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Głowacki P, Tręda C, Rieske P. Regulation of CAR transgene expression to design semiautonomous CAR-T. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200833. [PMID: 39184876 PMCID: PMC11344471 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Effective transgene expression is critical for genetically engineered cell therapy. Therefore, one of CAR-T cell therapy's critical areas of interest, both in registered products and next-generation approaches is the expression of transgenes. It turns out that various constitutive promoters used in clinical products may influence CAR-T cell antitumor effectiveness and impact the manufacturing process. Furthermore, next-generation CAR-T starts to install remotely controlled inducible promoters or even autonomous expression systems, opening new ways of priming, boosting, and increasing the safety of CAR-T. In this article, a wide range of constitutive and inducible promoters has been grouped and structured, making it possible to compare their pros and cons as well as clinical usage. Finally, logic gates based on Synthetic Notch have been elaborated, demonstrating the coupling of desired external signals with genetically engineered cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Głowacki
- Department of Tumor Biology, Chair of Medical Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 Street, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Cezary Tręda
- Department of Tumor Biology, Chair of Medical Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 Street, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development Personather Ltd, Inwestycyjna 7, 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Tumor Biology, Chair of Medical Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 Street, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development Personather Ltd, Inwestycyjna 7, 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
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2
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Hu Y, Zhang Y, Shi F, Yang R, Yan J, Han T, Guan L. Reversal of T-cell exhaustion: Mechanisms and synergistic approaches. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112571. [PMID: 38941674 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
T cells suffer from long-term antigen stimulation and insufficient energy supply, leading to a decline in their effector functions, memory capabilities, and proliferative capacity, ultimately resulting in T cell exhaustion and an inability to perform normal immune functions in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, exploring how to restore these exhausted T cells to a state with effector functions is of great significance. Exhausted T cells exhibit a spectrum of molecular alterations, such as heightened expression of inhibitory receptors, shifts in transcription factor profiles, and modifications across epigenetic, metabolic, and transcriptional landscapes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various strategies to reverse T cell exhaustion, including immune checkpoint blockade, and explores the potential synergistic effects of combining multiple approaches to reverse T cell exhaustion. It offers new insights and methods for achieving more durable and effective reversal of T cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yaqi Zhang
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Fenfen Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ruihan Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiayu Yan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Tao Han
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
| | - Liping Guan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
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3
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Yang Q, Zhu X, Huang P, Li C, Han L, Han Y, Gan R, Xin B, Tu Y, Zhou S, Yuan T, Hao J, Li C, Zhang L, Shi L, Guo C. BCKDK modification enhances the anticancer efficacy of CAR-T cells by reprogramming branched chain amino acid metabolism. Mol Ther 2024; 32:3128-3144. [PMID: 38734897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Altered branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are frequently observed in patients with advanced cancer. We evaluated the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-mediated cancer cell lysis potential in the immune microenvironment of BCAA supplementation and deletion. BCAA supplementation increased cancer cell killing percentage, while accelerating BCAA catabolism and decreasing BCAA transporter decreased cancer cell lysis efficacy. We thus designed BCKDK engineering CAR T cells for the reprogramming of BCAA metabolism in the tumor microenvironment based on the genotype and phenotype modification. BCKDK overexpression (OE) in CAR-T cells significantly improved cancer cell lysis, while BCKDK knockout (KO) resulted in inferior lysis potential. In an in vivo experiment, BCKDK-OE CAR-T cell treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing NALM6-GL cancer cells, with the differentiation of central memory cells and an increasing proportion of CAR-T cells in the peripheral circulation. BCKDK-KO CAR-T cell treatment resulted in shorter survival and a decreasing percentage of CAR-T cells in the peripheral circulation. In conclusion, BCKDK-engineered CAR-T cells exert a distinct phenotype for superior anticancer efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanjun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Xinting Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Chemical Glycobiology, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Sleep Disordered Breathing, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology Institute of Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yonglong Han
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Run Gan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Bo Xin
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yixing Tu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Shumin Zhou
- Institution of Microsurgery on Extremities, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ting Yuan
- Department of Bone Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Juan Hao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230 Baoding Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Chunqiong Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan 430060, China.
| | - Cheng Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China.
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4
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Hou R, Zhang X, Wang X, Zhao X, Li S, Guan Z, Cao J, Liu D, Zheng J, Shi M. In vivo manufacture and manipulation of CAR-T cells for better druggability. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:1075-1093. [PMID: 38592427 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10185-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The current CAR-T cell therapy products have been hampered in their druggability due to the personalized preparation required, unclear pharmacokinetic characteristics, and unpredictable adverse reactions. Enabling standardized manufacturing and having clear efficacy and pharmacokinetic characteristics are prerequisites for ensuring the effective practicality of CAR-T cell therapy drugs. This review provides a broad overview of the different approaches for controlling behaviors of CAR-T cells in vivo. The utilization of genetically modified vectors enables in vivo production of CAR-T cells, thereby abbreviating or skipping the lengthy in vitro expansion process. By equipping CAR-T cells with intricately designed control elements, using molecule switches or small-molecule inhibitors, the control of CAR-T cell activity can be achieved. Moreover, the on-off control of CAR-T cell activity would yield potential gains in phenotypic remodeling. These methods provide beneficial references for the future development of safe, controllable, convenient, and suitable for standardized production of CAR-T cell therapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuan Zhao
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sijin Li
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhangchun Guan
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiang Cao
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ming Shi
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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5
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Kang K, Lin X, Chen P, Liu H, Liu F, Xiong W, Li G, Yi M, Li X, Wang H, Xiang B. T cell exhaustion in human cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189162. [PMID: 39089484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
T cell exhaustion refers to a progressive state in which T cells become functionally impaired due to sustained antigenic stimulation, which is characterized by increased expression of immune inhibitory receptors, but weakened effector functions, reduced self-renewal capacity, altered epigenetics, transcriptional programme and metabolism. T cell exhaustion is one of the major causes leading to immune escape of cancer, creating an environment that supports tumor development and metastatic spread. In addition, T cell exhaustion plays a pivotal role to the efficacy of current immunotherapies for cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of roles of T cell exhaustion in cancer development and progression. We summerized the regulatory mechanisms that involved in T cell exhaustion, including transcription factors, epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming events, and various microenvironmental factors such as cytokines, microorganisms, and tumor autocrine substances. The paper also discussed the challenges posed by T cell exhaustion to cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, highlightsing the obstacles encountered in ICB therapies and CAR-T therapies due to T cell exhaustion. Finally, the article provides an overview of current therapeutic options aimed to reversing or alleviating T cell exhaustion in ICB and CAR-T therapies. These therapeutic approaches seek to overcome T cell exhaustion and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Kang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Huai Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Yi
- Department of Dermatology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiayu Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Infammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Bo Xiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
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6
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Chen S, Gong F, Liu S, Xie Y, Ye X, Lin X, Wang X, Zheng Q, Liu Q, Sun Y. IL-21- and CXCL9-engineered GPC3-specific CAR-T cells combined with PD-1 blockade enhance cytotoxic activities against hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:204. [PMID: 39196390 PMCID: PMC11358300 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01473-2] [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: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The application of CAR-T cells in solid tumors poses several challenges, including poor T cell homing ability, limited infiltration of T cells and an immunosuppressive tumor environment. In this study, we developed a novel approach to address these obstacles by designing GPC3-specific CAR-T cell that co-express IL-21 and CXCL9 (21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells) and blocking the PD-1 expression on it. The proliferation, cell phenotype, cytokine secretion and cell migration of indicated CAR-T cells were evaluated in vitro. The cytotoxic activities of genetically engineered CAR-T cells were accessed in vitro and in vivo. Compared to conventional GPC3 CAR-T cells, the 21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells demonstrated superior proliferation, cytokine secretion and chemotaxis capabilities in vitro. Furthermore, when combined with PD-1 blockade, the 21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells exhibited enhanced proliferation, cytokine secretion and enrichment of effector T cells such as CTL, NKT and TEM cells. In xenograft tumor models, the PD-1 blocked 21 × 9 GPC3 CAR-T cells effectively suppressed HCC xenograft growth and increased T cell infiltration. Overall, our study successfully generated GPC3 CAR-T cells expressing both IL-21 and CXCL9, demonstrated that combining PD-1 blockade can further enhance CAR-T cell function by promoting proliferation, cytokine secretion, chemotaxis and antitumor activity. These findings present a hopeful and potentially effective strategy for GPC3-positive HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Fusheng Gong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Shijia Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Yunqing Xie
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xingming Ye
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xiaowei Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xiangru Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Qiuhong Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
- Xiamen Humanity Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Qinying Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China.
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China.
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Sierro-Martínez B, Escamilla-Gómez V, Pérez-Ortega L, Guijarro-Albaladejo B, Hernández-Díaz P, de la Rosa-Garrido M, Lara-Chica M, Rodríguez-Gil A, Reguera-Ortega JL, Sanoja-Flores L, Arribas-Arribas B, Montiel-Aguilera MÁ, Carmona G, Robles MJ, Caballero-Velázquez T, Briones J, Einsele H, Hudecek M, Pérez-Simón JA, García-Guerrero E. Next-generation BCMA-targeted chimeric antigen receptor CARTemis-1: the impact of manufacturing procedure on CAR T-cell features. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00984-0. [PMID: 39192092 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00984-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE CAR therapy targeting BCMA is under investigation as treatment for multiple myeloma. However, given the lack of plateau in most studies, pursuing more effective alternatives is imperative. We present the preclinical and clinical validation of a new optimized anti-BCMA CAR (CARTemis-1). In addition, we explored how the manufacturing process could impact CAR-T cell product quality and fitness. METHODS CARTemis-1 optimizations were evaluated at the preclinical level both, in vitro and in vivo. CARTemis-1 generation was validated under GMP conditions, studying the dynamics of the immunophenotype from leukapheresis to final product. Here, we studied the impact of the manufacturing process on CAR-T cells to define optimal cell culture protocol and expansion time to increase product fitness. RESULTS Two different versions of CARTemis-1 with different spacers were compared. The longer version showed increased cytotoxicity. The incorporation of the safety-gene EGFRt into the CARTemis-1 structure can be used as a monitoring marker. CARTemis-1 showed no inhibition by soluble BCMA and presents potent antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Expansion with IL-2 or IL-7/IL-15 was compared, revealing greater proliferation, less differentiation, and less exhaustion with IL-7/IL-15. Three consecutive batches of CARTemis-1 were produced under GMP guidelines meeting all the required specifications. CARTemis-1 cells manufactured under GMP conditions showed increased memory subpopulations, reduced exhaustion markers and selective antitumor efficacy against MM cell lines and primary myeloma cells. The optimal release time points for obtaining the best fit product were > 6 and < 10 days (days 8-10). CONCLUSIONS CARTemis-1 has been rationally designed to increase antitumor efficacy, overcome sBCMA inhibition, and incorporate the expression of a safety-gene. The generation of CARTemis-1 was successfully validated under GMP standards. A phase I/II clinical trial for patients with multiple myeloma will be conducted (EuCT number 2022-503063-15-00).
