1
|
Restelli C, Ruella M, Paruzzo L, Tarella C, Pelicci PG, Colombo E. Recent Advances in Immune-Based Therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Cancer Discov 2024; 5:234-248. [PMID: 38904305 PMCID: PMC11215380 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-23-0202] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unconquered by current therapies. Evidence of immune evasion during AML progression, such as HLA loss and T-cell exhaustion, suggests that antileukemic immune responses contribute to disease control and could be harnessed by immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss a spectrum of AML immunotherapy targets, encompassing cancer cell-intrinsic and surface antigens as well as targeting in the leukemic milieu, and how they can be tailored for personalized approaches. These targets are overviewed across major immunotherapy modalities applied to AML: immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, therapeutic vaccines, bispecific/trispecific antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and CAR-NK cells. Significance: Immune therapies in AML treatment show evolving promise. Ongoing research aims to customize approaches for varied patient profiles and clinical scenarios. This review covers immune surveillance mechanisms, therapy options like checkpoint inhibitors, antibodies, CAR-T/NK cells, and vaccines, as well as resistance mechanisms and microenvironment considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Restelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Marco Ruella
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies and Cellular Therapy and Transplant, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
| | - Luca Paruzzo
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies and Cellular Therapy and Transplant, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
| | - Corrado Tarella
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Colombo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alviano AM, Biondi M, Grassenis E, Biondi A, Serafini M, Tettamanti S. Fully equipped CARs to address tumor heterogeneity, enhance safety, and improve the functionality of cellular immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1407992. [PMID: 38887285 PMCID: PMC11180895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1407992] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Although adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells has achieved unprecedented response rates in patients with certain hematological malignancies, this therapeutic modality is still far from fulfilling its remarkable potential, especially in the context of solid cancers. Antigen escape variants, off-tumor destruction of healthy tissues expressing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), poor CAR-T cell persistence, and the occurrence of functional exhaustion represent some of the most prominent hurdles that limit CAR-T cell ability to induce long-lasting remissions with a tolerable adverse effect profile. In this review, we summarize the main approaches that have been developed to face such bottlenecks, including the adapter CAR (AdCAR) system, Boolean-logic gating, epitope editing, the modulation of cell-intrinsic signaling pathways, and the incorporation of safety switches to precisely control CAR-T cell activation. We also discuss the most pressing issues pertaining to the selection of co-stimulatory domains, with a focus on strategies aimed at promoting CAR-T cell persistence and optimal antitumor functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Maria Alviano
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Biondi
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Erica Grassenis
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Serafini
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Sarah Tettamanti
- Tettamanti Center and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Naik S, Velasquez MP, Gottschalk S. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in childhood acute myeloid leukemia: how far are we from a clinical application? Haematologica 2024; 109:1656-1667. [PMID: 38832421 PMCID: PMC11141645 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent and/or refractory (R/R) pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a recalcitrant disease with poor outcomes. Cell therapy with genetically modified immune effector cells holds the promise to improve outcomes for R/R AML since it relies on cytotoxic mechanisms that are distinct from chemotherapeutic agents. While T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CAR T cells) showed significant anti-AML activity in preclinical models, early phase clinical studies have demonstrated limited activity, irrespective of the targeted AML antigen. Lack of efficacy is most likely multifactorial, including: (i) a limited array of AML-specific targets and target antigen heterogeneity; (ii) the aggressive nature of R/R AML and heavy pretreatment of patients; (iii) T-cell product manufacturing, and (iv) limited expansion and persistence of the CAR T cells, which is in part driven by the immunosuppressive AML microenvironment. Here we review the results of early phase clinical studies with AML-specific CAR T cells, and avenues investigators are exploring to improve their effector function.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Child
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Animals
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Belbachir S, Abraham A, Sharma A, Prockop S, DeZern AE, Bonfim C, Bidgoli A, Li J, Ruggeri A, Bertaina A, Boelens JJ, Purtill D. Engineering the best transplant outcome for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia: the donor, the graft and beyond. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:546-555. [PMID: 38054912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.11.004] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hemopoietic cell transplantation remains the goal of therapy for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, treatment failure in the form of leukemia relapse or severe graft-versus-host disease remains a critical area of unmet need. Recently, significant progress has been made in the cell therapy-based interventions both before and after transplant. In this review, the Stem Cell Engineering Committee of the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy summarizes the literature regarding the identification of high risk in AML, treatment approaches before transplant, optimal transplant platforms and measures that may be taken after transplant to ideally prevent, or, if need be, treat AML relapse. Although some strategies remain in the early phases of clinical investigation, they are built on progress in pre-clinical research and cellular engineering techniques that are already improving outcomes for children and adults with high-risk malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Safia Belbachir
- Haematology Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Allistair Abraham
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, CETI, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Susan Prockop
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts USA
| | - Amy E DeZern
- Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program, John Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carmem Bonfim
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Division/Instituto de Pesquisa Pele Pequeno Principe Research/Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Alan Bidgoli
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Aflac Blood and Cancer Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jinjing Li
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Alice Bertaina
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jaap Jan Boelens
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Duncan Purtill
- Haematology Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gao C, Li X, Xu Y, Zhang T, Zhu H, Yao D. Recent advances in CAR-T cell therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18369. [PMID: 38712978 PMCID: PMC11075639 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18369] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a fatal and refractory haematologic cancer that primarily affects adults. It interferes with bone marrow cell proliferation. Patients have a 5 years survival rate of less than 30% despite the availability of several treatments, including chemotherapy, allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT), and receptor antagonist drugs. Allo-HSCT is the mainstay of acute myeloid leukaemia treatment. Although it does work, there are severe side effects, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have made significant progress in the treatment of cancer. These engineered T cells can locate and recognize tumour cells in vivo and release a large number of effectors through immune action to effectively kill tumour cells. CAR-T cells are among the most effective cancer treatments because of this property. CAR-T cells have demonstrated positive therapeutic results in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia, according to numerous clinical investigations. This review highlights recent progress in new targets for AML immunotherapy, and the limitations, and difficulties of CAR-T therapy for AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Gao
