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Shukla S, Dalai P, Agrawal-Rajput R. Metabolic crosstalk: Extracellular ATP and the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and therapy. Cell Signal 2024; 121:111281. [PMID: 38945420 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111281] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a vital element in energy information. It plays a critical role in transmitting signals inside the body, which is necessary for controlling the life activities of all cells, including tumor cells [1]. Its significance extends from intracellular signaling pathways to tumor regression. Purinergic signaling, a form of extracellular paracrine signaling, relies on purine nucleotides. Extracellular ectonucleotidases convert these purine nucleotides to their respective di and mono-phosphate nucleoside forms, contributing significantly to immune biology, cancer biology, and inflammation studies. ATP functions as a mighty damage-linked molecular pattern when released outside the cell, accumulating in inflammatory areas. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), purinergic receptors such as ATP-gated ion channels P2X1-5 and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) (P2Y) interact with ATP and other nucleotides, influencing diverse immune cell activities. CD39 and CD73-mediated extracellular ATP degradation contributes to immunosuppression by diminishing ATP-dependent activation and generating adenosine (ADO), potentially hindering antitumor immunity and promoting tumor development. Unraveling the complexities of extracellular ATP (e-ATP) and ADO effects on the TME poses challenges in identifying optimal treatment targets, yet ongoing investigations aim to devise strategies combating e-ATP/ADO-induced immunosuppression, ultimately enhancing anti-tumor immunity. This review explores e-ATP metabolism, its purinergic signaling, and therapeutic strategies targeting associated receptors and enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Shukla
- Immunology Lab, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar 382426, Gujarat, India
| | - Parameswar Dalai
- Immunology Lab, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar 382426, Gujarat, India
| | - Reena Agrawal-Rajput
- Immunology Lab, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar 382426, Gujarat, India.
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2
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Xu F, Ni Q, Gong N, Xia B, Zhang J, Guo W, Hu Z, Li J, Liang XJ. Delivery Systems Developed for Treatment Combinations to Improve Adoptive Cell Therapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2407525. [PMID: 39165065 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202407525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has shown great success in the clinic for treating hematologic malignancies. However, solid tumor treatment with ACT monotherapy is still challenging, owing to insufficient expansion and rapid exhaustion of adoptive cells, tumor antigen downregulation/loss, and dense tumor extracellular matrix. Delivery strategies for combination cell therapy have great potential to overcome these hurdles. The delivery of vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, chemotherapeutics, and photothermal reagents in combination with adoptive cells, have been shown to improve the expansion/activation, decrease exhaustion, and promote the penetration of adoptive cells in solid tumors. Moreover, the delivery of nucleic acids to engineer immune cells directly in vivo holds promise to overcome many of the hurdles associated with the complex ex vivo cell engineering strategies. Here, these research advance, as well as the opportunities and challenges for integrating delivery technologies into cell therapy s are discussed, and the outlook for these emerging areas are criticlly analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfei Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Qiankun Ni
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ningqiang Gong
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Bozhang Xia
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jinchao Zhang
- College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Weisheng Guo
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Zhongbo Hu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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3
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Taylor CA, Glover M, Maher J. CAR-T cell technologies that interact with the tumour microenvironment in solid tumours. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:849-871. [PMID: 39021098 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2380894] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells have emerged as a ground-breaking therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies due to their capacity for rapid tumor-specific killing and long-lasting tumor immunity. However, the same success has not been observed in patients with solid tumors. Largely, this is due to the additional challenges imposed by safe and uniform target selection, inefficient CAR T-cell access to sites of disease and the presence of a hostile immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. AREAS COVERED Literature was reviewed on the PubMed database from the first description of a CAR by Kuwana, Kurosawa and colleagues in December 1987 through to the present day. This literature indicates that in order to tackle solid tumors, CAR T-cells can be further engineered with additional armoring strategies that facilitate trafficking to and infiltration of malignant lesions together with reversal of suppressive immune checkpoints that operate within solid tumor lesions. EXPERT OPINION In this review, we describe a number of recent advances in CAR T-cell technology that set out to combat the problems imposed by solid tumors including tumor recruitment, infiltration, immunosuppression, metabolic compromise, and hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK
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4
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Spiga M, Martini E, Maffia MC, Ciceri F, Ruggiero E, Potenza A, Bonini C. Harnessing the tumor microenvironment to boost adoptive T cell therapy with engineered lymphocytes for solid tumors. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:8. [PMID: 39060547 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) and T Cell Receptor (TCR) engineered T cells represents an innovative therapeutic approach for the treatment of hematological malignancies, yet its application for solid tumors is still suboptimal. The tumor microenvironment (TME) places several challenges to overcome for a satisfactory therapeutic effect, such as physical barriers (fibrotic capsule and stroma), and inhibitory signals impeding T cell function. Some of these obstacles can be faced by combining ACT with other anti-tumor approaches, such as chemo/radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors. On the other hand, cutting edge technological tools offer the opportunity to overcome and, in some cases, take advantage of TME intrinsic characteristics to boost ACT efficacy. These include: the exploitation of chemokine gradients and integrin expression for preferential T-cell homing and extravasation; metabolic changes that have direct or indirect effects on TCR-T and CAR-T cells by increasing antigen presentation and reshaping T cell phenotype; introduction of additional synthetic receptors on TCR-T and CAR-T cells with the aim of increasing T cells survival and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Spiga
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Martini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Maffia
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Feldman L. Hypoxia within the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment: a master saboteur of novel treatments. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1384249. [PMID: 38994360 PMCID: PMC11238147 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors are the most aggressive primary brain tumors in adults that, despite maximum treatment, carry a dismal prognosis. GBM tumors exhibit tissue hypoxia, which promotes tumor aggressiveness and maintenance of glioma stem cells and creates an overall immunosuppressive landscape. This article reviews how hypoxic conditions overlap with inflammatory responses, favoring the proliferation of immunosuppressive cells and inhibiting cytotoxic T cell development. Immunotherapies, including vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR-T cell therapy, represent promising avenues for GBM treatment. However, challenges such as tumor heterogeneity, immunosuppressive TME, and BBB restrictiveness hinder their effectiveness. Strategies to address these challenges, including combination therapies and targeting hypoxia, are actively being explored to improve outcomes for GBM patients. Targeting hypoxia in combination with immunotherapy represents a potential strategy to enhance treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Feldman
- Division of Neurosurgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
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Liu J, Jiao X, Ma D, Fang Y, Gao Q. CAR-T therapy and targeted treatments: Emerging combination strategies in solid tumors. MED 2024; 5:530-549. [PMID: 38547867 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.03.001] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/17/2024]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapies hold great potential in achieving long-term remission in patients suffering from malignancies. However, their efficacy in treating solid tumors is impeded by challenges such as limited infiltration, compromised cancer recognition, decreased cytotoxicity, heightened exhaustion, absence of memory phenotypes, and inevitable toxicity. To surmount these obstacles, researchers are exploring innovative strategies, including the integration of CAR-T cells with targeted inhibitors. The combination of CAR-T therapies with specific targeted drugs has shown promise in enhancing CAR-T cell infiltration into tumor sites, boosting their tumor recognition capabilities, strengthening their cytotoxicity, alleviating exhaustion, promoting the development of a memory phenotype, and reducing toxicity. By harnessing the synergistic potential, a wider range of patients with solid tumors may potentially experience favorable outcomes. To summarize the current combined strategies of CAR-T therapies and targeted therapies, outline the potential mechanisms, and provide insights for future studies, we conducted this review by collecting existing experimental and clinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofei Jiao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Fang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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7
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Liang XH, Chen XY, Yan Y, Cheng AY, Lin JY, Jiang YX, Chen HZ, Jin JM, Luan X. Targeting metabolism to enhance immunotherapy within tumor microenvironment. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01304-w. [PMID: 38811773 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01304-w] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer metabolic reprogramming has been considered an emerging hallmark in tumorigenesis and the antitumor immune response. Like cancer cells, immune cells within the tumor microenvironment or premetastatic niche also undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming, which profoundly impacts anti-tumor immune responses. Numerous evidence has illuminated that immunosuppressive TME and the metabolites released by tumor cells, including lactic acid, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), fatty acids (FAs), cholesterol, D-2-Hydroxyglutaric acid (2-HG), adenosine (ADO), and kynurenine (KYN) can contribute to CD8+ T cell dysfunction. Dynamic alterations of these metabolites between tumor cells and immune cells can similarly initiate metabolic competition in the TME, leading to nutrient deprivation and subsequent microenvironmental acidosis, which impedes immune response. This review summarizes the new landscape beyond the classical metabolic pathways in tumor cells, highlighting the pivotal role of metabolic disturbance in the immunosuppressive microenvironment, especially how nutrient deprivation in TME leads to metabolic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells. Likewise, it emphasizes the current therapeutic targets or strategies related to tumor metabolism and immune response, providing therapeutic benefits for tumor immunotherapy and drug development in the future. Cancer metabolic reprogramming has been considered an emerging hallmark in tumorigenesis and the antitumor immune response. Dynamic alterations of metabolites between tumor cells and immune cells initiate metabolic competition in the TME, leading to nutrient deprivation and subsequent microenvironmental acidosis, which impedes immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Liang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin-Yi Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yue Yan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ao-Yu Cheng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jia-Yi Lin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi-Xin Jiang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hong-Zhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jin-Mei Jin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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8