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Sierro-Martínez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Virginia Escamilla-Gómez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Laura Pérez-Ortega
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Beatriz Guijarro-Albaladejo
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Paola Hernández-Díaz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - María de la Rosa-Garrido
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Maribel Lara-Chica
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alfonso Rodríguez-Gil
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Reguera-Ortega
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luzalba Sanoja-Flores
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Blanca Arribas-Arribas
- Unidad de Producción y Reprogramación Celular de Sevilla (UPRC)-Planta CTTC Campus Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla, Red Andaluza de diseño y traslación de Terapias Avanzadas, Seville, Spain
- Programa doctorado Tecnología y Ciencias del Medicamento, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Montiel-Aguilera
- Unidad de Producción y Reprogramación Celular de Sevilla (UPRC)-Planta CTTC Campus Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla, Red Andaluza de diseño y traslación de Terapias Avanzadas, Seville, Spain
| | - Gloria Carmona
- Unidad de Producción y Reprogramación Celular de Sevilla (UPRC)-Planta CTTC Campus Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla, Red Andaluza de diseño y traslación de Terapias Avanzadas, Seville, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Robles
- Unidad de Patología Comparada, Biobanco Virgen del Rocío-IBiS, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Teresa Caballero-Velázquez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Briones
- Servicio de Hematología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Lehrstuhl für Zelluläre Immuntherapie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II and Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Lehrstuhl für Zelluläre Immuntherapie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II and Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jose Antonio Pérez-Simón
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Estefanía García-Guerrero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
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8
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Mai Q, He B, Deng S, Zeng Q, Xu Y, Wang C, Pang Y, Zhang S, Li J, Zeng J, Huang L, Fu Y, Li C, Li T, Xu X, Zhang L. Efficacy of NKG2D CAR-T cells with IL-15/IL-15Rα signaling for treating Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:85. [PMID: 39160631 PMCID: PMC11334566 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD) is a life-threatening complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or solid organ transplantation (SOT), for which no standard therapeutic means have been developed. Significant increase expression of natural killer group 2 member D ligands (NKG2DLs) was observed on B-lymphoblastoid cells of EBV-PTLD, indicating NKG2DLs as potential therapeutic targets for treatment of EBV-PTLD. In this study, the recombinant constructs of NKG2D CAR and IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR were generated with a retroviral vector and then transduced to human T cells to produce NKG2D CAR-T and IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR-T cells, respectively. B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCLs) and the xenografted mouse models were established to evaluate the efficacy of these CAR-T cells. IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR-T cells exhibited superior proliferation and antigen-specific cytotoxic effect compared to NKG2D CAR-T, as IL-15/IL-15Rα signaling promoted the expansion of less differentiated central memory T cells (TCM) and increased expression of CD107a and IFN-γ. Moreover, EBV DNA load was dramatically reduced, and 80% B-LCL cells were eliminated by IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR-T cells after co-culturing. In-vivo study confirmed that IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR-T cell therapy significantly enhanced antiviral efficacy in mice, as the serum load of EBV after IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR-T cell infusion was 1500 times lower than the untreated control (P < 0.001). The enhanced efficacy of IL-15/IL-15Rα-NKG2D CAR T cells was probably due to the IL-15/IL-15Rα signaling improved homing and persistence of NKG2D CAR-T cells in vivo, and increased the production of IFN-γ, Perforin, and Granulysin. In conclusion, NKG2D CAR-T cells co-expressing IL-15/IL-15Rα promoted the central memory CAR T cell proliferation and improved the homing and persistence of CAR T cells in vivo, resulting in enhanced anti-tumor and anti-viral effects in treating EBV-PTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiusui Mai
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Bailin He
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical Universit, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shikai Deng
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qing Zeng
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yanwen Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, He Xian Memorial Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 511402, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou, 510555, China
| | - Yunyi Pang
- Department of Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Shenzhen Bao'an District Central Blood Station, Shenzhen, 518101, China
| | - Jinfeng Li
- Shenzhen Bao'an District Central Blood Station, Shenzhen, 518101, China
| | | | - Liqin Huang
- Shenzhen Blood Center, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Yongshui Fu
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Chengyao Li
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou, 510555, China.
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Shenzhen Bao'an District Central Blood Station, Shenzhen, 518101, China.
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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9
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Wittling MC, Cole AC, Brammer B, Diatikar KG, Schmitt NC, Paulos CM. Strategies for Improving CAR T Cell Persistence in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2858. [PMID: 39199630 PMCID: PMC11352972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells require optimization to be effective in patients with solid tumors. There are many barriers affecting their ability to succeed. One barrier is persistence, as to achieve an optimal antitumor response, infused CAR T cells must engraft and persist. This singular variable is impacted by a multitude of factors-the CAR T cell design, lymphodepletion regimen used, expansion method to generate the T cell product, and more. Additionally, external agents can be utilized to augment CAR T cells, such as the addition of novel cytokines, pharmaceutical drugs that bolster memory formation, or other agents during either the ex vivo expansion process or after CAR T cell infusion to support them in the oppressive tumor microenvironment. This review highlights many strategies being used to optimize T cell persistence as well as future directions for improving the persistence of infused cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megen C. Wittling
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anna C. Cole
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Brianna Brammer
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kailey G. Diatikar
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nicole C. Schmitt
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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10
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Mohammad Taheri M, Javan F, Poudineh M, Athari SS. Beyond CAR-T: The rise of CAR-NK cell therapy in asthma immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2024; 22:736. [PMID: 39103889 PMCID: PMC11302387 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05534-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma poses a major public health burden. While existing asthma drugs manage symptoms for many, some patients remain resistant. The lack of a cure, especially for severe asthma, compels exploration of novel therapies. Cancer immunotherapy successes with CAR-T cells suggest its potential for asthma treatment. Researchers are exploring various approaches for allergic diseases including membrane-bound IgE, IL-5, PD-L2, and CTLA-4 for asthma, and Dectin-1 for fungal asthma. NK cells offer several advantages over T cells for CAR-based immunotherapy. They offer key benefits: (1) HLA compatibility, meaning they can be used in a wider range of patients without the need for matching tissue types. (2) Minimal side effects (CRS and GVHD) due to their limited persistence and cytokine profile. (3) Scalability for "off-the-shelf" production from various sources. Several strategies have been introduced that highlight the superiority and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy for asthma treatment including IL-10, IFN-γ, ADCC, perforin-granzyme, FASL, KIR, NCRs (NKP46), DAP, DNAM-1, TGF-β, TNF-α, CCL, NKG2A, TF, and EGFR. Furthermore, we advocate for incorporating AI for CAR design optimization and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology for precise gene manipulation to generate highly effective CAR constructs. This review will delve into the evolution and production of CAR designs, explore pre-clinical and clinical studies of CAR-based therapies in asthma, analyze strategies to optimize CAR-NK cell function, conduct a comparative analysis of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapy with their respective challenges, and finally present established novel CAR designs with promising potential for asthma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Javan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Poudineh
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Shamseddin Athari
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, 12th Street, Shahrake Karmandan, Zanjan, 45139-561111, Iran.
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11
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Tian W, Wei W, Qin G, Bao X, Tong X, Zhou M, Xue Y, Zhang Y, Shao Q. Lymphocyte homing and recirculation with tumor tertiary lymphoid structure formation: predictions for successful cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1403578. [PMID: 39076974 PMCID: PMC11284035 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1403578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The capacity of lymphocytes continuously home to lymphoid structures is remarkable for cancer immunosurveillance and immunotherapy. Lymphocyte homing and recirculation within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are now understood to be adaptive processes that are regulated by specialized cytokines and adhesion molecule signaling cascades. Restricted lymphocyte infiltration and recirculation have emerged as key mechanisms contributing to poor responses in cancer immunotherapies like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs). Uncovering the kinetics of lymphocytes in tumor infiltration and circulation is crucial for improving immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the current insights into the adhesive and migrative molecules involved in lymphocyte homing and transmigration. The potential mechanisms within the TME that restrain lymphocyte infiltration are also summarized. Advanced on these, we outline the determinates for tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) formation within tumors, placing high expectations on the prognostic values of TLSs as therapeutic targets in malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihong Tian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Wangzhi Wei
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Gaofeng Qin
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Xuanwen Bao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University & Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuecheng Tong
- Changzhou Third People’s Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Changzhou Third People’s Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Changzhou Third People’s Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Van der Vreken A, Vanderkerken K, De Bruyne E, De Veirman K, Breckpot K, Menu E. Fueling CARs: metabolic strategies to enhance CAR T-cell therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:66. [PMID: 38987856 PMCID: PMC11238373 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00535-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells are widely applied for relapsed hematological cancer patients. With six approved cell therapies, for Multiple Myeloma and other B-cell malignancies, new insights emerge. Profound evidence shows that patients who fail CAR T-cell therapy have, aside from antigen escape, a more glycolytic and weakened metabolism in their CAR T cells, accompanied by a short lifespan. Recent advances show that CAR T cells can be metabolically engineered towards oxidative phosphorylation, which increases their longevity via epigenetic and phenotypical changes. In this review we elucidate various strategies to rewire their metabolism, including the design of the CAR construct, co-stimulus choice, genetic modifications of metabolic genes, and pharmacological interventions. We discuss their potential to enhance CAR T-cell functioning and persistence through memory imprinting, thereby improving outcomes. Furthermore, we link the pharmacological treatments with their anti-cancer properties in hematological malignancies to ultimately suggest novel combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Van der Vreken
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium.
