tumor immunotherapy.
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Sugawara S, Manickam C, Reeves K. TRIGGERED: could refocused cell signaling be key to natural killer cell-based HIV immunotherapeutics? AIDS 2021; 35:165-176. [PMID: 33116071 PMCID: PMC7775286 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the critical innate immune effector cells that directly kill tumors and virus-infected cells, and modulate other immune cells including dendritic cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Signals from activating and inhibitory surface receptors orchestrate the regulatory and cytotoxic functions of NK cells. Although a number of surface receptors are involved, multiple signaling molecules are shared so that NK cell responses are synergistically regulated. Many pathogens and tumors evade NK cell responses by targeting NK cell signaling. Particularly in HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, the NK cell repertoire is diminished by changes in subsets of NK cells, expression of activating and inhibitory receptors, and intracellular signaling molecules. However, in-depth studies on intracellular signaling in NK cells in HIV/SIV infections remain limited. Checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells have demonstrated enhanced NK cell activities against tumors and viral infections. In addition, targeting intracellular signaling molecules by small molecules could also improve NK cell responses towards HIV/SIV infection in vivo. Therefore, further understanding of NK cell signaling including identification of key signaling molecules is crucial to maximize the efficacy of NK cell-based treatments. Herein, we review the current state of the literature and outline potential future avenues where optimized NK cells could be utilized in HIV-1 cure strategies and other immunotherapeutics in PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Sugawara
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cordelia Manickam
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
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Kim N, Lee DH, Choi WS, Yi E, Kim H, Kim JM, Jin HS, Kim HS. Harnessing NK cells for cancer immunotherapy: immune checkpoint receptors and chimeric antigen receptors. BMB Rep 2021. [PMID: 33298244 PMCID: PMC7851441 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2021.54.1.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, key antitumor effectors of the innate immune system, are endowed with the unique ability to spontaneously eliminate cells undergoing a neoplastic transformation. Given their broad reactivity against diverse types of cancer and close association with cancer prognosis, NK cells have gained considerable attention as a promising therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. NK cell-based therapies have demonstrated favorable clinical efficacies in several hematological malignancies but limited success in solid tumors, thus highlighting the need to develop new therapeutic strategies to restore and optimize antitumor activity while preventing tumor immune escape. The current therapeutic modalities yielding encouraging results in clinical trials include the blockade of immune checkpoint receptors to overcome the immune-evasion mechanism used by tumors and the incorporation of tumor-directed chimeric antigen receptors to enhance NK cell antitumor specificity and activity. These observations, together with recent advances in the understanding of NK cell activation within the tumor microenvironment, will facilitate the optimal design of NK cell-based therapy against a broad range of cancers and, more desirably, refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Kim
- Department of Convergence MedicineAsan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Lee
- Department of Convergence MedicineAsan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Woo Seon Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Eunbi Yi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - HyoJeong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Jung Min Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Hyung-Seung Jin
- Department of Convergence MedicineAsan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
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Yilmaz A, Cui H, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:168. [PMID: 33287875 PMCID: PMC7720606 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical component of the innate immune system. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) re-direct NK cells toward tumor cells carrying corresponding antigens, creating major opportunities in the fight against cancer. CAR NK cells have the potential for use as universal CAR cells without the need for human leukocyte antigen matching or prior exposure to tumor-associated antigens. Exciting data from recent clinical trials have renewed interest in the field of cancer immunotherapy due to the potential of CAR NK cells in the production of "off-the-shelf" anti-cancer immunotherapeutic products. Here, we provide an up-to-date comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in key areas of CAR NK cell research and identify under-investigated research areas. We summarize improvements in CAR design and structure, advantages and disadvantages of using CAR NK cells as an alternative to CAR T cell therapy, and list sources to obtain NK cells. In addition, we provide a list of tumor-associated antigens targeted by CAR NK cells and detail challenges in expanding and transducing NK cells for CAR production. We additionally discuss barriers to effective treatment and suggest solutions to improve CAR NK cell function, proliferation, persistence, therapeutic effectiveness, and safety in solid and liquid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Yilmaz
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Hanwei Cui
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, KCRB, Bldg. 158, 3rd Floor, Room 3017, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, KCRB, Bldg. 158, 3rd Floor, Room 3017, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
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Alfarra H, Weir J, Grieve S, Reiman T. Targeting NK Cell Inhibitory Receptors for Precision Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:575609. [PMID: 33304346 PMCID: PMC7693637 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.575609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immune surveillance of cancer involves multiple types of immune cells including the innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Natural killer (NK) cells are considered the most active ILC subset for tumor elimination because of their ability to target infected and malignant cells without prior sensitization. NK cells are equipped with an array of activating and inhibitory receptors (IRs); hence NK cell activity is controlled by balanced signals between the activating and IRs. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that is known for its altered immune landscape. Despite improvements in therapeutic options for MM, this disease remains incurable. An emerging trend to improve clinical outcomes in MM involves harnessing the inherent ability of NK cells to kill malignant cells by recruiting NK cells and enhancing their cytotoxicity toward the malignant MM cells. Following the clinical success of blocking T cell IRs in multiple cancers, targeting NK cell IRs is drawing increasing attention. Relevant NK cell IRs that are attractive candidates for checkpoint blockades include KIRs, NKG2A, LAG-3, TIGIT, PD-1, and TIM-3 receptors. Investigating these NK cell IRs as pathogenic agents and therapeutic targets could lead to promising applications in MM therapy. This review describes the critical role of enhancing NK cell activity in MM and discusses the potential of blocking NK cell IRs as a future MM therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/drug effects
- Humans
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/transplantation
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy
- Multiple Myeloma/immunology
- Multiple Myeloma/metabolism
- Multiple Myeloma/pathology
- Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tumor Escape
- Tumor Microenvironment
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmi Alfarra
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Jackson Weir
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Stacy Grieve
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Tony Reiman
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Saint John, NB, Canada
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Cao Y, Wang X, Jin T, Tian Y, Dai C, Widarma C, Song R, Xu F. Immune checkpoint molecules in natural killer cells as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:250. [PMID: 33122640 PMCID: PMC7596531 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of natural killer (NK) cells in immunotherapy to treat multiple types of cancer. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that play essential roles in tumor surveillance and control that efficiently kill the tumor and do not require the major histocompatibility complex. The discovery of the NK’s potential as a promising therapeutic target for cancer is a relief to oncologists as they face the challenge of increased chemo-resistant cancers. NK cells show great potential against solid and hematologic tumors and have progressively shown promise as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. The effector role of these cells is reliant on the balance of inhibitory and activating signals. Understanding the role of various immune checkpoint molecules in the exhaustion and impairment of NK cells when their inhibitory receptors are excessively expressed is particularly important in cancer immunotherapy studies and clinical implementation. Emerging immune checkpoint receptors and molecules have been found to mediate NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment; this has brought up the need to explore further additional NK cell-related immune checkpoints that may be exploited to enhance the immune response to refractory cancers. Accordingly, this review will focus on the recent findings concerning the roles of immune checkpoint molecules and receptors in the regulation of NK cell function, as well as their potential application in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, 110819, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianqiang Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Crystal Widarma
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rui Song
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China.
