1
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Imodoye SO, Adedokun KA, Bello IO. From complexity to clarity: unravelling tumor heterogeneity through the lens of tumor microenvironment for innovative cancer therapy. Histochem Cell Biol 2024; 161:299-323. [PMID: 38189822 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02258-6] [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: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Despite the tremendous clinical successes recorded in the landscape of cancer therapy, tumor heterogeneity remains a formidable challenge to successful cancer treatment. In recent years, the emergence of high-throughput technologies has advanced our understanding of the variables influencing tumor heterogeneity beyond intrinsic tumor characteristics. Emerging knowledge shows that drivers of tumor heterogeneity are not only intrinsic to cancer cells but can also emanate from their microenvironment, which significantly favors tumor progression and impairs therapeutic response. Although much has been explored to understand the fundamentals of the influence of innate tumor factors on cancer diversity, the roles of the tumor microenvironment (TME) are often undervalued. It is therefore imperative that a clear understanding of the interactions between the TME and other tumor intrinsic factors underlying the plastic molecular behaviors of cancers be identified to develop patient-specific treatment strategies. This review highlights the roles of the TME as an emerging factor in tumor heterogeneity. More particularly, we discuss the role of the TME in the context of tumor heterogeneity and explore the cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that could be used to resolve this recurring clinical conundrum. We conclude by speculating on exciting research questions that can advance our understanding of tumor heterogeneity with the goal of developing customized therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Kamoru A Adedokun
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Ibrahim O Bello
- Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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2
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Albelda SM. CAR T cell therapy for patients with solid tumours: key lessons to learn and unlearn. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:47-66. [PMID: 37904019 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been approved for use in patients with B cell malignancies or relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, yet efficacy against most solid tumours remains elusive. The limited imaging and biopsy data from clinical trials in this setting continues to hinder understanding, necessitating a reliance on imperfect preclinical models. In this Perspective, I re-evaluate current data and suggest potential pathways towards greater success, drawing lessons from the few successful trials testing CAR T cells in patients with solid tumours and the clinical experience with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. The most promising approaches include the use of pluripotent stem cells, co-targeting multiple mechanisms of immune evasion, employing multiple co-stimulatory domains, and CAR ligand-targeting vaccines. An alternative strategy focused on administering multiple doses of short-lived CAR T cells in an attempt to pre-empt exhaustion and maintain a functional effector pool should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Albelda
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Ding YD, Shu LZ, He RS, Chen KY, Deng YJ, Zhou ZB, Xiong Y, Deng H. Listeria monocytogenes: a promising vector for tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278011. [PMID: 37868979 PMCID: PMC10587691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278011] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer receives enduring international attention due to its extremely high morbidity and mortality. Immunotherapy, which is generally expected to overcome the limits of traditional treatments, serves as a promising direction for patients with recurrent or metastatic malignancies. Bacteria-based vectors such as Listeria monocytogenes take advantage of their unique characteristics, including preferential infection of host antigen presenting cells, intracellular growth within immune cells, and intercellular dissemination, to further improve the efficacy and minimize off-target effects of tailed immune treatments. Listeria monocytogenes can reshape the tumor microenvironment to bolster the anti-tumor effects both through the enhancement of T cells activity and a decrease in the frequency and population of immunosuppressive cells. Modified Listeria monocytogenes has been employed as a tool to elicit immune responses against different tumor cells. Currently, Listeria monocytogenes vaccine alone is insufficient to treat all patients effectively, which can be addressed if combined with other treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, reactivated adoptive cell therapy, and radiotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advances in the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of Listeria monocytogenes vaccine in anti-tumor immunity, and discusses the most concerned issues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Dan Ding
- Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin-Zhen Shu
- Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Rui-Shan He
- Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Office of Clinical Trials Administration, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yan-Juan Deng
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Department of General Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huan Deng
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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4
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Sharma GP, Kosuru R, Lakshmikanthan S, Zheng S, Chen Y, Burns R, Xin G, Cui W, Chrzanowska M. Endothelial Rap1B mediates T-cell exclusion to promote tumor growth: a novel mechanism underlying vascular immunosuppression. Angiogenesis 2023; 26:265-278. [PMID: 36403190 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-022-09862-5] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Overcoming vascular immunosuppression: lack of endothelial cell (EC) responsiveness to inflammatory stimuli in the proangiogenic environment of tumors, is essential for successful cancer immunotherapy. The mechanisms through which Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A(VEGF-A) modulates tumor EC response to exclude T-cells are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that EC-specific deletion of small GTPase Rap1B, previously implicated in normal angiogenesis, restricts tumor growth in endothelial-specific Rap1B-knockout (Rap1BiΔEC) mice. EC-specific Rap1B deletion inhibits angiogenesis, but also leads to an altered tumor microenvironment with increased recruitment of leukocytes and increased activity of tumor CD8+ T-cells. Depletion of CD8+ T-cells restored tumor growth in Rap1BiΔEC mice. Mechanistically, global transcriptome and functional analyses indicated upregulation of signaling by a tumor cytokine, TNF-α, and increased NF-κB transcription in Rap1B-deficient ECs. Rap1B-deficiency led to elevated proinflammatory chemokine and Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) expression in TNF-α stimulated ECs. Importantly, CAM expression was elevated in tumor ECs from Rap1BiΔEC mice. Significantly, Rap1B deletion prevented VEGF-A-induced immunosuppressive downregulation of CAM expression, demonstrating that Rap1B is essential for VEGF-A-suppressive signaling. Thus, our studies identify a novel endothelial-endogenous mechanism underlying VEGF-A-dependent desensitization of EC to proinflammatory stimuli. Significantly, they identify EC Rap1B as a potential novel vascular target in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramoji Kosuru
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA
| | | | - Shikan Zheng
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA
| | - Yao Chen
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Robert Burns
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA
| | - Gang Xin
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Magdalena Chrzanowska
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-2178, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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5
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Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) therapies suffer from a number of limitations (e.g., poor control of solid tumors), and while combining ACT with cytokine therapy can enhance effectiveness, this also results in significant side effects. Here, we describe a nanotechnology approach to improve the efficacy of ACT therapies by metabolically labeling T cells with unnatural sugar nanoparticles, allowing direct conjugation of antitumor cytokines onto the T cell surface during the manufacturing process. This allows local, concentrated activity of otherwise toxic cytokines. This approach increases T cell infiltration into solid tumors, activates the host immune system toward a Type 1 response, encourages antigen spreading, and improves control of aggressive solid tumors and achieves complete blood cancer regression with otherwise noncurative doses of CAR-T cells. Overall, this method provides an effective and easily integrated approach to the current ACT manufacturing process to increase efficacy in various settings.
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6
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Lipid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175607. [PMID: 36080373 PMCID: PMC9458026 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is being developed by researchers as a novel drug for the treatment or prevention of many diseases. However, to enable mRNA to fully exploit its effects in vivo, researchers need to develop safer and more effective mRNA delivery systems that improve mRNA stability and enhance the ability of cells to take up and release mRNA. To date, lipid nanoparticles are promising nanodrug carriers for tumor therapy, which can significantly improve the immunotherapeutic effects of conventional drugs by modulating mRNA delivery, and have attracted widespread interest in the biomedical field. This review focuses on the delivery of mRNA by lipid nanoparticles for cancer treatment. We summarize some common tumor immunotherapy and mRNA delivery strategies, describe the clinical advantages of lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery, and provide an outlook on the current challenges and future developments of this technology.