- College of Life Science and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xin Li
- College of BiotechnologyTianjin University of Science and TechnologyTianjinChina
| | - Yao Xu
- College of Life Science and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- College of Life Science and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Institute of Biology and MedicineWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Haichuan Zhu
- College of Life Science and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Di Yao
- College of Life Science and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Walker IG, Roy JP, Anderson GSF, Guerrero Lopez J, Chapman MA. Targeting myeloma essential genes using NOT Gated CAR T-cells, a computational approach. Leukemia 2024:10.1038/s41375-024-02247-1. [PMID: 38688994 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02247-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ieuan G Walker
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Universities Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - James P Roy
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Michael A Chapman
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Universities Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Funk MA, Heller G, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Leitner J, Steinberger P. Inhibitory CARs fail to protect from immediate T cell cytotoxicity. Mol Ther 2024; 32:982-999. [PMID: 38384128 PMCID: PMC11163222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.022] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) equipped with an inhibitory signaling domain (iCARs) have been proposed as strategy to increase on-tumor specificity of CAR-T cell therapies. iCARs inhibit T cell activation upon antigen recognition and thereby program a Boolean NOT gate within the CAR-T cell. If cancer cells do not express the iCAR target antigen while it is highly expressed on healthy tissue, CAR/iCAR coexpressing T cells are supposed to kill cancer cells but not healthy cells expressing the CAR antigen. In this study, we employed a well-established reporter cell system to demonstrate high potency of iCAR constructs harboring BTLA-derived signaling domains. We then created CAR/iCAR combinations for the clinically relevant antigen pairs B7-H3/CD45 and CD123/CD19 and show potent reporter cell suppression by iCARs targeting CD45 or CD19. In primary human T cells αCD19-iCARs were capable of suppressing T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Surprisingly, the iCAR failed to veto immediate CAR-mediated cytotoxicity. Likewise, T cells overexpressing PD-1 or BTLA did not show impaired cytotoxicity toward ligand-expressing target cells, indicating that inhibitory signaling by these receptors does not mediate protection against cytotoxicity by CAR-T cells. Future approaches employing iCAR-equipped CAR-T cells for cancer therapy should therefore monitor off-tumor reactivity and potential CAR/iCAR-T cell dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian A Funk
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Medicine III, Munich, Germany; Gene Center, LMU Munich, Cancer and Immunometabolism Research Group, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich Site and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kembuan GJ, Kim JY, Maus MV, Jan M. Targeting solid tumor antigens with chimeric receptors: cancer biology meets synthetic immunology. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:312-331. [PMID: 38355356 PMCID: PMC11006585 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.003] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a medical breakthrough in the treatment of B cell malignancies. There is intensive focus on developing solid tumor-targeted CAR-T cell therapies. Although clinically approved CAR-T cell therapies target B cell lineage antigens, solid tumor targets include neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) with diverse roles in tumor biology. Multiple early-stage clinical trials now report encouraging signs of efficacy for CAR-T cell therapies that target solid tumors. We review the landscape of solid tumor target antigens from the perspective of cancer biology and gene regulation, together with emerging clinical data for CAR-T cells targeting these antigens. We then discuss emerging synthetic biology strategies and their application in the clinical development of novel cellular immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele J Kembuan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanna Y Kim
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Max Jan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Russell GC, Hamzaoui Y, Rho D, Sutrave G, Choi JS, Missan DS, Reckard GA, Gustafson MP, Kim GB. Synthetic biology approaches for enhancing safety and specificity of CAR-T cell therapies for solid cancers. Cytotherapy 2024:S1465-3249(24)00576-0. [PMID: 38639669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.03.484] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapies have been successful in treating numerous hematologic malignancies as the T cell can be engineered to target a specific antigen associated with the disease. However, translating CAR-T cell therapies for solid cancers is proving more challenging due to the lack of truly tumor-associated antigens and the high risk of off-target toxicities. To combat this, numerous synthetic biology mechanisms are being incorporated to create safer and more specific CAR-T cells that can be spatiotemporally controlled with increased precision. Here, we seek to summarize and analyze the advancements for CAR-T cell therapies with respect to clinical implementation, from the perspective of synthetic biology and immunology. This review should serve as a resource for further investigation and growth within the field of personalized cellular therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace C Russell
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Yassin Hamzaoui
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Daniel Rho
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Gaurav Sutrave
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Immuno & Gene Therapy Committee, International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joseph S Choi
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Dara S Missan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Gabrielle A Reckard
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael P Gustafson
- Immuno & Gene Therapy Committee, International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Gloria B Kim
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Canichella M, Molica M, Mazzone C, de Fabritiis P. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: State of the Art and Recent Advances. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:42. [PMID: 38201469 PMCID: PMC10777995 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010042] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-T-cell therapy represents the most important innovation in onco-hematology in recent years. The progress achieved in the management of complications and the latest generations of CAR-T-cells have made it possible to anticipate in second-line the indication of this type of treatment in large B-cell lymphoma. While some types of B-cell lymphomas and B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia have shown extremely promising results, the same cannot be said for myeloid leukemias-in particular, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which would require innovative therapies more than any other blood disease. The heterogeneities of AML cells and the immunological complexity of the interactions between the bone marrow microenvironment and leukemia cells have been found to be major obstacles to the clinical development of CAR-T in AML. In this review, we report on the main results obtained in AML clinical trials, the preclinical studies testing potential CAR-T constructs, and future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Canichella
- Hematology, St. Eugenio Hospital, ASL Roma2, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (P.d.F.)
| | - Matteo Molica
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Pugliese-Ciaccio, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Carla Mazzone
- Hematology, St. Eugenio Hospital, ASL Roma2, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (P.d.F.)
| | - Paolo de Fabritiis
- Hematology, St. Eugenio Hospital, ASL Roma2, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (P.d.F.)
