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Ma L, Zhang K, Xu J, Wang J, Jiang T, Du X, Zhang J, Huang J, Ren F, Liu D, Xue W, Kan D, Yao M, Liang Y, Jason-Sun H. Building a novel TRUCK by harnessing the endogenous IFN-gamma promoter for cytokine expression. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00399-X. [PMID: 38879754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy in hematological malignancies, its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited. Cytokine-engineered CAR T cells offer a promising avenue, yet their clinical translation is hindered by the risks associated with constitutive cytokine expression. In this proof-of-concept study, we leverage the endogenous interferon (IFN)-γ promoter for transgenic interleukin (IL)-15 expression. We demonstrate that IFN-γ expression is tightly regulated by T cell receptor signaling. By introducing an internal ribosome entry site IL15 into the 3' UTR of the IFN-γ gene via homology directed repair-mediated knock-in, we confirm that IL-15 expression can co-express with IFN-γ in an antigen stimulation-dependent manner. Importantly, the insertion of transgenes does not compromise endogenous IFN-γ expression. In vitro and in vivo data demonstrate that IL-15 driven by the IFN-γ promoter dramatically improves CAR T cells' antitumor activity, suggesting the effectiveness of IL-15 expression. Last, as a part of our efforts toward clinical translation, we have developed an innovative two-gene knock-in approach. This approach enables the simultaneous integration of CAR and IL-15 genes into TRAC and IFN-γ gene loci using a single AAV vector. CAR T cells engineered to express IL-15 using this approach demonstrate enhanced antitumor efficacy. Overall, our study underscores the feasibility of utilizing endogenous promoters for transgenic cytokines expression in CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Ma
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Kaiwen Zhang
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaolong Du
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengyi Ren
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dongxu Kan
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengjiao Yao
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yutian Liang
- Shenzhen Celconta Life Science Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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2
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van Hees EP, Morton LT, Remst DFG, Wouters AK, Van den Eynde A, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MH. Self-sufficient primary natural killer cells engineered to express T cell receptors and interleukin-15 exhibit improved effector function and persistence. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368290. [PMID: 38690288 PMCID: PMC11058644 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368290] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background NK cells can be genetically engineered to express a transgenic T-cell receptor (TCR). This approach offers an alternative strategy to target heterogenous tumors, as NK:TCR cells can eradicate both tumor cells with high expression of HLA class I and antigen of interest or HLA class I negative tumors. Expansion and survival of NK cells relies on the presence of IL-15. Therefore, autonomous production of IL-15 by NK:TCR cells might improve functional persistence of NK cells. Here we present an optimized NK:TCR product harnessed with a construct encoding for soluble IL-15 (NK:TCR/IL-15), to support their proliferation, persistence and cytotoxic capabilities. Methods Expression of tumor-specific TCRs in peripheral blood derived NK-cells was achieved following retroviral transduction. NK:TCR/IL-15 cells were compared with NK:TCR cells for autonomous cytokine production, proliferation and survival. NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15 cells, expressing a HLA-B*07:02-restricted TCR against BOB1, a B-cell lineage specific transcription factor highly expressed in all B-cell malignancies, were compared with control NK:BOB1-TCR and NK:CMV-TCR/IL-15 cells for effector function against TCR antigen positive malignant B-cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Results Viral incorporation of the interleukin-15 gene into engineered NK:TCR cells was feasible and high expression of the TCR was maintained, resulting in pure NK:TCR/IL-15 cell products generated from peripheral blood of multiple donors. Self-sufficient secretion of IL-15 by NK:TCR cells enables engineered NK cells to proliferate in vitro without addition of extra cytokines. NK:TCR/IL-15 demonstrated a marked enhancement of TCR-mediated cytotoxicity as well as enhanced NK-mediated cytotoxicity resulting in improved persistence and performance of NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15 cells in an orthotopic multiple myeloma mouse model. However, in contrast to prolonged anti-tumor reactivity by NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15, we observed in one of the experiments an accumulation of NK:BOB1-TCR/IL-15 cells in several organs of treated mice, leading to unexpected death 30 days post-NK infusion. Conclusion This study showed that NK:TCR/IL-15 cells secrete low levels of IL-15 and can proliferate in an environment lacking cytokines. Repeated in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the effectiveness and target specificity of our product, in which addition of IL-15 supports TCR- and NK-mediated cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Els P. van Hees
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Laura T. Morton
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dennis F. G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anne K. Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Astrid Van den Eynde
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Mirjam H.M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
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Appelbaum J, Wei J, Mukherjee R, Ishida T, Rosser J, Saxby C, Chase J, Carlson M, Sather C, Rahfeldt W, Meechan M, Baldwin M, Flint L, Spurrell C, Gustafson J, Johnson A, Jensen M. Context-specific synthetic T cell promoters from assembled transcriptional elements. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3339290. [PMID: 37886484 PMCID: PMC10602160 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3339290/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Genetic engineering of human lymphocytes for therapeutic applications is constrained by a lack of transgene transcriptional control, resulting in a compromised therapeutic index. Incomplete understanding of transcriptional logic limits the rational design of contextually responsive genetic modules1. Here, we juxtaposed rationally curated transcriptional response element (TRE) oligonucleotides by random concatemerization to generate a library from which we selected context-specific inducible synthetic promoters (iSynPros). Through functional selection, we screened an iSynPro library for "IF-THEN" logic-gated transcriptional responses in human CD8+ T cells expressing a 4-1BB second generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). iSynPros exhibiting stringent off-states in quiescent T cells and CAR activation-dependent transcriptional responsiveness were cloned and subjected to TRE composition and pattern analysis, as well as performance in regulating candidate antitumor potency enhancement modules. These data reveal synthetic TRE grammar can mediate logic-gated transgene transcription in human T cells that, when applied to CAR T cell engineering, enhance potency and improve therapeutic indices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Wei
- Seattle Children's Research Institute
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Thomas S, Abken H. CAR T cell therapy becomes CHIC: "cytokine help intensified CAR" T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1090959. [PMID: 36700225 PMCID: PMC9869021 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1090959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) in the canonical "second generation" format provide two signals for inducing T cell effector functions; the primary "signal-1" is provided through the TCR CD3ζ chain and the "signal-2" through a linked costimulatory domain to augment activation. While therapy with second generation CAR T cells can induce remissions of leukemia/lymphoma in a spectacular fashion, CAR T cell persistence is frequently limited which is thought to be due to timely limited activation. Following the "three-signal" dogma for inducing a sustained T cell response, cytokines were supplemented to provide "signal-3" to CAR T cells. Recent progress in the understanding of structural biology and receptor signaling has allowed to engineer cytokines for more selective, fine-tuned stimulation of CAR T cells including an artificial autocrine loop of a transgenic cytokine, a cytokine anchored to the CAR T cell membrane or inserted into the extracellular CAR domain, and a cytokine receptor signaling moiety co-expressed with the CAR or inserted into the CAR endodomain. Here we discuss the recent strategies and options for engineering such "cytokine help intensified CAR" (CHIC) T cells for use in adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Thomas
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany,Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany,Chair for Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany,*Correspondence: Hinrich Abken,
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5
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Hu Y, Zhou Y, Zhang M, Zhao H, Wei G, Ge W, Cui Q, Mu Q, Chen G, Han L, Guo T, Cui J, Jiang X, Zheng X, Yu S, Li X, Zhang X, Chen M, Li X, Gao M, Wang K, Zu C, Zhang H, He X, Wang Y, Wang D, Ren J, Huang H. Genetically modified CD7-targeting allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy with enhanced efficacy for relapsed/refractory CD7-positive hematological malignancies: a phase I clinical study. Cell Res 2022; 32:995-1007. [PMID: 36151216 PMCID: PMC9652391 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00721-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy against T cell malignancies faces major challenges including fratricide between CAR-T cells and product contamination from the blasts. Allogeneic CAR-T cells, generated from healthy donor T cells, can provide ready-to-use, blast-free therapeutic products, but their application could be complicated by graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and host rejection. Here we developed healthy donor-derived, CD7-targeting CAR-T cells (RD13-01) with genetic modifications to resist fratricide, GvHD and allogeneic rejection, as well as to potentiate antitumor function. A phase I clinical trial (NCT04538599) was conducted with twelve patients recruited (eleven with T cell leukemia/lymphoma, and one with CD7-expressing acute myeloid leukemia). All patients achieved pre-set end points and eleven proceeded to efficacy evaluation. No dose-limiting toxicity, GvHD, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity or severe cytokine release syndrome (grade ≥ 3) were observed. 28 days post infusion, 81.8% of patients (9/11) showed objective responses and the complete response rate was 63.6% (7/11, including the patient with AML). 3 of the responding patients were bridged to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With a median follow-up of 10.5 months, 4 patients remained in complete remission. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and/or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation was observed in several patients, and one died from EBV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Expansion of CD7-negative normal T cells was detected post infusion. In summary, we present the first report of a Phase I clinical trial using healthy donor-derived CD7-targeting allogeneic CAR-T cells to treat CD7+ hematological malignancies. Our results demonstrated the encouraging safety and efficacy profiles of the RD13-01 allogeneic CAR-T cells for CD7+ tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yali Zhou
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Hematology, Ruian people's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Houli Zhao
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoqing Wei
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wengang Ge
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qu Cui
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qitian Mu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Transplantation, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lu Han
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tingting Guo
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiazhen Cui
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jiang
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiujun Zheng
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuhui Yu
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingwang Zhang
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingxi Chen
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiuju Li
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Zu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Ruian people's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohong He
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanbin Wang
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jiangtao Ren
- Nanjing Bioheng Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Guo T, Ma D, Lu TK. Sense-and-Respond Payload Delivery Using a Novel Antigen-Inducible Promoter Improves Suboptimal CAR-T Activation. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1440-1453. [PMID: 35316028 PMCID: PMC9016769 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chimeric antigen
receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies demonstrate the
clinical potential of lymphocytes engineered with synthetic properties.