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Soltantoyeh T, Akbari B, Shahosseini Z, Mirzaei HR, Hadjati J. Simultaneous targeting of Tim3 and A2a receptors modulates MSLN-CAR T cell antitumor function in a human cervical tumor xenograft model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1362904. [PMID: 38855110 PMCID: PMC11157064 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1362904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, its efficacy in solid tumors is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that compromises CAR T cell antitumor function in clinical settings. To overcome this challenge, researchers have investigated the potential of inhibiting specific immune checkpoint receptors, including A2aR (Adenosine A2 Receptor) and Tim3 (T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3), to enhance CAR T cell function. In this study, we evaluated the impact of genetic targeting of Tim3 and A2a receptors on the antitumor function of human mesothelin-specific CAR T cells (MSLN-CAR) in vitro and in vivo. Methods Second-generation anti-mesothelin CAR T cells were produced using standard cellular and molecular techniques. A2aR-knockdown and/or Tim3- knockdown anti-mesothelin-CAR T cells were generated using shRNA-mediated gene silencing. The antitumor function of CAR T cells was evaluated by measuring cytokine production, proliferation, and cytotoxicity in vitro through coculture with cervical cancer cells (HeLa cell line). To evaluate in vivo antitumor efficacy of manufactured CAR T cells, tumor growth and mouse survival were monitored in a human cervical cancer xenograft model. Results In vitro experiments demonstrated that knockdown of A2aR alone or in combination with Tim3 significantly improved CAR T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity in presence of tumor cells in an antigen-specific manner. Furthermore, in the humanized xenograft model, both double knockdown CAR T cells and control CAR T cells could effectively control tumor growth. However, single knockdown CAR T cells were associated with reduced survival in mice. Conclusion These findings highlight the potential of concomitant genetic targeting of Tim3 and A2a receptors to augment the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised in light of our observation of decreased survival in mice treated with single knockdown MSLN-CAR T cells, emphasizing the need for careful efficacy considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Soltantoyeh
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnia Akbari
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shahosseini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Yang H, Zhang Z, Zhao K, Zhang Y, Yin X, Zhu G, Wang Z, Yan X, Li X, He T, Wang K. Targeting the adenosine signaling pathway in macrophages for cancer immunotherapy. Hum Immunol 2024; 85:110774. [PMID: 38521664 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.110774] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
One of the ways in which macrophages support tumorigenic growth is by producing adenosine, which acts to dampen antitumor immune responses and is generated by both tumor and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Two cell surface expressed molecules, CD73 and CD39, boost catalytic adenosine triphosphate, leading to further increased adenosine synthesis, under hypoxic circumstances in the TME. There are four receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) expressed on macrophages that allow adenosine to perform its immunomodulatory effect. Researchers have shown that adenosine signaling is a key factor in tumor progression and an attractive therapeutic target for treating cancer. Several antagonistic adenosine-targeting biological therapies that decrease the suppressive action of tumor-associated macrophages have been produced and explored to transform this result from basic research into a therapeutic advantage. Here, we'll review the newest findings from studies of pharmacological compounds that target adenosine receptors, and their potential therapeutic value based on blocking the suppressive action of macrophages in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Zongliang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Yulian Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Xinbao Yin
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Guanqun Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Zhenlin Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Xuechuan Yan
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Xueyu Li
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China
| | - Tianzhen He
- Nantong University, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine, Nantong, China.
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, China.
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10
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Chan JD, Scheffler CM, Munoz I, Sek K, Lee JN, Huang YK, Yap KM, Saw NYL, Li J, Chen AXY, Chan CW, Derrick EB, Todd KL, Tong J, Dunbar PA, Li J, Hoang TX, de Menezes MN, Petley EV, Kim JS, Nguyen D, Leung PSK, So J, Deguit C, Zhu J, House IG, Kats LM, Scott AM, Solomon BJ, Harrison SJ, Oliaro J, Parish IA, Quinn KM, Neeson PJ, Slaney CY, Lai J, Beavis PA, Darcy PK. FOXO1 enhances CAR T cell stemness, metabolic fitness and efficacy. Nature 2024; 629:201-210. [PMID: 38600376 PMCID: PMC11062918 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of haematological malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, B cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma1-4, but the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in solid tumours has been limited5. This is owing to a number of factors, including the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment that gives rise to poorly persisting and metabolically dysfunctional T cells. Analysis of anti-CD19 CAR T cells used clinically has shown that positive treatment outcomes are associated with a more 'stem-like' phenotype and increased mitochondrial mass6-8. We therefore sought to identify transcription factors that could enhance CAR T cell fitness and efficacy against solid tumours. Here we show that overexpression of FOXO1 promotes a stem-like phenotype in CAR T cells derived from either healthy human donors or patients, which correlates with improved mitochondrial fitness, persistence and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. This work thus reveals an engineering approach to genetically enforce a favourable metabolic phenotype that has high translational potential to improve the efficacy of CAR T cells against solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack D Chan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina M Scheffler
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Isabelle Munoz
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin Sek
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel N Lee
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yu-Kuan Huang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kah Min Yap
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole Y L Saw
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jasmine Li
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda X Y Chen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheok Weng Chan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily B Derrick
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirsten L Todd
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Junming Tong
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Dunbar
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jiawen Li
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thang X Hoang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria N de Menezes
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma V Petley
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joelle S Kim
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dat Nguyen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick S K Leung
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joan So
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian Deguit
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joe Zhu
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Imran G House
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lev M Kats
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Solomon
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon J Harrison
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Haematology and Centre of Excellence for Cellular Immunotherapies, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane Oliaro
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian A Parish
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kylie M Quinn
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul J Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clare Y Slaney
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Junyun Lai
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Clinical Haematology and Centre of Excellence for Cellular Immunotherapies, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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11
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De Martino M, Rathmell JC, Galluzzi L, Vanpouille-Box C. Cancer cell metabolism and antitumour immunity. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-01026-4. [PMID: 38649722 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that metabolic rewiring in malignant cells supports tumour progression not only by providing cancer cells with increased proliferative potential and an improved ability to adapt to adverse microenvironmental conditions but also by favouring the evasion of natural and therapy-driven antitumour immune responses. Here, we review cancer cell-intrinsic and cancer cell-extrinsic mechanisms through which alterations of metabolism in malignant cells interfere with innate and adaptive immune functions in support of accelerated disease progression. Further, we discuss the potential of targeting such alterations to enhance anticancer immunity for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara De Martino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Claire Vanpouille-Box
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Liu S, Zhao Y, Gao Y, Li F, Zhang Y. Targeting metabolism to improve CAR-T cells therapeutic efficacy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:909-920. [PMID: 38501360 PMCID: PMC11046027 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000003046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy achieved advanced progress in the treatment of hematological tumors. However, the application of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors still faces many challenges. Competition with tumor cells for metabolic resources in an already nutrient-poor tumor microenvironment is a major contributing cause to CAR-T cell therapy's low effectiveness. Abnormal metabolic processes are now acknowledged to shape the tumor microenvironment, which is characterized by increased interstitial fluid pressure, low pH level, hypoxia, accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors are important contributors to restriction of T cell proliferation, cytokine release, and suppression of tumor cell-killing ability. This review provides an overview of how different metabolites regulate T cell activity, analyzes the current dilemmas, and proposes key strategies to reestablish the CAR-T cell therapy's effectiveness through targeting metabolism, with the aim of providing new strategies to surmount the obstacle in the way of solid tumor CAR-T cell treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Liu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yuyu Zhao
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yaoxin Gao
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Engineering Key Laboratory for Cell Therapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Engineering Key Laboratory for Cell Therapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
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13
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Zhang T, Tai Z, Miao F, Zhang X, Li J, Zhu Q, Wei H, Chen Z. Adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors beyond CAR-T: Current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. J Control Release 2024; 368:372-396. [PMID: 38408567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a highly specific anti-tumor immunotherapy that has shown promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there has been a slow progress toward the treatment of solid tumors owing to the complex tumor microenvironment that affects the localization and killing ability of the CAR cells. Solid tumors with a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment and complex vascular system are unaffected by CAR cell infiltration and attack. To improve their efficacy toward solid tumors, CAR cells have been modified and upgraded by "decorating" and "pruning". This review focuses on the structure and function of CARs, the immune cells that can be engineered by CARs and the transformation strategies to overcome solid tumors, with a view to broadening ideas for the better application of CAR cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China; Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fengze Miao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Jiadong Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