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47
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Noh JY, Seo H, Lee J, Jung H. Immunotherapy in Hematologic Malignancies: Emerging Therapies and Novel Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8000. [PMID: 33121189 PMCID: PMC7663624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is extensively investigated for almost all types of hematologic tumors, from preleukemic to relapse/refractory malignancies. Due to the emergence of technologies for target cell characterization, antibody design and manufacturing, as well as genome editing, immunotherapies including gene and cell therapies are becoming increasingly elaborate and diversified. Understanding the tumor immune microenvironment of the target disease is critical, as is reducing toxicity. Although there have been many successes and newly FDA-approved immunotherapies for hematologic malignancies, we have learned that insufficient efficacy due to disease relapse following treatment is one of the key obstacles for developing successful therapeutic regimens. Thus, combination therapies are also being explored. In this review, immunotherapies for each type of hematologic malignancy will be introduced, and novel targets that are under investigation will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yoon Noh
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea;
| | - Huiyun Seo
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), 55 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34126, Korea;
| | - Jungwoon Lee
- Environmental Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Haiyoung Jung
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea;
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 113 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea
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48
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Caruso S, De Angelis B, Carlomagno S, Del Bufalo F, Sivori S, Locatelli F, Quintarelli C. NK cells as adoptive cellular therapy for hematological malignancies: Advantages and hurdles. Semin Hematol 2020; 57:175-184. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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49
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Devillier R, Chrétien AS, Pagliardini T, Salem N, Blaise D, Olive D. Mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment and current clinical approaches to harness NK cell potential for immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 109:1071-1088. [PMID: 32991746 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5mr0920-198rr] [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] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate immune cells with inherent capabilities in both recognizing and killing cancer cells. NK cell phenotypes and functional alterations are being described with increasing precision among patients harboring various cancer types, emphasizing the critical role that NK cells play in antitumor immune responses. In addition, advances in understanding NK cell biology have improved our knowledge of such alterations, thereby expanding the potential exploitation of NK cells' anticancer capabilities. In this review, we present an overview of (1) the various types of NK cell alterations that may contribute to immune evasion in cancer patients and (2) the various strategies to improve NK cell-based anticancer immunotherapies, including pharmacologic modulation and/or genetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynier Devillier
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France.,Hematology Department, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Chrétien
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Pagliardini
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France.,Hematology Department, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Nassim Salem
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Blaise
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France.,Hematology Department, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Daniel Olive
- Immunity and Cancer Team, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Marseille, France.,Immunomonitoring platform, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France
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50
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Sivori S, Della Chiesa M, Carlomagno S, Quatrini L, Munari E, Vacca P, Tumino N, Mariotti FR, Mingari MC, Pende D, Moretta L. Inhibitory Receptors and Checkpoints in Human NK Cells, Implications for the Immunotherapy of Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2156. [PMID: 33013909 PMCID: PMC7494755 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly destructive mechanisms by which the immune system faces microbial infections is under the control of a series of inhibitory receptors. While most of these receptors prevent unwanted/excessive responses of individual effector cells, others play a more general role in immunity, acting as true inhibitory checkpoints controlling both innate and adaptive immunity. Regarding human NK cells, their function is finely regulated by HLA-class I-specific inhibitory receptors which allow discrimination between HLA-I+, healthy cells and tumor or virus-infected cells displaying loss or substantial alterations of HLA-I molecules, including allelic losses that are sensed by KIRs. A number of non-HLA-specific receptors have been identified which recognize cell surface or extracellular matrix ligands and may contribute to the physiologic control of immune responses and tolerance. Among these receptors, Siglec 7 (p75/AIRM-1), LAIR-1 and IRp60, recognize ligands including sialic acids, extracellular matrix/collagen or aminophospholipids, respectively. These ligands may be expressed at the surface of tumor cells, thus inhibiting NK cell function. Expression of the PD-1 checkpoint by NK cells requires particular cytokines (IL-15, IL-12, IL-18) together with cortisol, a combination that may occur in the microenvironment of different tumors. Blocking of single or combinations of inhibitory receptors unleashes NK cells and restore their anti-tumor activity, with obvious implications for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Linda Quatrini
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- UOC Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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