However, CAR-T cells are ineffective in most solid tumors, partly
due to inadequate activation of the infused lymphocytes at the site
of malignancy. To selectively enhance antitumor efficacy without exacerbating
off-target toxicities, CAR-T cells can be engineered to preferentially
deliver immunostimulatory payloads in tumors. Here, we report a novel
antigen-inducible promoter for conditional payload expression in primary
human T cells. In therapeutic T cell models, the novel NR4A-based
promoter induced higher reporter gene expression than the conventional
NFAT-based promoter under weakly immunogenic conditions, where payload
expression is most needed. Minimal activity was detected from the
inducible promoters in the absence of antigen and after withdrawal
of stimulation. As a functional proof-of-concept, we used the NR4A-based
promoter to express cytokines in an antimesothelin CAR-T model with
suboptimal stimulation and observed improved proliferation compared
to T cells engineered with the conventional NFAT promoter or CAR alone.
Our system achieves CAR-directed payload expression under weakly immunogenic
conditions and could enable the next generation of cell therapies
with enhanced antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxi Guo
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Dacheng Ma
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Senti Biosciences, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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7
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Bell M, Gottschalk S. Engineered Cytokine Signaling to Improve CAR T Cell Effector Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684642. [PMID: 34177932 PMCID: PMC8220823 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a promising approach to improve outcomes for cancer patients. While CAR T cell therapy is effective for hematological malignancies, there is a need to improve the efficacy of this therapeutic approach for patients with solid tumors and brain tumors. At present, several approaches are being pursued to improve the antitumor activity of CAR T cells including i) targeting multiple antigens, ii) improving T cell expansion/persistence, iii) enhancing homing to tumor sites, and iv) rendering CAR T cells resistant to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Augmenting signal 3 of T cell activation by transgenic expression of cytokines or engineered cytokine receptors has emerged as a promising strategy since it not only improves CAR T cell expansion/persistence but also their ability to function in the immunosuppressive TME. In this review, we will provide an overview of cytokine biology and highlight genetic approaches that are actively being pursued to augment cytokine signaling in CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bell
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Redirection of T cell cytotoxicity by the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) structure may not be sufficient for optimal antitumor function in the patient tumor microenvironment. Comodifying CAR T cells to secrete different classes of proteins can be used to optimize CAR T cell function, overcome suppressive signals, and/or alter the tumor microenvironment milieu. These modifications aim to improve initial responses to therapy and enhance the durability of response. Furthermore, CAR T cells can deliver these molecules locally to the tumor microenvironment, avoiding systemic distribution. This approach has been tested in preclinical models using a variety of different classes of agonistic and antagonistic proteins, and clinical trials are currently underway to assess efficacy in patients.
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Jin J, Cheng J, Huang M, Luo H, Zhou J. Fueling chimeric antigen receptor T cells with cytokines. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:4038-4055. [PMID: 33414984 PMCID: PMC7783740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy started a new era of tumor treatment, especially for hematological malignancies. However, many challenges remain, including low-level proliferation and short-term persistence, insufficient CAR T-cell trafficking, suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), frequent adverse events and the unaffordable manufacturing process. Cytokines are pleiotropic hormones involved in multiple processes of immunity, including activation, expansion, differentiation, and migration of immune cells. Both pre-clinical models and clinical trials showed that armoring CAR-T cells with cytokines strengthened the anti-tumor responses of CAR T cells. This review looked into the key role of cytokines as a promoter of anti-tumor activities of CAR-T cells and consequently a facilitator of clinical translation, mainly, from cytokines of the common γ-chains family, chemokines and chemokine receptors, immunosuppressive molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Jin
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan, Hubei, China
- Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei ProvinceWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiali Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan, Hubei, China
- Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei ProvinceWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Meijuan Huang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan, Hubei, China
- Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei ProvinceWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Luo
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan, Hubei, China
- Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei ProvinceWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan, Hubei, China
- Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei ProvinceWuhan, Hubei, China
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Ataca Atilla P, McKenna MK, Tashiro H, Srinivasan M, Mo F, Watanabe N, Simons BW, McLean Stevens A, Redell MS, Heslop HE, Mamonkin M, Brenner MK, Atilla E. Modulating TNFα activity allows transgenic IL15-Expressing CLL-1 CAR T cells to safely eliminate acute myeloid leukemia. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001229. [PMID: 32938629 PMCID: PMC7497527 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background C-type lectin-like molecule 1 (CLL-1) is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but is absent in primitive hematopoietic progenitors, making it an attractive target for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Here, we optimized our CLL-1 CAR for anti-leukemic activity in mouse xenograft models of aggressive AML. Methods First, we optimized the CLL-1 CAR using different spacer, transmembrane and costimulatory sequences. We used a second retroviral vector to coexpress transgenic IL15. We measured the effects of each construct on T cell phenotype and sequential (recursive) co culture assays with tumor cell targets to determine the durability of the anti tumor activity by flow cytometry. We administered CAR T cells to mice engrafted with patient derived xenografts (PDX) and AML cell line and determined anti tumor activity by bioluminescence imaging and weekly bleeding, measured serum cytokines by multiplex analysis. After euthanasia, we examined formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded sections. Unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-tests were used and values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Survival was calculated using Mantel-Cox log-rank test. Results In vitro, CLL-1 CAR T cells with interleukin-15 (IL15) were less terminally differentiated (p<0.0001) and had superior expansion compared with CD28z-CD8 CAR T cells without IL15 (p<0.001). In both AML PDX and AML cell line animal models, CLL-1 CAR T coexpressing transgenic IL15 initially expanded better than CD28z-CD8 CAR T without IL15 (p<0.0001), but produced severe acute toxicity associated with high level production of human tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL15 and IL2. Histopathology showed marked inflammatory changes with tissue damage in lung and liver. This acute toxicity could be managed by two strategies, individually or in combination. The excessive TNF alpha secretion could be blocked with anti-TNF alpha antibody, while excessive T cell expansion could be arrested by activation of an inducible caspase nine safety switch by administration of dimerizing drug. Both strategies successfully prolonged tumor-free survival. Conclusion Combinatorial treatment with a TNFα blocking antibody and subsequent activation of the caspase-9 control switch increased the expansion, survival and antileukemic potency of CLL-1 CAR T-cells expressing transgenic IL15 while avoiding the toxicities associated with excessive cytokine production and long-term accumulation of activated T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Ataca Atilla
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mary K McKenna
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Haruko Tashiro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Feiyan Mo
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Norihiro Watanabe
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Brian Wesley Simons
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexandra McLean Stevens
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michele S Redell
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Helen E Heslop
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Maksim Mamonkin
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Malcolm K Brenner
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Erden Atilla
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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11
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Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of the immune system in cancer is now a clinical reality and marked successes have been achieved, most notably through the use of checkpoint blockade antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. However, efforts to develop new immunotherapy agents or combination treatments to increase the proportion of patients who benefit have met with challenges of limited efficacy and/or significant toxicity. Nanomedicines - therapeutics composed of or formulated in carrier materials typically smaller than 100 nm - were originally developed to increase the uptake of chemotherapy agents by tumours and to reduce their off-target toxicity. Here, we discuss how nanomedicine-based treatment strategies are well suited to immunotherapy on the basis of nanomaterials' ability to direct immunomodulators to tumours and lymphoid organs, to alter the way biologics engage with target immune cells and to accumulate in myeloid cells in tumours and systemic compartments. We also discuss early efforts towards clinical translation of nanomedicine-based immunotherapy.