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14
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Han T, Wu J, Liu Y, Zhou J, Miao R, Guo J, Xu Z, Xing Y, Bai Y, Hu D. Integrating bulk-RNA sequencing and single-cell sequencing analyses to characterize adenosine-enriched tumor microenvironment landscape and develop an adenosine-related prognostic signature predicting immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:19. [PMID: 38265702 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The adenosine-signaling axis has been recognized as an important immunomodulatory pathway in tumor immunity. However, the biological role of the adenosine-signaling axis in the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. Here, we quantified adenosine signaling (ado_sig) in LUAD samples using the GSVA method and assessed the prognostic value of adenosine in LUAD. Afterward, we explored the heterogeneity of the tumor-immune microenvironment at different adenosine levels. In addition, we analyzed the potential biological pathways engaged by adenosine. Next, we established single-cell transcriptional profiles of LUAD and analyzed cellular composition and cell-cell communication analysis under different adenosine microenvironments. Moreover, we established adenosine-related prognostic signatures (ARS) based on comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and evaluated the efficacy of ARS in predicting immunotherapy. The results demonstrated that adenosine signaling adversely impacted the survival of immune-enriched LUAD. The high-adenosine microenvironment exhibited elevated pro-tumor-immune infiltration, including M2 macrophages and displayed notably increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transformation. Furthermore, adenosine signaling displayed significant associations with the expression patterns and prognostic value of immunomodulators within the TME. Single-cell sequencing data revealed increased fibroblast occupancy and a prominent activation of the SPP1 signaling pathway in the high adenosine-signaling microenvironment. The ARS exhibited promising effectiveness in prognostication and predicting immunotherapy response in LUAD. In summary, overexpression of adenosine can cause a worsened prognosis in the LUAD with abundant immune infiltration. Moreover, increased adenosine levels are associated with pro-tumor-immune infiltration, active EMT transformation, pro-tumor angiogenesis, and other factors promoting cancer progression, which collectively contribute to the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Importantly, the ARS developed in this study demonstrate high efficacy in evaluating the response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Han
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yafeng Liu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Miao
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqiang Guo
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Xu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingru Xing
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Zhongke Gengjiu Hospital, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Bai
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dong Hu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Chongren Building, No 168, Taifeng St, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Prevention and Control & Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Ge GH, Wang QY, Zhang ZH, Zhang X, Guo S, Zhang TJ, Meng FH. Small molecular CD73 inhibitors: Recent progress and future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116028. [PMID: 38086190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116028] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence and development of the tumor are very complex biological processes. In recent years, a large number of research data shows that CD73 is closely related to tumor growth and metastasis. It has been confirmed that the cascade hydrolysis of extracellular ATP to adenosine is one of the most important immunosuppressive regulatory pathways in the tumor microenvironment. The metabolite adenosine can mediate immunosuppression by activating adenosine receptor (such as A2A) on effector Immune cells and enable tumor cells to achieve immune escape. Therefore, attenuating or completely removing adenosine-mediated immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting CD73 is a promising approach in the treatment of solid tumors. This paper focuses on the research progress of CD73 enzyme and CD73 small molecule inhibitors, and is expected to provide some insights into the development of small-molecule antitumor drugs targeting CD73.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gong-Hui Ge
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Qiu-Yin Wang
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Zhen-Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ting-Jian Zhang
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Fan-Hao Meng
- School of Pharmacy / Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Small Molecule Targeted Antitumor Drugs, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China.
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16
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Fetsch V, Zeiser R. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells for acute myeloid leukemia. Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:28-35. [PMID: 37455578 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The use of T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that can target and eliminate cancer cells has revolutionized the treatment of B-cell malignancies. In contrast, CAR T cells have not yet become a routine treatment for myeloid malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). For these disease entities, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) relying on polyclonal allo-reactive T cells is still the major cellular immunotherapy used in clinical routine. Here, we discuss major hurdles of CAR T-cell therapy for myeloid malignancies and novel approaches to enhance their efficacy and reduce toxicity. Heterogeneity of the malignant myeloid clone, CAR T-cell induced toxicity against normal hematopoietic cells, lack of long-term CAR T-cell persistence, and loss or downregulation of targetable antigens on myeloid cells are obstacles for successful CAR T cells therapy against AML and MPNs. Strategies to overcome these hurdles include pharmacological interventions, for example, demethylating therapy to increase target antigen expression, multi-targeted CAR T cells, and gene-therapy based approaches that delete the CAR target antigen in the hematopoietic cells of the recipient to protect them from CAR-induced myelotoxicity. Most of these approaches are still in preclinical testing but may reach the clinic in the coming years. In summary, we report on barriers to CAR T-cell use against AML and novel therapeutic strategies to overcome these challenges, with the goal of clinical treatment of myeloid malignancies with CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Fetsch
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (BIOSS) and Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies (CIBSS), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg (CCCF), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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17
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Majumder A. Evolving CAR-T-Cell Therapy for Cancer Treatment: From Scientific Discovery to Cures. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:39. [PMID: 38201467 PMCID: PMC10777914 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010039] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has emerged as the most promising immunotherapy for cancer that typically uses patients' T cells and genetically engineered them to target cancer cells. Although recent improvements in CAR-T-cell therapy have shown remarkable success for treating hematological malignancies, the heterogeneity in tumor antigens and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) limits its efficacy in solid tumors. Despite the enormous efforts that have been made to make CAR-T-cell therapy more effective and have minimal side effects for treating hematological malignancies, more research needs to be conducted regarding its use in the clinic for treating various other types of cancer. The main concern for CAR-T-cell therapy is severe toxicities due to the cytokine release syndrome, whereas the other challenges are associated with complexity and immune-suppressing TME, tumor antigen heterogeneity, the difficulty of cell trafficking, CAR-T-cell exhaustion, and reduced cytotoxicity in the tumor site. This review discussed the latest discoveries in CAR-T-cell therapy strategies and combination therapies, as well as their effectiveness in different cancers. It also encompasses ongoing clinical trials; current challenges regarding the therapeutic use of CAR-T-cell therapy, especially for solid tumors; and evolving treatment strategies to improve the therapeutic application of CAR-T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisek Majumder
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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18
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Giardino Torchia ML, Moody G. DIALing-up the preclinical characterization of gene-modified adoptive cellular immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264882. [PMID: 38090585 PMCID: PMC10713823 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264882] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The preclinical characterization of gene modified adoptive cellular immunotherapy candidates for clinical development often requires the use of mouse models. Gene-modified lymphocytes (GML) incorporating chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and T-cell receptors (TCR) into immune effector cells require in vivo characterization of biological activity, mechanism of action, and preclinical safety. Typically, this characterization involves the assessment of dose-dependent, on-target, on-tumor activity in severely immunocompromised mice. While suitable for the purpose of evaluating T cell-expressed transgene function in a living host, this approach falls short in translating cellular therapy efficacy, safety, and persistence from preclinical models to humans. To comprehensively characterize cell therapy products in mice, we have developed a framework called "DIAL". This framework aims to enable an end-to-end understanding of genetically engineered cellular immunotherapies in vivo, from infusion to tumor clearance and long-term immunosurveillance. The acronym DIAL stands for Distribution, Infiltration, Accumulation, and Longevity, compartmentalizing the systemic attributes of gene-modified cellular therapy and providing a platform for optimization with the ultimate goal of improving therapeutic efficacy. This review will discuss both existent and emerging examples of DIAL characterization in mouse models, as well as opportunities for future development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon Moody
- Cell Therapy Unit, Oncology Research, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
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19
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Zhang C, Wang K, Wang H. Adenosine in cancer immunotherapy: Taking off on a new plane. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189005. [PMID: 37913941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
As a new pillar of cancer therapy, tumor immunotherapy has brought irreplaceable durable responses in tumors. Considering its low response rate, additional immune regulatory mechanisms will be critical for the development of next-generation immune therapeutics. As a key regulatory mechanism, adenosine (ADO) protects tissues from excessive immune responses, but as a metabolite highly concentrated in tumor microenvironments, extracellular adenosine acts on adenosine receptors (mainly A2A receptors) expressed on MDSCs, Tregs, NK cells, effector T cells, DCs, and macrophages to promote tumor cell escape from immune surveillance by inhibiting the immune response. Amounting preclinical studies have demonstrated the adenosine pathway as a novel checkpoint for immunotherapy. Large number of adenosine pathway targeting clinical trials are now underway, including antibodies against CD39 and CD73 as well as A2A receptor inhibitors. There has been evidence of antitumor efficacy of these inhibitors in early clinical trials among a variety of tumors such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, etc. As more clinical trial results are published, the combination of blockade of this pathway with immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted drugs, traditional chemotherapy medications, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy will provide cancer patients with better clinical outcomes. We would elaborate on the role of CD39-CD73-A2AR pathway in the contribution of tumor microenvironment and the targeting of the adenosinergic pathway for cancer therapy in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyue Zhang
- Department of Integrated Therapy, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.