- Department of Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bassan D, Weinberger L, Yi J, Kim T, Weist MR, Adams GB, Foord O, Chaim N, Tabak S, Bujanover N, Lopesco Y, Vucci K, Schnair C, Levy-Knafo L, Kendall RL, Calzone FJ, Sharbi-Yunger A. HER2 and HLA-A*02 dual CAR-T cells utilize LOH in a NOT logic gate to address on-target off-tumor toxicity. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007426. [PMID: 38097342 PMCID: PMC10729064 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007426] [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: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the major challenges in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for solid tumors is the potential for on-target off-tumor toxicity due to the expression of CAR tumor antigens in essential tissues and organs. Here, we describe a dual CAR NOT gate incorporating an inhibitory CAR (iCAR) recognizing HLA-A*02 ("A2") that enables effective treatment with a potent HER2 activating CAR (aCAR) in the context of A2 loss of heterozygosity (LOH). METHODS A CAR-T cell screen was conducted to identify inhibitory domains derived from natural immune receptors (iDomains) to be used in a NOT gate, to kill A2- HER2+ lung cancer cell lines but spare A2+ HER2+ lung cancer cell-lines with high specificity. The extensive analysis of lead candidates included T-cell activation and killing, assays of reversibility and durability in sequential challenges, target cell specificity in mixed 3D spheroids and 2D cultures, and the characterization of CAR expression level and cell-trafficking. RESULTS A leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B1 (LIR1) iDomain iCAR was identified as most effective in regulating the cytotoxicity of a second generation HER2 aCAR. Target transfer experiments demonstrated that the 'on' and 'off' cell state of the LIR1 NOT gate CAR-T cell is both durable and reversible. Protection required iCAR signaling and was associated with reduced aCAR and iCAR surface expression. iCAR regulation was sufficient to generate high target specificity in a 3D adjacent spheroid assay designed to model the interface between clonal A2 LOH foci and normal tissue. However, we observed significant bystander killing of A2+ cells in admix culture through aCAR dependent and independent mechanisms. LIR1 NOT gate CAR-T cells conferred protection against H1703-A2+ tumors and high efficacy against H1703-A2- tumors in-vivo. We observed that the iCAR is inactive in A2+ donors due to cis-binding, but Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) knockout of HLA-A fully restored iCAR activity. CONCLUSIONS We have preclinically validated an iCAR NOT gate technology broadly applicable for targeting HER2 expression in the context of A2 LOH. This approach is designed to prevent off tumor toxicity while allowing highly potent antitumor activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jason Yi
- Research, ImmPACT-Bio US, West Hills, California, USA
| | - Tanya Kim
- Research, ImmPACT-Bio US, West Hills, California, USA
| | | | | | - Orit Foord
- Research, ImmPACT-Bio US, West Hills, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Karsten H, Matrisch L, Cichutek S, Fiedler W, Alsdorf W, Block A. Broadening the horizon: potential applications of CAR-T cells beyond current indications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285406. [PMID: 38090582 PMCID: PMC10711079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285406] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering immune cells to treat hematological malignancies has been a major focus of research since the first resounding successes of CAR-T-cell therapies in B-ALL. Several diseases can now be treated in highly therapy-refractory or relapsed conditions. Currently, a number of CD19- or BCMA-specific CAR-T-cell therapies are approved for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and follicular lymphoma (FL). The implementation of these therapies has significantly improved patient outcome and survival even in cases with previously very poor prognosis. In this comprehensive review, we present the current state of research, recent innovations, and the applications of CAR-T-cell therapy in a selected group of hematologic malignancies. We focus on B- and T-cell malignancies, including the entities of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (T-ALL, PTCL, CTCL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), classical Hodgkin-Lymphoma (HL), Burkitt-Lymphoma (BL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). While these diseases are highly heterogenous, we highlight several similarly used approaches (combination with established therapeutics, target depletion on healthy cells), targets used in multiple diseases (CD30, CD38, TRBC1/2), and unique features that require individualized approaches. Furthermore, we focus on current limitations of CAR-T-cell therapy in individual diseases and entities such as immunocompromising tumor microenvironment (TME), risk of on-target-off-tumor effects, and differences in the occurrence of adverse events. Finally, we present an outlook into novel innovations in CAR-T-cell engineering like the use of artificial intelligence and the future role of CAR-T cells in therapy regimens in everyday clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Karsten
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ludwig Matrisch
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sophia Cichutek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Walter Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Alsdorf
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Block
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bangayan NJ, Wang L, Burton Sojo G, Noguchi M, Cheng D, Ta L, Gunn D, Mao Z, Liu S, Yin Q, Riedinger M, Li K, Wu AM, Stoyanova T, Witte ON. Dual-inhibitory domain iCARs improve the efficiency of the AND-NOT gate CAR T strategy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312374120. [PMID: 37963244 PMCID: PMC10666036 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312374120] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cell therapy has shown clinical success in treating hematological malignancies, but its treatment of solid tumors has been limited. One major challenge is on-target, off-tumor toxicity, where CAR T cells also damage normal tissues that express the targeted antigen. To reduce this detrimental side-effect, Boolean-logic gates like AND-NOT gates have utilized an inhibitory CAR (iCAR) to specifically curb CAR T cell activity at selected nonmalignant tissue sites. However, the strategy seems inefficient, requiring high levels of iCAR and its target antigen for inhibition. Using a TROP2-targeting iCAR with a single PD1 inhibitory domain to inhibit a CEACAM5-targeting CAR (CEACAR), we observed that the inefficiency was due to a kinetic delay in iCAR inhibition of cytotoxicity. To improve iCAR efficiency, we modified three features of the iCAR-the avidity, the affinity, and the intracellular signaling domains. Increasing the avidity but not the affinity of the iCAR led to significant reductions in the delay. iCARs containing twelve different inhibitory signaling domains were screened for improved inhibition, and three domains (BTLA, LAIR-1, and SIGLEC-9) each suppressed CAR T function but did not enhance inhibitory kinetics. When inhibitory domains of LAIR-1 or SIGLEC-9 were combined with PD-1 into a single dual-inhibitory domain iCAR (DiCARs) and tested with the CEACAR, inhibition efficiency improved as evidenced by a significant reduction in the inhibitory delay. These data indicate that a delicate balance between CAR and iCAR signaling strength and kinetics must be achieved to regulate AND-NOT gate CAR T cell selectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael J. Bangayan
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Giselle Burton Sojo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Miyako Noguchi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Donghui Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Lisa Ta
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Donny Gunn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Zhiyuan Mao
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Shiqin Liu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Qingqing Yin
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Mireille Riedinger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Keyu Li
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Anna M. Wu
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA91010
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA91010
| | - Tanya Stoyanova
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Owen N. Witte
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Haubner S, Mansilla-Soto J, Nataraj S, Kogel F, Chang Q, de Stanchina E, Lopez M, Ng MR, Fraser K, Subklewe M, Park JH, Wang X, Rivière I, Sadelain M. Cooperative CAR targeting to selectively eliminate AML and minimize escape. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1871-1891.e6. [PMID: 37802054 PMCID: PMC11006543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) poses a singular challenge for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy owing to its phenotypic heterogeneity and similarity to normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Here we expound a CAR strategy intended to efficiently target AML while minimizing HSPC toxicity. Quantification of target expression in relapsed/refractory patient samples and normal HSPCs reveals a therapeutic window for gated co-targeting of ADGRE2 and CLEC12A: We combine an attenuated ADGRE2-CAR with a CLEC12A-chimeric costimulatory receptor (ADCLEC.syn1) to preferentially engage ADGRE2posCLEC12Apos leukemic stem cells over ADGRE2lowCLEC12Aneg normal HSPCs. ADCLEC.syn1 prevents antigen escape in AML xenograft models, outperforms the ADGRE2-CAR alone and eradicates AML despite proximate myelopoiesis in humanized mice. Off-target HSPC toxicity is similar to that of a CD19-CAR and can be mitigated by reducing CAR T cell-derived interferon-γ. Overall, we demonstrate the ability of target density-adapted cooperative CAR targeting to selectively eliminate AML and potentially obviate the need for hematopoietic rescue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Haubner
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jorge Mansilla-Soto
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah Nataraj
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Friederike Kogel
