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Pe KCS, Jewmoung S, Rad SAH, Chantarat N, Chanswangphuwana C, Tashiro H, Suppipat K, Tawinwung S. Optimization of anti-TIM3 chimeric antigen receptor with CD8α spacer and TNFR-based costimulation for enhanced efficacy in AML therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 179:117388. [PMID: 39243430 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T cell therapy for AML remains limited due to the lack of a proper target without on-target off-tumor toxicity. TIM3 is a promising target due to its high expression on AML cells and absence in most normal hematopoietic cells. Previous reports have shown that each CAR component impacts CAR functionality. Here, we optimized TIM-3 targeting CAR T cells for AML therapy. We generated CARs targeting TIM3 with two different non-signaling domains: an IgG2-CH3 spacer with CD28 transmembrane domain (CH3/CD28) and a CD8α spacer with CD8α transmembrane domain (CD8/CD8), and evaluated their characteristics and function. Incorporating the non-signaling CH3/CD28 domain resulted in unstable CAR expression in anti-TIM3 CAR T cells, leading to lower surface CAR expression over time and reduced cytotoxic function compared to anti-TIM3 CARs with the CD8/CD8 domain. Both types of anti-TIM3 CAR T cells transiently exhibited fratricide, which subsided overtime, and both CAR T cells achieved substantial T cell expansion. To further optimize the design, we explored the effects of different costimulatory domains. Compared with CD28 costimulation, 4-1BB and CD27 combined with a CD8/CD8 non-signaling domain showed higher cytokine secretion, superior antitumor activity, and enhanced T-cell persistence after repeated antigen exposure. These findings emphasize the impact of the optimal design of CAR constructs that provide efficient function. In the context of anti-TIM3 CAR T cells, using a CD8α spacer and transmembrane domain with TNFR-based costimulation is a promising CAR design to improve anti-TIM3 CAR T cell function for AML therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Animals
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- CD8 Antigens/metabolism
- CD8 Antigens/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Mice
- CD28 Antigens/immunology
- CD28 Antigens/metabolism
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/immunology
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred NOD
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Cate S Pe
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirirut Jewmoung
- Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Natthida Chantarat
- Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chantiya Chanswangphuwana
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Haruko Tashiro
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koramit Suppipat
- Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Research Affair, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supannikar Tawinwung
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI), Bangkok, Thailand.
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2
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Zhao W, Yao Y, Li Q, Xue Y, Gao X, Liu X, Zhang Q, Zheng J, Sun S. Molecular mechanism of co-stimulatory domains in promoting CAR-T cell anti-tumor efficacy. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 227:116439. [PMID: 39032532 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have been defined as 'living drug'. Adding a co-stimulatory domain (CSD) has enhanced the anti-hematological effects of CAR-T cells, thereby elevating their viability for medicinal applications. Various CSDs have helped prepare CAR-T cells to study anti-tumor efficacy. Previous studies have described and summarized the anti-tumor efficacy of CAR-T cells obtained from different CSDs. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which different CSDs affect CAR-T function have been rarely reported. The role of CSDs in T cells has been significantly studied, but whether they can play a unique role as a part of the CAR structure remains undetermined. Here, we summarized the effects of CSDs on CAR-T signaling pathways based on the limited references and speculated the possible mechanism depending on the specific characteristics of CAR-T cells. This review will help understand the molecular mechanism of CSDs in CAR-T cells that exert different anti-tumor effects while providing potential guidance for further interventions to enhance anti-tumor efficacy in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanxin Zhao
- Cancer Institute, the First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yizhou Yao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qihong Li
- Cancer Institute, the First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Xue
- Cancer Institute, the First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoge Gao
- Cancer Institute, the First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangye Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Cancer Institute, the First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shishuo Sun
- Cancer Institute, the First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Wittling MC, Cole AC, Brammer B, Diatikar KG, Schmitt NC, Paulos CM. Strategies for Improving CAR T Cell Persistence in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2858. [PMID: 39199630 PMCID: PMC11352972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells require optimization to be effective in patients with solid tumors. There are many barriers affecting their ability to succeed. One barrier is persistence, as to achieve an optimal antitumor response, infused CAR T cells must engraft and persist. This singular variable is impacted by a multitude of factors-the CAR T cell design, lymphodepletion regimen used, expansion method to generate the T cell product, and more. Additionally, external agents can be utilized to augment CAR T cells, such as the addition of novel cytokines, pharmaceutical drugs that bolster memory formation, or other agents during either the ex vivo expansion process or after CAR T cell infusion to support them in the oppressive tumor microenvironment. This review highlights many strategies being used to optimize T cell persistence as well as future directions for improving the persistence of infused cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megen C. Wittling
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anna C. Cole
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Brianna Brammer
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kailey G. Diatikar
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nicole C. Schmitt
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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4
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Zeng S, Jin N, Yu B, Ren Q, Yan Z, Fu S. Chimeric antigen receptor-T cells targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule antigens are effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:249. [PMID: 39107717 PMCID: PMC11302356 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03286-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To construct chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antigen (anti-EpCAM-CAR-T). METHODS A third-generation CAR-T cell construct used a single-chain variable fragment derived from monoclonal antibody against human EpCAM. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted from volunteers. The proportion of cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8+) and CD4 + T cells was measured using flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of EpCAM-CAR. The killing efficiency was detected using the MTT assay and transwell assay, and the secretion of killer cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was detected using the ELISA. The inhibitory effect of EpCAM-CAR-T on colorectal cancer in vivo was detected using xenografts. RESULTS It was found that T cells expanded greatly, and the proportion of CD3+, CD8 + and CD4 + T cells was more than 60%. Furthermore, EpCAM-CAR-T cells had a higher tumour inhibition rate in the EpCAM expression positive group than in the negative group (P < 0.05). The secretion of killer cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in the EpCAM expression positive cell group was higher than that in the negative group (P < 0.05). In the experimental group treated with EpCAM-CAR-T cells, the survival rate of nude mice was higher (P < 0.05), and the tumour was smaller than that in the blank and control groups (P < 0.05). The secretion of serum killer cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in tumour-bearing nude mice in the experimental group treated with EpCAM-CAR-T cells was higher than that in the blank and control groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study successfully constructed EpCAM-CAR cells and found that they can target and recognise EpCAM-positive tumour cells, secrete killer cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ and better inhibit the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo than unmodified T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siheng Zeng
- Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201700, China
- Birth Defects and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and Health Graduate Education Innovation Center, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China
| | - Ning Jin
- Birth Defects and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and Health Graduate Education Innovation Center, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China
| | - Baofeng Yu
- Birth Defects and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and Health Graduate Education Innovation Center, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China
| | - Qing Ren
- Department of Gynecology, Hainan West Central Hospital, Danzhou, Hainan, 571700, China
| | - Zhiqiang Yan
- Department of Gynecology, Hainan West Central Hospital, Danzhou, Hainan, 571700, China
| | - Songtao Fu
- Birth Defects and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and Health Graduate Education Innovation Center, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China.
- Biomedicine and Health Graduate Education Innovation Center, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China.