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12
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Abstract
As a specifically programmable, living immunotherapeutic drug, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells are providing an alternative treatment option for a broad variety of diseases including so far refractory cancer. By recognizing a tumor-associated antigen, the CAR triggers an anti-tumor response of engineered patient's T cells achieving lasting remissions in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. During the last years, significant progress was made in optimizing the CAR design, in manufacturing CAR-engineered T cells, and in the clinical management of patients showing promise to establish adoptive CAR T cell therapy as an effective treatment option in the forefront.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Holzinger
- RCI Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
- Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, RCI c/o University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- RCI Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
- Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, RCI c/o University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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13
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Engineering strategies to overcome the current roadblocks in CAR T cell therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 17:147-167. [PMID: 31848460 PMCID: PMC7223338 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0297-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 728] [Impact Index Per Article: 145.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
T cells genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have proven — and impressive — therapeutic activity in patients with certain subtypes of B cell leukaemia or lymphoma, with promising efficacy also demonstrated in patients with multiple myeloma. Nevertheless, various barriers restrict the efficacy and/or prevent the widespread use of CAR T cell therapies in these patients as well as in those with other cancers, particularly solid tumours. Key challenges relating to CAR T cells include severe toxicities, restricted trafficking to, infiltration into and activation within tumours, suboptimal persistence in vivo, antigen escape and heterogeneity, and manufacturing issues. The evolution of CAR designs beyond the conventional structures will be necessary to address these limitations and to expand the use of CAR T cells to a wider range of malignancies. Investigators are addressing the current obstacles with a wide range of engineering strategies in order to improve the safety, efficacy and applicability of this therapeutic modality. In this Review, we discuss the innovative designs of novel CAR T cell products that are being developed to increase and expand the clinical benefits of these treatments in patients with diverse cancers. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, the first approved therapeutic approach with a genetic engineering component, holds substantial promise in the treatment of a range of cancers but is nevertheless limited by various challenges, including toxicities, intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms, and manufacturing issues. In this Review, the authors describe the innovative approaches to the engineering of CAR T cell products that are providing solutions to these challenges and therefore have the potential to considerably improve the safety and effectiveness of treatment. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have induced remarkable responses in patients with certain haematological malignancies, yet various barriers restrict the efficacy and/or prevent the widespread use of this treatment. Investigators are addressing these challenges with engineering strategies designed to improve the safety, efficacy and applicability of CAR T cell therapy. CARs have modular components, and therefore the optimal molecular design of the CAR can be achieved through many variations of the constituent protein domains. Toxicities currently associated with CAR T cell therapy can be mitigated using engineering strategies to make CAR T cells safer and that potentially broaden the range of tumour-associated antigens that can be targeted by overcoming on-target, off-tumour toxicities. CAR T cell efficacy can be enhanced by using engineering strategies to address the various challenges relating to the unique biology of diverse haematological and solid malignancies. Strategies to address the manufacturing challenges can lead to an improved CAR T cell product for all patients.
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14
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Dwyer CJ, Knochelmann HM, Smith AS, Wyatt MM, Rangel Rivera GO, Arhontoulis DC, Bartee E, Li Z, Rubinstein MP, Paulos CM. Fueling Cancer Immunotherapy With Common Gamma Chain Cytokines. Front Immunol 2019; 10:263. [PMID: 30842774 PMCID: PMC6391336 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer therapy (ACT) using tumor infiltrating lymphocytes or lymphocytes redirected with antigen receptors (CAR or TCR) has revolutionized the field of cancer immunotherapy. Although CAR T cell therapy mediates robust responses in patients with hematological malignancies, this approach has been less effective for treating patients with solid tumors. Additionally, toxicities post T cell infusion highlight the need for safer ACT protocols. Current protocols traditionally expand T lymphocytes isolated from patient tumors or from peripheral blood to large magnitudes in the presence of high dose IL-2 prior to infusion. Unfortunately, this expansion protocol differentiates T cells to a full effector or terminal phenotype in vitro, consequently reducing their long-term survival and antitumor effectiveness in vivo. Post-infusion, T cells face further obstacles limiting their persistence and function within the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Therapeutic manipulation of T cells with common γ chain cytokines, which are critical growth factors for T cells, may be the key to bypass such immunological hurdles. Herein, we discuss the primary functions of the common γ chain cytokines impacting T cell survival and memory and then elaborate on how these distinct cytokines have been used to augment T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Dwyer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Dimitrios C Arhontoulis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Eric Bartee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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15
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Eisenberg V, Hoogi S, Shamul A, Barliya T, Cohen CJ. T-cells "à la CAR-T(e)" - Genetically engineering T-cell response against cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:23-40. [PMID: 30653988 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The last decade will be remembered as the dawn of the immunotherapy era during which we have witnessed the approval by regulatory agencies of genetically engineered CAR T-cells and of checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment. Understandably, T-lymphocytes represent the essential player in these approaches. These cells can mediate impressive tumor regression in terminally-ill cancer patients. Moreover, they are amenable to genetic engineering to improve their function and specificity. In the present review, we will give an overview of the most recent developments in the field of T-cell genetic engineering including TCR-gene transfer and CAR T-cells strategies. We will also elaborate on the development of other types of genetic modifications to enhance their anti-tumor immune response such as the use of co-stimulatory chimeric receptors (CCRs) and unconventional CARs built on non-antibody molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in genome editing and synthetic biology applied to T-cell engineering and comment on the next challenges ahead.
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16
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Zhang Z, Jiang J, Wu X, Zhang M, Luo D, Zhang R, Li S, He Y, Bian H, Chen Z. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell targeting EGFRvIII for metastatic lung cancer therapy. Front Med 2019; 13:57-68. [DOI: 10.1007/s11684-019-0683-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Holzinger A, Abken H. CAR T Cells: A Snapshot on the Growing Options to Design a CAR. Hemasphere 2019; 3:e172. [PMID: 31723811 PMCID: PMC6745938 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy of malignant diseases with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells rapidly advanced from pre-clinical models to commercial approvals within 2 decades. CARs redirect patient's T cells towards cancer cells and activate the engineered cells for a cytolytic attack resulting in the destruction of the cognate target cell. CAR T cells have demonstrated their powerful capacities in inducing complete and lasting remissions of leukemia/lymphoma in an increasing number of trials worldwide. Since the early 90's, the design of CARs went through various steps of optimization until the very recent developments which include CARs with logic gating in the recognition of antigen patterns on target cells and TRUCKs with a target recognition induced delivery of immune modulating agents. Here we review the generations in CAR design, the impact of specific modifications, the strategies to improve the safety of CAR T cell therapy, and the challenges to adapt the CAR design for broader applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Holzinger
- RCI, Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology, Chair for Gene-Immune Therapy, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- RCI, Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology, Chair for Gene-Immune Therapy, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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18
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Dwivedi A, Karulkar A, Ghosh S, Rafiq A, Purwar R. Lymphocytes in Cellular Therapy: Functional Regulation of CAR T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3180. [PMID: 30713539 PMCID: PMC6345708 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphocytes especially autologous T cells have been used for the treatment of numerous indications including cancers, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. Very recently, FDA approved Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR T cells) therapy for relapse and refractory CD19+ B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r B-ALL) and r/r diffuse large B cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) upon their remarkable success in multiple Phase I-II clinical trials. While CAR T cells are considered as major breakthrough in the field of cancer immunotherapy, the regulation of CAR T cells remains poorly understood. In this review we will discuss the strategies that regulate the CAR T cells efficacy and persistence with focus on roles of different structural component of CAR construct. Different domains of CAR construct, for example, antigen binding domain, hinge, transmembrane, and signaling domain as well as immune-regulatory cytokines have significant impact on CAR T cell efficacy. Finally, this review will highlight the strategies that will promote CAR T cells efficacy and will reduce the toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alka Dwivedi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Atharva Karulkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Sarbari Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Afrin Rafiq
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Rahul Purwar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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19
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Orekhova NA. Hematological indicators in pygmy wood mouse Apodemus uralensis (Muridae, Rodentia) populations as markers of the environmental radiation exposure: East Urals radioactive trace (Russia). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:16144-16166. [PMID: 29594908 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1787-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The hematological effects of chronic radiation exposure in males of the pygmy wood mouse (Apodemus uralensis Pall., 1811) from the East Urals radioactive trace (EURT) area were assessed, taking into account population abundance and reproductive status (immature, ripening, and mature yearlings). For this purpose, we analyzed the morpho-functional characteristics of erythrocytes (red cell indices [MCV, MCH, MCHC], red cell count, activity of antioxidant enzymes [GSH-Px, CAT], lipid peroxidation, glycolysis, osmotic resistance, methaemoglobin content) and blood plasma components (free hemoglobin, total lipids, total cholesterol, and glucose) in the background territory and the EURT area; these areas have a density of soil contamination with 90Sr of 12,851 and 198 kBq × m-2, respectively (four and two order of magnitude higher than the background value). The data indicate the "hyperfunctional" state of the erythrocyte, aimed at activation of the gas transport function of blood in the radioactive environment. This, as a consequence, determines the insufficiency of energy supply of the cell defense system necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the membrane. Intensification of membrane lipid peroxidation, reduction of osmotic resistance and GSH-Px activity in red cells, an increase in the degree of intravascular hemolysis, and tendency towards erythropenia indicate the processes of accelerated aging of erythrocytes and their more pronounced destruction in the circulatory bed. The level of the hematological response increased with increasing radiation burden and was more pronounced with a large population size. The interaction effect of "overpopulation" and "radioactive pollution" was observed to a lesser degree for ripening males, and was very small for sexually mature animals. Immature males from the EURT head part with internal whole-body radiation doses of 0.0045-0.35 mGy/day can be considered as the most sensitive group to the factors synergy, including radiation damage and overabundance population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natal'ya A Orekhova
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Division of Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vos'mogo Marta 202, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russia.