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13
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Blud D, Rubio-Reyes P, Perret R, Weinkove R. Tuning CAR T-cell therapies for efficacy and reduced toxicity. Semin Hematol 2024:S0037-1963(24)00082-9. [PMID: 39095226 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies are a standard of care for certain relapsed or refractory B-cell cancers. However, many patients do not respond to CAR T-cell therapy or relapse later, short- and long-term toxicities are common, and current CAR T-cell therapies have limited efficacy for solid cancers. The gene engineering inherent in CAR T-cell manufacture offers an unprecedented opportunity to control cellular characteristics and design products that may overcome these limitations. This review summarises available methods to "tune" CAR T-cells for optimal efficacy and safety. The components of a typical CAR, and the modifications that can influence CAR T-cell function are discussed. Methods of engineering passive, inducible or autonomous control mechanisms into CAR T-cells, allowing selective limitation or enhancement of CAR T-cell activity are reviewed. The impact of manufacturing processes on CAR T-cell function are considered, including methods of limiting CAR T-cell terminal differentiation and exhaustion, and the use of specific T-cell subsets as the CAR T starting material. We discuss the use of multicistronic transgenes and multiplexed gene editing. Finally, we highlight the need for innovative clinical trial designs if we are to make the most of the opportunities offered by CAR T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Blud
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Rubio-Reyes
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Rachel Perret
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Robert Weinkove
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand; Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Capital Coast & Hutt Valley, Wellington, New Zealand; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
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14
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Ramapriyan R, Vykunta VS, Vandecandelaere G, Richardson LGK, Sun J, Curry WT, Choi BD. Altered cancer metabolism and implications for next-generation CAR T-cell therapies. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 259:108667. [PMID: 38763321 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
This review critically examines the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating solid tumors, with a particular focus on the metabolic challenges within the tumor microenvironment. CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, yet its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited. A significant barrier is the hostile milieu of the tumor microenvironment, which impairs CAR T-cell survival and function. This review delves into the metabolic adaptations of cancer cells and their impact on immune cells, highlighting the competition for nutrients and the accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites. It also explores emerging strategies to enhance CAR T-cell metabolic fitness and persistence, including genetic engineering and metabolic reprogramming. An integrated approach, combining metabolic interventions with CAR T-cell therapy, has the potential to overcome these constraints and improve therapeutic outcomes in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishab Ramapriyan
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Vivasvan S Vykunta
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; ImmunoX Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Gust Vandecandelaere
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Leland G K Richardson
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jing Sun
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - William T Curry
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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15
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Moraly J, Kondo T, Benzaoui M, DuSold J, Talluri S, Pouzolles MC, Chien C, Dardalhon V, Taylor N. Metabolic dialogues: regulators of chimeric antigen receptor T cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1695-1718. [PMID: 38922759 PMCID: PMC11223614 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13691] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of relapsed/refractory melanoma and hematological malignancies, respectively. These treatments have marked a pivotal shift in cancer management. However, as "living drugs," their effectiveness is dependent on their ability to proliferate and persist in patients. Recent studies indicate that the mechanisms regulating these crucial functions, as well as the T cell's differentiation state, are conditioned by metabolic shifts and the distinct utilization of metabolic pathways. These metabolic shifts, conditioned by nutrient availability as well as cell surface expression of metabolite transporters, are coupled to signaling pathways and the epigenetic landscape of the cell, modulating transcriptional, translational, and post-translational profiles. In this review, we discuss the processes underlying the metabolic remodeling of activated T cells, the impact of a tumor metabolic environment on T cell function, and potential metabolic-based strategies to enhance T cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josquin Moraly
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- Université Sorbonne Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Taisuke Kondo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Mehdi Benzaoui
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Justyn DuSold
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Sohan Talluri
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Marie C. Pouzolles
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Christopher Chien
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Valérie Dardalhon
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
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16
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Sánchez-Moreno I, Lasarte-Cia A, Martín-Otal C, Casares N, Navarro F, Gorraiz M, Sarrión P, Hervas-Stubbs S, Jordana L, Rodriguez-Madoz JR, San Miguel J, Prosper F, Lasarte JJ, Lozano T. Tethered IL15-IL15Rα augments antitumor activity of CD19 CAR-T cells but displays long-term toxicity in an immunocompetent lymphoma mouse model. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008572. [PMID: 38955421 PMCID: PMC11218034 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008572] [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] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive cell therapy using genetically modified T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T) has shown encouraging results, particularly in certain blood cancers. Nevertheless, over 40% of B cell malignancy patients experience a relapse after CAR-T therapy, likely due to inadequate persistence of the modified T cells in the body. IL15, known for its pro-survival and proliferative properties, has been suggested for incorporation into the fourth generation of CAR-T cells to enhance their persistence. However, the potential systemic toxicity associated with this cytokine warrants further evaluation. METHODS We analyzed the persistence, antitumor efficacy and potential toxicity of anti-mouse CD19 CAR-T cells which express a membrane-bound IL15-IL15Rα chimeric protein (CD19/mbIL15q CAR-T), in BALB/c mice challenged with A20 tumor cells as well as in NSG mice. RESULTS Conventional CD19 CAR-T cells showed low persistence and poor efficacy in BALB/c mice treated with mild lymphodepletion regimens (total body irradiation (TBI) of 1 Gy). CD19/mbIL15q CAR-T exhibits prolonged persistence and enhanced in vivo efficacy, effectively eliminating established A20 B cell lymphoma. However, this CD19/mbIL15q CAR-T displays important long-term toxicities, with marked splenomegaly, weight loss, transaminase elevations, and significant inflammatory findings in some tissues. Mice survival is highly compromised after CD19/mbIL15q CAR-T cell transfer, particularly if a high TBI regimen is applied before CAR-T cell transfer. CONCLUSION Tethered IL15-IL15Rα augments the antitumor activity of CD19 CAR-T cells but displays long-term toxicity in immunocompetent mice. Inducible systems to regulate IL15-IL15Rα expression could be considered to control this toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Sánchez-Moreno
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aritz Lasarte-Cia
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Martín-Otal
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Flor Navarro
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Gorraiz
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Patricia Sarrión
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervas-Stubbs
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lorea Jordana
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan Roberto Rodriguez-Madoz
- Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jesús San Miguel
- Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, (CUN), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, (CUN), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Jose Lasarte
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Teresa Lozano
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain
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17
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Shi H, Chen S, Chi H. Immunometabolism of CD8 + T cell differentiation in cancer. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:610-626. [PMID: 38693002 PMCID: PMC11342304 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are central mediators of tumor immunity and immunotherapies. Upon tumor antigen recognition, CTLs differentiate from naive/memory-like toward terminally exhausted populations with more limited function against tumors. Such differentiation is regulated by both immune signals, including T cell receptors (TCRs), co-stimulation, and cytokines, and metabolism-associated processes. These immune signals shape the metabolic landscape via signaling, transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, while metabolic processes in turn exert spatiotemporal effects to modulate the strength and duration of immune signaling. Here, we review the bidirectional regulation between immune signals and metabolic processes, including nutrient uptake and intracellular metabolic pathways, in shaping CTL differentiation and exhaustion. We also discuss the mechanisms underlying how specific nutrient sources and metabolite-mediated signaling events orchestrate CTL biology. Understanding how metabolic programs and their interplay with immune signals instruct CTL differentiation and exhaustion is crucial to uncover tumor-immune interactions and design novel immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Shi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; System Biology Institute, Integrated Science & Technology Center, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Hongbo Chi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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18
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Schlegel LS, Werbrouck C, Boettcher M, Schlegel P. Universal CAR 2.0 to overcome current limitations in CAR therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383894. [PMID: 38962014 PMCID: PMC11219820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383894] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has effectively complemented the treatment of advanced relapsed and refractory hematological cancers. The remarkable achievements of CD19- and BCMA-CAR T therapies have raised high expectations within the fields of hematology and oncology. These groundbreaking successes are propelling a collective aspiration to extend the reach of CAR therapies beyond B-lineage malignancies. Advanced CAR technologies have created a momentum to surmount the limitations of conventional CAR concepts. Most importantly, innovations that enable combinatorial targeting to address target antigen heterogeneity, using versatile adapter CAR concepts in conjunction with recent transformative next-generation CAR design, offer the promise to overcome both the bottleneck associated with CAR manufacturing and patient-individualized treatment regimens. In this comprehensive review, we delineate the fundamental prerequisites, navigate through pivotal challenges, and elucidate strategic approaches, all aimed at paving the way for the future establishment of multitargeted immunotherapies using universal CAR technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Sophie Schlegel
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Coralie Werbrouck
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Boettcher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Schlegel
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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19
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Feng Y, He C, Liu C, Shao B, Wang D, Wu P. Exploring the Complexity and Promise of Tumor Immunotherapy in Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6444. [PMID: 38928150 PMCID: PMC11204037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126444] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer represents a significant threat to human health, and traditional chemotherapy or cytotoxic therapy is no longer the sole or preferred approach for managing malignant tumors. With advanced research into the immunogenicity of tumor cells and the growing elderly population, tumor immunotherapy has emerged as a prominent therapeutic option. Its significance in treating elderly cancer patients is increasingly recognized. In this study, we review the conceptual classifications and benefits of immunotherapy, and discuss recent developments in new drugs and clinical progress in cancer treatment through various immunotherapeutic modalities with different mechanisms. Additionally, we explore the impact of immunosenescence on the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy and propose innovative and effective strategies to rejuvenate senescent T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (C.H.); (C.L.); (B.S.)
| | - Peijie Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (C.H.); (C.L.); (B.S.)
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20
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Zhou G, Fu S, Zhang Y, Li S, Guo Z, Ouyang D, Ying T, Lu Y, Zhao Q. Antibody Recognition of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) Juxtamembrane Domain Enhances Anti-Tumor Response of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cells. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:45. [PMID: 38920969 PMCID: PMC11200690 DOI: 10.3390/antib13020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy shows promise in treating malignant tumors. However, the use of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) CAR-T cells carries the risk of severe toxicity, including cytokine release syndrome, due to their "on-target off-tumor" recognition of HER2. Enhancing the quality and functionality of HER2 CARs could greatly improve the therapeutic potential of CAR-T cells. In this study, we developed a novel anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, Ab8, which targets domain III of HER2, distinct from the domain IV recognition of trastuzumab. Although two anti-HER2 mAbs induced similar levels of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, trastuzumab-based CAR-T cells exhibited potent antitumor activity against HER2-positive cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings provide scientific evidence that antibody recognition of the membrane-proximal domain promotes the anti-tumor response of HER2-specific CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Zhou
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China; (G.Z.); (S.F.); (Z.G.)
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shengyu Fu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China; (G.Z.); (S.F.); (Z.G.)
| | - Yunsen Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China; (Y.Z.); (D.O.)
| | - Shuang Li
- The Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100036, China;
| | - Ziang Guo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China; (G.Z.); (S.F.); (Z.G.)
| | - Defang Ouyang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China; (Y.Z.); (D.O.)
| | - Tianlei Ying
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Synthetic Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Yinying Lu
- The Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100036, China;
| | - Qi Zhao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China; (G.Z.); (S.F.); (Z.G.)