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Qing Chang
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael Lopez
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mei Rosa Ng
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Kathryn Fraser
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jae H Park
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Cellular Therapy Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xiuyan Wang
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Michael G. Harris Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Isabelle Rivière
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Michael G. Harris Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hoces D, Miguens Blanco J, Hernández-López RA. A synthetic biology approach to engineering circuits in immune cells. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:120-137. [PMID: 37464881 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13244] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
A synthetic circuit in a biological system involves the designed assembly of genetic elements, biomolecules, or cells to create a defined function. These circuits are central in synthetic biology, enabling the reprogramming of cellular behavior and the engineering of cells with customized responses. In cancer therapeutics, engineering T cells with circuits have the potential to overcome the challenges of current approaches, for example, by allowing specific recognition and killing of cancer cells. Recent advances also facilitate engineering integrated circuits for the controlled release of therapeutic molecules at specified locations, for example, in a solid tumor. In this review, we discuss recent strategies and applications of synthetic receptor circuits aimed at enhancing immune cell functions for cancer immunotherapy. We begin by introducing the concept of circuits in networks at the molecular and cellular scales and provide an analysis of the development and implementation of several synthetic circuits in T cells that have the goal to overcome current challenges in cancer immunotherapy. These include specific targeting of cancer cells, increased T-cell proliferation, and persistence in the tumor microenvironment. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology, and the characteristics of certain circuit architectures, it is now possible to engineer a new generation of immune cells that recognize cancer cells, while minimizing off-target toxicities. We specifically discuss T-cell circuits for antigen density sensing. These circuits allow targeting of solid tumors that share antigens with normal tissues. Additionally, we explore designs for synthetic circuits that could control T-cell differentiation or T-cell fate as well as the concept of synthetic multicellular circuits that leverage cellular communication and division of labor to achieve improved therapeutic efficacy. As our understanding of cell biology expands and novel tools for genome, protein, and cell engineering are developed, we anticipate further innovative approaches to emerge in the design and engineering of circuits in immune cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hoces
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jesús Miguens Blanco
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Rogelio A Hernández-López
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California, USA
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Guo S, Gao X, Sadhana M, Guo R, Liu J, Lu W, Zhao MF. Developing Strategies to Improve the Efficacy of CAR-T Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:1614-1632. [PMID: 37870695 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01140-w] [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: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal blood malignancy. With the development of immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), the treatment of AML has undergone a significant change. Despite its advantages, CAR-T still faces a number of limitations and challenges while treating AML. Finding novel targets, altering the structure of CAR to increase efficacy while lowering side effects, and using double-target CAR and logic circuits are typical examples of key to answer these problems. With the advancement of gene editing technology, gene editing of tumor cells or normal cells to create therapeutic effects has grown in popularity. Additionally, the combination of multiple drugs is routinely used to address some of the obstacles and difficulties associated with CAR-T therapy. The review's primary goal was to summarize recent strategies and developments of CAR-T therapy for AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shujing Guo
- First Center, Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Xuejin Gao
- Emergency Department, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Mahara Sadhana
- First Center, Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Ruiting Guo
- First Center, Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Jile Liu
- First Center, Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Wenyi Lu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
| | - Ming Feng Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lareau CA, Yin Y, Maurer K, Sandor KD, Daniel B, Yagnik G, Peña J, Crawford JC, Spanjaart AM, Gutierrez JC, Haradhvala NJ, Riberdy JM, Abay T, Stickels RR, Verboon JM, Liu V, Buquicchio FA, Wang F, Southard J, Song R, Li W, Shrestha A, Parida L, Getz G, Maus MV, Li S, Moore A, Roberts ZJ, Ludwig LS, Talleur AC, Thomas PG, Dehghani H, Pertel T, Kundaje A, Gottschalk S, Roth TL, Kersten MJ, Wu CJ, Majzner RG, Satpathy AT. Latent human herpesvirus 6 is reactivated in CAR T cells. Nature 2023; 623:608-615. [PMID: 37938768 PMCID: PMC10999258 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06704-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapies have yielded durable clinical benefits for patients with cancer, but the risks associated with the development of therapies from manipulated human cells are understudied. For example, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of toxicities observed in patients receiving T cell therapies, including recent reports of encephalitis caused by reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)1. Here, through petabase-scale viral genomics mining, we examine the landscape of human latent viral reactivation and demonstrate that HHV-6B can become reactivated in cultures of human CD4+ T cells. Using single-cell sequencing, we identify a rare population of HHV-6 'super-expressors' (about 1 in 300-10,000 cells) that possess high viral transcriptional activity, among research-grade allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. By analysing single-cell sequencing data from patients receiving cell therapy products that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration2 or are in clinical studies3-5, we identify the presence of HHV-6-super-expressor CAR T cells in patients in vivo. Together, the findings of our study demonstrate the utility of comprehensive genomics analyses in implicating cell therapy products as a potential source contributing to the lytic HHV-6 infection that has been reported in clinical trials1,6-8 and may influence the design and production of autologous and allogeneic cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caleb A Lareau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yajie Yin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katie Maurer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katalin D Sandor
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bence Daniel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - José Peña
- Allogene Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Anne M Spanjaart
- Department of Hematology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob C Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Janice M Riberdy
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Tsion Abay
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert R Stickels
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Vincent Liu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Frank A Buquicchio
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Fangyi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jackson Southard
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ren Song
- Allogene Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wenjing Li
- Allogene Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Gad Getz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shuqiang Li
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alison Moore
- Allogene Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Leif S Ludwig
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Aimee C Talleur
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul G Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Theodore L Roth
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marie J Kersten
- Department of Hematology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Catherine J Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Rausch J, Ullrich E, Kühn MW. Epigenetic targeting to enhance acute myeloid leukemia-directed immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269012. [PMID: 37809078 PMCID: PMC10556528 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AML is a malignant disease of hematopoietic progenitor cells with unsatisfactory treatment outcome, especially in patients that are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, comprising checkpoint inhibition, T-cell engaging antibody constructs, and cellular therapies, has dramatically improved the outcome of patients with solid tumors and lymphatic neoplasms. In AML, these approaches have been far less successful. Discussed reasons are the relatively low mutational burden of AML blasts and the difficulty in defining AML-specific antigens not expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells. On the other hand, epigenetic dysregulation is an essential driver of leukemogenesis, and non-selective hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are the current backbone of non-intensive treatment. The first clinical trials that evaluated whether HMAs may improve immune checkpoint inhibitors' efficacy showed modest efficacy except for the anti-CD47 antibody that was substantially more efficient against AML when combined with azacitidine. Combining bispecific antibodies or cellular treatments with HMAs is subject to ongoing clinical investigation, and efficacy data are awaited shortly. More selective second-generation inhibitors targeting specific chromatin regulators have demonstrated promising preclinical activity against AML and are currently evaluated in clinical trials. These drugs that commonly cause leukemia cell differentiation potentially sensitize AML to immune-based treatments by co-regulating immune checkpoints, providing a pro-inflammatory environment, and inducing (neo)-antigen expression. Combining selective targeted epigenetic drugs with (cellular) immunotherapy is, therefore, a promising approach to avoid unintended effects and augment efficacy. Future studies will provide detailed information on how these compounds influence specific immune functions that may enable translation into clinical assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Rausch