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20
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Zhang WY, Liu Y, Wang Y, Nie J, Guo YL, Wang CM, Dai HR, Yang QM, Wu ZQ, Han WD. Excessive activated T-cell proliferation after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. Gene Ther 2018; 25:198-204. [PMID: 29599530 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-017-0001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Excessive activated T-cell proliferation was observed in vivo in one patient after an anti-CD19-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell infusion. The patient, who had chemotherapy refractory and CD19+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), received an anti-CD19 CAR T-cell infusion following conditioning chemotherapy (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide). The lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood (PB) increased to 77 × 109/L on day 13 post infusion, and the proportion of CD8+ actived T cells was 93.06% of the lymphocytes. Then, the patient suffered from fever and hypoxaemia. Significant increases in serum cytokine, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (γ-GT) levels were observed. A high-throughput sequencing analysis for T-cell receptors (TCRs) and whole-genome sequencing were used to explore the mechanisms underlying this excessive T-cell proliferation. TCR diversity was demonstrated, but no special gene mutation was found. The patient was found to be infected with the John Cunningham polyomavirus (JCV). It cannot be ruled out the bystander activation pathway induced by JCV infections related the excessive activated T-cell proliferation. Although the clinical and laboratory data do not fully explain the reason for excessive T-cell proliferation after the anti-CD19 CAR T-cell infusion, the risk of this type of toxicity should be emphasized. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01864889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ying Zhang
- Biotherapeutic Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Geriatric Hematology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jing Nie
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ye-Lei Guo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chun-Meng Wang
- Biotherapeutic Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Han-Ren Dai
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Qing-Ming Yang
- Biotherapeutic Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Wei-Dong Han
- Biotherapeutic Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China. .,Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China. .,Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
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21
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Engineering chimeric antigen receptor-T cells for cancer treatment. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:32. [PMID: 29448937 PMCID: PMC5815249 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0814-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumor heterogeneity of tumor clones and an immunosuppressive microenvironment in cancer ecosystems contribute to inherent difficulties for tumor treatment. Recently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been successfully applied in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, underscoring its great potential in antitumor therapy. However, functional challenges of CAR-T cell therapy, especially in solid tumors, remain. Here, we describe cancer-immunity phenotypes from a clonal-stromal-immune perspective and elucidate mechanisms of T-cell exhaustion that contribute to tumor immune evasion. Then we assess the functional challenges of CAR-T cell therapy, including cell trafficking and infiltration, targeted-recognition and killing of tumor cells, T-cell proliferation and persistence, immunosuppressive microenvironment and self-control regulation. Finally, we delineate tumor precision informatics and advancements in engineered CAR-T cells to counteract inherent challenges of the CAR-T cell therapy, either alone or in combination with traditional therapeutics, and highlight the therapeutic potential of this approach in future tumor precision treatment.
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22
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A novel chimeric antigen receptor containing a JAK-STAT signaling domain mediates superior antitumor effects. Nat Med 2018; 24:352-359. [PMID: 29400710 PMCID: PMC5839992 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of T cells engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) (hereafter referred to as CAR-T cells) specific for the B lymphocyte antigen CD19 has shown impressive clinical responses in patients with refractory B cell malignancies. However, the therapeutic effects of CAR-T cells that target other malignancies have not yet resulted in significant clinical benefit. Although inefficient tumor trafficking and various immunosuppressive mechanisms can impede CAR-T cell effector responses, the signals delivered by the current CAR constructs may still be insufficient to fully activate antitumor T cell functions. Optimal T cell activation and proliferation requires multiple signals, including T cell receptor (TCR) engagement (signal 1), co-stimulation (signal 2) and cytokine engagement (signal 3). However, CAR constructs currently being tested in the clinic contain a CD3z (TCR signaling) domain and co-stimulatory domain(s) but not a domain that transmits signal 3 (refs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18). Here we have developed a novel CAR construct capable of inducing cytokine signaling after antigen stimulation. This new-generation CD19 CAR encodes a truncated cytoplasmic domain from the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor β-chain (IL-2Rβ) and a STAT3-binding tyrosine-X-X-glutamine (YXXQ) motif, together with the TCR signaling (CD3z) and co-stimulatory (CD28) domains (hereafter referred to as 28-ΔIL2RB-z(YXXQ)). The 28-ΔIL2RB-z(YXXQ) CAR-T cells showed antigen-dependent activation of the JAK kinase and of the STAT3 and STAT5 transcription factors signaling pathways, which promoted their proliferation and prevented terminal differentiation in vitro. The 28-ΔIL2RB-z(YXXQ) CAR-T cells demonstrated superior in vivo persistence and antitumor effects in models of liquid and solid tumors as compared with CAR-T cells expressing a CD28 or 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain alone. Taken together, these results suggest that our new-generation CAR has the potential to demonstrate superior antitumor effects with minimal toxicity in the clinic and that clinical translation of this novel CAR is warranted.