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7
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Peng P, Lou Y, Wang J, Wang S, Liu P, Xu LX. Th1-Dominant CD4+ T Cells Orchestrate Endogenous Systematic Antitumor Immune Memory After Cryo-Thermal Therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:944115. [PMID: 35874660 PMCID: PMC9304863 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.944115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that highly activated, polyfunctional CD4+ T cells are incredibly effective in strengthening and sustaining overall host antitumor immunity, promoting tumor-specific CD4+ T-cell responses and effectively enhancing antitumor immunity by immunotherapy. Previously, we developed a novel cryo-thermal therapy for local tumor ablation and achieved long-term survival rates in several tumor models. It was discovered that cryo-thermal therapy remodeled the tumor microenvironment and induced an antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell response, which mediated stronger antitumor immunity in vivo. In this study, the phenotype of bulk T cells in spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry after cryo-thermal therapy and both CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ CTL were activated. In addition, by using T-cell depletion, isolation, and adoptive T-cell therapy, it was found that cryo-thermal therapy induced Th1-dominant CD4+ T cells that directly inhibited the growth of tumor cells, promoted the maturation of MDSCs via CD4+ T-cell-derived IFN-γ and enhanced the cytotoxic effector function of NK cells and CD8+ T cells, and promoted the maturation of APCs via cell-cell contact and CD4+ T-cell-derived IFN-γ. Considering the multiple roles of cryo-thermal-induced Th1-dominant CD4+ T cells in augmenting antitumor immune memory, we suggest that local cryo-thermal therapy is an attractive thermo-immunotherapy strategy to harness host antitumor immunity and has great potential for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ping Liu
- *Correspondence: Lisa X. Xu, ; Ping Liu,
| | - Lisa X. Xu
- *Correspondence: Lisa X. Xu, ; Ping Liu,
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8
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Akama-Garren EH, Carroll MC. T Cell Help in the Autoreactive Germinal Center. Scand J Immunol 2022; 95:e13192. [PMID: 35587582 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The germinal center serves as a site of B cell selection and affinity maturation, critical processes for productive adaptive immunity. In autoimmune disease tolerance is broken in the germinal center reaction, leading to production of autoreactive B cells that may propagate disease. Follicular T cells are crucial regulators of this process, providing signals necessary for B cell survival in the germinal center. Here we review the emerging roles of follicular T cells in the autoreactive germinal center. Recent advances in immunological techniques have allowed study of the gene expression profiles and repertoire of follicular T cells at unprecedented resolution. These studies provide insight into the potential role follicular T cells play in preventing or facilitating germinal center loss of tolerance. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of T cell help in autoreactive germinal centers provides novel therapeutic targets for diseases of germinal center dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot H Akama-Garren
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael C Carroll
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Maeng HM, Moore BN, Bagheri H, Steinberg SM, Inglefield J, Dunham K, Wei WZ, Morris JC, Terabe M, England LC, Roberson B, Rosing D, Sachdev V, Pack SD, Miettinen MM, Barr FG, Weiner LM, Panch S, Stroncek DF, Wood LV, Berzofsky JA. Phase I Clinical Trial of an Autologous Dendritic Cell Vaccine Against HER2 Shows Safety and Preliminary Clinical Efficacy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:789078. [PMID: 34976830 PMCID: PMC8716407 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.789078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite recent advances, there is an urgent need for agents targeting HER2-expressing cancers other than breast cancer. We report a phase I study (NCT01730118) of a dendritic cell (DC) vaccine targeting HER2 in patients with metastatic cancer or bladder cancer at high risk of relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS Part 1 of the study enrolled patients with HER2-expressing metastatic cancer that had progressed after at least standard treatment and patients who underwent definitive treatment for invasive bladder cancer with no evidence of disease at the time of enrollment. Part 2 enrolled patients with HER2-expressing metastatic cancer who had progressed after anti-HER2 therapy. The DC vaccines were prepared from autologous monocytes and transduced with an adenoviral vector expressing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of HER2 (AdHER2). A total of five doses were planned, and adverse events were recorded in patients who received at least one dose. Objective response was evaluated by unidimensional immune-related response criteria every 8 weeks in patients who received at least two doses. Humoral and cellular immunogenicity were assessed in patients who received more than three doses. RESULTS A total of 33 patients were enrolled at four dose levels (5 × 106, 10 × 106, 20 × 106, and 40 × 106 DCs). Median follow-up duration was 36 weeks (4-124); 10 patients completed five doses. The main reason for going off-study was disease progression. The main adverse events attributable to the vaccine were injection-site reactions. No cardiac toxicity was noted. Seven of 21 evaluable patients (33.3%) demonstrated clinical benefit (1 complete response, 1 partial response, and 5 stable disease). After ≥3 doses, an antibody response was detected in 3 of 13 patients (23.1%), including patients with complete and partial responses. Lymphocytes from 10 of 11 patients (90.9%) showed induction of anti-HER2 responses measured by the production of at least one of interferon-gamma, granzyme B, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and there were multifunctional responses in 8 of 11 patients (72.7%). CONCLUSIONS The AdHER2 DC vaccine showed evidence of immunogenicity and preliminary clinical benefit in patients with HER2-expressing cancers, along with an excellent safety profile. It shows promise for further clinical applications, especially in combination regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoyoung M. Maeng
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Hoyoung M. Maeng,