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20
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Todd KL, Lai J, Sek K, Huang YK, Newman DM, Derrick EB, Koay HF, Nguyen D, Hoang TX, Petley EV, Chan CW, Munoz I, House IG, Lee JN, Kim JS, Li J, Tong J, N de Menezes M, Scheffler CM, Yap KM, Chen AXY, Dunbar PA, Haugen B, Parish IA, Johnstone RW, Darcy PK, Beavis PA. A 2AR eGFP reporter mouse enables elucidation of A 2AR expression dynamics during anti-tumor immune responses. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6990. [PMID: 37914685 PMCID: PMC10620403 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42734-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is significant clinical interest in targeting adenosine-mediated immunosuppression, with several small molecule inhibitors having been developed for targeting the A2AR receptor. Understanding of the mechanism by which A2AR is regulated has been hindered by difficulty in identifying the cell types that express A2AR due to a lack of robust antibodies for these receptors. To overcome this limitation, here an A2AR eGFP reporter mouse is developed, enabling the expression of A2AR during ongoing anti-tumor immune responses to be assessed. This reveals that A2AR is highly expressed on all tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte subsets including Natural Killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, γδ T cells, conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and on a MHCIIhiCD86hi subset of type 2 conventional dendritic cells. In response to PD-L1 blockade, the emergence of PD-1+A2AR- cells correlates with successful therapeutic responses, whilst IL-18 is identified as a cytokine that potently upregulates A2AR and synergizes with A2AR deficiency to improve anti-tumor immunity. These studies provide insight into the biology of A2AR in the context of anti-tumor immunity and reveals potential combination immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten L Todd
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
| | - Junyun Lai
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Kevin Sek
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Yu-Kuan Huang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Dane M Newman
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
- Translational Hematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily B Derrick
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Hui-Fern Koay
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dat Nguyen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Thang X Hoang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Emma V Petley
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Cheok Weng Chan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Isabelle Munoz
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Imran G House
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Joel N Lee
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Joelle S Kim
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Jasmine Li
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Junming Tong
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Maria N de Menezes
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Christina M Scheffler
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Kah Min Yap
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Amanda X Y Chen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Dunbar
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Brandon Haugen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Ian A Parish
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
- Translational Hematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
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21
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Giordano Attianese GMP, Ash S, Irving M. Coengineering specificity, safety, and function into T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:166-198. [PMID: 37548063 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapies, including of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and T cells gene-modified to express either a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), have demonstrated clinical efficacy for a proportion of patients and cancer-types. The field of ACT has been driven forward by the clinical success of CD19-CAR therapy against various advanced B-cell malignancies, including curative responses for some leukemia patients. However, relapse remains problematic, in particular for lymphoma. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, relative limited efficacy has been demonstrated for ACT of non-hematological solid tumors. Indeed, in addition to pre-infusion challenges including lymphocyte collection and manufacturing, ACT failure can be attributed to several biological processes post-transfer including, (i) inefficient tumor trafficking, infiltration, expansion and retention, (ii) chronic antigen exposure coupled with insufficient costimulation resulting in T-cell exhaustion, (iii) a range of barriers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated by both tumor cells and suppressive immune infiltrate, (iv) tumor antigen heterogeneity and loss, or down-regulation of antigen presentation machinery, (v) gain of tumor intrinsic mechanisms of resistance such as to apoptosis, and (vi) various forms of toxicity and other adverse events in patients. Affinity-optimized TCRs can improve T-cell function and innovative CAR designs as well as gene-modification strategies can be used to coengineer specificity, safety, and function into T cells. Coengineering strategies can be designed not only to directly support the transferred T cells, but also to block suppressive barriers in the TME and harness endogenous innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we review a selection of the remarkable T-cell coengineering strategies, including of tools, receptors, and gene-cargo, that have been developed in recent years to augment tumor control by ACT, more and more of which are advancing to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Ash
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Xing J, Zhang J, Wang J. The Immune Regulatory Role of Adenosine in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14928. [PMID: 37834375 PMCID: PMC10573203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914928] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine, an immunosuppressive metabolite, is produced by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released from dying or stressed cells and is found at high levels in the tumor microenvironment of most solid tumors. It mediates pro-tumor activities by inducing tumor cell proliferation, migration or invasion, tumor tissue angiogenesis, and chemoresistance. In addition, adenosine plays an important role in regulating anti-tumor immune responses and facilitating tumor immune escape. Adenosine receptors are broadly expressed by tumor-infiltrated immune cells, including suppressive tumor-associated macrophages and CD4+ regulatory T cells, as well as effector CD4+ T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Therefore, adenosine is indispensable in down-regulating anti-tumor immune responses in the tumor microenvironment and contributes to tumor progression. This review describes the current progress on the role of adenosine/adenosine receptor pathway in regulating the tumor-infiltrating immune cells that contribute to tumor immune evasion and aims to provide insights into adenosine-targeted tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlei Xing
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 100001, China
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Jinyan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 100001, China
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23
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Allard B, Jacoberger-Foissac C, Cousineau I, Bareche Y, Buisseret L, Chrobak P, Allard D, Pommey S, Ah-Pine F, Duquenne S, Picard F, Stagg J. Adenosine A2A receptor is a tumor suppressor of NASH-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101188. [PMID: 37729873 PMCID: PMC10518627 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101188] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy currently evaluated in several clinical trials. We here report that anti-obesogenic and anti-inflammatory functions of A2AR, however, significantly restrain hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Adora2a deletion in mice triggers obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and systemic inflammation, leading to spontaneous HCC and promoting dimethylbenzyl-anthracene (DMBA)- or diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. Conditional Adora2a deletion reveals critical roles of myeloid and hepatocyte-derived A2AR signaling in restraining HCC by limiting hepatic inflammation and steatosis. Remarkably, the impact of A2AR pharmacological blockade on HCC development is dependent on pre-existing NASH. In support of our animal studies, low ADORA2A gene expression in human HCC is associated with cirrhosis, hepatic inflammation, and poor survival. Together, our study uncovers a previously unappreciated tumor-suppressive function for A2AR in the liver and suggests caution in the use of A2AR antagonists in patients with NASH and NASH-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Célia Jacoberger-Foissac
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Cousineau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yacine Bareche
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Pavel Chrobak
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sandra Pommey
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Franck Ah-Pine
- Department of Pathology, CHU Sud Réunion, Saint-Pierre, France
| | | | - Fabien Picard
- Montréal Heart Institute, Cardiology Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Hopital Cochin, Cardiology Department, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - John Stagg
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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24
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Alsajjan R, Mason WP. Bispecific T-Cell Engagers and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapies in Glioblastoma: An Update. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:8501-8549. [PMID: 37754534 PMCID: PMC10529026 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30090619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The prognosis is extremely poor even with standard treatment of maximal safe resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recurrence is inevitable within months, and treatment options are very limited. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART) and bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) are two emerging immunotherapies that can redirect T-cells for tumor-specific killing and have shown remarkable success in hematological malignancies and been under extensive study for application in glioblastoma. While there have been multiple clinical trials showing preliminary evidence of safety and efficacy for CART, bispecific TCEs are still in the early stages of clinical testing, with preclinical studies showing very promising results. However, there are multiple shared challenges that need to be addressed in the future, including the route of delivery, antigen escape, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and toxicity resulting from the limited choice of tumor-specific antigens. Efforts are underway to optimize the design of both these treatments and find the ideal combination therapy to overcome these challenges. In this review, we describe the work that has been performed as well as novel approaches in glioblastoma and in other solid tumors that may be applicable in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roa Alsajjan
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Warren P. Mason
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
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25