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR, China
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21
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Niu Q, Zhang H, Wang F, Xu X, Luo Y, He B, Shi M, Jiang E, Feng X. GSNOR overexpression enhances CAR-T cell stemness and anti-tumor function by enforcing mitochondrial fitness. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1875-1894. [PMID: 38549378 PMCID: PMC11184305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell has been developed as a promising agent for patients with refractory or relapsed lymphoma and leukemia, but not all the recipients could achieve a long-lasting remission. The limited capacity of in vivo expansion and memory differentiation post activation is one of the major reasons for suboptimal CAR-T therapeutic efficiency. Nitric oxide (NO) plays multifaceted roles in mitochondrial dynamics and T cell activation, but its function on CAR-T cell persistence and anti-tumor efficacy remains unknown. Herein, we found the continuous signaling from CAR not only promotes excessive NO production, but also suppressed S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) expression in T cells, which collectively led to increased protein S-nitrosylation, resulting in impaired mitochondrial fitness and deficiency of T cell stemness. Intriguingly, enforced expression of GSNOR promoted memory differentiation of CAR-T cell after immune activation, rendered CAR-T better resistance to mitochondrial dysfunction, further enhanced CAR-T cell expansion and anti-tumor capacity in vitro and in a mouse tumor model. Thus, we revealed a critical role of NO in restricting CAR-T cell persistence and functionality, and defined that GSNOR overexpression may provide a solution to combat NO stress and render patients with more durable protection from CAR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Central Laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Haixiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Department of Hematology, Hematology Research Center of Yunnan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Xing Xu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yuechen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Baolin He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Mingxia Shi
- Department of Hematology, Hematology Research Center of Yunnan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Erlie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China.
| | - Xiaoming Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, CAMS Key Laboratory of Gene Therapy for Blood Diseases, Tianjin 300020, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Central Laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
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22
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Storci G, De Felice F, Ricci F, Santi S, Messelodi D, Bertuccio SN, Laprovitera N, Dicataldo M, Rossini L, De Matteis S, Casadei B, Vaglio F, Ursi M, Barbato F, Roberto M, Guarino M, Asioli GM, Arpinati M, Cortelli P, Maffini E, Tomassini E, Tassoni M, Cavallo C, Iannotta F, Naddeo M, Tazzari PL, Dan E, Pellegrini C, Guadagnuolo S, Carella M, Sinigaglia B, Pirazzini C, Severi C, Garagnani P, Kwiatkowska KM, Ferracin M, Zinzani PL, Bonafè M, Bonifazi F. CAR+ extracellular vesicles predict ICANS in patients with B cell lymphomas treated with CD19-directed CAR T cells. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e173096. [PMID: 38833312 PMCID: PMC11245152 DOI: 10.1172/jci173096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDPredicting immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in patients infused with CAR T cells is still a conundrum. This complication, thought to be consequent to CAR T cell activation, arises a few days after infusion, when circulating CAR T cells are scarce and specific CAR T cell-derived biomarkers are lacking.METHODSCAR+ extracellular vesicle (CAR+EV) release was assessed in human CD19.CAR T cells cocultured with CD19+ target cells. A prospective cohort of 100 patients with B cell lymphoma infused with approved CD19.CAR T cell products was assessed for plasma CAR+EVs as biomarkers of in vivo CD19.CAR T cell activation. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (iPSC-derived) neural cells were used as a model for CAR+EV-induced neurotoxicity.RESULTSIn vitro release of CAR+EVs occurs within 1 hour after target engagement. Plasma CAR+EVs are detectable 1 hour after infusion. A concentration greater than 132.8 CAR+EVs/μL at hour +1 or greater than 224.5 CAR+EVs/μL at day +1 predicted ICANS in advance of 4 days, with a sensitivity and a specificity outperforming other ICANS predictors. ENO2+ nanoparticles were released by iPSC-derived neural cells upon CAR+EV exposure and were increased in plasma of patients with ICANS.CONCLUSIONPlasma CAR+EVs are an immediate signal of CD19.CAR T cell activation, are suitable predictors of neurotoxicity, and may be involved in ICANS pathogenesis.TRIAL REGISTRATIONNCT04892433, NCT05807789.FUNDINGLife Science Hub-Advanced Therapies (financed by Health Ministry as part of the National Plan for Complementary Investments to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan [NRRP]: E.3 Innovative health ecosystem for APC fees and immunomonitoring).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Storci
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco De Felice
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Ricci
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Spartaco Santi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daria Messelodi
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Dicataldo
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Rossini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Casadei
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Vaglio
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Ursi
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Barbato
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcello Roberto
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Guarino
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Mario Arpinati
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Maffini
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrica Tomassini
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marta Tassoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carola Cavallo
- Laboratory Ramses, Research & Innovation Technology Department, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maria Naddeo
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Dan
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Matteo Carella
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Pirazzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Garagnani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Ferracin
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Zinzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli," Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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23
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Takayanagi SI, Chuganji S, Tanaka M, Wang B, Hasegawa S, Fukumoto K, Wasano N, Kakitani M, Ochiai N, Kawai Y, Ueda T, Ishikawa A, Kurimoto Y, Fukui A, Kamibayashi S, Imai E, Kunisato A, Nozawa H, Kaneko S. A culture method with berbamine, a plant alkaloid, enhances CAR-T cell efficacy through modulating cellular metabolism. Commun Biol 2024; 7:685. [PMID: 38834758 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06297-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Memory T cells demonstrate superior in vivo persistence and antitumor efficacy. However, methods for manufacturing less differentiated T cells are not yet well-established. Here, we show that producing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells using berbamine (BBM), a natural compound found in the Chinese herbal medicine Berberis amurensis, enhances the antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells. BBM is identified through cell-based screening of chemical compounds using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived T cells, leading to improved viability with a memory T cell phenotype. Transcriptomics and metabolomics using stem cell memory T cells reveal that BBM broadly enhances lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the addition of BBM downregulates the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and enhanced mitochondrial respiration. CD19-CAR-T cells cultured with BBM also extend the survival of leukaemia mouse models due to their superior in vivo persistence. This technology offers a straightforward approach to enhancing the antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichiro Takayanagi
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan.
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
- Biomedical Science Research Laboratories 2, Research Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Sayaka Chuganji
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tanaka
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Bo Wang
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Saki Hasegawa
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Ken Fukumoto
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Nariaki Wasano
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Makoto Kakitani
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Nakaba Ochiai
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yohei Kawai
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Ueda
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ishikawa
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yuko Kurimoto
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Asami Fukui
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Sanae Kamibayashi
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Eri Imai
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kunisato
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Hajime Nozawa
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Shin Kaneko
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
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24
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Lin MY, Nam E, Shih RM, Shafer A, Bouren A, Ayala Ceja M, Harris C, Khericha M, Vo KH, Kim M, Tseng CH, Chen YY. Self-regulating CAR-T cells modulate cytokine release syndrome in adoptive T-cell therapy. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20221988. [PMID: 38607370 PMCID: PMC11010356 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a frequently observed side effect of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy. Here, we report self-regulating T cells that reduce CRS severity by secreting inhibitors of cytokines associated with CRS. With a humanized NSG-SGM3 mouse model, we show reduced CRS-related toxicity in mice treated with CAR-T cells secreting tocilizumab-derived single-chain variable fragment (Toci), yielding a safety profile superior to that of single-dose systemic tocilizumab administration. Unexpectedly, Toci-secreting CD19 CAR-T cells exhibit superior in vivo antitumor efficacy compared with conventional CD19 CAR-T cells. scRNA-seq analysis of immune cells recovered from tumor-bearing humanized mice revealed treatment with Toci-secreting CD19 CAR-T cells enriches for cytotoxic T cells while retaining memory T-cell phenotype, suggesting Toci secretion not only reduces toxicity but also significantly alters the overall T-cell composition. This approach of engineering T cells to self-regulate inflammatory cytokine production is a clinically compatible strategy with the potential to simultaneously enhance safety and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yin Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eunwoo Nam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ryan M. Shih
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Shafer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amber Bouren
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Melanie Ayala Ceja
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Caitlin Harris
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mobina Khericha
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kenny H. Vo
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yvonne Y. Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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25
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Lin HK, Uricoli B, Freeman RM, Hossian AKMN, He Z, Anderson JYL, Neffling M, Legier JM, Blake DA, Doxie DB, Nair R, Koff JL, Dhodapkar KM, Shanmugam M, Dreaden EC, Rafiq S. Engineering Improved CAR T Cell Products with A Multi-Cytokine Particle Platform for Hematologic and Solid Tumors. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302425. [PMID: 38245855 PMCID: PMC11144092 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302425] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite the remarkable clinical efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in hematological malignancies, only a subset of patients achieves a durable complete response (dCR). DCR has been correlated with CAR T cell products enriched with T cells memory phenotypes. Therefore, reagents that consistently promote memory phenotypes during the manufacturing of CAR T cells have the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes. A novel modular multi-cytokine particle (MCP) platform is developed that combines the signals necessary for activation, costimulation, and cytokine support into a single "all-in-one" stimulation reagent for CAR T cell manufacturing. This platform allows for the assembly and screening of compositionally diverse MCP libraries to identify formulations tailored to promote specific phenotypes with a high degree of flexibility. The approach is leveraged to identify unique MCP formulations that manufacture CAR T cell products from diffuse large B cell patients with increased proportions of memory-like phenotypes MCP-manufactured CAR T cells demonstrate superior anti-tumor efficacy in mouse models of lymphoma and ovarian cancer through enhanced persistence. These findings serve as a proof-of-principle of the powerful utility of the MCP platform to identify "all-in-one" stimulation reagents that can improve the effectiveness of cell therapy products through optimal manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather K. Lin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Biaggio Uricoli
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ruby M. Freeman
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - AKM Nawshad Hossian
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhulin He
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Jonathan M. Legier
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dejah A. Blake
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deon B. Doxie
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Remya Nair
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jean L. Koff
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kavita M. Dhodapkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mala Shanmugam
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Erik C. Dreaden
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarwish Rafiq
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
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26