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23
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Zhang E, Gu J, Xu H. Prospects for chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cell therapy for solid tumors. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:7. [PMID: 29329591 PMCID: PMC5767005 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0759-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential for adoptive cell immunotherapy as a treatment against cancers has been demonstrated by the remarkable response in some patients with hematological malignancies using autologous T cells endowed with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) specific for CD19. Clinical efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors, however, is rare due to physical and biochemical factors. This review focuses on different aspects of multiple mechanisms of immunosuppression in solid tumors. We characterize the current state of CAR-modified T cell therapy and summarize the various strategies to combat the immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors, with the aim of promoting T cell cytotoxicity and enhancing tumor cell eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhao Zhang
- The Engineering Research Center of Peptide Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jieyi Gu
- The Engineering Research Center of Peptide Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanmei Xu
- The Engineering Research Center of Peptide Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Ghosh A, Mailankody S, Giralt SA, Landgren CO, Smith EL, Brentjens RJ. CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma: where are we now and where are we headed? Leuk Lymphoma 2017; 59:2056-2067. [PMID: 29105517 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2017.1393668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
While recent progress has been made in the management of multiple myeloma, it remains a highly fatal malignancy especially among patients with relapsed-refractory disease. Immunotherapy with adoptive T cells targeting myeloma-associated antigens are at various stages of development and have brought about a new hope for cure. This is a review on the emerging field of adoptively transferred engineered T cell based approaches, with an in-depth focus on chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) targeting multiple myeloma. The recent results from CAR T cells targeting B cell maturation antigen are encouraging but eventual resistance to the CAR T cell therapies remain problematic. With newer approaches in therapies for multiple myeloma, the role of transplantation is evolved to form a platform for T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Ghosh
- a Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellowship Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA
| | - Sham Mailankody
- b Myeloma Service, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Department of Medicine , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA
| | - Sergio A Giralt
- c Adult BMT Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA.,d Cellular Therapeutics Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA
| | - C Ola Landgren
- b Myeloma Service, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Department of Medicine , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA
| | - Eric L Smith
- b Myeloma Service, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Department of Medicine , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA.,d Cellular Therapeutics Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA
| | - Renier J Brentjens
- d Cellular Therapeutics Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA.,e Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA
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25
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Gursel O, Tapan S, Sertoglu E, Taşçılar E, Eker I, Ileri T, Uysal Z, Kurekci AE. Elevated plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in children with beta-thalassemia major may be an early marker for endothelial dysfunction. Hematology 2017; 23:304-308. [DOI: 10.1080/10245332.2017.1396027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orhan Gursel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Gulhane School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Serkan Tapan
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Yuksek Ihtisas University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Erdim Sertoglu
- Department of Biochemistry, Gulhane School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emre Taşçılar
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Koru Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Eker
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Medical Faculty, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey
| | - Talia Ileri
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Medical Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zumrut Uysal
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Medical Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
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26
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Jaspers JE, Brentjens RJ. Development of CAR T cells designed to improve antitumor efficacy and safety. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 178:83-91. [PMID: 28342824 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promising efficacy against hematologic malignancies. Antitumor activity of CAR T cells, however, needs to be improved to increase therapeutic efficacy in both hematologic and solid cancers. Limitations to overcome are 'on-target, off-tumor' toxicity, antigen escape, short CAR T cell persistence, little expansion, trafficking to the tumor and inhibition of T cell activity by an inhibitory tumor microenvironment. Here we will discuss how optimizing the design of CAR T cells through genetic engineering addresses these limitations and improves the antitumor efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in pre-clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke E Jaspers
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Renier J Brentjens
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Molecular Pharmacology & Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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27
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Hinrichs CS. Molecular Pathways: Breaking the Epithelial Cancer Barrier for Chimeric Antigen Receptor and T-cell Receptor Gene Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:1559-64. [PMID: 27037253 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells genetically engineered to express a tumor-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or T-cell receptor (TCR) can mediate cancer regression in some patients. CARs are synthetic single-chain proteins that use antibody domains to target cell surface antigens. TCRs are natural heterodimeric proteins that can target intracellular antigens through recognition of peptides bound to human leukocyte antigens. CARs have shown promise in B-cell malignancies and TCRs in melanoma, but neither approach has achieved clear success in an epithelial cancer. Treatment of epithelial cancers may be particularly challenging because of a paucity of target antigens expressed by carcinomas and not by important healthy tissues. In addition, epithelial cancers may be protected by inhibitory ligands and soluble factors in the tumor microenvironment. One strategy to overcome these negative regulators is to modulate expression of T-cell genes to enhance intrinsic T-cell function. Programmable nucleases, which can suppress inhibitory genes, and inducible gene expression systems, which can enhance stimulatory genes, are entering clinical testing. Other work is delineating whether control of genes for immune checkpoint receptors (e.g.,PDCD1, CTLA4) and cytokine and TCR signaling regulators (e.g.,CBLB, CISH, IL12, IL15) can increase the antitumor activity of therapeutic T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian S Hinrichs
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
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28
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Jin C, Yu D, Essand M. Prospects to improve chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for solid tumors. Immunotherapy 2016; 8:1355-1361. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2016-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of patient-derived T-cells engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the pan-B-cell marker CD19 has led to complete remission in patients with B-cell leukemias while response rates are more modest for B-cell lymphomas. This can be attributed to the fact that the semi-solid structure of lymphomas impedes T-cell infiltration and that the immune suppressive microenvironment within these tumors dampens the effect of CAR T-cells. These obstacles are even more pronounced for solid tumors where dense and often highly immunosuppressive structures are found. This article focuses on different aspects of how to improve CAR T-cells for solid tumors, primarily by decreasing their sensitivity to the harsh tumor microenvironment, by altering the immunosuppressive microenvironment inside tumors and by inducing bystander immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Jin
- Department of Immunology, Genetics & Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Di Yu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics & Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Essand
- Department of Immunology, Genetics & Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
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29
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Tethered IL-15 augments antitumor activity and promotes a stem-cell memory subset in tumor-specific T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E7788-E7797. [PMID: 27849617 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1610544113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy retargeting T cells to CD19 via a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is an investigational treatment capable of inducing complete tumor regression of B-cell malignancies when there is sustained survival of infused cells. T-memory stem cells (TSCM) retain superior potential for long-lived persistence, but challenges exist in manufacturing this T-cell subset because they are rare among circulating lymphocytes. We report a clinically relevant approach to generating CAR+ T cells with preserved TSCM potential using the Sleeping Beauty platform. Because IL-15 is fundamental to T-cell memory, we incorporated its costimulatory properties by coexpressing CAR with a membrane-bound chimeric IL-15 (mbIL15). The mbIL15-CAR T cells signaled through signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 to yield improved T-cell persistence independent of CAR signaling, without apparent autonomous growth or transformation, and achieved potent rejection of CD19+ leukemia. Long-lived T cells were CD45ROnegCCR7+CD95+, phenotypically most similar to TSCM, and possessed a memory-like transcriptional profile. Overall, these results demonstrate that CAR+ T cells can develop long-term persistence with a memory stem-cell phenotype sustained by signaling through mbIL15. This observation warrants evaluation in clinical trials.
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30
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Chimeric antigen receptors for treatment of glioblastoma: a practical review of challenges and ways to overcome them. Cancer Gene Ther 2016; 24:121-129. [PMID: 27767090 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2016.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is by far the most common and the most aggressive of all the primary brain malignancies. No curative therapy exists, and median life expectancy hovers at around 1 year after diagnosis, with a minute fraction surviving beyond 5 years. The difficulty in treating GBM lies in the cancer's protected niche within the blood-brain barrier and the heterogeneity of the cancer cells, which possess varying degrees of susceptibility to various common modalities of treatment. Over time, it is the tumor heterogeneity of GBM and the ability of the cancer stem cells to evolve in response treatment that renders the cancer refractory to conventional treatment. Therefore, research has increasingly focused on treatment that incorporates knowledge of GBM molecular biology to therapeutic strategies. One type of therapy that shows great promise is the area of T-cell immunotherapy to target GBM-specific tumor antigens. One attractive strategy is to use T cells that have undergone genetic modification to express a chimeric antigen receptor capable of interacting with tumor antigens. In this article, we will review chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, their advantages, drawbacks, challenges facing their use and how those challenges may be overcome.