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Children’s Hospital, Experimental Immunology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael W.M. Kühn
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Falini B. NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia: New pathogenetic and therapeutic insights and open questions. Am J Hematol 2023; 98:1452-1464. [PMID: 37317978 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26989] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene encodes for a multifunctional chaperone protein that is localized in the nucleolus but continuously shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm. NPM1 mutations occur in about one-third of AML, are AML-specific, usually involve exon 12 and are frequently associated with FLT3-ITD, DNMT3A, TET2, and IDH1/2 mutations. Because of its unique molecular and clinico-pathological features, NPM1-mutated AML is regarded as a distinct leukemia entity in both the International Consensus Classification (ICC) and the 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms. All NPM1 mutations generate leukemic mutants that are aberrantly exported in the cytoplasm of the leukemic cells and are relevant to the pathogenesis of the disease. Here, we focus on recently identified functions of the NPM1 mutant at chromatin level and its relevance in driving HOX/MEIS gene expression. We also discuss yet controversial issues of the ICC/WHO classifications, including the biological and clinical significance of therapy-related NPM1-mutated AML and the relevance of blasts percentage in defining NPM1-mutated AML. Finally, we address the impact of new targeted therapies in NPM1-mutated AML with focus on CAR T cells directed against NPM1/HLA neoepitopes, as well as XPO1 and menin inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brunangelo Falini
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato-Oncological Research (CREO), University of Perugia and Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Vanhooren J, Dobbelaere R, Derpoorter C, Deneweth L, Van Camp L, Uyttebroeck A, De Moerloose B, Lammens T. CAR-T in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Barriers and How to Overcome Them. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e937. [PMID: 37674860 PMCID: PMC10479376 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are characterized by high rates of relapse, severe toxicities, and poor overall survival rates. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies is crucial for improving the survival and quality of life of AML patients. CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy has been extremely successful in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia and several mature B-cell lymphomas. However, the use of CAR T-cell therapy for AML is currently prevented due to the lack of a myeloid equivalent to CD19, as currently known cell surface targets on leukemic blasts are also expressed on healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells as well as their progeny. In addition, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment has a dampening effect on the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells. Here, we review the therapeutic challenges limiting the use of CAR T-cell therapy for AML and discuss promising novel strategies to overcome them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Vanhooren
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rani Dobbelaere
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Derpoorter
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Larissa Deneweth
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laurens Van Camp
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anne Uyttebroeck
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wu RH, Zhu CY, Yu PH, Ma Y, Hussain L, Naranmandura H, Wang QQ. The landscape of novel strategies for acute myeloid leukemia treatment: Therapeutic trends, challenges, and future directions. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 473:116585. [PMID: 37302559 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116585] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous subtype of hematological malignancies with a wide spectrum of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, which makes it difficult to manage and cure. Along with the deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AML pathogenesis, a large cohort of novel targeted therapeutic approaches has emerged, which considerably expands the medical options and changes the therapeutic landscape of AML. Despite that, resistant and refractory cases caused by genomic mutations or bypass signalling activation remain a great challenge. Therefore, discovery of novel treatment targets, optimization of combination strategies, and development of efficient therapeutics are urgently required. This review provides a detailed and comprehensive discussion on the advantages and limitations of targeted therapies as a single agent or in combination with others. Furthermore, the innovative therapeutic approaches including hyperthermia, monoclonal antibody-based therapy, and CAR-T cell therapy are also introduced, which may provide safe and viable options for the treatment of patients with AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ri Han Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Normal University, Changchun 130032, China
| | - Chen Ying Zhu
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pei Han Yu
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yafang Ma
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Liaqat Hussain
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Qian Qian Wang
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Haas AR, Golden RJ, Litzky LA, Engels B, Zhao L, Xu F, Taraszka JA, Ramones M, Granda B, Chang WJ, Jadlowsky J, Shea KM, Runkle A, Chew A, Dowd E, Gonzalez V, Chen F, Liu X, Fang C, Jiang S, Davis MM, Sheppard NC, Zhao Y, Fraietta JA, Lacey SF, Plesa G, Melenhorst JJ, Mansfield K, Brogdon JL, Young RM, Albelda SM, June CH, Tanyi JL. Two cases of severe pulmonary toxicity from highly active mesothelin-directed CAR T cells. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2309-2325. [PMID: 37312454 PMCID: PMC10422001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple clinical studies have treated mesothelin (MSLN)-positive solid tumors by administering MSLN-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Although these products are generally safe, efficacy is limited. Therefore, we generated and characterized a potent, fully human anti-MSLN CAR. In a phase 1 dose-escalation study of patients with solid tumors, we observed two cases of severe pulmonary toxicity following intravenous infusion of this product in the high-dose cohort (1-3 × 108 T cells per m2). Both patients demonstrated progressive hypoxemia within 48 h of infusion with clinical and laboratory findings consistent with cytokine release syndrome. One patient ultimately progressed to grade 5 respiratory failure. An autopsy revealed acute lung injury, extensive T cell infiltration, and accumulation of CAR T cells in the lungs. RNA and protein detection techniques confirmed low levels of MSLN expression by benign pulmonary epithelial cells in affected lung and lung samples obtained from other inflammatory or fibrotic conditions, indicating that pulmonary pneumocyte and not pleural expression of mesothelin may lead to dose-limiting toxicity. We suggest patient enrollment criteria and dosing regimens of MSLN-directed therapies consider the possibility of dynamic expression of mesothelin in benign lung with a special concern for patients with underlying inflammatory or fibrotic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Haas
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Ryan J Golden
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Leslie A Litzky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Boris Engels
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fangmin Xu
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John A Taraszka
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Melissa Ramones
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brian Granda
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Wan-Jung Chang
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julie Jadlowsky
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kim-Marie Shea
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adam Runkle
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anne Chew
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Emily Dowd
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Vanessa Gonzalez
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Fang Chen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Chongyun Fang
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shuguang Jiang
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Megan M Davis
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Neil C Sheppard
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yangbing Zhao
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Simon F Lacey
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gabriela Plesa
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - J Joseph Melenhorst
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Keith Mansfield
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Regina M Young
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Janos L Tanyi