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Zohair B, Chraa D, Rezouki I, Benthami H, Razzouki I, Elkarroumi M, Olive D, Karkouri M, Badou A. The immune checkpoint adenosine 2A receptor is associated with aggressive clinical outcomes and reflects an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in human breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1201632. [PMID: 37753093 PMCID: PMC10518422 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1201632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The crosstalk between the immune system and cancer cells has aroused considerable interest over the past decades. To escape immune surveillance cancer cells evolve various strategies orchestrating tumor microenvironment. The discovery of the inhibitory immune checkpoints was a major breakthrough due to their crucial contribution to immune evasion. The A2AR receptor represents one of the most essential pathways within the TME. It is involved in several processes such as hypoxia, tumor progression, and chemoresistance. However, its clinical and immunological significance in human breast cancer remains elusive. Methods The mRNA expression and protein analysis were performed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test was used to estimate Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival. Using large-scale microarray data (METABRIC), digital cytometry was conducted to estimate cell abundance. Analysis was performed using RStudio software (7.8 + 2023.03.0) with EPIC, CIBERSORT, and ImmuneCellAI algorithms. Tumor purity, stromal and immune scores were calculated using the ESTIMATE computational method. Finally, analysis of gene set enrichment (GSEA) and the TISCH2 scRNA-seq database were carried out. Results Gene and protein analysis showed that A2AR was overexpressed in breast tumors and was significantly associated with high grade, elevated Ki-67, aggressive molecular and histological subtypes, as well as poor survival. On tumor infiltrating immune cells, A2AR was found to correlate positively with PD-1 and negatively with CTLA-4. On the other hand, our findings disclosed more profuse infiltration of protumoral cells such as M0 and M2 macrophages, Tregs, endothelial and exhausted CD8+ T cells within A2ARhigh tumors. According to the Single-Cell database, A2AR is expressed in malignant, stromal and immune cells. Moreover, it is related to tumor purity, stromal and immune scores. Our results also revealed that CD8+T cells from A2ARhigh patients exhibited an exhausted functional profile. Finally, GSEA analysis highlighted the association of A2AR with biological mechanisms involved in tumor escape and progression. Conclusion The present study is the first to elucidate the clinical and immunological relevance of A2AR in breast cancer patients. In light of these findings, A2AR could be deemed a promising therapeutic target to overcome immune evasion prevailing within the TME of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basma Zohair
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Dounia Chraa
- Team Immunity and Cancer, The Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, 41068, CNRS, UMR7258, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille, France
| | - Ibtissam Rezouki
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Hamza Benthami
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Ibtissam Razzouki
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Elkarroumi
- Mohamed VI Oncology Center, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Daniel Olive
- Team Immunity and Cancer, The Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, 41068, CNRS, UMR7258, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille, France
| | - Mehdi Karkouri
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Abdallah Badou
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
- Mohammed VI Center for Research & Innovation, Rabat, Morocco and Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
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26
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Han H, Xing L, Chen BT, Liu Y, Zhou TJ, Wang Y, Zhang LF, Li L, Cho CS, Jiang HL. Progress on the pathological tissue microenvironment barrier-modulated nanomedicine. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115051. [PMID: 37549848 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Imbalance in the tissue microenvironment is the main obstacle to drug delivery and distribution in the human body. Before penetrating the pathological tissue microenvironment to the target site, therapeutic agents are usually accompanied by three consumption steps: the first step is tissue physical barriers for prevention of their penetration, the second step is inactivation of them by biological molecules, and the third step is a cytoprotective mechanism for preventing them from functioning on specific subcellular organelles. However, recent studies in drug-hindering mainly focus on normal physiological rather than pathological microenvironment, and the repair of damaged physiological barriers is also rarely discussed. Actually, both the modulation of pathological barriers and the repair of damaged physiological barriers are essential in the disease treatment and the homeostasis maintenance. In this review, we present an overview describing the latest advances in the generality of these pathological barriers and barrier-modulated nanomedicine. Overall, this review holds considerable significance for guiding the design of nanomedicine to increase drug efficacy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Han
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Bi-Te Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Tian-Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Ling-Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Chong-Su Cho
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.
| | - Hu-Lin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China.
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27
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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.
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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
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28
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Jin Z, Zhou Q, Cheng JN, Jia Q, Zhu B. Heterogeneity of the tumor immune microenvironment and clinical interventions. Front Med 2023; 17:617-648. [PMID: 37728825 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1015-9] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is broadly composed of various immune cells, and its heterogeneity is characterized by both immune cells and stromal cells. During the course of tumor formation and progression and anti-tumor treatment, the composition of the TIME becomes heterogeneous. Such immunological heterogeneity is not only present between populations but also exists on temporal and spatial scales. Owing to the existence of TIME, clinical outcomes can differ when a similar treatment strategy is provided to patients. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of TIME heterogeneity is essential for developing precise and effective therapies. Facilitated by advanced technologies, it is possible to understand the complexity and diversity of the TIME and its influence on therapy responses. In this review, we discuss the potential reasons for TIME heterogeneity and the current approaches used to explore it. We also summarize clinical intervention strategies based on associated mechanisms or targets to control immunological heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Jin
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Research Institute, GloriousMed Clinical Laboratory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Shanghai, 201318, China
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing, 400037, China
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
| | - Jia-Nan Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Qingzhu Jia
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Bo Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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29
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Dabiri H, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Habibi Anbouhi M, Mirzaee Godarzee M, Haddadi MH, Basiri M, Ziaei V, Sadeghizadeh M, Hajizadeh Saffar E. Site-specific transgene integration in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Biomark Res 2023; 11:67. [PMID: 37403182 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are genetically engineered immune cells that can detect target antigens on the surface of target cells and eliminate them following adoptive transfer. Recent progress in CAR-based therapies has led to outstanding clinical success in certain patients with leukemias and lymphomas and offered therapeutic benefits to those resistant to conventional therapies. The universal approach to stable CAR transgene delivery into the T/NK cells is the use of viral particles. Such approaches mediate semi-random transgene insertions spanning the entire genome with a high preference for integration into sites surrounding highly-expressed genes and active loci. Regardless of the variable CAR expression level based on the integration site of the CAR transgene, foreign integrated DNA fragments may affect the neighboring endogenous genes and chromatin structure and potentially change a transduced T/NK cell behavior and function or even favor cellular transformation. In contrast, site-specific integration of CAR constructs using recent genome-editing technologies could overcome the limitations and disadvantages of universal random gene integration. Herein, we explain random and site-specific integration of CAR transgenes in CAR-T/NK cell therapies. Also, we tend to summarize the methods for site-specific integration as well as the clinical outcomes of certain gene disruptions or enhancements due to CAR transgene integration. Also, the advantages and limitations of using site-specific integration methods are discussed in this review. Ultimately, we will introduce the genomic safe harbor (GSH) standards and suggest some appropriate safety prospects for CAR integration in CAR-T/NK cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Dabiri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohadeseh Mirzaee Godarzee
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Basiri
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahab Ziaei
- National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Sadeghizadeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensiyeh Hajizadeh Saffar
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product Technology Development Center (ATMP-TDC), Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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30
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Dabiri H, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Habibi Anbouhi M, Mirzaee Godarzee M, Haddadi MH, Basiri M, Ziaei V, Sadeghizadeh M, Hajizadeh Saffar E. Site-specific transgene integration in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Biomark Res 2023; 11:67. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1186/s40364-023-00509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are genetically engineered immune cells that can detect target antigens on the surface of target cells and eliminate them following adoptive transfer. Recent progress in CAR-based therapies has led to outstanding clinical success in certain patients with leukemias and lymphomas and offered therapeutic benefits to those resistant to conventional therapies. The universal approach to stable CAR transgene delivery into the T/NK cells is the use of viral particles. Such approaches mediate semi-random transgene insertions spanning the entire genome with a high preference for integration into sites surrounding highly-expressed genes and active loci. Regardless of the variable CAR expression level based on the integration site of the CAR transgene, foreign integrated DNA fragments may affect the neighboring endogenous genes and chromatin structure and potentially change a transduced T/NK cell behavior and function or even favor cellular transformation. In contrast, site-specific integration of CAR constructs using recent genome-editing technologies could overcome the limitations and disadvantages of universal random gene integration. Herein, we explain random and site-specific integration of CAR transgenes in CAR-T/NK cell therapies. Also, we tend to summarize the methods for site-specific integration as well as the clinical outcomes of certain gene disruptions or enhancements due to CAR transgene integration. Also, the advantages and limitations of using site-specific integration methods are discussed in this review. Ultimately, we will introduce the genomic safe harbor (GSH) standards and suggest some appropriate safety prospects for CAR integration in CAR-T/NK cell therapies.