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31
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Redeker A, Arens R. Improving Adoptive T Cell Therapy: The Particular Role of T Cell Costimulation, Cytokines, and Post-Transfer Vaccination. Front Immunol 2016; 7:345. [PMID: 27656185 PMCID: PMC5011476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) is a form of immunotherapy whereby antigen-specific T cells are isolated or engineered, expanded ex vivo, and transferred back to patients. Clinical benefit after ACT has been obtained in treatment of infection, various hematological malignancies, and some solid tumors; however, due to poor functionality and persistence of the transferred T cells, the efficacy of ACT in the treatment of most solid tumors is often marginal. Hence, much effort is undertaken to improve T cell function and persistence in ACT and significant progress is being made. Herein, we will review strategies to improve ACT success rates in the treatment of cancer and infection. We will deliberate on the most favorable phenotype for the tumor-specific T cells that are infused into patients and on how to obtain T cells bearing this phenotype by applying novel ex vivo culture methods. Moreover, we will discuss T cell function and persistence after transfer into patients and how these factors can be manipulated by means of providing costimulatory signals, cytokines, blocking antibodies to inhibitory molecules, and vaccination. Incorporation of these T cell stimulation strategies and combinations of the different treatment modalities are likely to improve clinical response rates further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Redeker
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
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32
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Steppan J, Tran HT, Bead VR, Oh YJ, Sikka G, Bivalacqua TJ, Burnett AL, Berkowitz DE, Santhanam L. Arginase Inhibition Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Vascular Stiffness in Transgenic Sickle Cell Mice. Anesth Analg 2016; 123:652-8. [PMID: 27537757 PMCID: PMC5032625 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000001378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In sickle cell disease (SCD), hemolysis results in the release and activation of arginase, an enzyme that reciprocally regulates nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity and thus, NO production. Simply supplementing the common substrate L-arginine, however, fails to improve NO bioavailability. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that arginase inhibition would improve NO bioavailability and thereby attenuate systemic and pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in transgenic mice with SCD. METHODS We studied 5-month-old transgenic sickle cell (SC) mice and age matched wild-type (WT) controls. SC mice were treated with the arginase inhibitor, 2(S)-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH; approximately 400 μg/d) for 4 weeks or left untreated. RESULTS Vascular arginase activity was significantly higher at baseline in untreated SC mice compared to WT controls (SC versus WT, 346 ± 69.3 vs 69 ± 17.3 pmol urea/mg protein/minute; P = 0.0043; n = 4-5 animals per group). Treatment with ABH may significantly decrease arginase activity to levels near WT controls (SC + ABH 125.2 ± 17.3 pmol urea/mg protein/minute; P = 0.0213). Aortic strips from untreated SC mice showed decreased NO and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (NO: fluorescence rate 0.76 ± 0.14 vs 1.34 ± 0.17 RFU/s; P = 0.0005 and ROS: fluorescence rate 3.96 ± 1.70 vs 1.63 ± 1.20 RFU/s, P = 0.0039; n = 3- animals per group). SC animals treated with ABH for 4 weeks demonstrated NO (fluorescence rate: 1.16 ± 0.16) and ROS (fluorescence rate: 2.02 ± 0.45) levels comparable with age-matched WT controls (n = 3- animals per group). The maximal endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine was impaired in aortic rings from SC mice compared with WT (57.7% ± 8.4% vs 80.3% ± 11.0%; P = 0.02; n = 6 animals per group). The endothelial-independent response was not different between groups. In SC mice, the right ventricular cardiac output index and end-systolic elastance were similar (4.60 ± 0.51 vs 2.9 ± 0.85 mL/min/100 g and 0.89 ± 0.48 vs 0.58 ± 0.11 mm Hg/μL), whereas the pulmonary vascular resistance index and right ventricular end-systolic pressure were greater (2.9 ± 0.28 vs 5.5 ± 2.0 mm Hg × min/μL/100 g and 18.9 ± 1.1 vs 23.1 ± 4.0 mm Hg; n = 8 animals per group). Pulse wave velocity (a measure of arterial stiffness) was greater in SC mice compared with WT (3.74 ± 0.54 vs 3.25 ± 0.21 m/s; n = 20 animals per group), arginase inhibition for 4 weeks significantly reduced the vascular SC phenotype to one similar to WT animals (P = 0.0009). CONCLUSIONS Arginase inhibition improves NO bioavailability and thereby attenuates systemic and pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in transgenic mice with SCD. Therefore, arginase is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular dysfunction in SCD.
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MESH Headings
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/drug therapy
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/enzymology
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/physiopathology
- Animals
- Arginase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Arginase/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/enzymology
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/drug therapy
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/enzymology
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/physiopathology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Pulse Wave Analysis/methods
- Vascular Stiffness/drug effects
- Vascular Stiffness/physiology
- Vasodilation/drug effects
- Vasodilation/physiology
- Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology
- Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Steppan
- From the *Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and †Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland; ‡Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; and §Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland
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33
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Tsai AK, Davila E. Producer T cells: Using genetically engineered T cells as vehicles to generate and deliver therapeutics to tumors. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1122158. [PMID: 27467930 PMCID: PMC4910704 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1122158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) is an emerging anticancer therapy that has shown promise in various malignancies. Redirecting antigen specificity by genetically engineering T cells to stably express receptors has become an effective variant of ACT. A novel extension of this approach is to utilize engineered T cells to produce and deliver anticancer therapeutics that enhance cytotoxic T cell function and simultaneously inhibit immunosuppressive processes. Here, we review the potential of using T cells as therapeutic-secreting vehicles for immunotherapies and present theoretical and established arguments in support of further development of this unique cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander K Tsai
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland , Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eduardo Davila
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
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34
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Ji Y, Hocker JD, Gattinoni L. Enhancing adoptive T cell immunotherapy with microRNA therapeutics. Semin Immunol 2015; 28:45-53. [PMID: 26710685 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell-based immunotherapies can mediate complete and durable regressions in patients with advanced cancer, but current response rates remain inadequate. Maneuvers to improve the fitness and antitumor efficacy of transferred T cells have been under extensive exploration in the field. Small non-coding microRNAs have emerged as critical modulators of immune system homeostasis and T cell immunity. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the role of microRNAs in regulating T cell activation, differentiation, and function. We also discuss how microRNA therapeutics could be employed to fine-tune T cell receptor signaling and enhance T cell persistence and effector functions, paving the way for the next generation of adoptive immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ji
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - James D Hocker
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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35
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Gonsalves CS, Li C, Malik P, Tahara SM, Kalra VK. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α-mediated transcription of miR-301a and miR-454 and their host gene SKA2 regulates endothelin-1 and PAI-1 expression in sickle cell disease. Biosci Rep 2015; 35:e00275. [PMID: 26460070 PMCID: PMC4672349 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20150190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) play important roles in pulmonary hypertension (PH) in sickle cell disease (SCD). Our previous studies show higher levels of placenta growth factor (PlGF) in SCD correlate with increased plasma levels of ET-1, PAI-1, and other physiological markers of PH. PlGF-mediated ET-1 and PAI-1 expression occurs via activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). However, relatively little is understood regarding post-transcriptional regulation of PlGF-mediated expression of ET-1 and PAI-1. Herein, we show PlGF treatment of endothelial cells reduced levels of miR-301a and miR-454 from basal levels. In addition, both miRNAs targeted the 3'-UTRs of ET-1 and PAI-1 mRNAs. These results were corroborated in the mouse model of SCD [Berkeley sickle mice (BK-SS)] and in SCD subjects. Plasma levels of miR-454 in SCD subjects were significantly lower compared with unaffected controls, which correlated with higher plasma levels of both ET-1 and PAI-1. Moreover, lung tissues from BK-SS mice showed significantly reduced levels of pre-miR-301a and concomitantly higher levels of ET-1 and PAI-1. Furthermore, we show that miR-301a/miR-454 located in the spindle and kinetochore-associated protein-2 (SKA2) transcription unit was co-transcriptionally regulated by both HIF-1α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) as demonstrated by SKA2 promoter mutational analysis and ChIP. Finally we show that fenofibrate, a PPAR-α agonist, increased the expression of miR-301a/miR-454 and SKA2 in human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC) cells; the former were responsible for reduced expression of ET-1 and PAI-1. Our studies provide a potential therapeutic approach whereby fenofibrate-induced miR-301a/miR-454 expression can ameliorate PH and lung fibrosis by reduction in ET-1 and PAI-1 levels in SCD.
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MESH Headings
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/complications
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/drug therapy
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/genetics
- Anemia, Sickle Cell/pathology
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/biosynthesis
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics
- Endothelin-1/biosynthesis
- Endothelin-1/genetics
- Fenofibrate/administration & dosage
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Humans
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/complications
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/drug therapy
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics
- Mice
- MicroRNAs/biosynthesis
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- PPAR alpha/antagonists & inhibitors
- PPAR alpha/genetics
- PPAR alpha/metabolism
- Placenta Growth Factor
- Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1/biosynthesis
- Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1/genetics
- Pregnancy Proteins/genetics
- Pregnancy Proteins/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryn S Gonsalves
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, U.S.A
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, U.S.A
| | - Punam Malik
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, U.S.A
| | - Stanley M Tahara
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, U.S.A
| | - Vijay K Kalra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, U.S.A.