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5
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Nipper AJ, Warren EAK, Liao KS, Liu HC, Michikawa C, Porter CE, Wells GA, Villanueva M, Brasil da Costa FH, Veeramachaneni R, Villanueva H, Suzuki M, Sikora AG. Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Platform for Assessing the In Vivo Efficacy of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy in Solid Tumors. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:598-605. [PMID: 39225630 PMCID: PMC11374747 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2400059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The fertilized chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a highly vascularized membrane nourishing the developing embryo, also supports rapid growth of three-dimensional vascularized tumors from engrafted cells and tumor explants. Because murine xenograft models suffer limitations of time, cost, and scalability, we propose CAM tumors as a rapid, efficient screening tool for assessing anti-tumor efficacy of chimeric Ag receptor (CAR) T cells against solid tumors. We tested the efficacy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-specific CAR T cells against luminescent, HER2-expressing (FaDu, SCC-47) or HER2-negative (MDA-MB-468) CAM-engrafted tumors. Three days after tumor engraftment, HER2-specific CAR T cells were applied to tumors grown on the CAM. Four days post-CAR T cell treatment, HER2-expressing FaDu and SCC-47 tumors treated with CAR T showed reduced viable cancer cells as assessed by luciferase activity. This reduction in viable tumor cells was confirmed by histology, with lower Ki-67 staining observed in CAR T cell-treated tumors relative to T cell-treated controls. Persistence of CAR T in CAM and tumor tissue 4 days post-treatment was confirmed by CD3 staining. Altogether, our findings support further development of the chick CAM as an in vivo system for rapid, scalable screening of CAR T cell efficacy against human solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Nipper
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Emilie A K Warren
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Kershena S Liao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hsuan-Chen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Chieko Michikawa
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Caroline E Porter
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Mariana Villanueva
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Ratna Veeramachaneni
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Hugo Villanueva
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Masataka Suzuki
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Andrew G Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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6
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Zhang T, Wen R, Fan H, Yu Y, Jia H, Peng Z, Zhou L, Yu G, Zhang W. Impact and potential value of immunosenescence on solid gastrointestinal tumors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375730. [PMID: 39007138 PMCID: PMC11239362 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375730] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Solid gastrointestinal tumors often respond poorly to immunotherapy for the complex tumor microenvironment (TME), which is exacerbated by immune system alterations. Immunosenescence is the process of increased diversification of immune genes due to aging and other factors, leading to a decrease in the recognition function of the immune system. This process involves immune organs, immune cells, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The most fundamental change is DNA damage, resulting in TME remodeling. The main manifestations are worsening inflammation, increased immunosuppressive SASP production, decreased immune cell antitumor activity, and the accumulation of tumor-associated fibroblasts and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, making antitumor therapy less effective. Senotherapy strategies to remove senescent cells and block key senescence processes can have synergistic effects with other treatments. This review focuses on immunoenescence and its impact on the solid TME. We characterize the immunosenescent TME and discuss future directions for antitumor therapies targeting senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leqi Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanyu Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Zhang G, Wang Y, Lu S, Ding F, Wang X, Zhu C, Wang Y, Wang K. Molecular understanding and clinical outcomes of CAR T cell therapy in the treatment of urological tumors. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:359. [PMID: 38789450 PMCID: PMC11126652 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06734-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor engineered T (CAR T) cell therapy has developed rapidly in recent years, leading to profound developments in oncology, especially for hematologic malignancies. However, given the pressure of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, antigen escape, and diverse other factors, its application in solid tumors is less developed. Urinary system tumors are relatively common, accounting for approximately 24% of all new cancers in the United States. CAR T cells have great potential for urinary system tumors. This review summarizes the latest developments of CAR T cell therapy in urinary system tumors, including kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer, and also outlines the various CAR T cell generations and their pathways and targets that have been developed thus far. Finally, the current advantages, problems, and side effects of CAR T cell therapy are discussed in depth, and potential future developments are proposed in view of current shortcomings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Shiyang Lu
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Fengzhu Ding
- Department of Nursing, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Chunming Zhu
- Department of Family Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Yibing Wang
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Kefeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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8
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Rujirachaivej P, Siriboonpiputtana T, Luangwattananun P, Yuti P, Wutti-In Y, Choomee K, Sujjitjoon J, Chareonsirisuthigul T, Rerkamnuaychoke B, Junking M, Yenchitsomanus PT. Therapeutic potential of third-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting B cell maturation antigen for treating multiple myeloma. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:90. [PMID: 38683232 PMCID: PMC11058938 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy characterized by the rapid proliferation of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow. Standard therapies often fail due to patient resistance. The US FDA has approved second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells) for MM treatment. However, achieving enduring clinical responses remains a challenge in CAR T cell therapy. This study developed third-generation T cells with an anti-BCMA CAR (anti-BCMA-CAR3). The CAR incorporated a fully human scFv specific to BCMA, linked to the CD8 hinge region. The design included the CD28 transmembrane domain, two co-stimulatory domains (CD28 and 4-1BB), and the CD3ζ signaling domain (28BBζ). Lentiviral technology generated these modified T cells, which were compared against anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells for efficacy against cancer. Anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells exhibited significantly higher cytotoxic activity against BCMA-expressing cells (KMS-12-PE and NCI-H929) compared to anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells. At an effector-to-target ratio of 10:1, anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells induced lysis in 75.5 ± 3.8% of NCI-H929 cells, whereas anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells achieved 56.7 ± 3.4% (p = 0.0023). Notably, after twelve days of cultivation, anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells nearly eradicated BCMA-positive cells (4.1 ± 2.1%), while anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells allowed 36.8 ± 20.1% to survive. This study highlights the superior efficacy of anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells against both low and high BCMA-expressing MM cells, surpassing anti-BCMA-CAR2 T cells. These findings suggest potential for advancing anti-BCMA-CAR3 T cells in chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy for relapsed/refractory MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punchita Rujirachaivej
- Graduate Program in Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Piriya Luangwattananun
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT) and Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pornpimon Yuti
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT) and Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yupanun Wutti-In
- Division of Transfusion Science, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kornkan Choomee
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT) and Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jatuporn Sujjitjoon
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT) and Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Takol Chareonsirisuthigul
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Budsaba Rerkamnuaychoke
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mutita Junking
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT) and Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT) and Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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9
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Somboonpatarakun C, Phanthaphol N, Suwanchiwasiri K, Ramwarungkura B, Yuti P, Poungvarin N, Thuwajit P, Junking M, Yenchitsomanus PT. Cytotoxicity of fourth-generation anti-Trop2 CAR-T cells against breast cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111631. [PMID: 38359664 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of breast cancer (BC) remains a formidable challenge due to the emergence of drug resistance, necessitating the exploration of innovative strategies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, a groundbreaking approach in hematologic malignancies, is actively under investigation for its potential application in solid tumors, including BC. Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) has emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic target in various cancers and is notably overexpressed in BC. To enhance therapeutic efficacy in BC, a fourth-generation CAR (CAR4) construct was developed. This CAR4 design incorporates an anti-Trop2 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) fused with three costimulatory domains -CD28/4-1BB/CD27, and CD3ζ. Comparative analysis with the conventional second-generation CAR (CAR2; 28ζ) revealed that anti-Trop2 CAR4 T cells exhibited heightened cytotoxicity and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production against Trop2-expressing MCF-7 cells. Notably, anti-Trop2 CAR4-T cells demonstrated superior long-term cytotoxic functionality and proliferative capacity. Crucially, anti-Trop2 CAR4-T cells displayed specific cytotoxicity against Trop2-positive BC cells (MDA-MB-231, HCC70, and MCF-7) in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems. Following antigen-specific killing, these cells markedly secreted interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IFN-γ, and Granzyme B compared to non-transduced T cells. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of anti-Trop2 CAR4-T cells in adoptive T cell therapy for BC, offering significant promise for the advancement of BC treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalermchai Somboonpatarakun
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nattaporn Phanthaphol
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Science, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Kwanpirom Suwanchiwasiri
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Multidisciplinary Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Boonyanuch Ramwarungkura
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Pornpimon Yuti
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Naravat Poungvarin
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Peti Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Mutita Junking
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
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10
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Xian W, Asad M, Wu S, Bai Z, Li F, Lu J, Zu G, Brintnell E, Chen H, Mao Y, Zhou G, Liao B, Wu J, Wang E, You L. Distinct immune escape and microenvironment between RG-like and pri-OPC-like glioma revealed by single-cell RNA-seq analysis. Front Med 2024; 18:147-168. [PMID: 37955814 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The association of neurogenesis and gliogenesis with glioma remains unclear. By conducting single-cell RNA-seq analyses on 26 gliomas, we reported their classification into primitive oligodendrocyte precursor cell (pri-OPC)-like and radial glia (RG)-like tumors and validated it in a public cohort and TCGA glioma. The RG-like tumors exhibited wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase and tended to carry EGFR mutations, and the pri-OPC-like ones were prone to carrying TP53 mutations. Tumor subclones only in pri-OPC-like tumors showed substantially down-regulated MHC-I genes, suggesting their distinct immune evasion programs. Furthermore, the two subgroups appeared to extensively modulate glioma-infiltrating lymphocytes in distinct manners. Some specific genes not expressed in normal immune cells were found in glioma-infiltrating lymphocytes. For example, glial/glioma stem cell markers OLIG1/PTPRZ1 and B cell-specific receptors IGLC2/IGKC were expressed in pri-OPC-like and RG-like glioma-infiltrating lymphocytes, respectively. Their expression was positively correlated with those of immune checkpoint genes (e.g., LGALS33) and poor survivals as validated by the increased expression of LGALS3 upon IGKC overexpression in Jurkat cells. This finding indicated a potential inhibitory role in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and could provide a new way of cancer immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Xian