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Shao R, Li Z, Xin H, Jiang S, Zhu Y, Liu J, Huang R, Xu K, Shi X. Biomarkers as targets for CAR-T/NK cell therapy in AML. Biomark Res 2023; 11:65. [PMID: 37330575 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00501-9] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common kind of acute leukemia in adults is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is often treated with induction chemotherapy regimens followed by consolidation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, some patients continue to develop relapsed or refractory AML (R/R-AML). Small molecular targeted drugs require long-time administration. Not all the patients hold molecular targets. Novel medicines are therefore needed to enhance treatment outcomes. T cells and natural killer (NK) cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target antigens associated with AML have recently been produced and are currently being tested in both pre-clinical and clinical settings. This review provides an overview of CAR-T/NK treatments for AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Shao
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zijian Li
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Honglei Xin
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Suyu Jiang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yilin Zhu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingan Liu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kailin Xu
- Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Shi
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.262, North Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210003, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Panetti S, McJannett N, Fultang L, Booth S, Gneo L, Scarpa U, Smith C, Vardon A, Vettore L, Whalley C, Pan Y, Várnai C, Endou H, Barlow J, Tennant D, Beggs A, Mussai F, De Santo C. Engineering amino acid uptake or catabolism promotes CAR T-cell adaption to the tumor environment. Blood Adv 2023; 7:1754-1761. [PMID: 36521029 PMCID: PMC10182289 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells take up amino acids from the extracellular space to drive cell proliferation and viability. Similar mechanisms are applied by immune cells, resulting in the competition between conventional T cells, or indeed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and tumor cells, for the limited availability of amino acids within the environment. We demonstrate that T cells can be re-engineered to express SLC7A5 or SLC7A11 transmembrane amino acid transporters alongside CARs. Transporter modifications increase CAR T-cell proliferation under low tryptophan or cystine conditions with no loss of CAR cytotoxicity or increased exhaustion. Transcriptomic and phenotypic analysis reveals that downstream, SLC7A5/SLC7A11-modified CAR T cells upregulate intracellular arginase expression and activity. In turn, we engineer and phenotype a further generation of CAR T cells that express functional arginase 1/arginase 2 enzymes and have enhanced CAR T-cell proliferation and antitumor activity. Thus, CAR T cells can be adapted to the amino acid metabolic microenvironment of cancer, a hitherto recognized but unaddressed barrier for successful CAR T-cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Panetti
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola McJannett
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Livingstone Fultang
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Booth
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Luciana Gneo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ugo Scarpa
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Smith
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley Vardon
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Vettore
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Celina Whalley
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Pan
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Csilla Várnai
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jonathan Barlow
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Tennant
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Francis Mussai
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Carmela De Santo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Celichowski P, Turi M, Charvátová S, Radhakrishnan D, Feizi N, Chyra Z, Šimíček M, Jelínek T, Bago JR, Hájek R, Hrdinka M. Tuning CARs: recent advances in modulating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell activity for improved safety, efficacy, and flexibility. J Transl Med 2023; 21:197. [PMID: 36922828 PMCID: PMC10015723 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04041-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies utilizing genetically engineered T cells have emerged as powerful personalized therapeutic agents showing dramatic preclinical and clinical results, particularly in hematological malignancies. Ectopically expressed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) reprogram immune cells to target and eliminate cancer. However, CAR T cell therapy's success depends on the balance between effective anti-tumor activity and minimizing harmful side effects. To improve CAR T cell therapy outcomes and mitigate associated toxicities, scientists from different fields are cooperating in developing next-generation products using the latest molecular cell biology and synthetic biology tools and technologies. The immunotherapy field is rapidly evolving, with new approaches and strategies being reported at a fast pace. This comprehensive literature review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the latest developments in controlling CAR T cell activity for improved safety, efficacy, and flexibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Celichowski
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Marcello Turi
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Sandra Charvátová
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Dhwani Radhakrishnan
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Neda Feizi
- Department of Internal Clinical Sciences, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuzana Chyra
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Šimíček
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Jelínek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Juli Rodriguez Bago
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Hájek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Hrdinka
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Labanieh L, Mackall CL. CAR immune cells: design principles, resistance and the next generation. Nature 2023; 614:635-648. [PMID: 36813894 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 126.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The remarkable clinical activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapies in B cell and plasma cell malignancies has validated the use of this therapeutic class for liquid cancers, but resistance and limited access remain as barriers to broader application. Here we review the immunobiology and design principles of current prototype CARs and present emerging platforms that are anticipated to drive future clinical advances. The field is witnessing a rapid expansion of next-generation CAR immune cell technologies designed to enhance efficacy, safety and access. Substantial progress has been made in augmenting immune cell fitness, activating endogenous immunity, arming cells to resist suppression via the tumour microenvironment and developing approaches to modulate antigen density thresholds. Increasingly sophisticated multispecific, logic-gated and regulatable CARs display the potential to overcome resistance and increase safety. Early signs of progress with stealth, virus-free and in vivo gene delivery platforms provide potential paths for reduced costs and increased access of cell therapies in the future. The continuing clinical success of CAR T cells in liquid cancers is driving the development of increasingly sophisticated immune cell therapies that are poised to translate to treatments for solid cancers and non-malignant diseases in the coming years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louai Labanieh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wu B, Fu L, Guo X, Hu H, Li Y, Shi Y, Zhang Y, Han S, Lv C, Tian Y. Multi-omics profiling and digital image analysis reveal the potential prognostic and immunotherapeutic properties of CD93 in stomach adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:984816. [PMID: 36761750 PMCID: PMC9905807 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.984816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent evidence highlights the fact that immunotherapy has significantly improved patient outcomes. CD93, as a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, was correlated with tumor-associated angiogenesis; however, how CD93 correlates with immunotherapy in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) remains unclear. Methods TCGA, GTEx, GEO, TIMER2.0, HPA, TISIDB, TCIA, cBioPortal, LinkedOmics, and ImmuCellAI public databases were used to elucidate CD93 in STAD. Visualization and statistical analysis of data were performed by R (Version 4.1.3), GraphPad (Version 8.0.1), and QuPath (Version 0.3.2). Results CD93 was highly expressed in STAD compared with adjacent normal tissues. The overexpression of CD93 was significantly correlated with a poor prognosis in STAD. There was a negative correlation between CD93 expression levels with CD93 mutation and methylation in STAD. Our results revealed that CD93 expression was positively associated with most immunosuppressive genes (including PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, and LAG3), immunostimulatory genes, HLA, chemokine, and chemokine receptor proteins in STAD. Furthermore, in STAD, CD93 was noticeably associated with the abundance of multiple immune cell infiltration levels. Functional HALLMARK and KEGG term enhancement analysis of CD93 through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was correlated with the process of the angiogenesis pathway. Subsequently, digital image analysis results by QuPath revealed that the properties of CD93+ cells were statistically significant in different regions of stomach cancer and normal stomach tissue. Finally, we utilized external databases, including GEO, TISIDB, ImmuCellAI, and TCIA, to validate that CD93 plays a key role in the immunotherapy of STAD. Conclusion Our study reveals that CD93 is a potential oncogene and is an indicative biomarker of a worse prognosis and exerts its immunomodulatory properties and potential possibilities for immunotherapy in STAD.