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Wu MH, Valenca-Pereira F, Cendali F, Giddings EL, Pham-Danis C, Yarnell MC, Novak AJ, Brunetti TM, Thompson SB, Henao-Mejia J, Flavell RA, D'Alessandro A, Kohler ME, Rincon M. Deleting the mitochondrial respiration negative regulator MCJ enhances the efficacy of CD8 + T cell adoptive therapies in pre-clinical studies. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4444. [PMID: 38789421 PMCID: PMC11126743 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial respiration is essential for the survival and function of T cells used in adoptive cellular therapies. However, strategies that specifically enhance mitochondrial respiration to promote T cell function remain limited. Here, we investigate methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ), an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial complex I expressed in CD8 cells, as a target for improving the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapies. We demonstrate that MCJ inhibits mitochondrial respiration in murine CD8+ CAR-T cells and that deletion of MCJ increases their in vitro and in vivo efficacy against murine B cell leukaemia. Similarly, MCJ deletion in ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells also increases their efficacy against established OVA-expressing melanoma tumors in vivo. Furthermore, we show for the first time that MCJ is expressed in human CD8 cells and that the level of MCJ expression correlates with the functional activity of CD8+ CAR-T cells. Silencing MCJ expression in human CD8 CAR-T cells increases their mitochondrial metabolism and enhances their anti-tumor activity. Thus, targeting MCJ may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to increase mitochondrial metabolism and improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Han Wu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Felipe Valenca-Pereira
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Francesca Cendali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Emily L Giddings
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Catherine Pham-Danis
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael C Yarnell
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Amanda J Novak
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tonya M Brunetti
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott B Thompson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jorge Henao-Mejia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard A Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M Eric Kohler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Mercedes Rincon
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
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27
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Nie S, Song Y, Hu K, Zu W, Zhang F, Chen L, Ma Q, Zhou Z, Jiao S. CXCL10 and IL15 co-expressing chimeric antigen receptor T cells enhance anti-tumor effects in gastric cancer by increasing cytotoxic effector cell accumulation and survival. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2358590. [PMID: 38812569 PMCID: PMC11135867 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2358590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated outstanding therapeutic success in hematological malignancies. Yet, their efficacy against solid tumors remains constrained due to inadequate infiltration of cytotoxic T and CAR-T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), a factor correlated with poor prognosis in patients with solid tumors. To overcome this limitation, we engineered CAR-T cells to secrete CXCL10 and IL15 (10 × 15 CAR-T), which sustain T cell viability and enhance their recruitment, thereby amplifying the long-term cytotoxic capacity of CAR-T cells in vitro. In a xenograft model employing NUGC4-T21 cells, mice receiving 10 × 15 CAR-T cells showed superior tumor reduction and extended survival rates compared to those treated with second-generation CAR-T cells. Histopathological evaluations indicated a pronounced increase in cytotoxic T cell accumulation in the TME post 10 × 15 CAR-T cell treatment. Therefore, the synergistic secretion of CXCL10 and IL15 in these CAR-T cells enhances T cell recruitment and adaptability within tumor tissues, improving tumor control. This approach may offer a promising strategy for advancing CAR-T therapies in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyue Nie
- PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Song
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Hu
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengjiao Zhang
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
| | - Lixia Chen
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Ma
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
| | - Zishan Zhou
- Research and Development Department, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co. LTD, Beijing, China
| | - Shunchang Jiao
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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28
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Zhu Y, Wang K, Yue L, Zuo D, Sheng J, Lan S, Zhao Z, Dong S, Hu S, Chen X, Feng M. Mesothelin CAR-T cells expressing tumor-targeted immunocytokine IL-12 yield durable efficacy and fewer side effects. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107186. [PMID: 38641176 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy has achieved remarkable efficacy in treating hematological malignancies, but it confronts many challenges in treating solid tumors, such as the immunosuppressive microenvironment of the solid tumors. These factors reduce the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells in clinical trials. Therefore, we used the immunocytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) to enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy. In this study, we engineered CAR-IL12R54 T cells that targeted mesothelin (MSLN) and secreted a single-chain IL-12 fused to a scFv fragment R54 that recognized a different epitope on mesothelin. The evaluation of the anti-tumor activity of the CAR-IL12R54 T cells alone or in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody in vitro and in vivo was followed by the exploration of the functional mechanism by which the immunocytokine IL-12 enhanced the antitumor activity. CAR-IL12R54 T cells had potency to lyse mesothelin positive tumor cells in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated that CAR-IL12R54 T cells were effective in controlling the growth of established tumors in a xenograft mouse model with fewer side effects than CAR-T cells that secreted naked IL-12. Furthermore, combination of PD-1 blockade antibody with CAR-IL12R54 T cells elicited durable anti-tumor responses. Mechanistic studies showed that IL12R54 enhanced Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and dampened the activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs). IL12R54 also upregulated CXCR6 expression in the T cells through the NF-κB pathway, which facilitated T cell infiltration and persistence in the tumor tissues. In summary, the studies provide a good therapeutic option for the clinical treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuankui Zhu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Ke Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Linghe Yue
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Dianbao Zuo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Junfeng Sheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Sina Lan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Zilong Zhao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Shuang Dong
- Department of Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Department of Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Mingqian Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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29
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Chan JD, Scheffler CM, Munoz I, Sek K, Lee JN, Huang YK, Yap KM, Saw NYL, Li J, Chen AXY, Chan CW, Derrick EB, Todd KL, Tong J, Dunbar PA, Li J, Hoang TX, de Menezes MN, Petley EV, Kim JS, Nguyen D, Leung PSK, So J, Deguit C, Zhu J, House IG, Kats LM, Scott AM, Solomon BJ, Harrison SJ, Oliaro J, Parish IA, Quinn KM, Neeson PJ, Slaney CY, Lai J, Beavis PA, Darcy PK. FOXO1 enhances CAR T cell stemness, metabolic fitness and efficacy. Nature 2024; 629:201-210. [PMID: 38600376 PMCID: PMC11062918 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of haematological malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, B cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma1-4, but the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in solid tumours has been limited5. This is owing to a number of factors, including the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment that gives rise to poorly persisting and metabolically dysfunctional T cells. Analysis of anti-CD19 CAR T cells used clinically has shown that positive treatment outcomes are associated with a more 'stem-like' phenotype and increased mitochondrial mass6-8. We therefore sought to identify transcription factors that could enhance CAR T cell fitness and efficacy against solid tumours. Here we show that overexpression of FOXO1 promotes a stem-like phenotype in CAR T cells derived from either healthy human donors or patients, which correlates with improved mitochondrial fitness, persistence and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. This work thus reveals an engineering approach to genetically enforce a favourable metabolic phenotype that has high translational potential to improve the efficacy of CAR T cells against solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack D Chan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina M Scheffler
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Isabelle Munoz
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin Sek
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel N Lee
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yu-Kuan Huang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kah Min Yap
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole Y L Saw
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jasmine Li
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda X Y Chen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheok Weng Chan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily B Derrick
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirsten L Todd
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Junming Tong
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Dunbar
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jiawen Li
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thang X Hoang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria N de Menezes
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma V Petley
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joelle S Kim
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dat Nguyen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick S K Leung
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joan So
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian Deguit
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joe Zhu
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Imran G House
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lev M Kats
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Solomon
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon J Harrison
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Haematology and Centre of Excellence for Cellular Immunotherapies, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane Oliaro
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian A Parish
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kylie M Quinn
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul J Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clare Y Slaney
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Junyun Lai
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Clinical Haematology and Centre of Excellence for Cellular Immunotherapies, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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30
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Zhang K, Hu W, Li F, Wen C, Zhou L, Zhang L, Lian J, Liu S, Wang S, Zhang Y. IL-24 improves efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy by targeting stemness of tumor cells. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1337-1347. [PMID: 38347092 PMCID: PMC11015030 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02601-1] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) induce therapeutic resistance and may be an important barrier to cancer immunotherapy. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in clinical settings. However, CAR-T cell therapy fails in a large proportion of patients, especially in those with solid tumors. It is unclear how CSCs mediate resistance to CAR-T cells, and whether CAR-T cells can more effectively eradicate CSCs. METHODS In this study, the effect of CSCs on CAR-T cell therapy was determined using in vitro and in vivo assays. Subsequently, Interleukin-24 (IL-24) was expressed along with CAR in T cells. Further in vitro and in vivo tests were performed to determine the effects of IL-24 on CSCs and CAR-T cell therapy. RESULTS IL-24 induced apoptosis in CSCs and contributed to T cell activation, differentiation, and proliferation. CAR.IL-24-T cells inhibited CSC enrichment and exhibited stronger antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS IL-24 helps eliminate CSCs and endows CAR-T cells with improved antitumor reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenhao Hu
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chunli Wen
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lingxiao Zhou
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jingyao Lian
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shumin Wang
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center & Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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31
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Zhu N, Chen S, Jin Y, Wang M, Fang L, Xue L, Hua D, Zhang Z, Jia M, Hao M, Zhang C. Enhancing Glioblastoma Immunotherapy with Integrated Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells through the Re-Education of Tumor-Associated Microglia and Macrophages. ACS NANO 2024; 18:11165-11182. [PMID: 38626338 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer that is highly resistant to treatment including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Tumor-associated microglia and macrophages (TAMs) are major contributors to the immunosuppressive GBM microenvironment, which promotes tumor progression and treatment resistance. Hence, the modulation of TAMs is a promising strategy for improving the immunotherapeutic efficacy of CAR-T cells against GBM. Molecularly targeting drug pexidartinib (PLX) has been reported to re-educate TAMs toward the antitumorigenic M1-like phenotype. Here, we developed a cell-drug integrated technology to reversibly conjugate PLX-containing liposomes (PLX-Lip) to CAR-T cells and establish tumor-responsive integrated CAR-T cells (PLX-Lip/AZO-T cells) as a combination therapy for GBM. We used a mouse model of GBM to show that PLX-Lip was stably maintained on the surface of PLX-Lip/AZO-T cells in circulation and these cells could transmigrate across the blood-brain barrier and deposit PLX-Lip at the tumor site. The uptake of PLX-Lip by TAMs effectively re-educated them into the M1-like phenotype, which in turn boosted the antitumor function of CAR-T cells. GBM tumor growth was completely eradicated in 60% of the mice after receiving PLX-Lip/AZO-T cells and extended their overall survival time beyond 50 days; in comparison, the median survival time of mice in other treatment groups did not exceed 35 days. Overall, we demonstrated the successful fusion of CAR-T cells and small-molecule drugs with the cell-drug integrated technology. These integrated CAR-T cells provided a superior combination strategy for GBM treatment and presented a reference for the construction of integrated cell-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nianci Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Yu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Luyao Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Lingjing Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Dexiang Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Ziyao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Meng Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Meixi Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