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mohammad Asad
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Shuai Wu
- Glioma Surgery Division, Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zhixin Bai
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fengjiao Li
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Junfeng Lu
- Glioma Surgery Division, Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Gaoyu Zu
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Erin Brintnell
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Guomin Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Bo Liao
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 570100, China
| | - Jinsong Wu
- Glioma Surgery Division, Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Edwin Wang
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Linya You
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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11
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Kasamatsu T. Implications of Senescent T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5835. [PMID: 38136380 PMCID: PMC10742305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245835] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell senescence is thought to result from the age-related loss of the ability to mount effective responses to pathogens and tumor cells. In addition to aging, T-cell senescence is caused by repeated antigenic stimulation and chronic inflammation. Moreover, we demonstrated that T-cell senescence was induced by treatment with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents. The characteristics of therapy-induced senescent T (TIS-T) cells and general senescent T cells are largely similar. Senescent T cells demonstrate an increase in the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase-positive population, cell cycle arrest, secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotypic factors, and metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, senescent T cells downregulate the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD27 and CD28 and upregulate natural killer cell-related molecules. Moreover, TIS-T cells showed increased PD-1 expression. However, the loss of proliferative capacity and decreased expression of co-stimulatory molecules associated with T-cell senescence cause a decrease in T-cell immunocompetence. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of senescent T-cells, including therapy-induced senescent T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuhiro Kasamatsu
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8514, Gunma, Japan
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12
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Yuti P, Sawasdee N, Natungnuy K, Rujirachaivej P, Luangwattananun P, Sujjitjoon J, Yenchitsomanus PT. Enhanced antitumor efficacy, proliferative capacity, and alleviation of T cell exhaustion by fifth-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting B cell maturation antigen in multiple myeloma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115691. [PMID: 37844355 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) has been approved for treating multiple myeloma (MM). Some clinical studies reported suboptimal outcomes, including reduced cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells and tumor evasion through increased expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). To enhance CAR-T cell efficiency and overcome PD-L1-mediated T cell suppression, we developed anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells equipped with three costimulatory domains and the ability to secrete anti-PD-L1 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) blockade molecules. Anti-BCMA-CAR4-T cells contained a fully human anti-BCMA scFv and three intracellular domains (CD28, 4-1BB, and CD27) joined with CD3ζ. Anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells were generated by fusing anti-BCMA-CAR4 with anti-PD-L1 scFv. Both anti-BCMA-CAR4-T and anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells demonstrated comparable antitumor activity against parental MM cells. However, at an effector-to-target ratio of 1:2, only anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells maintained cytolytic activity against PD-L1 high MM cells, unlike anti-BCMA-CAR4 T cells. Anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells were specifically activated by BCMA-expressing target cells, resulting in increased CAR-T cell proliferation, release of cytolytic mediators, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells demonstrated specific cytotoxicity against BCMA-expressing target cells, leading to decreased target cell numbers, increased CAR-T cell numbers, and preserved CAR expression during antigenic re-stimulation. Interestingly, only anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells showed reduced PD-1 receptor levels, which correlated with decreased PD-L1 expression on target cells. We successfully generated anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells capable of secreting anti-PD-L1 scFv. These cells exhibited superior antitumor efficiency, proliferative capacity, and alleviated T-cell exhaustion against MM cells. Further investigation into the antitumor efficacy of anti-BCMA-CAR5-T cells is warranted in ex vivo and clinical research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpimon Yuti
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nunghathai Sawasdee
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Krissada Natungnuy
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Punchita Rujirachaivej
- Graduate Program in Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piriya Luangwattananun
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jatuporn Sujjitjoon
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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13
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van der Sluis TC, van Haften FJ, van Duikeren S, Pardieck IN, de Graaf JF, Vleeshouwers W, van der Maaden K, Melief CJM, van der Burg SH, Arens R. Delayed vaccine-induced CD8 + T cell expansion by topoisomerase I inhibition mediates enhanced CD70-dependent tumor eradication. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007158. [PMID: 38030302 PMCID: PMC10689370 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The survival of patients with cervical cancer who are treated with cisplatin in conjunction with the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan is enhanced when compared with patients treated with only one of these chemotherapeutics. Moreover, cisplatin-based and T cell-based immunotherapy have been shown to synergize, resulting in stronger antitumor responses. Here, we interrogated whether topotecan could further enhance the synergy of cisplatin with T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. METHODS Mice bearing human papilloma virus 16 (HPV16) E6/E7-expressing TC-1 tumors were vaccinated with HPV16 E7 long peptides and additionally received chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and topotecan. We performed an in-depth study of this combinatorial chemoimmunotherapy on the effector function and expansion/contraction kinetics of vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, we interrogated the particular role of chemotherapy-induced upregulation of costimulatory ligands by tumor-infiltrated myeloid cells on T cell proliferation and survival. RESULTS We show that E7 long peptide vaccination combined with cisplatin and topotecan, results in CD8+ T cell-dependent durable rejection of established tumors and 94% long-term survival. Although topotecan initially repressed the expansion of vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells, these cells eventually expanded vigorously, which was followed by delayed contraction. These effects associated with the induction of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and the antiapoptosis molecule Bcl-2 by intratumoral tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, which was regulated by topotecan-mediated upregulation of the costimulatory ligand CD70 on myeloid cells in the TME. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data show that although treatment with cisplatin, topotecan and vaccination initially delays T cell expansion, this combinatorial therapy results eventually in a more robust T cell-mediated tumor eradication due to enhancement of costimulatory molecules in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suzanne van Duikeren
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Iris N Pardieck
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ward Vleeshouwers
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Koen van der Maaden
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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14
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Chen C, Wang Z, Qin Y. CRISPR/Cas9 system: recent applications in immuno-oncology and cancer immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:95. [PMID: 37964355 PMCID: PMC10647168 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00457-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is essentially an adaptive immunity weapon in prokaryotes against foreign DNA. This system inspires the development of genome-editing technology in eukaryotes. In biomedicine research, CRISPR has offered a powerful platform to establish tumor-bearing models and screen potential targets in the immuno-oncology field, broadening our insights into cancer genomics. In translational medicine, the versatile CRISPR/Cas9 system exhibits immense potential to break the current limitations of cancer immunotherapy, thereby expanding the feasibility of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) in treating solid tumors. Herein, we first explain the principles of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and introduce CRISPR as a tool in tumor modeling. We next focus on the CRISPR screening for target discovery that reveals tumorigenesis, immune evasion, and drug resistance mechanisms. Moreover, we discuss the recent breakthroughs of genetically modified ACT using CRISPR/Cas9. Finally, we present potential challenges and perspectives in basic research and clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas9. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR/Cas9 applications that advance our insights into tumor-immune interaction and lay the foundation to optimize cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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15
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Grover P, Nunez-Cruz S, Leferovich J, Wentz T, Bagchi A, Milone MC, Greene MI. F77 antigen is a promising target for adoptive T cell therapy of prostate cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 680:51-60. [PMID: 37717341 PMCID: PMC10591779 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has made significant success in treating hematological malignancies, paving the way for solid tumors like prostate cancer. However, progress is impeded by a paucity of suitable target antigens. A novel carbohydrate antigen, F77, is expressed on both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, making it a potential immunotherapy target. This study entails the generation and evaluation of a second-generation CAR against a carbohydrate antigen on malignant prostate cancer cells. Using a single chain fragment variable (scFv) from an F77-specific mouse monoclonal antibody, we created second-generation CARs with CD28 and CD137 (4-1BB) costimulatory signals. F77 expressing lentiviral CAR T cells produce cytokines and kill tumor cells in a F77 expression-dependent manner. These F77-specific CAR T cells eradicate prostate tumors in a human xenograft model employing PC3 cells. These findings validate F77 as a promising immunotherapeutic target for prostate cancer and other malignancies with this aberrant carbohydrate structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Grover
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Selene Nunez-Cruz
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John Leferovich
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tyra Wentz
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Atrish Bagchi
- Loxo Oncology @ Lilly, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Michael C Milone
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mark I Greene
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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16