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Akbari B, Soltantoyeh T, Shahosseini Z, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Hadjati J, Brown CE, Mirzaei HR. PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling elicits mesoCAR T cell immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209572. [PMID: 37457723 PMCID: PMC10348647 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction For many years, surgery, adjuvant and combination chemotherapy have been the cornerstone of pancreatic cancer treatment. Although these approaches have improved patient survival, relapse remains a common occurrence, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. CAR T cell therapies are now showing tremendous success in hematological cancers. However, the clinical efficacy of CAR T cells in solid tumors remained low, notably due to presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Prostaglandin E2, a bioactive lipid metabolite found within the TME, plays a significant role in promoting cancer progression by increasing tumor proliferation, improving angiogenesis, and impairing immune cell's function. Despite the well-established impact of PGE2 signaling on cancer, its specific effects on CAR T cell therapy remain under investigation. Methods To address this gap in knowledge the role of PGE2-related genes in cancer tissue and T cells of pancreatic cancer patients were evaluated in-silico. Through our in vitro study, we manufactured fully human functional mesoCAR T cells specific for pancreatic cancer and investigated the influence of PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling on proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine production of mesoCAR T cells against pancreatic cancer cells. Results In-silico investigations uncovered a significant negative correlation between PGE2 expression and gene signature of memory T cells. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the activation of PGE2 signaling through EP2 and EP4 receptors suppressed the proliferation and major antitumor functions of mesoCAR T cells. Interestingly, the dual blockade of EP2 and EP4 receptors effectively reversed PGE2-mediated suppression of mesoCAR T cells, while individual receptor antagonists failed to mitigate the PGE2-induced suppression. Discussion In summary, our findings suggest that mitigating PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling may be a viable strategy for enhancing CAR T cell activity within the challenging TME, thereby improving the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnia Akbari
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Soltantoyeh
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shahosseini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Christine E. Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Li W, Pan X, Chen L, Cui H, Mo S, Pan Y, Shen Y, Shi M, Wu J, Luo F, Liu J, Li N. Cell metabolism-based optimization strategy of CAR-T cell function in cancer therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1186383. [PMID: 37342333 PMCID: PMC10278966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1186383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells has revolutionized the field of immune-oncology, showing remarkable efficacy against hematological malignancies. However, its success in solid tumors is limited by factors such as easy recurrence and poor efficacy. The effector function and persistence of CAR-T cells are critical to the success of therapy and are modulated by metabolic and nutrient-sensing mechanisms. Moreover, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by acidity, hypoxia, nutrient depletion, and metabolite accumulation caused by the high metabolic demands of tumor cells, can lead to T cell "exhaustion" and compromise the efficacy of CAR-T cells. In this review, we outline the metabolic characteristics of T cells at different stages of differentiation and summarize how these metabolic programs may be disrupted in the TME. We also discuss potential metabolic approaches to improve the efficacy and persistence of CAR-T cells, providing a new strategy for the clinical application of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanxuan Pan
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lirong Chen
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoshu Cui
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaocong Mo
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yida Pan
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuru Shen
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Menglin Shi
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianlin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Feifei Luo
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
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Mortazavi Farsani SS, Verma V. Lactate mediated metabolic crosstalk between cancer and immune cells and its therapeutic implications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1175532. [PMID: 37234972 PMCID: PMC10206240 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1175532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolism is central to energy generation and cell signaling in all life forms. Cancer cells rely heavily on glucose metabolism wherein glucose is primarily converted to lactate even in adequate oxygen conditions, a process famously known as "the Warburg effect." In addition to cancer cells, Warburg effect was found to be operational in other cell types, including actively proliferating immune cells. According to current dogma, pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis that is converted into lactate in normal cells, particularly under hypoxic conditions. However, several recent observations suggest that the final product of glycolysis may be lactate, which is produced irrespective of oxygen concentrations. Traditionally, glucose-derived lactate can have three fates: it can be used as a fuel in the TCA cycle or lipid synthesis; it can be converted back into pyruvate in the cytosol that feeds into the mitochondrial TCA; or, at very high concentrations, accumulated lactate in the cytosol may be released from cells that act as an oncometabolite. In immune cells as well, glucose-derived lactate seems to play a major role in metabolism and cell signaling. However, immune cells are much more sensitive to lactate concentrations, as higher lactate levels have been found to inhibit immune cell function. Thus, tumor cell-derived lactate may serve as a major player in deciding the response and resistance to immune cell-directed therapies. In the current review, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the glycolytic process in eukaryotic cells with a special focus on the fate of pyruvate and lactate in tumor and immune cells. We will also review the evidence supporting the idea that lactate, not pyruvate, is the end product of glycolysis. In addition, we will discuss the impact of glucose-lactate-mediated cross-talk between tumor and immune cells on the therapeutic outcomes after immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Sahar Mortazavi Farsani
- Section of Cancer Immunotherapy and Immune Metabolism, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, United States
| | - Vivek Verma
- Section of Cancer Immunotherapy and Immune Metabolism, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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34
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Yin X, He L, Guo Z. T-cell exhaustion in CAR-T-cell therapy and strategies to overcome it. Immunology 2023. [PMID: 36942414 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour immunotherapy has achieved good therapeutic effects in clinical practice and has received increased attention. Cytotoxic T cells undoubtedly play an important role in tumour immunotherapy. As a revolutionary tumour immunotherapy approach, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T-cell) therapy has made breakthroughs in the treatment of haematological cancers. However, T cells are easily exhausted in vivo, especially after they enter solid tumours. The exhaustion of T cells can lead to poor results of CAR-T-cell therapy in the treatment of solid tumours. Here, we review the reasons for T-cell exhaustion and how T-cell exhaustion develops. We also review and discuss ways to improve CAR-T-cell therapy effects by regulating T-cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lingfeng He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhigang Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- CAR-T R&D, Nanjing Blue Shield Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210023, China
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35
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Xia C, Yin S, To KKW, Fu L. CD39/CD73/A2AR pathway and cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:44. [PMID: 36859386 PMCID: PMC9979453 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01733-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development is closely associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that attenuates antitumor immune responses and promotes tumor cell immunologic escape. The sequential conversion of extracellular ATP into adenosine by two important cell-surface ectonucleosidases CD39 and CD73 play critical roles in reshaping an immunosuppressive TME. The accumulated extracellular adenosine mediates its regulatory functions by binding to one of four adenosine receptors (A1R, A2AR, A2BR and A3R). The A2AR elicits its profound immunosuppressive function via regulating cAMP signaling. The increasing evidence suggests that CD39, CD73 and A2AR could be used as novel therapeutic targets for manipulating the antitumor immunity. In recent years, monoclonal antibodies or small molecule inhibitors targeting the CD39/CD73/A2AR pathway have been investigated in clinical trials as single agents or in combination with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. In this review, we provide an updated summary about the pathophysiological function of the adenosinergic pathway in cancer development, metastasis and drug resistance. The targeting of one or more components of the adenosinergic pathway for cancer therapy and circumvention of immunotherapy resistance are also discussed. Emerging biomarkers that may be used to guide the selection of CD39/CD73/A2AR-targeting treatment strategies for individual cancer patients is also deliberated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglai Xia
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, 528000, China. .,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 515150, China.
| | - Shuanghong Yin
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, 528000 China ,grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Kenneth K. W. To
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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36
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Salkin H, Satir-Basaran G, Korkmaz S, Burcin Gonen Z, Erdem Basaran K. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived conditioned medium and Methysergide give rise to crosstalk inhibition of 5-HT2A and 5-HT7 receptors in neuroblastoma cells. Brain Res 2023; 1808:148354. [PMID: 36997105 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE (s): We aimed to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cell secretome and methysergide combination on 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A, (5-HT2AR), 5-hydroxytryptamine 7 (5-HT7R), adenosine 2A (A2AR) receptors and CD73 on neuroblastoma cell line and how they affect biological characteristics. Methysergide was used as a serotonin antagonist on the neuroblastoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSCs) used to obtain conditioned medium (CM). Methysergide drug was prepared in CM and applied to neuroblastoma cells. Analysis of 5-HT7R, 5-HT2AR, A2AR and CD73 expressions was performed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Total apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, Ki-67 proliferation test, viability analysis, DNA damage and cell cycle analysis were performed in accordance with the product procedure by using biological activity test kits. RESULTS Our results showed that neuroblastoma cancer cells are normally on the Gs signaling axis via the serotonin 7 receptor and the adenosine 2A receptor. CM and Methysergide inhibited the 5-HT7 and A2A receptor levels in neuroblastoma cells. We found that CM and methysergide formed crosstalk inhibition between 5-HT2AR, 5-HT7R, A2AR and CD73. CM and Methysergide increased the total apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells and induced the mitochondrial membrane depolarization. CM and Methysergide induced the DNA damage and arrested in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle of the neuroblastoma cells. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the combination of CM and methysergite may exert a therapeutic effect on neuroblastoma cancer cells, and future in vivo studies may be important in area of neuroblastoma research to support the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Salkin
- Beykent University, Vocational School, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Program of Pathology Laboratory Techniques, Istanbul, Turkey; Erciyes University, Genome and Stem Cell Center, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Guzide Satir-Basaran
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Seyda Korkmaz
- Erciyes University, Genome and Stem Cell Center, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Burcin Gonen
- Erciyes University, Genome and Stem Cell Center, Kayseri, Turkey; Erciyes University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Kemal Erdem Basaran
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Kayseri, Turkey
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37
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Salmond RJ. Regulation of T Cell Activation and Metabolism by Transforming Growth Factor-Beta. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020297. [PMID: 36829573 PMCID: PMC9953227 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor signalling regulates T cell development, differentiation and effector function. Expression of the immune-associated isoform of this cytokine, TGFβ1, is absolutely required for the maintenance of immunological tolerance in both mice and humans, whilst context-dependent TGFβ1 signalling regulates the differentiation of both anti- and pro-inflammatory T cell effector populations. Thus, distinct TGFβ-dependent T cell responses are implicated in the suppression or initiation of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In cancer settings, TGFβ signals contribute to the blockade of anti-tumour immune responses and disease progression. Given the key functions of TGFβ in the regulation of immune responses and the potential for therapeutic targeting of TGFβ-dependent pathways, the mechanisms underpinning these pleiotropic effects have been the subject of much investigation. This review focuses on accumulating evidence suggesting that modulation of T cell metabolism represents a major mechanism by which TGFβ influences T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Salmond
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James's, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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38
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Liu S, Meng Y, Liu L, Lv Y, Wei F, Yu W, Wang L, Zhang X, Ren X, Sun Q. Rational pemetrexed combined with CIK therapy plus anti-PD-1 mAbs administration sequence will effectively promote the efficacy of CIK therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:277-287. [PMID: 36352092 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00543-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are heterogeneous cells composed mainly of CD3+CD56+ T cells. As an important treatment method of adoptive therapy, it has shown promising efficacy in many clinical trials, especially in combination with multidrug therapy. However, the maximal antitumor efficacy of CIK therapy in the combined administration of multidrug and CIK therapies and which administration scheme can maximize the antitumor efficacy of CIK therapy are still remain unclear. In this study, we observed that pemetrexed administration prior to the injection of CIK cells maximizes the efficacy of CIK therapy. Anti-PD-1 mAbs should be administered prior to CIK cell injection to maximize the efficacy of the therapy. However, administering anti-PD-1 mAbs after CIK cell injection significantly affects the binding rate of anti-PD-1 mAbs to the PD-1 receptor on CIK cells, affecting the efficacy of the antitumor therapy. In conclusion, our study observed that a rational administration sequence of pemetrexed combined with CIK therapy and anti-PD-1 mAbs significantly promotes the efficacy of CIK therapy, providing an experimental basis for the combination therapy mode and regimen of CIK therapy in clinical practice. We hope that this study can provide patients with lung adenocarcinoma with a prolonged survival time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochuan Liu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuan Meng
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingge Lv
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenwen Yu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Limei Wang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiying Zhang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China. .,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China. .,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China. .,Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Qian Sun
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China. .,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China. .,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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39
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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: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 153.0] [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.