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36
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Frigault MJ, Lee J, Basil MC, Carpenito C, Motohashi S, Scholler J, Kawalekar OU, Guedan S, McGettigan SE, Posey AD, Ang S, Cooper LJN, Platt JM, Johnson FB, Paulos CM, Zhao Y, Kalos M, Milone MC, June CH. Identification of chimeric antigen receptors that mediate constitutive or inducible proliferation of T cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:356-67. [PMID: 25600436 PMCID: PMC4390458 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study compared second-generation chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) encoding signaling domains composed of CD28, ICOS, and 4-1BB (TNFRSF9). Here, we report that certain CARs endow T cells with the ability to undergo long-term autonomous proliferation. Transduction of primary human T cells with lentiviral vectors encoding some of the CARs resulted in sustained proliferation for up to 3 months following a single stimulation through the T-cell receptor (TCR). Sustained numeric expansion was independent of cognate antigen and did not require the addition of exogenous cytokines or feeder cells after a single stimulation of the TCR and CD28. Results from gene array and functional assays linked sustained cytokine secretion and expression of T-bet (TBX21), EOMES, and GATA-3 to the effect. Sustained expression of the endogenous IL2 locus has not been reported in primary T cells. Sustained proliferation was dependent on CAR structure and high expression, the latter of which was necessary but not sufficient. The mechanism involves constitutive signaling through NF-κB, AKT, ERK, and NFAT. The propagated CAR T cells retained a diverse TCR repertoire, and cellular transformation was not observed. The CARs with a constitutive growth phenotype displayed inferior antitumor effects and engraftment in vivo. Therefore, the design of CARs that have a nonconstitutive growth phenotype may be a strategy to improve efficacy and engraftment of CAR T cells. The identification of CARs that confer constitutive or nonconstitutive growth patterns may explain observations that CAR T cells have differential survival patterns in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Frigault
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jihyun Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maria Ciocca Basil
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carmine Carpenito
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shinichiro Motohashi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - John Scholler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Omkar U Kawalekar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shannon E McGettigan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Avery D Posey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sonny Ang
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Jesse M Platt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Yangbing Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Kalos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael C Milone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carl H June
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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37
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Nayar S, Dasgupta P, Galustian C. Extending the lifespan and efficacies of immune cells used in adoptive transfer for cancer immunotherapies-A review. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1002720. [PMID: 26155387 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2014.1002720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells used in adoptive cell-transfer immunotherapies against cancer include dendritic cells (DCs), natural-killer cells, and CD8+ T-cells. These cells may have limited efficacy due to their lifespan, activity, and immunosuppressive effects of tumor cells. Therefore, increasing longevity and activity of these cells may boost their efficacy. Four cytokines that can extend immune effector-cell longevity are IL-2, IL-7, IL-21, and IL-15. This review will discuss current knowledge on effector-cell lifespans and the mechanisms by which IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 can extend effector-cell longevity. We will also discuss how lifespan and efficacy of these cells can be regulated to allow optimal clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Nayar
- MRC Centre for Transplantation; Kings College London; Guys Hospital ; London, UK
| | - Prokar Dasgupta
- MRC Centre for Transplantation; Kings College London; Guys Hospital ; London, UK
| | - Christine Galustian
- MRC Centre for Transplantation; Kings College London; Guys Hospital ; London, UK
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38
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Abstract
CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are currently being tested in the clinic with very promising outcomes. However, limitations to CAR T cell therapy exist. These include lack of efficacy against some tumors, specific targeting of tumor cells without affecting normal tissue and retaining activity within the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Whereas promising clinical trials are in progress, preclinical development is focused on optimizing CAR design, to generate "armored CAR T cells," which are protected from the inhibitory tumor microenvironment. Studies investigating the expression of cytokine transgenes, combination therapy with small molecule inhibitors, or monoclonal antibodies, are aimed at improving the antitumor efficacy of CAR T cell therapy. Other strategies aimed at improving CAR T cell therapy include using dual CARs and chemokine receptors to more specifically target tumor cells. This review will describe the current clinical data and some novel armored CAR T cell approaches for improving antitumor efficacy therapy.
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Pegram HJ, Purdon TJ, van Leeuwen DG, Curran KJ, Giralt SA, Barker JN, Brentjens RJ. IL-12-secreting CD19-targeted cord blood-derived T cells for the immunotherapy of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2014; 29:415-22. [PMID: 25005243 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2014.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Disease relapse or progression is a major cause of death following umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation (UCBT) in patients with high-risk, relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Adoptive transfer of donor-derived T cells modified to express a tumor-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) may eradicate persistent disease after transplantation. Such therapy has not been available to UCBT recipients, however, due to the low numbers of available UCB T cells and the limited capacity for ex vivo expansion of cytolytic cells. We have developed a novel strategy to expand UCB T cells to clinically relevant numbers in the context of exogenous cytokines. UCB-derived T cells cultured with interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-15 generated >150-fold expansion with a unique central memory/effector phenotype. Moreover, UCB T cells were modified to both express the CD19-specific CAR, 1928z, and secrete IL-12. 1928z/IL-12 UCB T cells retained a central memory-effector phenotype and had increased antitumor efficacy in vitro. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of 1928z/IL-12 UCB T cells resulted in significantly enhanced survival of CD19(+) tumor-bearing SCID-Beige mice. Clinical translation of CAR-modified UCB T cells could augment the graft-versus-leukemia effect after UCBT and thus further improve disease-free survival of transplant patients with B-cell ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Pegram
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - T J Purdon
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - D G van Leeuwen
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - K J Curran
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - S A Giralt
- 1] Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [2] Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [3] Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - J N Barker
- 1] Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [2] Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [3] Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - R J Brentjens
- 1] Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [2] Center for Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [3] Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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40
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Autonomous growth and increased cytotoxicity of natural killer cells expressing membrane-bound interleukin-15. Blood 2014; 124:1081-8. [PMID: 25006133 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-02-556837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell survival and, hence, cytotoxicity requires cytokine support. We determined whether expression of interleukin-15 (IL-15) in a nonsecretory, membrane-bound form could sustain NK cell growth. We linked the human IL15 gene to that encoding CD8α transmembrane domain (mbIL15). After retroviral transduction, human NK cells expressed mbIL15 on the cell surface; IL-15 secretion was negligible. Survival of mbIL15-NK cells without interleukin-2 (IL-2) after 7-day culture was vastly superior to that of mock-transduced NK cells (P < .001, n = 15) and of NK cells expressing nonmembrane-bound IL-15 (P = .025, n = 9); viable mbIL15-NK cells were detectable for up to 2 months. In immunodeficient mice, mbIL15-NK cells expanded without IL-2 and were detectable in all tissues examined (except brain) in much higher numbers than mock-transduced NK cells (P < .001). Expansion further increased with IL-2. The primary mechanism of mbIL15 stimulation was autocrine; it activated IL-15 signaling and antiapoptotic signaling. NK cells expressing mbIL15 had higher cytotoxicity against leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor cells in vitro and against leukemia and sarcoma cells in xenograft models. Thus, mbIL15 confers independent growth to NK cells and enhances their antitumor capacity. Infusion of mbIL15-NK cells would allow NK cell therapy without the potential adverse effects of cytokine administration.
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Zhang Y, Berka V, Song A, Sun K, Wang W, Zhang W, Ning C, Li C, Zhang Q, Bogdanov M, Alexander DC, Milburn MV, Ahmed MH, Lin H, Idowu M, Zhang J, Kato GJ, Abdulmalik OY, Zhang W, Dowhan W, Kellems RE, Zhang P, Jin J, Safo M, Tsai AL, Juneja HS, Xia Y. Elevated sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes sickling and sickle cell disease progression. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:2750-61. [PMID: 24837436 DOI: 10.1172/jci74604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that regulates multicellular functions through interactions with its receptors on cell surfaces. S1P is enriched and stored in erythrocytes; however, it is not clear whether alterations in S1P are involved in the prevalent and debilitating hemolytic disorder sickle cell disease (SCD). Here, using metabolomic screening, we found that S1P is highly elevated in the blood of mice and humans with SCD. In murine models of SCD, we demonstrated that elevated erythrocyte sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) underlies sickling and disease progression by increasing S1P levels in the blood. Additionally, we observed elevated SPHK1 activity in erythrocytes and increased S1P in blood collected from patients with SCD and demonstrated a direct impact of elevated SPHK1-mediated production of S1P on sickling that was independent of S1P receptor activation in isolated erythrocytes. Together, our findings provide insights into erythrocyte pathophysiology, revealing that a SPHK1-mediated elevation of S1P contributes to sickling and promotes disease progression, and highlight potential therapeutic opportunities for SCD.