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Zhu Q, Zhang R, Lu F, Zhang X, Zhang D, Zhang Y, Chen E, Han F, Zha D. Cuproptosis-related LINC02454 as a biomarker for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on a novel risk model and in vitro and in vivo analyses. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15185-15206. [PMID: 37639011 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs) are aggressive tumors with the second-highest morbidity rate in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cuproptosis is a type of programmed cell death that impacts tumor malignancy and progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (crlncRNAs) and the tumor immune microenvironment and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in LSCC, and crlncRNA impact on LSCC malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical and RNA-sequencing data from patients with LSCC were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas. Differentially expressed prognosis-related crlncRNAs were identified based on univariate Cox regression analysis, a crlncRNA signature for LSCC was developed and validated using LASSO Cox regression. Finally, the effect of LINC02454, the core signature crlncRNA, on LSCC malignancy progression was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We identified a four-crlncRNA signature (LINC02454, AC026310.1, AC090517.2, and AC000123.1), according to which we divided the patients into high- and low-risk groups. The crlncRNA signature risk score was an independent prognostic indicator for overall and progression-free survival, and displayed high predictive accuracy. Patients with a higher abundance of infiltrating dendritic cells, M0 macrophages, and neutrophils had worse prognoses and those in the high-risk group were highly sensitive to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs. Knockdown of LINC02454 caused tumor suppression, via cuproptosis induction. CONCLUSIONS A novel signature of four crlncRNAs was found to be highly accurate as a risk prediction model for patients with LSCC and to have potential for improving the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of LSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwen Zhu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xian, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruyue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xian, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xian, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Daidi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Erfang Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xian, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Fugen Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - DingJun Zha
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xian, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Giordano Attianese GMP, Ash S, Irving M. Coengineering specificity, safety, and function into T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:166-198. [PMID: 37548063 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapies, including of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and T cells gene-modified to express either a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), have demonstrated clinical efficacy for a proportion of patients and cancer-types. The field of ACT has been driven forward by the clinical success of CD19-CAR therapy against various advanced B-cell malignancies, including curative responses for some leukemia patients. However, relapse remains problematic, in particular for lymphoma. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, relative limited efficacy has been demonstrated for ACT of non-hematological solid tumors. Indeed, in addition to pre-infusion challenges including lymphocyte collection and manufacturing, ACT failure can be attributed to several biological processes post-transfer including, (i) inefficient tumor trafficking, infiltration, expansion and retention, (ii) chronic antigen exposure coupled with insufficient costimulation resulting in T-cell exhaustion, (iii) a range of barriers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated by both tumor cells and suppressive immune infiltrate, (iv) tumor antigen heterogeneity and loss, or down-regulation of antigen presentation machinery, (v) gain of tumor intrinsic mechanisms of resistance such as to apoptosis, and (vi) various forms of toxicity and other adverse events in patients. Affinity-optimized TCRs can improve T-cell function and innovative CAR designs as well as gene-modification strategies can be used to coengineer specificity, safety, and function into T cells. Coengineering strategies can be designed not only to directly support the transferred T cells, but also to block suppressive barriers in the TME and harness endogenous innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we review a selection of the remarkable T-cell coengineering strategies, including of tools, receptors, and gene-cargo, that have been developed in recent years to augment tumor control by ACT, more and more of which are advancing to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Ash
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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18
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Kronig MN, Wehrli M, Salas-Benito D, Maus MV. "Hurdles race for CAR T-cell therapy in digestive tract cancer". Immunol Rev 2023; 320:100-119. [PMID: 37694970 PMCID: PMC10846098 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Digestive tract cancers (DTC) belong to the most investigated family of tumors. The incidence, prevalence, and mortality rate of DTC remain high, especially for patients with pancreatic cancer. Even though immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of solid cancer types, ICI are still restricted to a very small group of patients and seem to be more efficacious in combination with chemotherapy. Cellular immunotherapy such as CAR T-cell therapy has entered clinical routine in hematological malignancies with outstanding results. There is growing interest on translating this kind of immunotherapy and success into patients with solid malignancies, such as DTC. This review attempts to describe the major advances in preclinical and clinical research with CAR T cells in DTC, considering the most relevant hurdles in each subtype of DTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Noelle Kronig
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern
University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Wehrli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern
University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA, U.S.A
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center,
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diego Salas-Benito
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA, U.S.A
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center,
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V. Maus
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA, U.S.A
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center,
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Peroni E, Randi ML, Rosato A, Cagnin S. Acute myeloid leukemia: from NGS, through scRNA-seq, to CAR-T. dissect cancer heterogeneity and tailor the treatment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:259. [PMID: 37803464 PMCID: PMC10557350 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02841-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant blood cancer with marked cellular heterogeneity due to altered maturation and differentiation of myeloid blasts, the possible causes of which are transcriptional or epigenetic alterations, impaired apoptosis, and excessive cell proliferation. This neoplasm has a high rate of resistance to anticancer therapies and thus a high risk of relapse and mortality because of both the biological diversity of the patient and intratumoral heterogeneity due to the acquisition of new somatic changes. For more than 40 years, the old gold standard "one size fits all" treatment approach included intensive chemotherapy treatment with anthracyclines and cytarabine.The manuscript first traces the evolution of the understanding of the pathology from the 1970s to the present. The enormous strides made in its categorization prove to be crucial for risk stratification, enabling an increasingly personalized diagnosis and treatment approach.Subsequently, we highlight how, over the past 15 years, technological advances enabling single cell RNA sequencing and T-cell modification based on the genomic tools are affecting the classification and treatment of AML. At the dawn of the new millennium, the advent of high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled the profiling of patients evidencing different facets of the same disease, stratifying risk, and identifying new possible therapeutic targets that have subsequently been validated. Currently, the possibility of investigating tumor heterogeneity at the single cell level, profiling the tumor at the time of diagnosis or after treatments exist. This would allow the identification of underrepresented cellular subclones or clones resistant to therapeutic approaches and thus responsible for post-treatment relapse that would otherwise be difficult to detect with bulk investigations on the tumor biopsy. Single-cell investigation will then allow even greater personalization of therapy to the genetic and transcriptional profile of the tumor, saving valuable time and dangerous side effects. The era of personalized medicine will take a huge step forward through the disclosure of each individual piece of the complex puzzle that is cancer pathology, to implement a "tailored" therapeutic approach based also on engineered CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Peroni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padova, 35128, Italy.
| | - Maria Luigia Randi
- First Medical Clinic, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padova, 35128, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Cagnin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
- CIR-Myo Myology Center, University of Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
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20
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Mai J, Wu L, Yang L, Sun T, Liu X, Yin R, Jiang Y, Li J, Li Q. Therapeutic strategies targeting folate receptor α for ovarian cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1254532. [PMID: 37711615 PMCID: PMC10499382 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest gynecological cancer, and presents a major clinical challenge due to limited treatment options. Folate receptor alpha (FRα), encoded by the FOLR1 gene, is an attractive therapeutically target due to its prevalent and high expression in EOC cells. Recent basic and translational studies have explored several modalities, such as antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, and folate-drug conjugate, to exploit FRα for EOC treatment. In this review, we summarize the function of FRα, and clinical efficacies of various FRα-based therapeutics. We highlight mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV), or Elahere (ImmunoGen), the first FRα-targeting ADC approved by the FDA to treat platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. We discuss potential mechanisms and management of ocular adverse events associated with MIRV administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Mai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Limei Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The first Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rutie Yin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongmei Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinke Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qintong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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21
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Zhu Y, Feng J, Wan R, Huang W. CAR T Cell Therapy: Remedies of Current Challenges in Design, Injection, Infiltration and Working. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:1783-1792. [PMID: 37337518 PMCID: PMC10277020 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s413348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, as an innovative immunotherapy, plays a huge role in current cancer therapy. Although CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated therapeutic effects in some subtypes of B cell leukemia or lymphoma, there are many challenges that limit the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells in solid tumors. And how to efficiently transport CAR T cells to tumor tissues is a continuing concern for us. In this review, experiments have been extensively studied and compared. We finally compared the influence of different injection methods on therapeutic efficacy. We also carefully explored the difficulties of designing, homing, and working of CAR T cells, and ultimately came up with better solutions for each process to help CAR T cells reach tumor tissue more efficiently and quickly. These results will have significant implications for guiding CAR T cell therapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianguo Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rongxue Wan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhua Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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22
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McKenzie C, El-Kholy M, Parekh F, Robson M, Lamb K, Allen C, Sillibourne J, Cordoba S, Thomas S, Pule M. Novel Fas-TNFR chimeras that prevent Fas ligand-mediated kill and signal synergistically to enhance CAR T cell efficacy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:603-621. [PMID: 37200859 PMCID: PMC10185706 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The hostile tumor microenvironment limits the efficacy of adoptive cell therapies. Activation of the Fas death receptor initiates apoptosis and disrupting these receptors could be key to increasing CAR T cell efficacy. We screened a library of Fas-TNFR proteins identifying several novel chimeras that not only prevented Fas ligand-mediated kill, but also enhanced CAR T cell efficacy by signaling synergistically with the CAR. Upon binding Fas ligand, Fas-CD40 activated the NF-κB pathway, inducing greatest proliferation and IFN-γ release out of all Fas-TNFRs tested. Fas-CD40 induced profound transcriptional modifications, particularly genes relating to the cell cycle, metabolism, and chemokine signaling. Co-expression of Fas-CD40 with either 4-1BB- or CD28-containing CARs increased in vitro efficacy by augmenting CAR T cell proliferation and cancer target cytotoxicity, and enhanced tumor killing and overall mouse survival in vivo. Functional activity of the Fas-TNFRs were dependent on the co-stimulatory domain within the CAR, highlighting crosstalk between signaling pathways. Furthermore, we show that a major source for Fas-TNFR activation derives from CAR T cells themselves via activation-induced Fas ligand upregulation, highlighting a universal role of Fas-TNFRs in augmenting CAR T cell responses. We have identified Fas-CD40 as the optimal chimera for overcoming Fas ligand-mediated kill and enhancing CAR T cell efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Pule
- Autolus Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, UK
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
- Corresponding author Martin Pule, Autolus Therapeutics, London W12 7FP, UK.