| | - Can Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing 401135, China
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32
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Liu S, Zhao Y, Gao Y, Li F, Zhang Y. Targeting metabolism to improve CAR-T cells therapeutic efficacy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:909-920. [PMID: 38501360 PMCID: PMC11046027 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000003046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy achieved advanced progress in the treatment of hematological tumors. However, the application of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors still faces many challenges. Competition with tumor cells for metabolic resources in an already nutrient-poor tumor microenvironment is a major contributing cause to CAR-T cell therapy's low effectiveness. Abnormal metabolic processes are now acknowledged to shape the tumor microenvironment, which is characterized by increased interstitial fluid pressure, low pH level, hypoxia, accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors are important contributors to restriction of T cell proliferation, cytokine release, and suppression of tumor cell-killing ability. This review provides an overview of how different metabolites regulate T cell activity, analyzes the current dilemmas, and proposes key strategies to reestablish the CAR-T cell therapy's effectiveness through targeting metabolism, with the aim of providing new strategies to surmount the obstacle in the way of solid tumor CAR-T cell treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Liu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yuyu Zhao
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yaoxin Gao
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Engineering Key Laboratory for Cell Therapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Engineering Key Laboratory for Cell Therapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
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33
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Takahashi S, Minnie SA, Ensbey KS, Schmidt CR, Sekiguchi T, Legg SRW, Zhang P, Koyama M, Olver SD, Collinge AD, Keshmiri S, Comstock ML, Varelias A, Green DJ, Hill GR. Regulatory T cells suppress myeloma-specific immunity during autologous stem cell mobilization and transplantation. Blood 2024; 143:1656-1669. [PMID: 38295333 PMCID: PMC11103090 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care consolidation therapy for eligible patients with myeloma but most patients eventually progress, an event associated with features of immune escape. Novel approaches to enhance antimyeloma immunity after ASCT represent a major unmet need. Here, we demonstrate that patient-mobilized stem cell grafts contain high numbers of effector CD8 T cells and immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). We showed that bone marrow (BM)-residing T cells are efficiently mobilized during stem cell mobilization (SCM) and hypothesized that mobilized and highly suppressive BM-derived Tregs might limit antimyeloma immunity during SCM. Thus, we performed ASCT in a preclinical myeloma model with or without stringent Treg depletion during SCM. Treg depletion generated SCM grafts containing polyfunctional CD8 T effector memory cells, which dramatically enhanced myeloma control after ASCT. Thus, we explored clinically tractable translational approaches to mimic this scenario. Antibody-based approaches resulted in only partial Treg depletion and were inadequate to recapitulate this effect. In contrast, a synthetic interleukin-2 (IL-2)/IL-15 mimetic that stimulates the IL-2 receptor on CD8 T cells without binding to the high-affinity IL-2Ra used by Tregs efficiently expanded polyfunctional CD8 T cells in mobilized grafts and protected recipients from myeloma progression after ASCT. We confirmed that Treg depletion during stem cell mobilization can mitigate constraints on tumor immunity and result in profound myeloma control after ASCT. Direct and selective cytokine signaling of CD8 T cells can recapitulate this effect and represent a clinically testable strategy to improve responses after ASCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichiro Takahashi
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Simone A. Minnie
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Kathleen S. Ensbey
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Christine R. Schmidt
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Tomoko Sekiguchi
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Samuel R. W. Legg
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Ping Zhang
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Motoko Koyama
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Stuart D. Olver
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Sara Keshmiri
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Melissa L. Comstock
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Antiopi Varelias
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Damian J. Green
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Geoffrey R. Hill
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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34
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Nguyen R, Doubrovina E, Mousset CM, Jin BY, Okada R, Zhang X, Clavel A, Reyes-Gonzalez JM, Dyomin V, Diaz L, Zhang L, Abbas S, Sun M, Hsieh CM, Ho M, Shern JF, Gulley JL, Hinrichs CS. Cooperative Armoring of CAR and TCR T Cells by T Cell-Restricted IL15 and IL21 Universally Enhances Solid Tumor Efficacy. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1555-1566. [PMID: 37910044 PMCID: PMC11018485 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1872] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies are effective in a subset of patients with solid tumors, but new approaches are needed to universally improve patient outcomes. Here, we developed a technology to leverage the cooperative effects of IL15 and IL21, two common cytokine-receptor gamma chain family members with distinct, pleiotropic effects on T cells and other lymphocytes, to enhance the efficacy of adoptive T cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We designed vectors that induce the constitutive expression of either membrane-tethered IL15, IL21, or IL15/IL21. We used clinically relevant preclinical models of transgenic CARs and TCRs against pediatric and adult solid tumors to determine the effect of the membrane-tethered cytokines on engineered T cells for human administration. RESULTS We found that self-delivery of these cytokines by CAR or TCR T cells prevents functional exhaustion by repeated stimulation and limits the emergence of dysfunctional natural killer (NK)-like T cells. Across different preclinical murine solid tumor models, we observed enhanced regression with each individual cytokine but the greatest antitumor efficacy when T cells were armored with both. CONCLUSIONS The coexpression of membrane-tethered IL15 and IL21 represents a technology to enhance the resilience and function of engineered T cells against solid tumors and could be applicable to multiple therapy platforms and diseases. See related commentary by Ruffin et al., p. 1431.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Nguyen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ekaterina Doubrovina
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Charlotte M. Mousset
- Genitourinary Malignancy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Y. Jin
- Genitourinary Malignancy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Reona Okada
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arina Clavel
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jeyshka M. Reyes-Gonzalez
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vadim Dyomin
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Louis Diaz
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shahroze Abbas
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ming Sun
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chao-Ming Hsieh
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jack F. Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James L. Gulley
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christian S. Hinrichs
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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35
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Hatae R, Kyewalabye K, Yamamichi A, Chen T, Phyu S, Chuntova P, Nejo T, Levine LS, Spitzer MH, Okada H. Enhancing CAR-T cell metabolism to overcome hypoxic conditions in the brain tumor microenvironment. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e177141. [PMID: 38386420 PMCID: PMC11128202 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177141] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has been limited against brain tumors to date. CAR-T cells infiltrating syngeneic intracerebral SB28 EGFRvIII gliomas revealed impaired mitochondrial ATP production and a markedly hypoxic status compared with ones migrating to subcutaneous tumors. Drug screenings to improve metabolic states of T cells under hypoxic conditions led us to evaluate the combination of the AMPK activator metformin and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (Met+Rap). Met+Rap-pretreated mouse CAR-T cells showed activated PPAR-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) through mTOR inhibition and AMPK activation, and a higher level of mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity than those pretreated with individual drugs or without pretreatment. Moreover, Met+Rap-pretreated CAR-T cells demonstrated persistent and effective antiglioma cytotoxic activities in the hypoxic condition. Furthermore, a single intravenous infusion of Met+Rap-pretreated CAR-T cells significantly extended the survival of mice bearing intracerebral SB28 EGFRvIII gliomas. Mass cytometric analyses highlighted increased glioma-infiltrating CAR-T cells in the Met+Rap group, with fewer Ly6c+CD11b+ monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumors. Finally, human CAR-T cells pretreated with Met+Rap recapitulated the observations with murine CAR-T cells, demonstrating improved functions under in vitro hypoxic conditions. These findings advocate for translational and clinical exploration of Met+Rap-pretreated CAR-T cells in human trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Su Phyu
- Department of Neurological Surgery
| | | | | | - Lauren S. Levine
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Matthew H. Spitzer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
- The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Neurological Surgery
- The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
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36
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Shao W, Yao Y, Yang L, Li X, Ge T, Zheng Y, Zhu Q, Ge S, Gu X, Jia R, Song X, Zhuang A. Novel insights into TCR-T cell therapy in solid neoplasms: optimizing adoptive immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:37. [PMID: 38570883 PMCID: PMC10988985 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00504-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy in the T cell landscape exhibits efficacy in cancer treatment. Over the past few decades, genetically modified T cells, particularly chimeric antigen receptor T cells, have enabled remarkable strides in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Besides, extensive exploration of multiple antigens for the treatment of solid tumors has led to clinical interest in the potential of T cells expressing the engineered T cell receptor (TCR). TCR-T cells possess the capacity to recognize intracellular antigen families and maintain the intrinsic properties of TCRs in terms of affinity to target epitopes and signal transduction. Recent research has provided critical insight into their capability and therapeutic targets for multiple refractory solid tumors, but also exposes some challenges for durable efficacy. In this review, we describe the screening and identification of available tumor antigens, and the acquisition and optimization of TCRs for TCR-T cell therapy. Furthermore, we summarize the complete flow from laboratory to clinical applications of TCR-T cells. Last, we emerge future prospects for improving therapeutic efficacy in cancer world with combination therapies or TCR-T derived products. In conclusion, this review depicts our current understanding of TCR-T cell therapy in solid neoplasms, and provides new perspectives for expanding its clinical applications and improving therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihuan Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiran Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Ludi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoran Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongxin Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyi Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ai Zhuang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
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37
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Brown CE, Hibbard JC, Alizadeh D, Blanchard MS, Natri HM, Wang D, Ostberg JR, Aguilar B, Wagner JR, Paul JA, Starr R, Wong RA, Chen W, Shulkin N, Aftabizadeh M, Filippov A, Chaudhry A, Ressler JA, Kilpatrick J, Myers-McNamara P, Chen M, Wang LD, Rockne RC, Georges J, Portnow J, Barish ME, D'Apuzzo M, Banovich NE, Forman SJ, Badie B. Locoregional delivery of IL-13Rα2-targeting CAR-T cells in recurrent high-grade glioma: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:1001-1012. [PMID: 38454126 PMCID: PMC11031404 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02875-1] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an emerging strategy to improve treatment outcomes for recurrent high-grade glioma, a cancer that responds poorly to current therapies. Here we report a completed phase I trial evaluating IL-13Rα2-targeted CAR-T cells in 65 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma, the majority being recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Primary objectives were safety and feasibility, maximum tolerated dose/maximum feasible dose and a recommended phase 2 dose plan. Secondary objectives included overall survival, disease response, cytokine dynamics and tumor immune contexture biomarkers. This trial evolved to evaluate three routes of locoregional T cell administration (intratumoral (ICT), intraventricular (ICV) and dual ICT/ICV) and two manufacturing platforms, culminating in arm 5, which utilized dual ICT/ICV delivery and an optimized manufacturing process. Locoregional CAR-T cell administration was feasible and well tolerated, and as there were no dose-limiting toxicities across all arms, a maximum tolerated dose was not determined. Probable treatment-related grade 3+ toxicities were one grade 3 encephalopathy and one grade 3 ataxia. A clinical maximum feasible dose of 200 × 106 CAR-T cells per infusion cycle was achieved for arm 5; however, other arms either did not test or achieve this dose due to manufacturing feasibility. A recommended phase 2 dose will be refined in future studies based on data from this trial. Stable disease or better was achieved in 50% (29/58) of patients, with two partial responses, one complete response and a second complete response after additional CAR-T cycles off protocol. For rGBM, median overall survival for all patients was 7.7 months and for arm 5 was 10.2 months. Central nervous system increases in inflammatory cytokines, including IFNγ, CXCL9 and CXCL10, were associated with CAR-T cell administration and bioactivity. Pretreatment intratumoral CD3 T cell levels were positively associated with survival. These findings demonstrate that locoregional IL-13Rα2-targeted CAR-T therapy is safe with promising clinical activity in a subset of patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02208362 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Jonathan C Hibbard