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Maus MV, Fraietta JA, Levine BL, Kalos M, Zhao Y, June CH. Adoptive immunotherapy for cancer or viruses. Annu Rev Immunol 2014; 32:189-225. [PMID: 24423116 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy, or the infusion of lymphocytes, is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer and certain chronic viral infections. The application of the principles of synthetic biology to enhance T cell function has resulted in substantial increases in clinical efficacy. The primary challenge to the field is to identify tumor-specific targets to avoid off-tumor, on-target toxicity. Given recent advances in efficacy in numerous pilot trials, the next steps in clinical development will require multicenter trials to establish adoptive immunotherapy as a mainstream technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela V Maus
- Translational Research Program, Abramson Cancer Center and
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43
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Zuckerman WA, Rosenzweig EB. Pulmonary hypertension in children with sickle cell disease. Expert Rev Respir Med 2014; 5:233-43. [DOI: 10.1586/ers.11.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Raat NJ, Tabima DM, Specht PA, Tejero J, Champion HC, Kim-Shapiro DB, Baust J, Mik EG, Hildesheim M, Stasch JP, Becker EM, Truebel H, Gladwin MT. Direct sGC activation bypasses NO scavenging reactions of intravascular free oxy-hemoglobin and limits vasoconstriction. Antioxid Redox Signal 2013; 19:2232-43. [PMID: 23697678 PMCID: PMC3869448 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) provide a potential alternative to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Their clinical application has been limited by adverse effects, in large part thought to be mediated by the intravascular scavenging of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) by cell-free plasma oxy-hemoglobin. Free hemoglobin may also cause endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation in hemolytic diseases and after transfusion of aged stored RBCs. The new soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator Bay 41-8543 and sGC activator Bay 60-2770 directly modulate sGC, independent of NO bioavailability, providing a potential therapeutic mechanism to bypass hemoglobin-mediated NO inactivation. RESULTS Infusions of human hemoglobin solutions and the HBOC Oxyglobin into rats produced a severe hypertensive response, even at low plasma heme concentrations approaching 10 μM. These reactions were only observed for ferrous oxy-hemoglobin and not analogs that do not rapidly scavenge NO. Infusions of L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a competitive NO synthase inhibitor, after hemoglobin infusion did not produce additive vasoconstriction, suggesting that vasoconstriction is related to scavenging of vascular NO. Open-chest hemodynamic studies confirmed that hypertension occurred secondary to direct effects on increasing vascular resistance, with limited negative cardiac inotropic effects. Intravascular hemoglobin reduced the vasodilatory potency of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and sildenafil, but had no effect on vasodilatation by direct NO-independent activation of sGC by BAY 41-8543 and BAY 60-2770. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION These data suggest that both sGC stimulators and sGC activators could be used to restore cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent vasodilation in conditions where cell-free plasma hemoglobin is sufficient to inhibit endogenous NO signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaas J.H. Raat
- Laboratory of Experimental Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - D. Marcela Tabima
- Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Patricia A.C. Specht
- Laboratory of Experimental Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jesús Tejero
- Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Hunter C. Champion
- Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel B. Kim-Shapiro
- Department of Physics and the Translational Science Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jeff Baust
- Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Egbert G. Mik
- Laboratory of Experimental Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariana Hildesheim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Johannes-Peter Stasch
- Bayer Pharma AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Becker
- Bayer Pharma AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Department of Human Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Hubert Truebel
- Bayer Pharma AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Department of Human Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Mark T. Gladwin
- Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Chimeric antigen receptor modified T cell therapy for B cell malignancies. Int J Hematol 2013; 99:132-40. [PMID: 24338745 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-013-1490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of tumor-reactive T cells into cancer patients with the intent of inducing a cytotoxic anti-tumor effector response and durable immunity has long been proposed as a novel therapy for a broad range of malignancies; however, local and systemic tolerance mechanisms have hindered the generation of effective T cell therapies and limited the clinical efficacy of this approach in cancer patients. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are recombinant receptors that comprise an extracellular antigen-targeting domain in conjunction with one or more intracellular T cell signaling domains that can be introduced into T cells by genetic modification to redirect their specificity to the CAR-targeted antigen. Administration of CD19-specific CAR-modified T cells that target B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and leukemia has been remarkably effective in recent clinical trials, energizing the field and stimulating new efforts to identify the critical parameters of CAR design and T cell engineering that are necessary for effective cancer therapy.
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46
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Cellular immunotherapy for carcinoma using genetically modified EGFR-specific T lymphocytes. Neoplasia 2013; 15:544-53. [PMID: 23633926 DOI: 10.1593/neo.13168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in a variety of human malignancies, including pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Overexpression of EGFR is a predictive marker of therapeutic response and several lines of evidence suggest that EGFR is an excellent target for tumor therapy. However, the effective antitumor capacity of EGFR-specific T cells against EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells has not been fully elucidated. In our previous study, we identified an anti-EGFR single-chain variable fragment (scFv) with specific and high affinity after screening by ribosome display. In this study, the anticancer potential of anti-EGFR scFv was investigated on the basis of cell-targeted therapy. A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting EGFR was constructed and expressed on the cell membrane of T lymphocytes. These CAR-modified T cells demonstrated antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the safety evaluation showed that CAR-modified lymphocytes have no or very minimal acute systemic toxicity. Taken together, our study provided the experimental basis for clinical application of genetically engineered lymphocytes; moreover, we also evaluate a new and interesting cell therapy protocol.
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Prevention of Hemolysis-Induced Organ Damage by Nutritional Activation of the Vagal Anti-Inflammatory Reflex*. Crit Care Med 2013; 41:e361-7. [DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0b013e31828e9262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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48
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Kalos M, June CH. Adoptive T cell transfer for cancer immunotherapy in the era of synthetic biology. Immunity 2013; 39:49-60. [PMID: 23890063 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer for cancer and chronic infection is an emerging field that shows promise in recent trials. Synthetic-biology-based engineering of T lymphocytes to express high-affinity antigen receptors can overcome immune tolerance, which has been a major limitation of immunotherapy-based strategies. Advances in cell engineering and culture approaches to enable efficient gene transfer and ex vivo cell expansion have facilitated broader evaluation of this technology, moving adoptive transfer from a "boutique" application to the cusp of a mainstream technology. The major challenge currently facing the field is to increase the specificity of engineered T cells for tumors, because targeting shared antigens has the potential to lead to on-target off-tumor toxicities, as observed in recent trials. As the field of adoptive transfer technology matures, the major engineering challenge is the development of automated cell culture systems, so that the approach can extend beyond specialized academic centers and become widely available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kalos
- Abramson Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5156, USA.
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49
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Elevated Plasma Hemoglobin Levels Increase Nitric Oxide Consumption in Experimental and Clinical Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism*. Crit Care Med 2013; 41:e118-24. [DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0b013e31827c0b43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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50
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Zheng Y, Stephan MT, Gai SA, Abraham W, Shearer A, Irvine DJ. In vivo targeting of adoptively transferred T-cells with antibody- and cytokine-conjugated liposomes. J Control Release 2013; 172:426-35. [PMID: 23770010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In adoptive cell therapy (ACT), autologous tumor-specific T-cells isolated from cancer patients are activated and expanded ex vivo, then infused back into the individual to eliminate metastatic tumors. A major limitation of this promising approach is the rapid loss of ACT T-cell effector function in vivo due to the highly immunosuppressive environment in tumors. Protection of T-cells from immunosuppressive signals can be achieved by systemic administration of supporting adjuvant drugs such as interleukins, chemotherapy, and other immunomodulators, but these adjuvant treatments are often accompanied by serious toxicities and may still fail to optimally stimulate lymphocytes in all tumor and lymphoid compartments. Here we propose a novel strategy to repeatedly stimulate or track ACT T-cells, using cytokines or ACT-cell-specific antibodies as ligands to target PEGylated liposomes to transferred T-cells in vivo. Using F(ab')2 fragments against a unique cell surface antigen on ACT cells (Thy1.1) or an engineered interleukin-2 (IL-2) molecule on an Fc framework as targeting ligands, we demonstrate that >95% of ACT cells can be conjugated with liposomes following a single injection in vivo. Further, we show that IL-2-conjugated liposomes both target ACT cells and are capable of inducing repeated waves of ACT T-cell proliferation in tumor-bearing mice. These results demonstrate the feasibility of repeated functional targeting of T-cells in vivo, which will enable delivery of imaging contrast agents, immunomodulators, or chemotherapy agents in adoptive cell therapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Zheng
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
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