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23
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Nagai H, Azuma M, Sato A, Shibui N, Ogawara S, Tsutsui Y, Suzuki A, Wakaizumi T, Ito A, Matsuyama S, Morita M, Hikosaka Kuniishi M, Ishii N, So T. Fundamental Characterization of Antibody Fusion-Single-Chain TNF Recombinant Proteins Directed against Costimulatory TNF Receptors Expressed by T-Lymphocytes. Cells 2023; 12:1596. [PMID: 37371066 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The costimulatory signal regulated by the members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily expressed by T cells plays essential roles for T cell responses and has emerged as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. However, it is unclear how the difference in TNFR costimulation contributes to T cell responses. In this study, to clarify the functional significance of four different TNFRs, OX40, 4-1BB, CD27 and GITR, we prepared corresponding single-chain TNF ligand proteins (scTNFLs) connected to IgG Fc domain with beneficial characteristics, i.e., Fc-scOX40L, Fc-sc4-1BBL, Fc-scCD27L (CD70) and Fc-scGITRL. Without intentional cross-linking, these soluble Fc-scTNFL proteins bound to corresponding TNFRs induced NF-kB signaling and promoted proliferative and cytokine responses in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with different dose-dependencies in vitro. Mice injected with one of the Fc-scTNFL proteins displayed significantly augmented delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, showing in vivo activity. The results demonstrate that each individual Fc-scTNFL protein provides a critical costimulatory signal and exhibits quantitatively distinct activity toward T cells. Our findings provide important insights into the TNFR costimulation that would be valuable for investigators conducting basic research in cancer immunology and also have implications for T cell-mediated immune regulation by designer TNFL proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hodaka Nagai
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mitsuki Azuma
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ayaka Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Nagito Shibui
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Sayaka Ogawara
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Yuta Tsutsui
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ayano Suzuki
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Tomomi Wakaizumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Aya Ito
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shimpei Matsuyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Masashi Morita
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mari Hikosaka Kuniishi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Naoto Ishii
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takanori So
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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24
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Si W, Fan YY, Qiu SZ, Li X, Wu EY, Ju JQ, Huang W, Wang HP, Wei P. Design of diversified chimeric antigen receptors through rational module recombination. iScience 2023; 26:106529. [PMID: 37102149 PMCID: PMC10123334 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have shown great promise in cancer therapy. However, the anti-tumor efficiency is limited due to the CAR-induced T cell apoptosis or exhaustion. The intracellular domain of CAR comprised of various signaling modules orchestrates CAR-T cell behaviors. The modularity of CAR signaling domain functions as the "mainboard" to assemble diversified downstream signaling components. Here, we implemented the modular recombination strategy to construct a library of CARs with synthetic co-signaling modules adopted from immunoglobin-like superfamily (IgSF) and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF). We quantitatively characterized the signaling behaviors of these recombinants by both NFAT and NF-κB reporter, and identified a set of new CARs with diverse signaling behaviors. Specifically, the 28(NM)-BB(MC) CAR-T cells exhibited improved cytotoxicity and T cell persistence. The synthetic approach can promote our understanding of the signaling principles of CAR molecule, and provide a powerful tool box for CAR-T cell engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Si
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Quantitative Biology and Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying-Ying Fan
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Quantitative Biology and Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shi-Zhen Qiu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xin Li
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Er-Yi Wu
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Quantitative Biology and Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jian-Qi Ju
- Center for Quantitative Biology and Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Center for Quantitative Biology and Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hao-Peng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ping Wei
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Quantitative Biology and Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Corresponding author
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25
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Wang C, Liu J, Li W. 'Off the shelf' immunotherapies: Generation and application of pluripotent stem cell-derived immune cells. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13425. [PMID: 36855955 PMCID: PMC10068955 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, great strides have been made toward the development of immune cell-based therapies in the treatment of refractory malignancies. Primary T cells and NK cells armed with chimeric antigen receptors have achieved tremendous clinical success especially in patients with leukaemia and lymphoma. However, the autologous origin of these effector cells means that a single batch of laboriously engineered cells treats only a certain patient, leading to high cost, ununiform product quality, and risk of delay in treatment, and therefore results in restricted accessibility of these therapies to the overwhelming majority of the patients. Addressing these tricky obstacles calls for the development of universal immune cell products that can be provided 'off the shelf' in a large amount. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), owing to their unique capacity of self-renewal and the potential of multi-lineage differentiation, offer an unlimited cell source to generate uniform and scalable engineered immune cells. This review discusses the major advances in the development of PSC-derived immune cell differentiation approaches and their therapeutic potential in treating both hematologic malignancies and solid tumours. We also consider the potency of PSC-derived immune cells as an alternative therapeutic strategy for other diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, fibrosis, infections, et al.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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26
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Zheng C, Shi Y, Zou Y. T cell co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways in atopic dermatitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1081999. [PMID: 36993982 PMCID: PMC10040887 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1081999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting the T cell inhibitory pathways has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, ICIs might induce progressive atopic dermatitis (AD) by affecting T cell reactivation. The critical role of T cells in AD pathogenesis is widely known. T cell co-signaling pathways regulate T cell activation, where co-signaling molecules are essential for determining the magnitude of the T cell response to antigens. Given the increasing use of ICIs in cancer treatment, a timely overview of the role of T cell co-signaling molecules in AD is required. In this review, we emphasize the importance of these molecules involved in AD pathogenesis. We also discuss the potential of targeting T cell co-signaling pathways to treat AD and present the unresolved issues and existing limitations. A better understanding of the T cell co-signaling pathways would aid investigation of the mechanism, prognosis evaluation, and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjiao Zheng
- Skin and Cosmetic Research Department, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuling Shi
- Institute of Psoriasis, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuling Shi, ; Ying Zou,
| | - Ying Zou
- Skin and Cosmetic Research Department, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuling Shi, ; Ying Zou,
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27
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Yang J, Zhou W, Li D, Niu T, Wang W. BCMA-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma. Cancer Lett 2023; 553:215949. [PMID: 36216149 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematologic malignancy, despite the development of numerous innovative therapies during the past two decades. Immunotherapies are changing the treatment paradigm of MM and have improved the overall response and survival of patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) MM. B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), selectively expressed in normal and malignant plasma cells, has been targeted by several immunotherapeutic modalities. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, the breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, have revolutionized the treatment of B cell malignancies and remarkably improved the prognosis of RRMM. BCMA-targeting CAR T cell therapy is the most developed CAR T cell therapy for MM, and the US Food and Drug Administration has already approved idecabtagene vicleucel (Ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Cilta-cel) for MM. However, the development of novel BCMA-targeting CAR T cell therapies remains in progress. This review focuses on BCMA-targeting CAR T cell therapy, covering all stages of investigational progress, including the innovative preclinical studies, the initial phase I clinical trials, and the more developed phase II clinical trials. It also discusses possible measures to improve the efficacy and safety of this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinrong Yang
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and National Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Weilin Zhou
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and National Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and National Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and National Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and National Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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28
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Bozorgmehr N, Hnatiuk M, Peters AC, Elahi S. Depletion of polyfunctional CD26 highCD8 + T cells repertoire in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:13. [PMID: 36707896 PMCID: PMC9881277 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00375-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD8+ T cells play an essential role against tumors but the role of human CD8+CD26+ T cell subset against tumors, in particular, haematological cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains unknown. Although CD4+CD26high T cells are considered for adoptive cancer immunotherapy, the role of CD8+CD26+ T cells is ill-defined. Therefore, further studies are required to better determine the role of CD8+CD26+ T cells in solid tumors and haematological cancers. METHODS We studied 55 CLL and 44 age-sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). The expression of CD26 on different T cell subsets (e.g. naïve, memory, effector, and etc.) was analyzed. Also, functional properties of CD8+CD26+ and CD8+CD26- T cells were evaluated. Finally, the plasma cytokine/chemokine and Galectin-9 (Gal-9) levels were examined. RESULTS CD26 expression identifies three CD8+ T cell subsets with distinct immunological properties. While CD26negCD8+ T cells are mainly transitional, effector memory and effectors, CD26lowCD8+ T cells are mainly naïve, stem cell, and central memory but CD26high T cells are differentiated to transitional and effector memory. CD26+CD8+ T cells are significantly reduced in CLL patients versus HCs. CD26high cells are enriched with Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells co-expressing CD161TVα7.2 and IL-18Rα. Also, CD26high cells have a rich chemokine receptor profile (e.g. CCR5 and CCR6), profound cytokine (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2), and cytolytic molecules (Granzyme B, K, and perforin) expression upon stimulation. CD26high and CD26low T cells exhibit significantly lower frequencies of CD160, 2B4, TIGIT, ICOS, CD39, and PD-1 but higher levels of CD27, CD28, and CD73 versus CD26neg cells. To understand the mechanism linked to CD26high depletion, we found that malignant B cells by shedding Galectin-9 (Gal-9) contribute to the elevation of plasma Gal-9 in CLL patients. In turn, Gal-9 and the inflammatory milieu (IL-18, IL-12, and IL-15) in CLL patients contribute to increased apoptosis of CD26high T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that CD26+ T cells possess a natural polyfunctionality to traffic and exhibit effector functions and resist exhaustion. Therefore, they can be proposed for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Finally, neutralizing and/or inhibiting Gal-9 may preserve CD26highCD8+ T cells in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmeh Bozorgmehr