Collapse
|
28
|
Biederstädt A, Rezvani K. How I treat high-risk acute myeloid leukemia using preemptive adoptive cellular immunotherapy. Blood 2023; 141:22-38. [PMID: 35512203 PMCID: PMC10023741 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021012411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with high-risk acute leukemias, but unfortunately disease recurrence remains the major cause of death in these patients. Infusion of donor lymphocytes (DLI) has the potential to restore graft-versus-leukemia immunologic surveillance; however, efficacy varies across different hematologic entities. Although relapsed chronic myeloid leukemia, transplanted in chronic phase, has proven remarkably susceptible to DLI, response rates are more modest for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To prevent impending relapse, a number of groups have explored administering DLI preemptively on detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) or mixed chimerism. Evidence for the effectiveness of this strategy, although encouraging, comes from only a few, mostly single-center retrospective, nonrandomized studies. This article seeks to (1) discuss the available evidence supporting this approach while highlighting some of the inherent challenges of MRD-triggered treatment decisions post-transplant, (2) portray other forms of postremission cellular therapies, including the role of next-generation target-specific immunotherapies, and (3) provide a practical framework to support clinicians in their decision-making process when considering preemptive cellular therapy for this difficult-to-treat patient population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Biederstädt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Medicine III: Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Overcoming on-target, off-tumour toxicity of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:49-62. [PMID: 36418477 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00704-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Therapies with genetically modified T cells that express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) specific for CD19 or B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) are approved to treat certain B cell malignancies. However, translating these successes into treatments for patients with solid tumours presents various challenges, including the risk of clinically serious on-target, off-tumour toxicity (OTOT) owing to CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against non-malignant tissues expressing the target antigen. Indeed, severe OTOT has been observed in various CAR T cell clinical trials involving patients with solid tumours, highlighting the importance of establishing strategies to predict, mitigate and control the onset of this effect. In this Review, we summarize current clinical evidence of OTOT with CAR T cells in the treatment of solid tumours and discuss the utility of preclinical mouse models in predicting clinical OTOT. We then describe novel strategies being developed to improve the specificity of CAR T cells in solid tumours, particularly the role of affinity tuning of target binders, logic circuits and synthetic biology. Furthermore, we highlight control strategies that can be used to mitigate clinical OTOT following cell infusion such as regulating or eliminating CAR T cell activity, exogenous control of CAR expression, and local administration of CAR T cells.
Collapse
|
30
|
Schorr C, Perna F. Targets for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy of acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1085978. [PMID: 36605213 PMCID: PMC9809466 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1085978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy associated with high mortality rates (less than 30% 5-year survival). Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning leukemogenesis, standard-of-care therapeutic approaches have not changed over the last couple of decades. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19 has shown remarkable clinical outcomes for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is now an FDA-approved therapy. Targeting of myeloid malignancies that are CD19-negative with this promising technology remains challenging largely due to lack of alternate target antigens, complex clonal heterogeneity, and the increased recognition of an immunosuppressive bone marrow. We carefully reviewed a comprehensive list of AML targets currently being used in both proof-of-concept pre-clinical and experimental clinical settings. We analyzed the expression profile of these molecules in leukemic as well normal tissues using reliable protein databases and data reported in the literature and we provide an updated overview of the current clinical trials with CAR T-cells in AML. Our study represents a state-of-art review of the field and serves as a potential guide for selecting known AML-associated targets for adoptive cellular therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schorr
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Fabiana Perna
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States,*Correspondence: Fabiana Perna,
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Allen GM, Lim WA. Rethinking cancer targeting strategies in the era of smart cell therapeutics. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:693-702. [PMID: 36175644 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00505-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past several decades, the development of cancer therapeutics has largely focused on precision targeting of single cancer-associated molecules. Despite great advances, such targeted therapies still show incomplete precision and the eventual development of resistance due to target heterogeneity or mutation. However, the recent development of cell-based therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells presents a revolutionary opportunity to reframe strategies for targeting cancers. Immune cells equipped with synthetic circuits are essentially living computers that can be programmed to recognize tumours based on multiple signals, including both tumour cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental. Moreover, cells can be programmed to launch broad but highly localized therapeutic responses that can limit the potential for escape while still maintaining high precision. Although these emerging smart cell engineering capabilities have yet to be fully implemented in the clinic, we argue here that they will become much more powerful when combined with machine learning analysis of genomic data, which can guide the design of therapeutic recognition programs that are the most discriminatory and actionable. The merging of cancer analytics and synthetic biology could lead to nuanced paradigms of tumour recognition, more akin to facial recognition, that have the ability to more effectively address the complex challenges of treating cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greg M Allen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cell Design Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wendell A Lim
- Cell Design Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lee S, Khalil AS, Wong WW. Recent progress of gene circuit designs in immune cell therapies. Cell Syst 2022; 13:864-873. [PMID: 36395726 PMCID: PMC9681026 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy against hematological cancers has convincingly demonstrated the potential of using genetically engineered cells as therapeutic agents. Although much progress has been achieved in cell therapy, more beneficial capabilities have yet to be fully explored. One of the unique advantages afforded by cell therapies is the possibility to implement genetic control circuits, which enables diverse signal sensing and logical processing for optimal response in the complex tumor microenvironment. In this perspective, we will first outline design considerations for cell therapy control circuits that address clinical demands. We will compare and contrast key design features in some of the latest control circuits developments and conclude by discussing potential future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seunghee Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Wilson W Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lee JC, Liu S, Wang Y, Liang Y, Jablons DM. MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with potent antitumor activity in AML through downregulation of the STAT pathway. Oncotarget 2022; 13:1217-1236. [PMCID: PMC9629815 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most lethal form of AML due to disease relapse. Cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the family of Cyclin-dependent kinases and is an emerging target for the treatment of AML. MK256, a potent, selective, and orally available CDK8 inhibitor was developed to target AML. We sought to examine the anticancer effect of MK256 on AML. In CD34+/CD38- leukemia stem cells, we found that MK256 induced differentiation and maturation. Treatment of MK256 inhibited proliferation of AML cell lines. Further studies of the inhibitory effect suggested that MK256 not only downregulated phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726), but also lowered mRNA expressions of MCL-1 and CCL2 in AML cell lines. Efficacy of MK256 was shown in MOLM-14 xenograft models, and the inhibitory effect on phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726) with treatment of MK256 was observed in vivo. Pharmacologic dynamics study of MK256 in MOLM-14 xenograft models showed dose-dependent inhibition of the STAT pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that MK256 could effectively downregulate the STAT pathway. In vitro ADME, pharmacological kinetics, and toxicity of MK256 were profiled to evaluate the drug properties of MK256. Our results show that MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with a desirable efficacy and safety profile and has great potential to be a promising drug candidate for AML through regulating the STAT pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Chieh Lee