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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.
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Rodrigo S, Senasinghe K, Quazi S. Molecular and therapeutic effect of CRISPR in treating cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:81. [PMID: 36650384 PMCID: PMC9845174 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01930-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer has become one of the common causes of mortality around the globe due to mutations in the genome which allows rapid growth of cells uncontrollably without repairing DNA errors. Cancers could arise due alterations in DNA repair mechanisms (errors in mismatch repair genes), activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Each cancer type is different and each individual has a unique genetic change which leads them to cancer. Studying genetic and epigenetic alterations in the genome leads to understanding the underlying features. CAR T therapy over other immunotherapies such as monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapies has been widely used to treat cancer in recent days and gene editing has now become one of the promising treatments for many genetic diseases. This tool allows scientists to change the genome by adding, removing or altering genetic material of an organism. Due to advance in genetics and novel molecular techniques such as CRISPR, TALEN these genes can be edited in such a way that their original function could be replaced which in turn improved the treatment possibilities and can be used against malignancies and even cure cancer in future along with CAR T cell therapy due to the specific recognition and attacking of tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawani Rodrigo
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Kaveesha Senasinghe
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Sameer Quazi
- GenLab Biosolutions Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560043, India.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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41
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Chen C, Wang Z, Ding Y, Qin Y. Manipulating T-cell metabolism to enhance immunotherapy in solid tumor. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1090429. [PMID: 36618408 PMCID: PMC9812959 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1090429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular metabolism is not only essential for tumor cells to sustain their rapid growth and proliferation, but also crucial to maintain T cell fitness and robust immunity. Dysregulated metabolism has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer, which provides survival advantages for tumor cells under stress conditions. Also, emerging evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming impacts the activation, differentiation, function, and exhaustion of T cells. Normal stimulation of resting T cells promotes the conversion of catabolic and oxidative metabolism to aerobic glycolysis in effector T cells, and subsequently back to oxidative metabolism in memory T cells. These metabolic transitions profoundly affect the trajectories of T-cell differentiation and fate. However, these metabolic events of T cells could be dysregulated by their interplays with tumor or the tumor microenvironment (TME). Importantly, metabolic competition in the tumor ecosystem is a new mechanism resulting in strong suppression of effector T cells. It is appreciated that targeting metabolic reprogramming is a promising way to disrupt the hypermetabolic state of tumor cells and enhance the capacity of immune cells to obtain nutrients. Furthermore, immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), adoptive cell therapy (ACT), and oncolytic virus (OV) therapy, have significantly refashioned the clinical management of solid tumors, they are not sufficiently effective for all patients. Understanding how immunotherapy affects T cell metabolism provides a bright avenue to better modulate T cell anti-tumor response. In this review, we provide an overview of the cellular metabolism of tumor and T cells, provide evidence on their dynamic interaction, highlight how metabolic reprogramming of tumor and T cells regulate the anti-tumor responses, describe T cell metabolic patterns in the context of ICI, ACT, and OV, and propose hypothetical combination strategies to favor potent T cell functionality.
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Liu L, Qu Y, Cheng L, Yoon CW, He P, Monther A, Guo T, Chittle S, Wang Y. Engineering chimeric antigen receptor T cells for solid tumour therapy. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1141. [PMID: 36495108 PMCID: PMC9736813 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapy, for example, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy, has revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly for blood cancers. However, factors such as insufficient T cell tracking, tumour heterogeneity, inhibitory tumour microenvironment (TME) and T cell exhaustion limit the broad application of CAR-based immunotherapy for solid tumours. In particular, the TME is a complex and evolving entity, which is composed of cells of different types (e.g., cancer cells, immune cells and stromal cells), vasculature, soluble factors and extracellular matrix (ECM), with each component playing a critical role in CAR-T immunotherapy. Thus, developing approaches to mitigate the inhibitory TME factors is critical for future success in applying CAR-T cells for solid tumour treatment. Accordingly, understanding the bilateral interaction of CAR-T cells with the TME is in pressing need to pave the way for more efficient therapeutics. In the following review, we will discuss TME-associated aspects with an emphasis on T cell trafficking, ECM barriers, abnormal vasculature, solid tumour heterogenicity and immune suppressive microenvironment. We will then summarize current engineering strategies to overcome the challenges posed by the TME-associated factors. Lastly, the future directions for engineering efficient CAR-T cells for solid tumour therapy will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Liu
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yunjia Qu
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Leonardo Cheng
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Peixiang He
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Abdula Monther
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tianze Guo
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah Chittle
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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Zhu X, Li Q, Zhu X. Mechanisms of CAR T cell exhaustion and current counteraction strategies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1034257. [PMID: 36568989 PMCID: PMC9773844 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1034257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional state of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells determines their efficacy in vivo. Exhausted CAR T cells exhibit decreased proliferative capacity, impaired anti-tumor activity, and attenuated persistence. CAR T cell exhaustion has been recognized as a vital cause of nonresponse and relapse after CAR T cell therapy. However, the triggers and mechanisms leading to CAR T cell exhaustion remain blurry and complicated. Therefore, it is essential to clear the regulation network of CAR T cell exhaustion and explore potent solutions. Here, we review the diverse inducers of CAR T cell exhaustion in terms of manufacture process and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In addition to the admitted immune checkpoint blockade, we also describe promising strategies that may reverse CAR T cell exhaustion including targeting the tumor microenvironment, epigenetics and transcriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Hematology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Qing Li, ; Xiaojian Zhu,
| | - Xiaojian Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Qing Li, ; Xiaojian Zhu,
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Impact of the selective A2 AR and A2 BR dual antagonist AB928/etrumadenant on CAR T cell function. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:2175-2185. [PMID: 36266575 PMCID: PMC9726885 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02013-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been successfully translated to clinical practice for the treatment of B cell malignancies. The suppressive microenvironment of many malignancies is a bottleneck preventing treatment success of CAR T cells in a broader range of tumours. Among others, the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine is present in high concentrations within many tumours and dampens anti-tumour function of immune cells and consequently therapeutic response. METHODS Here, we present the impact of the selective adenosine A2A and A2B receptor antagonist AB928/etrumadenant on CAR T cell cytokine secretion, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Using phosphorylation-specific flow cytometry, we evaluated the capability of AB928 to shield CAR T cells from adenosine-mediated signalling. The effect of orally administered AB928 on CAR T cells was assessed in a syngeneic mouse model of colon carcinoma. RESULTS We found that immunosuppressive signalling in CAR T cells in response to adenosine was fully blocked by the small molecule inhibitor. AB928 treatment enhanced CAR T cell cytokine secretion and proliferation, granted efficient cytolysis of tumour cells in vitro and augmented CAR T cell activation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Together our results suggest that combination therapy with AB928 represents a promising approach to improve adoptive cell therapy.