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XSchool of Dentistry, Division of Foundational Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada
| | - Mark Hnatiuk
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepatment of Medicine Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada
| | - Anthea C. Peters
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada
| | - Shokrollah Elahi
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XSchool of Dentistry, Division of Foundational Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada ,grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada ,grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XLi Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada
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Thomas OG, Rickinson A, Palendira U. Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis: moving from questions of association to questions of mechanism. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1451. [PMID: 37206956 PMCID: PMC10191779 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has puzzled researchers since it was first discovered over 40 years ago. Until that point, EBV was primarily viewed as a cancer-causing agent, but the culmination of evidence now shows that EBV has a pivotal role in development of MS. Early MS disease is characterised by episodic neuroinflammation and focal lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) that over time develop into progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Risk of MS is vanishingly low in EBV seronegative individuals, history of infectious mononucleosis (acute symptomatic primary infection with EBV) significantly increases risk and elevated antibody titres directed against EBV antigens are well-characterised in patients. However, the underlying mechanism - or mechanisms - responsible for this interplay remains to be fully elucidated; how does EBV-induced immune dysregulation either trigger or drive MS in susceptible individuals? Furthermore, deep understanding of virological and immunological events during primary infection and long-term persistence in B cells will help to answer the many questions that remain regarding MS pathogenesis. This review discusses the current evidence and mechanisms surrounding EBV and MS, which have important implications for the future of MS therapies and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia G Thomas
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Therapeutic Immune Design, Centre for Molecular MedicineKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - Alan Rickinson
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental SciencesUniversity of Birmingham, EdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Umaimainthan Palendira
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneyCamperdownNSWAustralia
- Charles Perkins CentreThe University of SydneyCamperdownNSWAustralia
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30
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Caballero AC, Escribà-Garcia L, Pujol-Fernández P, Escudero-López E, Ujaldón-Miró C, Montserrat-Torres R, Sierra J, Alvarez-Fernández C, Briones J. High CAR intensity of expression confers enhanced antitumor effect against lymphoma without functional exhaustion. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:51-61. [PMID: 36031661 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Identifying factors that ameliorates clinical outcomes following CART therapy represents an unmet need. We hypothesized that CAR expression level would have a significant impact on CART efficacy and tested this with CAR30+ TSCM-LIKE enriched cells. By sorting T-cells according to CAR mean fluorescence intensity in two markedly different populations (CARHI and CARLO), we showed that a high CAR expression enhances antitumor efficacy in vitro, that is sustained after sequential re-exposures to tumor cells and is not associated with T-cell exhaustion or differentiation. Furthermore, we found a correlation between high surface CAR expression and antitumor effect with CAR19+ T-cells, thus validating our findings with CAR30. Definitive proof of CARHI T-cells improved antitumor efficacy was demonstrated in a human Hodgkin's lymphoma xenograft mouse model, where CAR30-TSCM-LIKE enriched products with high intensity of CAR expression achieved superior tumor control in vivo and longer survival than those with a low intensity of CAR expression. Our data suggest that modulation of CAR intensity of expression represents an additional strategy to increase CART therapy clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Caballero
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Escribà-Garcia
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Pujol-Fernández
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Escudero-López
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ujaldón-Miró
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosanna Montserrat-Torres
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Sierra
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Fernández
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. .,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. .,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Javier Briones
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. .,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology-IIB, Institut Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. .,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain. .,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: Current Perspective on T Cell-Intrinsic, T Cell-Extrinsic, and Therapeutic Limitations. Cancer J 2023; 29:28-33. [PMID: 36693155 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy leverages the ability of the immune system to eliminate tumors and redirects cytotoxic functions toward cells expressing specified tumor-restricted antigens. Although 6 CAR T-cell therapies have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of many hematological malignancies, limitations involving T cell-intrinsic, T cell-extrinsic, and therapeutic factors remain in the treatment of both liquid and solid tumors. Chimeric antigen receptor design, signals from the tumor microenvironment, tumor antigen escape mechanisms, and systemic inflammatory consequences of CAR T-cell infusion all influence the efficacy and feasibility of CAR T-cell therapy in different malignancies. Here, we review the core structure of the CAR, the evolution of different CAR generations, CAR T-cell therapy limitations, and current strategies being investigated to overcome the T cell-intrinsic, T cell-independent, and therapeutic barriers to successful CAR T-cell therapy.
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Kong Y, Tang L, You Y, Li Q, Zhu X. Analysis of causes for poor persistence of CAR-T cell therapy in vivo. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1063454. [PMID: 36761742 PMCID: PMC9905114 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1063454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T-cell) therapy has been well researched to date because of its ability to target malignant tumor cells. The most common CAR-T cells are CD19 CAR-T cells, which play a large role in B-cell leukemia treatment. However, most CAR-T cells are associated with relapse after clinical treatment, so the quality and persistence of CAR-T cells need to be improved. With continuous optimization, there have been four generations of CARs and each generation of CARs has better quality and durability than the previous generation. In addition, it is important to increase the proportion of memory cells in CAR-T cells. Studies have shown that an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) can lead to dysfunction of CAR-T cells, resulting in decreased cell proliferation and poor persistence. Thus, overcoming the challenges of immunosuppressive molecules and targeting cytokines in the TME can also improve CAR-T cell persistence. In this paper, we explored how to improve the durability of CAR-T cell therapy by improving the structure of CARs, increasing the proportion of memory CAR-T cells and improving the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Kong
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong You
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Hematology, Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojian Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Shahzad M, Nguyen A, Hussain A, Ammad-Ud-Din M, Faisal MS, Tariq E, Ali F, Butt A, Anwar I, Chaudhary SG, Lutfi F, Ahmed N, Singh AK, Hematti P, McGuirk JP, Mushtaq MU. Outcomes with chimeric antigen receptor t-cell therapy in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152457. [PMID: 37168849 PMCID: PMC10164930 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes following chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (RR-AML). Methods We performed a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov. After screening 677 manuscripts, 13 studies were included. Data was extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package by Schwarzer et al. Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Results We analyzed 57 patients from 10 clinical trials and 3 case reports. The pooled complete and overall response rates were 49.5% (95% CI 0.18-0.81, I2 =65%) and 65.2% (95% CI 0.36-0.91, I2 =57%). The pooled incidence of cytokine release syndrome, immune-effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease was estimated as 54.4% (95% CI 0.17-0.90, I2 =77%), 3.9% (95% CI 0.00-0.19, I2 =22%), and 1.6% (95%CI 0.00-0.21, I2 =33%), respectively. Conclusion CAR-T therapy has demonstrated modest efficacy in RR-AML. Major challenges include heterogeneous disease biology, lack of a unique targetable antigen, and immune exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moazzam Shahzad
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Andrea Nguyen
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Ali Hussain
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | | | - Muhammad Salman Faisal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Ezza Tariq
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Fatima Ali
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Atif Butt
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Iqra Anwar
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Sibgha Gull Chaudhary
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Forat Lutfi
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Nausheen Ahmed
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Anurag K. Singh
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Peiman Hematti
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WL, United States
| | - Joseph P. McGuirk
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Muhammad Umair Mushtaq
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Umair Mushtaq,
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Cancer immunotherapy with CAR T cells: well-trodden paths and journey along lesser-known routes. Radiol Oncol 2022; 56:409-419. [PMID: 36503716 PMCID: PMC9784369 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2022-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a clinically approved cancer immunotherapy approach using genetically engineered T cells. The success of CAR T cells has been met with challenges regarding efficacy and safety. Although a broad spectrum of CAR T cell variants and applications is emerging, this review focuses on CAR T cells for the treatment of cancer. In the first part, the general principles of adoptive cell transfer, the architecture of the CAR molecule, and the effects of design on function are presented. The second part describes five conceptual challenges that hinder the success of CAR T cells; immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, T cell intrinsic properties, tumour targeting, manufacturing cellular product, and immune-related adverse events. Throughout the review, selected current approaches to address these issues are presented. CONCLUSIONS Cancer immunotherapy with CAR T cells represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of certain blood cancers that do not respond to other available treatment options. Well-trodden paths taken by pioneers led to the first clinical approval, and now the journey continues down lesser-known paths to treat a variety of cancers and other serious diseases with CAR T cells.