| | - Brittni N. Moore
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Hadi Bagheri
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Seth M. Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Jon Inglefield
- Clinical Support Laboratory, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Kim Dunham
- Clinical Support Laboratory, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Wei-Zen Wei
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - John C. Morris
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Masaki Terabe
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lee C. England
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Brenda Roberson
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Douglas Rosing
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vandana Sachdev
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Svetlana D. Pack
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Markku M. Miettinen
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Frederic G. Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Louis M. Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Sandhya Panch
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David F. Stroncek
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lauren V. Wood
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jay A. Berzofsky
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
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10
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Conde E, Vercher E, Soria-Castellano M, Suarez-Olmos J, Mancheño U, Elizalde E, Rodriguez ML, Glez-Vaz J, Casares N, Rodríguez-García E, Hommel M, González-Aseguinolaza G, Uranga-Murillo I, Pardo J, Alkorta G, Melero I, Lasarte J, Hervas-Stubbs S. Epitope spreading driven by the joint action of CART cells and pharmacological STING stimulation counteracts tumor escape via antigen-loss variants. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003351. [PMID: 34810235 PMCID: PMC8609946 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Target antigen (Ag) loss has emerged as a major cause of relapse after chimeric antigen receptor T (CART)-cell therapy. We reasoned that the combination of CART cells, with the consequent tumor debulking and release of Ags, together with an immunomodulatory agent, such as the stimulator of interferon gene ligand (STING-L) 2′3′-cyclic GMP-AMP (2′3′-cGAMP), may facilitate the activation of an endogenous response to secondary tumor Ags able to counteract this tumor escape mechanism. Methods Mice bearing B16-derived tumors expressing prostate-specific membrane Ag or gp75 were treated systemically with cognate CART cells followed by intratumoral injections of 2′3′-cGAMP. We studied the target Ag inmunoediting by CART cells and the effect of the CART/STING-L combination on the control of STING-L-treated and STING-L-non-treated tumors and on the endogenous antitumor T-cell response. The role of Batf3-dependent dendritic cells (DCs), stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signaling and perforin (Perf)-mediated killing in the efficacy of the combination were analyzed. Results Using an immune-competent solid tumor model, we showed that CART cells led to the emergence of tumor cells that lose the target Ag, recreating the cancer immunoediting effect of CART-cell therapy. In this setting, the CART/STING-L combination, but not the monotherapy with CART cells or STING-L, restrained tumor progression and enhanced overall survival, showing abscopal effects on distal STING-L-non-treated tumors. Interestingly, a secondary immune response against non-chimeric antigen receptor-targeted Ags (epitope spreading), as determined by major histocompatibility complex-I-tetramer staining, was fostered and its intensity correlated with the efficacy of the combination. This was consistent with the oligoclonal expansion of host T cells, as revealed by in-depth T-cell receptor repertoire analysis. Moreover, only in the combination group did the activation of endogenous T cells translate into a systemic antitumor response. Importantly, the epitope spreading and the antitumor effects of the combination were fully dependent on host STING signaling and Batf3-dependent DCs, and were partially dependent on Perf release by CART cells. Interestingly, the efficacy of the CART/STING-L treatment also depended on STING signaling in CART cells. Conclusions Our data show that 2′3′-cGAMP is a suitable adjuvant to combine with CART-cell therapy, allowing the induction of an endogenous T-cell response that prevents the outgrowth of Ag-loss tumor variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Conde
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Enric Vercher
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Soria-Castellano
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jesús Suarez-Olmos
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Uxua Mancheño
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Edurne Elizalde
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - M Luis Rodriguez
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Estefanía Rodríguez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Hommel
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria González-Aseguinolaza
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iratxe Uranga-Murillo
- Microbiología Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Aragón (CIBA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julian Pardo
- Microbiología Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Aragón (CIBA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundacion ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Gorka Alkorta
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,CIMA LAB Diagnostics, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Immunología e Immunoterapia, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Lasarte
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervas-Stubbs