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Xu C, Nan Y, Fan J, Zeng X, Kwon BS, Ju D. Targeting 4-1BB and PD-L1 induces potent and durable antitumor immunity in B-cell lymphoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1004475. [PMID: 36544785 PMCID: PMC9762552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1004475] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although PD-1/L1 mAb has demonstrated clinical benefits in certain cancer types, low response rate and resistance remain the main challenges for the application of these immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). 4-1BB is a co-stimulator molecule expressed in T cells, which could enhance T cell proliferation and activation. Herein, the synergetic antitumor effect and underlying mechanism of 4-1BB agonist combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade were determined in B-cell lymphoma (BCL). Methods Subcutaneous transplantation BCL tumor models and metastasis models were established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PD-L1 antibody and/or 4-1BB agonist in vivo. For the mechanistic study, RNA-seq was applied to analyze the tumor microenvironment and immune-related signal pathway after combination treatment. The level of IFN-γ, perforin, and granzyme B were determined by ELISA and Real-time PCR assays, while tumor-infiltrating T cells were measured by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical analysis. CD4/CD8 specific antibodies were employed to deplete the related T cells to investigate the role CD4+ and CD8+ T cells played in combination treatment. Results Our results showed that combining anti-PD-L1 ICI and 4-1BB agonists elicited regression of BCL and significantly extended the survival of mice compared to either monotherapy. Co-targeting PD-L1 and 4-1BB preferentially promoted intratumoral cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration and remodeled their function. RNA-sequence analysis uncovered a series of up-regulated genes related to the activation and proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, further characterized by increased cytokines including IFN-γ, granzyme B, and perforin. Furthermore, depleting CD8+ T cells not CD4+ T cells totally abrogated the antitumor efficacy, indicating the crucial function of the CD8+ T cell subset in the combination therapy. Discussion In summary, our findings demonstrated that 4-1BB agonistic antibody intensified the antitumor immunity of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 ICI via promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation, providing a novel therapeutic strategy to BCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuyao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Caili Xu
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyang Nan
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Fan
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Zeng
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Byoung S. Kwon
- Eutilex Institute for Biomedical Research, Eutilex Co., Ltd, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dianwen Ju
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Department of Biologics, Fudan Zhangjiang Institute, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Dianwen Ju,
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Slaats J, Wagena E, Smits D, Berends AA, Peters E, Bakker GJ, van Erp M, Weigelin B, Adema GJ, Friedl P. Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonism Restores Additive Cytotoxicity by Cytotoxic T Cells in Metabolically Perturbed Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:1462-1474. [PMID: 36162129 PMCID: PMC9716258 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are antigen-specific effector cells with the ability to eradicate cancer cells in a contact-dependent manner. Metabolic perturbation compromises the CTL effector response in tumor subregions, resulting in failed cancer cell elimination despite the infiltration of tumor-specific CTLs. Restoring the functionality of these tumor-infiltrating CTLs is key to improve immunotherapy. Extracellular adenosine is an immunosuppressive metabolite produced within the tumor microenvironment. Here, by applying single-cell reporter strategies in 3D collagen cocultures in vitro and progressing tumors in vivo, we show that adenosine weakens one-to-one pairing of activated effector CTLs with target cells, thereby dampening serial cytotoxic hit delivery and cumulative death induction. Adenosine also severely compromised CTL effector restimulation and expansion. Antagonization of adenosine A2a receptor (ADORA2a) signaling stabilized and prolonged CTL-target cell conjugation and accelerated lethal hit delivery by both individual contacts and CTL swarms. Because adenosine signaling is a near-constitutive confounding parameter in metabolically perturbed tumors, ADORA2a targeting represents an orthogonal adjuvant strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Slaats
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Wagena
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Daan Smits
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Annemarie A. Berends
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ella Peters
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Bakker
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Merijn van Erp
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bettina Weigelin
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies,” University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gosse J. Adema
- Radiotherapy and Onco-Immunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Abstract
Significance: Cancer immunotherapy has yielded striking antitumor effects in many cancers, yet the proportion of benefited patients is still limited. As key mediators of tumor suppression, CD8+ T cells are crucial for cancer immunotherapy. It has been widely appreciated that the modulation of CD8+ T cell immunity could be an effective way to further improve the therapeutic benefit of immunotherapy. Recent Advances: Emerging evidence has underlined a close link between metabolism and immune functions, providing a metabolism-immune axis that is increasingly investigated for understanding CD8+ T cell regulation. On the other hand, growing findings have reported that tumors adopt multiple approaches to induce metabolic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells, leading to compromised immunotherapy. Critical Issues: CD8+ T cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is often adapted to diminish antitumor immune responses and thereby evade from immune surveillance. A better understanding of metabolic regulation of CD8+ T cells in the TME is believed to hold promise for opening a new therapeutic window to further improve the benefit of immunotherapy. We herein review the mechanistic understanding of how CD8+ T cell metabolism is reprogrammed in the TME, mainly focusing on the impact of nutrient availability and bioactive molecules secreted by surrounding cells. Future Directions: Future research should pay attention to tumor heterogeneity in the metabolic microenvironment and associated immune responses. It is also important to include the trending opinion of "precision medicine" in cancer immunotherapies to tailor metabolic interventions for individual patients in combination with immunotherapy treatments. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 1234-1253.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Nucleoside transporters and immunosuppressive adenosine signaling in the tumor microenvironment: Potential therapeutic opportunities. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108300. [PMID: 36283452 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine compartmentalization has a profound impact on immune cell function by regulating adenosine localization and, therefore, extracellular signaling capabilities, which suppresses immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Nucleoside transporters, responsible for the translocation and cellular compartmentalization of hydrophilic adenosine, represent an understudied yet crucial component of adenosine disposition in the tumor microenvironment. In this review article, we will summarize what is known regarding nucleoside transporter's function within the purinome in relation to currently devised points of intervention (i.e., ectonucleotidases, adenosine receptors) for cancer immunotherapy, alterations in nucleoside transporter expression reported in cancer, and potential avenues for targeting of nucleoside transporters for the desired modulation of adenosine compartmentalization and action. Further, we put forward that nucleoside transporters are an unexplored therapeutic opportunity, and modulation of nucleoside transport processes could attenuate the pathogenic buildup of immunosuppressive adenosine in solid tumors, particularly those enriched with nucleoside transport proteins.
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Al-Haideri M, Tondok SB, Safa SH, maleki AH, Rostami S, Jalil AT, Al-Gazally ME, Alsaikhan F, Rizaev JA, Mohammad TAM, Tahmasebi S. CAR-T cell combination therapy: the next revolution in cancer treatment. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:365. [DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02778-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn recent decades, the advent of immune-based therapies, most notably Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. The promising results of numerous studies indicate that CAR-T cell therapy has had a remarkable ability and successful performance in treating blood cancers. However, the heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors have challenged the effectiveness of these anti-tumor fighters by creating various barriers. Despite the promising results of this therapeutic approach, including tumor degradation and patient improvement, there are some concerns about the efficacy and safety of the widespread use of this treatment in the clinic. Complex and suppressing tumor microenvironment, tumor antigen heterogeneity, the difficulty of cell trafficking, CAR-T cell exhaustion, and reduced cytotoxicity in the tumor site limit the applicability of CAR-T cell therapy and highlights the requiring to improve the performance of this treatment. With this in mind, in the last decade, many efforts have been made to use other treatments for cancer in combination with tuberculosis to increase the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy, especially in solid tumors. The combination therapy results have promising consequences for tumor regression and better cancer control compared to single therapies. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively discuss different cancer treatment methods in combination with CAR-T cell therapy and their therapeutic outcomes, which can be a helpful perspective for improving cancer treatment in the near future.
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Huan T, Li H, Tang B. Radiotherapy plus CAR-T cell therapy to date: A note for cautions optimism? Front Immunol 2022; 13:1033512. [PMID: 36466874 PMCID: PMC9714575 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1033512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is a traditional therapeutic regime that focuses on ionizing radiation, however, RT maintains largely palliative due to radioresistance. Factors such as hypoxia, the radiosensitivity of immune cells, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) all come into play in influencing the significant impact of radioresistance in the irradiated tumor microenvironment (TME). Due to the substantial advances in the treatment of malignant tumors, a promising approach is the genetically modified T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to eliminate solid tumors. Moreover, CAR-T cells targeting CSC-related markers would eliminate radioresistant solid tumors. But solid tumors that support an immune deserted TME, are described as immunosuppressive and typically fail to respond to CAR-T cell therapy. And RT could overcome these immunosuppressive features; thus, growing evidence supports the combination of RT with CAR-T cell therapy. In this review, we provide a deep insight into the radioresistance mechanisms, advances, and barriers of CAR-T cells in response to solid tumors within TME. Therefore, we focus on how the combination strategy can be used to eliminate these barriers. Finally, we show the challenges of this therapeutic partnership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Huan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
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