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35
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Yuti P, Wutti-in Y, Sawasdee N, Kongkhla K, Phanthaphol N, Choomee K, Chieochansin T, Panya A, Junking M, Yenchitsomanus PT, Sujjitjoon J. Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells secreting anti-PD-L1 single-chain variable fragment attenuate PD-L1 mediated T cell inhibition. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109442. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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36
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Modern Advances in CARs Therapy and Creating a New Approach to Future Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315006. [PMID: 36499331 PMCID: PMC9739283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically engineered T and NK cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) are promising cytotoxic cells for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Despite the successful therapies using CAR-T cells, they have some disadvantages, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, or graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). CAR-NK cells have lack or minimal cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, but also multiple mechanisms of cytotoxic activity. NK cells are suitable for developing an "off the shelf" therapeutic product that causes little or no graft versus host disease (GvHD), but they are more sensitive to apoptosis and have low levels of gene expression compared to CAR-T cells. To avoid these adverse effects, further developments need to be considered to enhance the effectiveness of adoptive cellular immunotherapy. A promising approach to enhance the effectiveness of adoptive cellular immunotherapy is overcoming terminal differentiation or senescence and exhaustion of T cells. In this case, EVs derived from immune cells in combination therapy with drugs may be considered in the treatment of cancer patients, especially effector T and NK cells-derived exosomes with the cytotoxic activity of their original cells.
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Asmamaw Dejenie T, Tiruneh G/Medhin M, Dessie Terefe G, Tadele Admasu F, Wale Tesega W, Chekol Abebe E. Current updates on generations, approvals, and clinical trials of CAR T-cell therapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2114254. [PMID: 36094837 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2114254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a novel, customized immunotherapy that is considered a 'living' and self-replicating drug to treat cancer, sometimes resulting in a complete cure. CAR T-cells are manufactured through genetic engineering of T-cells by equipping them with CARs to detect and target antigen-expressing cancer cells. CAR is designed to have an ectodomain extracellularly, a transmembrane domain spanning the cell membrane, and an endodomain intracellularly. Since its first discovery, the CAR structure has evolved greatly, from the first generation to the fifth generation, to offer new therapeutic alternatives for cancer patients. This treatment has achieved long-term and curative therapeutic efficacy in multiple blood malignancies that nowadays profoundly change the treatment landscape of lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. But CART-cell therapy is associated with several hurdles, such as limited therapeutic efficacy, little effect on solid tumors, adverse effects, expensive cost, and feasibility issues, hindering its broader implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadesse Asmamaw Dejenie
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Markeshaw Tiruneh G/Medhin
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gashaw Dessie Terefe
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Fitalew Tadele Admasu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Science Arbaminch University, Arbaminch, Ethiopia
| | - Wondwossen Wale Tesega
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Endeshaw Chekol Abebe
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Science Arbaminch University, Arbaminch, Ethiopia
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Co-expression of a PD-L1-specific chimeric switch receptor augments the efficacy and persistence of CAR T cells via the CD70-CD27 axis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6051. [PMID: 36229619 PMCID: PMC9561169 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33793-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-expression of chimeric switch receptors (CSRs) specific for PD-L1 improves the antitumor effects of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. However, the effects of trans-recognition between CSRs and PD-L1 expressed by activated CAR T cells remain unclear. Here, we design a CSR specific for PD-L1 (CARP), containing the transmembrane and cytoplasmic signaling domains of CD28 but not the CD3 ζ chain. We show that CARP T cells enhance the antitumor activity of anti-mesothelin CAR (CARMz) T cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, confocal microscopy indicates that PD-L1 molecules on CARMz T cells accumulate at cell-cell contacts with CARP T cells. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis, we reveal that CARP T cells promote CARMz T cells differentiation into central memory-like T cells, upregulate genes related to Th1 cells, and downregulate Th2-associated cytokines through the CD70-CD27 axis. Moreover, these effects are not restricted to PD-L1, as CAR19 T cells expressing anti-CD19 CSR exhibit similar effects on anti-PSCA CAR T cells with truncated CD19 expression. These findings suggest that target trans-recognition by CSRs on CAR T cells may improve the efficacy and persistence of CAR T cells via the CD70-CD27 axis.
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Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells therapy has revolutionized the treatment paradigms for hematological malignancies, with multi-line therapy-refractory patients achieving durable complete remissions (CR) and relatively high objective response rate (ORR). So far, many CAR-T products, such as Kymriah, Yescarta and Tecartus, have been developed and got the unprecedented results. However, some patients may relapse afterwards, driving intense investigations into promoting the development of novel strategies to overcome resistance and mechanisms of relapse. Notable technical progress, such as nanobodies and CRISPR-Case9, has also taken place to ensure CAR-T cell therapy fully satisfies its medical potential. In this review, we outline the basic principles for the development and manufacturing processes of CAR-T cell therapy, summarize the similarities and differences in efficacy of different products as well as their corresponding clinical results, and discuss CAR-T immunotherapy combined with other clinical effects of drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junru Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guan Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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40
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Frigerio B, Montermini M, Canevari S, Figini M. Role of antibody engineering in generation of derivatives starting from MOv19 MAb: 40 years of biological/therapeutic tools against folate receptor alfa. Antib Ther 2022; 5:301-310. [PMID: 36518225 PMCID: PMC9743174 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In the 1980s, we developed and characterized numerous murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against human tumor-associated antigens. This mini review is focused on the generation of derivatives of an anti-folate receptor α (FRα) MAbs, named MOv19, exploiting the antibody-engineering progresses in the last 40 years. The FRα location on the luminal surface of proliferating epithelial cells, inaccessible to circulation, versus its over-expression in the entire surface of numerous carcinomas suggested a role for anti-FRα MAbs in the diagnosis and/or treatment of solid tumors. Presently, two MOv19 derivatives are in clinical trials: a chimeric resurfaced version in an antibody-drug conjugate format (SORAYA trial, 2022) and the murine scFv in a second generation chimeric antigen receptor, CAR-T (Phase Ia, 2021). MOv19 and its derivatives could be considered a relevant example that well-characterized anti-tumor murine Mabs and antibody engineering could be combined to generate useful therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Frigerio
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Matilde Montermini
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvana Canevari
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan 20133, Italy
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Huang J, Huang X, Huang J. CAR-T cell therapy for hematological malignancies: Limitations and optimization strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1019115. [PMID: 36248810 PMCID: PMC9557333 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1019115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, the emergence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has led to a cellular immunotherapy revolution against various cancers. Although CAR-T cell therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy for patients with certain B cell driven hematological malignancies, further studies are required to broaden the use of CAR-T cell therapy against other hematological malignancies. Moreover, treatment failure still occurs for a significant proportion of patients. CAR antigen loss on cancer cells is one of the most common reasons for cancer relapse. Additionally, immune evasion can arise due to the hostile immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the impaired CAR-T cells in vivo persistence. Other than direct antitumor activity, the adverse effects associated with CAR-T cell therapy are another major concern during treatment. As a newly emerged treatment approach, numerous novel preclinical studies have proposed different strategies to enhance the efficacy and attenuate CAR-T cell associated toxicity in recent years. The major obstacles that impede promising outcomes for patients with hematological malignancies during CAR-T cell therapy have been reviewed herein, along with recent advancements being made to surmount them.