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Darya Alizadeh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - M Suzette Blanchard
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Heini M Natri
- The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, and Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Julie R Ostberg
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jinny A Paul
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Robyn A Wong
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wuyang Chen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Noah Shulkin
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Maryam Aftabizadeh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Aleksandr Filippov
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ammar Chaudhry
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie A Ressler
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie Kilpatrick
- Department of Clinical Research, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Paige Myers-McNamara
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mike Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Leo D Wang
- Departments of Immuno-Oncology and Pediatrics, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Russell C Rockne
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Georges
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jana Portnow
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Barish
- Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Massimo D'Apuzzo
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Behnam Badie
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
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Goldberg L, Haas ER, Urak R, Vyas V, Pathak KV, Garcia-Mansfield K, Pirrotte P, Singhal J, Figarola JL, Aldoss I, Forman SJ, Wang X. Immunometabolic Adaptation of CD19-Targeted CAR T Cells in the Central Nervous System Microenvironment of Patients Promotes Memory Development. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1048-1064. [PMID: 38315779 PMCID: PMC10984768 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of T-cell activation, and metabolic fitness is fundamental for T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Insights into the metabolic plasticity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in patients could help identify approaches to improve their efficacy in treating cancer. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal immunometabolic adaptation of CD19-targeted CAR T cells using clinical samples from CAR T-cell-treated patients. Context-dependent immunometabolic adaptation of CAR T cells demonstrated the link between their metabolism, activation, differentiation, function, and local microenvironment. Specifically, compared with the peripheral blood, low lipid availability, high IL15, and low TGFβ in the central nervous system microenvironment promoted immunometabolic adaptation of CAR T cells, including upregulation of a lipolytic signature and memory properties. Pharmacologic inhibition of lipolysis in cerebrospinal fluid led to decreased CAR T-cell survival. Furthermore, manufacturing CAR T cells in cerebrospinal fluid enhanced their metabolic fitness and antileukemic activity. Overall, this study elucidates spatiotemporal immunometabolic rewiring of CAR T cells in patients and demonstrates that these adaptations can be exploited to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells. SIGNIFICANCE The spatiotemporal immunometabolic landscape of CD19-targeted CAR T cells from patients reveals metabolic adaptations in specific microenvironments that can be exploited to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Goldberg
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Eric R. Haas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Ionic Cytometry Solutions, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Khyatiben V. Pathak
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Krystine Garcia-Mansfield
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Jyotsana Singhal
- Division of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - James L. Figarola
- Division of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ibrahim Aldoss
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Chen Y, Liu C, Fang Y, Chen W, Qiu J, Zhu M, Wei W, Tu J. Developing CAR-immune cell therapy against SARS-CoV-2: Current status, challenges and prospects. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116066. [PMID: 38373592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-immune cell therapy has revolutionized the anti-tumor field, achieving efficient and precise tumor clearance by directly guiding immune cell activity to target tumors. In addition, the use of CAR-immune cells to influence the composition and function of the immune system and ultimately achieve virus clearance and immune system homeostasis has attracted the interest of researchers. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) triggered a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, the rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 continues to challenge existing therapies and has raised public concerns regarding reinfection. In patients with COVID-19, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the immune system influences the course of the disease, and the coexistence of over-activated immune system components, such as macrophages, and severely compromised immune system components, such as natural killer cells, reveals a dysregulated immune system. Dysregulated immune-induced inflammation may impair viral clearance and T-cell responses, causing cytokine storms and ultimately leading to patient death. Here, we summarize the research progress on the use of CAR-immune cells against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, we discuss the feasibility, challenges and prospect of CAR-immune cells as a new immune candidate therapy against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yilong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Weile Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jiaqi Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mengjuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jiajie Tu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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40
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Melenhorst JJ, Oliveira BC. Key role of CD4+ T cells in determining CD8 function during CAR-T cell manufacture. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008723. [PMID: 38485191 PMCID: PMC10941164 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- J Joseph Melenhorst
- Cell Therapy & ImmunoEngineering Program, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Beatriz C Oliveira
- Cell Therapy & ImmunoEngineering Program, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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41
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Yu PJ, Zhou M, Liu Y, Du J. Senescent T Cells in Age-Related Diseases. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0219. [PMID: 38502582 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-induced alterations in human immunity are often considered deleterious and are referred to as immunosenescence. The immune system monitors the number of senescent cells in the body, while immunosenescence may represent the initiation of systemic aging. Immune cells, particularly T cells, are the most impacted and involved in age-related immune function deterioration, making older individuals more prone to different age-related diseases. T-cell senescence can impact the effectiveness of immunotherapies that rely on the immune system's function, including vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies. The research and practice of using senescent T cells as therapeutic targets to intervene in age-related diseases are in their nascent stages. Therefore, in this review, we summarize recent related literature to investigate the characteristics of senescent T cells as well as their formation mechanisms, relationship with various aging-related diseases, and means of intervention. The primary objective of this article is to explore the prospects and possibilities of therapeutically targeting senescent T cells, serving as a valuable resource for the development of immunotherapy and treatment of age-related diseases.
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42
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Raynor JL, Chi H. Nutrients: Signal 4 in T cell immunity. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20221839. [PMID: 38411744 PMCID: PMC10899091 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells are integral in mediating adaptive immunity to infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Upon immune challenge, T cells exit from a quiescent state, followed by clonal expansion and effector differentiation. These processes are shaped by three established immune signals, namely antigen stimulation (Signal 1), costimulation (Signal 2), and cytokines (Signal 3). Emerging findings reveal that nutrients, including glucose, amino acids, and lipids, are crucial regulators of T cell responses and interplay with Signals 1-3, highlighting nutrients as Signal 4 to license T cell immunity. Here, we first summarize the functional importance of Signal 4 and the underlying mechanisms of nutrient transport, sensing, and signaling in orchestrating T cell activation and quiescence exit. We also discuss the roles of nutrients in programming T cell differentiation and functional fitness and how nutrients can be targeted to improve disease therapy. Understanding how T cells respond to Signal 4 nutrients in microenvironments will provide insights into context-dependent functions of adaptive immunity and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana L Raynor
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hongbo Chi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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Kann MC, Schneider EM, Almazan AJ, Lane IC, Bouffard AA, Supper VM, Takei HN, Tepper A, Leick MB, Larson RC, Ebert BL, Maus MV, Jan M. Chemical genetic control of cytokine signaling in CAR-T cells using lenalidomide-controlled membrane-bound degradable IL-7. Leukemia 2024; 38:590-600. [PMID: 38123696 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a breakthrough therapy for the treatment of relapsed and refractory hematologic malignancies. However, insufficient CAR-T cell expansion and persistence is a leading cause of treatment failure. Exogenous or transgenic cytokines have great potential to enhance CAR-T cell potency but pose the risk of exacerbating toxicities. Here we present a chemical-genetic system for spatiotemporal control of cytokine function gated by the off-patent anti-cancer molecular glue degrader drug lenalidomide and its analogs. When co-delivered with a CAR, a membrane-bound, lenalidomide-degradable IL-7 fusion protein enforced a clinically favorable T cell phenotype, enhanced antigen-dependent proliferative capacity, and enhanced in vivo tumor control. Furthermore, cyclical pharmacologic combined control of CAR and cytokine abundance enabled the deployment of highly active, IL-7-augmented CAR-T cells in a dual model of antitumor potency and T cell hyperproliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Kann
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily M Schneider
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio J Almazan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabel C Lane
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda A Bouffard
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valentina M Supper
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hana N Takei
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Tepper
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark B Leick
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Max Jan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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McPhedran SJ, Carleton GA, Lum JJ. Metabolic engineering for optimized CAR-T cell therapy. Nat Metab 2024; 6:396-408. [PMID: 38388705 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-00976-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The broad effectiveness of T cell-based therapy for treating solid tumour cancers remains limited. This is partly due to the growing appreciation that immune cells must inhabit and traverse a metabolically demanding tumour environment. Accordingly, recent efforts have centred on using genome-editing technologies to augment T cell-mediated cytotoxicity by manipulating specific metabolic genes. However, solid tumours exhibit numerous characteristics restricting immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity, implying a need for metabolic engineering at the pathway level rather than single gene targets. This emerging concept has yet to be put into clinical practice as many questions concerning the complex interplay between metabolic networks and T cell function remain unsolved. This Perspective will highlight key foundational studies that examine the relevant metabolic pathways required for effective T cell cytotoxicity and persistence in the human tumour microenvironment, feasible strategies for metabolic engineering to increase the efficiency of chimeric antigen receptor T cell-based approaches, and the challenges lying ahead for clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J McPhedran
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gillian A Carleton
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julian J Lum
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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Peng C, Xiao P, Li N. Does oncolytic viruses-mediated metabolic reprogramming benefit or harm the immune microenvironment? FASEB J 2024; 38:e23450. [PMID: 38294796 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301947rr] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic virus immunotherapy as a new tumor therapy has made remarkable achievements in clinical practice. And metabolic reprogramming mediated by oncolytic virus has a significant impact on the immune microenvironment. This review summarized the reprogramming of host cell glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glutamine metabolism by oncolytic virus and illustrated the effects of metabolic reprogramming on the immune microenvironment. It was found that oncolytic virus-induced reprogramming of glucose metabolism in tumor cells has both beneficial and detrimental effects on the immune microenvironment. In addition, oncolytic virus can promote fatty acid synthesis in tumor cells, inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, and promote glutamine catabolism, which facilitates the anti-tumor immune function of immune cells. Therefore, targeted metabolic reprogramming is a new direction to improve the efficacy of oncolytic virus immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Peng
- Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Virology and Immunology of Wenzhou, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Pengpeng Xiao
- Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Virology and Immunology of Wenzhou, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Nan Li
- Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Virology and Immunology of Wenzhou, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
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46
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Huang M, Wang Y, Fang L, Liu C, Feng F, Liu L, Sun C. T cell senescence: a new perspective on immunotherapy in lung cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1338680. [PMID: 38415245 PMCID: PMC10896971 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1338680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell senescence is an indication of T cell dysfunction. The ability of senescent T cells to respond to cognate antigens is reduced and they are in the late stage of differentiation and proliferation; therefore, they cannot recognize and eliminate tumor cells in a timely and effective manner, leading to the formation of the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Establishing methods to reverse T cell senescence is particularly important for immunotherapy. Aging exacerbates profound changes in the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to chronic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Patients with malignant lung tumors have impaired immune function with a high risk of recurrence, metastasis, and mortality. Immunotherapy based on PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, and other immune checkpoints is promising for treating lung malignancies. However, T cell senescence can lead to low efficacy or unsuccessful treatment results in some immunotherapies. Efficiently blocking and reversing T cell senescence is a key goal of the enhancement of tumor immunotherapy. This study discusses the characteristics, mechanism, and expression of T cell senescence in malignant lung tumors and the treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Huang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuetong Wang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Liguang Fang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Fubin Feng
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
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47
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Krämer C, Kilian M, Chih YC, Kourtesakis A, Hoffmann DC, Boschert T, Koopmann P, Sanghvi K, De Roia A, Jung S, Jähne K, Day B, Shultz LD, Ratliff M, Harbottle R, Green EW, Will R, Wick W, Platten M, Bunse L. NLGN4X TCR transgenic T cells to treat gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:266-278. [PMID: 37715782 PMCID: PMC10836769 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad172] [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: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroligin 4 X-linked (NLGN4X) harbors a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02-restricted tumor-associated antigen, overexpressed in human gliomas, that was found to induce specific cytotoxic T cell responses following multi-peptide vaccination in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. METHODS T cell receptor (TCR) discovery was performed using droplet-based single-cell TCR sequencing of NLGN4X-tetramer-sorted T cells postvaccination. The identified TCR was delivered to Jurkat T cells and primary human T cells (NLGN4X-TCR-T). Functional profiling of NLGN4X-TCR-T was performed by flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays. Therapeutic efficacy of intracerebroventricular NLGN4X-TCR-T was assessed in NOD scid gamma (NSG) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I/II knockout (KO) (NSG MHC I/II KO) mice bearing NLGN4X-expressing experimental gliomas. RESULTS An HLA-A*02-restricted vaccine-induced T cell receptor specifically binding NLGN4X131-139 was applied for preclinical therapeutic use. Reactivity, cytotoxicity, and polyfunctionality of this NLGN4X-specific TCR are demonstrated in various cellular models. Intracerebroventricular administration of NLGN4X-TCR-T prolongs survival and leads to an objective response rate of 44.4% in experimental glioma-bearing NSG MHC I/II KO mice compared to 0.0% in control groups. CONCLUSION NLGN4X-TCR-T demonstrate efficacy in a preclinical glioblastoma model. On a global scale, we provide the first evidence for the therapeutic retrieval of vaccine-induced human TCRs for the off-the-shelf treatment of glioblastoma patients.Keywords cell therapy | glioblastoma | T cell receptor | tumor antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoper Krämer
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Kilian
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Yu-Chan Chih
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexandros Kourtesakis
- Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Neurology Clinic, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DKTK CCU Neurooncology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk C Hoffmann
- Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Neurology Clinic, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DKTK CCU Neurooncology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamara Boschert
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute of Translational Oncology (HI-TRON), Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp Koopmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Khwab Sanghvi
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alice De Roia
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- DNA Vector Laboratory, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Jung
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristine Jähne
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bryan Day
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer MRI, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point, Australia
| | - Lenny D Shultz
- Department of Immunology, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
| | - Miriam Ratliff
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Edward W Green
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rainer Will
- Neurology Clinic, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DKTK CCU Neurooncology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Core Facility Cellular tools, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Michael Platten
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute of Translational Oncology (HI-TRON), Mainz, Germany
- Immune Monitoring Unit, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lukas Bunse
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
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48
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Colina AS, Shah V, Shah RK, Kozlik T, Dash RK, Terhune S, Zamora AE. Current advances in experimental and computational approaches to enhance CAR T cell manufacturing protocols and improve clinical efficacy. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2024; 4:1310002. [PMID: 39086435 PMCID: PMC11285593 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2024.1310002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Since the FDA's approval of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in 2017, significant improvements have been made in the design of chimeric antigen receptor constructs and in the manufacturing of CAR T cell therapies resulting in increased in vivo CAR T cell persistence and improved clinical outcome in certain hematological malignancies. Despite the remarkable clinical response seen in some patients, challenges remain in achieving durable long-term tumor-free survival, reducing therapy associated malignancies and toxicities, and expanding on the types of cancers that can be treated with this therapeutic modality. Careful analysis of the biological factors demarcating efficacious from suboptimal CAR T cell responses will be of paramount importance to address these shortcomings. With the ever-expanding toolbox of experimental approaches, single-cell technologies, and computational resources, there is renowned interest in discovering new ways to streamline the development and validation of new CAR T cell products. Better and more accurate prognostic and predictive models can be developed to help guide and inform clinical decision making by incorporating these approaches into translational and clinical workflows. In this review, we provide a brief overview of recent advancements in CAR T cell manufacturing and describe the strategies used to selectively expand specific phenotypic subsets. Additionally, we review experimental approaches to assess CAR T cell functionality and summarize current in silico methods which have the potential to improve CAR T cell manufacturing and predict clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo S. Colina
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Viren Shah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ravi K. Shah
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Tanya Kozlik
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ranjan K. Dash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Scott Terhune
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Anthony E. Zamora
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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49
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Eugene-Norbert M, Cuffel A, Riou G, Jean L, Blondel C, Dehayes J, Bisson A, Giverne C, Brotin E, Denoyelle C, Poulain L, Boyer O, Martinet J, Latouche JB. Development of optimized cytotoxicity assays for assessing the antitumor potential of CAR-T cells. J Immunol Methods 2024; 525:113603. [PMID: 38147898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T cells are T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) rendering them capable of killing tumor cells after recognition of a target antigen. CD19 CAR-T cells have revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies. Their function is typically assessed by cytotoxicity assays using human allogeneic cell lines expressing the target antigen CD19 such as Nalm-6. However, an alloreactive reaction is observed with these cells, leading to a CD19-independent killing. To address this issue, we developed a fluorescence microscopy-based potency assay using murine target cells to provide an optimized cytotoxicity assay with enhanced specificity towards CD19. Murine NIH/3T3 (3T3) fibroblast-derived cell line and EL4 T-cell lymphoma-derived cell line were used as targets (no xenoreactivity was observed after coculture with human T cells). 3T3 and EL4 cells were engineered to express eGFP (enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein) and CD19 or CD22 using retroviral vectors. CD19 CAR-T cells and non-transduced (NT) control T cells were produced from several donors. After 4 h or 24 h, alloreactive cytotoxicity against CD19+ Nalm-6-GFP cells and CD19- Jurkat-GFP cells was observed with NT or CAR-T cells. In the same conditions, CAR-T but not NT cells specifically killed CD19+ but not CD19- 3T3-GFP or EL4-GFP cells. Both microscope- and flow cytometry-based assays revealed as sensitive as impedance-based assay. Using flow cytometry, we could further determine that CAR-T cells had mostly a stem cell-like memory phenotype after contact with EL4 target cells. Therefore, CD19+ 3T3-GFP or EL4-GFP cells and fluorescence microscopy- or flow cytometry-based assays provide convenient, sensitive and specific tools to evaluate CAR-T cell function with no alloreactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misa Eugene-Norbert
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Alexis Cuffel
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France; Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Gaetan Riou
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Laetitia Jean
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Clara Blondel
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Justine Dehayes
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Aurélie Bisson
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Camille Giverne
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Emilie Brotin
- Université de Caen Normandie, Unité de Service PLATON, ImpedanCELL Core Facility, Caen F-14000, France
| | - Christophe Denoyelle
- Université de Caen Normandie, Unité de Service PLATON, ImpedanCELL Core Facility, Caen F-14000, France; Université de Caen Normandie, Inserm, ANTICIPE UMR (1086), Structure Fédérative 4207 Normandie Oncologie, Normandie Univ, Caen F-14000, France; Comprehensive Cancer Center F. Baclesse, Unicancer, Caen F-14000, France
| | - Laurent Poulain
- Université de Caen Normandie, Inserm, ANTICIPE UMR (1086), Structure Fédérative 4207 Normandie Oncologie, Normandie Univ, Caen F-14000, France; Comprehensive Cancer Center F. Baclesse, Unicancer, Caen F-14000, France
| | - Olivier Boyer
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France; Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Jérémie Martinet
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France; Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France.
| | - Jean-Baptiste Latouche
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Rouen F-76000, France; Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm UMR1234, FOCIS Center of Excellence PAn'THER, Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen F-76000, France
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50
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Ong SY, Chen Y, Tan MSY, Ho AYL, Hwang WYK, Lim FLWI. Current perspectives on resistance to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and strategies to improve efficacy in B-cell lymphoma. Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:144-152. [PMID: 36987995 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in patients with chemo-refractory B-cell lymphoma, a significant portion is refractory or relapse. Resistance is a major barrier to improving treatment efficacy and long-term survival in CAR T-cell therapy, and clinicians have very limited tools to discriminate a priori patients who will or will not respond to treatment. While CD19-negative relapses due to loss of target antigen is well described, it accounts for only about 30% of cases with treatment failure. Recent efforts have shed light on mechanisms of CD19-positive relapse due to tumor intrinsic resistance, T-cell quality/manufacturing, or CAR T-cell exhaustion mediated by hostile tumor microenvironment. Here, we review the latest updates of preclinical and clinical trials to investigate the mechanisms of resistance and relapse post CAR T-cell therapy in B cell lymphoma and discuss novel treatment strategies to overcome resistance as well as advances that are useful for a CAR T therapist to optimize and personalize CAR T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Yeu Ong
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunxin Chen
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Melinda Si Yun Tan
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - William Ying Khee Hwang
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
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