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,2Touro University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work,Correspondence to:Jen-Chieh Lee, email:
| | - Shu Liu
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work,Shu Liu, email:
| | - Yucheng Wang
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - You Liang
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David M. Jablons
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lam CK, Hyde RK, Patel SA. Synthetic Immunotherapy: Programming Immune Cells with Novel and Sophisticated Logic Capabilities. Transplant Cell Ther 2022; 28:560-571. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
35
|
Abbott RC, Hughes-Parry HE, Jenkins MR. To go or not to go? Biological logic gating engineered T cells. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004185. [PMID: 35379738 PMCID: PMC8981284 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically engineered T cells have been successfully used in the treatment of hematological malignancies, greatly increasing both progression-free and overall survival in patients. However, the outcomes of patients treated with Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells targeting solid tumors have been disappointing. There is an unmet clinical need for therapies which are specifically designed to overcome the challenges associated with solid tumors such as tumor heterogeneity and antigen escape. Genetic engineering employing the use of biological logic gating in T cells is an emerging and cutting-edge field that may address these issues. The advantages of logic gating include localized secretion of anti-tumor proteins into the tumor microenvironment, multi antigen targeting of tumors and a potential increase in safety when targeting tumor antigens which may not be exclusively tumor specific. In this review, we introduce the concept of biological logic gating and how this technology addresses some of the challenges of current CAR T treatment. We outline the types of logic gating circuits and finally discuss the application of this new technology to engineered T cells, in the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Abbott
- Immunology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hannah E Hughes-Parry
- Immunology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Misty R Jenkins
- Immunology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Emerging CAR T Cell Strategies for the Treatment of AML. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051241. [PMID: 35267549 PMCID: PMC8909045 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting CD19 have emerged as a new treatment for hematological malignancies. As a “living therapy”, CARs can precisely target and eliminate tumors while proliferating inside the patient’s body. Various preclinical and clinical studies are ongoing to identify potential CAR-T cell targets for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We shed light on the continuing efforts of CAR development to overcome tumor escape, exhaustion, and toxicities. Furthermore, we summarize the recent progress of a range of putative targets exploring this unmet need to treat AML. Lastly, we discuss the advances in preclinical models that built the foundation for ongoing clinical trials. Abstract Engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their cell surface can redirect antigen specificity. This ability makes CARs one of the most promising cancer therapeutic agents. CAR-T cells for treating patients with B cell hematological malignancies have shown impressive results. Clinical manifestation has yielded several trials, so far five CAR-T cell therapies have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. However, emerging clinical data and recent findings have identified some immune-related toxicities due to CAR-T cell therapy. Given the outcome and utilization of the same proof of concept, further investigation in other hematological malignancies, such as leukemias, is warranted. This review discusses the previous findings from the pre-clinical and human experience with CAR-T cell therapy. Additionally, we describe recent developments of novel targets for adoptive immunotherapy. Here we present some of the early findings from the pre-clinical studies of CAR-T cell modification through advances in genetic engineering, gene editing, cellular programming, and formats of synthetic biology, along with the ongoing efforts to restore the function of exhausted CAR-T cells through epigenetic remodeling. We aim to shed light on the new targets focusing on acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhang Y, Li Y, Cao W, Wang F, Xie X, Li Y, Wang X, Guo R, Jiang Z, Guo R. Single-Cell Analysis of Target Antigens of CAR-T Reveals a Potential Landscape of "On-Target, Off-Tumor Toxicity". Front Immunol 2022; 12:799206. [PMID: 34975912 PMCID: PMC8716389 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.799206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy represented by CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells has achieved great success in recent years. An increasing number of CAR-T therapies are being developed for cancer treatment, but the frequent and varied adverse events, such as “on-target, off-tumor toxicity”, limit CAR-T application. Here, we identify the target antigen expression patterns of CAR therapies in 18 tissues and organs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, heart, ascending aortic tissue, trachea, lung, skin, kidney, bladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, rectum, liver, common bile duct, and pancreas) from healthy human samples. The atlas determines target antigens expressed on some normal cell types, which facilitates elucidating the cause of “on-target, off-tumor toxicity” in special tissues and organs by targeting some antigens, but not others. Moreover, we describe the target antigen expression patterns of B-lineage-derived malignant cells, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and solid tumors. Overall, the present study indicates the pathogenesis of “on-target, off-tumor toxicity” during CAR therapies and provides guidance on taking preventive measures during CAR treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinyin Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yingmei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weijie Cao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinsheng Xie
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yadan Li
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongxing Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rongqun Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Velasquez MP, Gottschalk S. Employing Synthetic T-cell Biology to Target AML without On-Target/Off-Cancer Toxicity. Blood Cancer Discov 2021; 2:559-561. [PMID: 35015677 PMCID: PMC9894579 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ideal targets for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain elusive. In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Richards and colleagues explore CD93 as a potential AML target antigen, and devise an approach to mitigate "on-target/off-cancer toxicity."See related article by Richards et al., p. 648.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Paulina Velasquez
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Corresponding Author: Stephen Gottschalk, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, MS321, Memphis, TN 38105. Phone: 901-595-2166; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|