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Oladejo M, Paterson Y, Wood LM. Clinical Experience and Recent Advances in the Development of Listeria-Based Tumor Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:642316. [PMID: 33936058 PMCID: PMC8081050 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.642316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The promise of tumor immunotherapy to significantly improve survival in patients who are refractory to long-standing therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, is now being realized. While immune checkpoint inhibitors that target PD-1 and CTLA-4 are leading the charge in clinical efficacy, there are a number of other promising tumor immunotherapies in advanced development such as Listeria-based vaccines. Due to its unique life cycle and ability to induce robust CTL responses, attenuated strains of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) have been utilized as vaccine vectors targeting both infectious disease and cancer. In fact, preclinical studies in a multitude of cancer types have found Listeria-based vaccines to be highly effective at activating anti-tumor immunity and eradicating tumors. Several clinical trials have now recently reported their results, demonstrating promising efficacy against some cancers, and unique challenges. Development of the Lm-based immunotherapies continues with discovery of improved methods of attenuation, novel uses, and more effective combinatorial regimens. In this review, we provide a brief background of Listeria monocytogenes as a vaccine vector, discuss recent clinical experience with Listeria-based immunotherapies, and detail the advancements in development of improved Listeria-based vaccine platforms and in their utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Oladejo
- Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX, United States
| | - Yvonne Paterson
- Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Laurence M. Wood
- Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX, United States
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12
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Functional Heterogeneity and Therapeutic Targeting of Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010164. [PMID: 33467606 PMCID: PMC7829818 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells mediate potent local innate and adaptive immune responses and provide long-lasting protective immunity. TRM cells localize to many different tissues, including barrier tissues, and play a crucial role in protection against infectious and malignant disease. The formation and maintenance of TRM cells are influenced by numerous factors, including inflammation, antigen triggering, and tissue-specific cues. Emerging evidence suggests that these signals also contribute to heterogeneity within the TRM cell compartment. Here, we review the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of CD8+ TRM cells at different tissue sites and the molecular determinants defining CD8+ TRM cell subsets. We further discuss the possibilities of targeting the unique cell surface molecules, cytokine and chemokine receptors, transcription factors, and metabolic features of TRM cells for therapeutic purposes. Their crucial role in immune protection and their location at the frontlines of the immune defense make TRM cells attractive therapeutic targets. A better understanding of the possibilities to selectively modulate TRM cell populations may thus improve vaccination and immunotherapeutic strategies employing these potent immune cells.
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13
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Li LZ, Zhang Z, Bhoj VG. Conventional T cell therapies pave the way for novel Treg therapeutics. Cell Immunol 2020; 359:104234. [PMID: 33153708 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Approaches to harness the immune system to alleviate disease have become remarkably sophisticated since the crude, yet impressively-effective, attempts using live bacteria in the late 1800s. Recent evidence that engineered T cell therapy can deliver durable results in patients with cancer has spurred frenzied development in the field of T cell therapy. The myriad approaches include an innumerable variety of synthetic transgenes, multiplex gene-editing, and broader application to diseases beyond cancer. In this article, we review the preclinical studies and over a decade of clinical experience with engineered conventional T cells that have paved the way for translating engineered regulatory T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Z Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Vijay G Bhoj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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14
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Albelda SM. Tumor Antigen Heterogeneity: The "Elephant in the Room" of Adoptive T-cell Therapy for Solid Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:2. [PMID: 31909728 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A major hurdle to the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptors T-cell therapy is the choice of antigen(s) to target. An article in this issue addresses this by capitalizing on the synergistic effect of pathogen-based immunotherapy and adoptive cell therapy that results in epitope/antigen spreading and enhancement of the endogenous T-cell response against antigens not originally targeted.See article by Xin et al., p. 7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Albelda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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15
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Brossart P. The Role of Antigen Spreading in the Efficacy of Immunotherapies. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:4442-4447. [PMID: 32357962 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The introduction and the unexpected efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) and more recently of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T-cells) in the treatment of malignant diseases boosted the efforts in the development and clinical application of immunotherapeutic approaches. However, the definition of predictive factors associated with clinical responses as well as the identification of underlying mechanisms that promote the therapeutic efficacy remain to be determined. Starting from the first immunotherapeutic trials, it became evident that vaccine-induced tumor-specific T cells or the adoptive transfer of ex vivo-expanded T lymphocytes can recognize and eliminate malignant cells leading to long-lasting remissions in some patients. In addition, a phenomenon called epitope spreading, which was observed in responding patients, seemed to increase the efficiency possibly representing an important predictive factor. This review will focus on experimental and clinical evidence for the induction of epitope spreading and its role in the maintenance of an efficient antitumor immune response in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Haematology, Immuno-Oncology and Rheumatogy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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