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Metabolic Imaging in B-Cell Lymphomas during CAR-T Cell Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194700. [PMID: 36230629 PMCID: PMC9562671 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chimeric antigen receptor–engineered T cells are an innovative therapy in hematologic malignancies, especially in patients with refractory/relapsed B-cell lymphomas. Few studies have analyzed the role of [18F]FDG PET/CT in this field; this review aims to illustrate the literature data and the major findings related to [18F]FDG PET/CT use during CAR-T cell therapy in B-cell lymphomas, focusing on the prognostic value of metabolic parameters, as well as on response assessment. Furthermore, this work shows in detail the specific adverse events during CAR-T cell therapy and the role of [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging in their occurrence. Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor–engineered (CAR) T cells are emerging powerful therapies for patients with refractory/relapsed B-cell lymphomas. [18F]FDG PET/CT plays a key role during staging and response assessment in patients with lymphoma; however, the evidence about its utility in CAR-T therapies for lymphomas is limited. This review article aims to provide an overview of the role of PET/CT during CAR-T cell therapy in B-cell lymphomas, focusing on the prognostic value of metabolic parameters, as well as on response assessment. Data from the literature report on the use of [18F]FDG PET/CT at the baseline with two scans performed before treatment started focused on the time of decision (TD) PET/CT and time of transfusion (TT) PET/CT. Metabolic tumor burden is the most studied parameter associated with disease progression and overall survival, making us able to predict the occurrence of adverse effects. Instead, for post-therapy evaluation, 1 month (M1) PET/CT seems the preferable time slot for response assessment and in this setting, the Deauville 5-point scale (DS), volumetric analyses, SUVmax, and its variation between different time points (∆SUVmax) have been evaluated, confirming the usefulness of M1 PET/CT, especially in the case of pseudoprogression. Additionally, an emerging role of PET/CT brain scans is reported for the evaluation of neurotoxicity related to CAR-T therapies. Overall, PET/CT results to be an accurate method in all phases of CAR-T treatment, with particular interest in assessing treatment response. Moreover, PET parameters have been reported to be reliable predictors of outcome and severe toxicity.
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Mazinani M, Rahbarizadeh F. CAR-T cell potency: from structural elements to vector backbone components. Biomark Res 2022; 10:70. [PMID: 36123710 PMCID: PMC9487061 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which a patient’s own T lymphocytes are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, has achieved remarkable success in some hematological malignancies in preclinical and clinical trials, resulting in six FDA-approved CAR-T products currently available in the market. Once equipped with a CAR construct, T cells act as living drugs and recognize and eliminate the target tumor cells in an MHC-independent manner. In this review, we first described all structural modular of CAR in detail, focusing on more recent findings. We then pointed out behind-the-scene elements contributing to CAR expression and reviewed how CAR expression can be drastically affected by the elements embedded in the viral vector backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mazinani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran. .,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Honikel MM, Olejniczak SH. Co-Stimulatory Receptor Signaling in CAR-T Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091303. [PMID: 36139142 PMCID: PMC9496564 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell engineering strategies have emerged as successful immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of human cancer. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy represents a prominent synthetic biology approach to re-direct the specificity of a patient's autologous T cells toward a desired tumor antigen. CAR-T therapy is currently FDA approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies, including subsets of B cell lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and multiple myeloma. Mechanistically, CAR-mediated recognition of a tumor antigen results in propagation of T cell activation signals, including a co-stimulatory signal, resulting in CAR-T cell activation, proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and acquisition of effector functions. The importance of including a co-stimulatory domain in CARs was recognized following limited success of early iteration CAR-T cell designs lacking co-stimulation. Today, all CAR-T cells in clinical use contain either a CD28 or 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain. Preclinical investigations are exploring utility of including additional co-stimulatory molecules such as ICOS, OX40 and CD27 or various combinations of multiple co-stimulatory domains. Clinical and preclinical evidence implicates the co-stimulatory signal in several aspects of CAR-T cell therapy including response kinetics, persistence and durability, and toxicity profiles each of which impact the safety and anti-tumor efficacy of this immunotherapy. Herein we provide an overview of CAR-T cell co-stimulation by the prototypical receptors and discuss current and emerging strategies to modulate co-stimulatory signals to enhance CAR-T cell function.
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45
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Ren P, Zhang C, Li W, Wang X, Liang A, Yang G, Xu H, Ma P. CAR-T Therapy in Clinical Practice: Technical Advances and Current Challenges. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2101262. [PMID: 35652169 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) redirect T cells to specifically recognize and eliminate tumor cells. CAR-T therapy has achieved successful clinical outcomes, and it has been transformed into commercially available products to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B cell lymphoma. These breakthroughs have motivated hundreds of CAR-T clinical trials initiated each year, with ≈900 cases registered on the ClinicalTrials website till 2021. Accumulating clinical experiences have highlighted some limitations of this strategy, e.g., relapse after complete response, poor efficacy in solid tumors, on-target off-tumor toxicities, lack of persistence, and tumor resistance. These challenges limit the therapeutic application of CAR-T cells. Multidisciplinary approaches are actively investigated to address these issues. In this review, the antigens, CAR designs, and cell sources are summarized in clinical trials from 2020 to 2021. The innovative modular and programmable designs in CAR-T cells, including advances in signaling domains, antigen-recognition domains, T cell engineering, and cell resources, are further discussed. Integrative genetic and chemical engineering strategies are promising to improve the versatility, antitumor efficacy, persistence, and safety of CAR-T cells. In the future, the next generation of CAR-T cell therapies will offer more options for patients who are refractory to standard tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Ren
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Chuyue Zhang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Wenping Li
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Xian Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Aibing Liang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Guang Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Hongtao Xu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Peixiang Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China.,Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, P. R. China
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46
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Yu T, Yu SK, Xiang Y, Lu KH, Sun M. Revolution of CAR Engineering For Next-Generation Immunotherapy In Solid Tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:936496. [PMID: 35903099 PMCID: PMC9315443 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.936496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have enormous potentials for clinical therapies. The CAR-T therapy has been approved for treating hematological malignancies. However, their application is limited in solid tumors owing to antigen loss and mutation, physical barriers, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome the challenges of CAR-T, increasing efforts are put into developing CAR-T to expand its applied ranges. Varied receptors are utilized for recognizing tumor-associated antigens and relieving immunosuppression. Emerging co-stimulatory signaling is employed for CAR-T activation. Furthermore, other immune cells such as NK cells and macrophages have manifested potential for delivering CAR. Hence, we collected and summarized the last advancements of CAR engineering from three aspects, namely, the ectodomains, endogenous domains, and immune cells, aiming to inspire the design of next-generation adoptive immunotherapy for treating solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shao-kun Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai-Hua Lu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Kai-Hua Lu, ; Ming Sun,
| | - Ming Sun
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Kai-Hua Lu, ; Ming Sun,
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47
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Zhang Q, Zu C, Hu Y, Huang H. CAR-T cells for cancer immunotherapy-the barriers ahead and the paths through. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 41:567-581. [PMID: 35635212 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2080820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses the major concerns and changes emerged during the rapidly extended clinical application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy based on our experience and understanding. In the past decades, the CAR-T cells have been questioned, sequentially, about their capability of inducing initial remission, their safety profile, their ability to sustain long-term persistence and response, and their potential to be industrialized. Significant advances, novel targeting strategies, innovative molecular structure, fine tuning of both CAR-T and host immune system, combination with other therapies, streamlined manufacturing, and etc., have been made to overcome these challenges. Although not perfectly resolved, rational pathways have been proposed to pass through the barriers. Here, we present the recent achievements on these pathways, and look into the possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Zu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
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48
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Dong R, Zhang Y, Xiao H, Zeng X. Engineering γδ T Cells: Recognizing and Activating on Their Own Way. Front Immunol 2022; 13:889051. [PMID: 35603176 PMCID: PMC9120431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.889051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) with engineered T cells has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of malignant tumors. Among them, there is great interest in engineered γδ T cells for ACT. With both adaptive and innate immune characteristics, γδ T cells can be activated by γδ TCRs to recognize antigens in a MHC-independent manner, or by NK receptors to recognize stress-induced molecules. The dual recognition system enables γδ T cells with unique activation and cytotoxicity profiles, which should be considered for the design of engineered γδ T cells. However, the current designs of engineered γδ T cells mostly follow the strategies that used in αβ T cells, but not making good use of the specific characteristics of γδ T cells. Therefore, it is no surprising that current engineered γδ T cells in preclinical or clinical trials have limited efficacy. In this review, we summarized the patterns of antigen recognition of γδ T cells and the features of signaling pathways for the functions of γδ T cells. This review will additionally discuss current progress in engineered γδ T cells and provide insights in the design of engineered γδ T cells based on their specific characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Dong
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haowen Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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49
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Wang J, Zhang X, Zhou Z, Liu Y, Yu L, Jia L, Yang J, Li J, Yu H, Li W, Liu G, Rui W, Zheng H, Zhao X, Lin X, Lu P. A novel adoptive synthetic TCR and antigen receptor (STAR) T-Cell therapy for B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:992-1004. [PMID: 35491511 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We developed a T-cell-receptor (TCR) complex-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) named Synthetic TCR and Antigen Receptor (STAR). Here, we report pre-clinical and phase I clinical trial data (NCT03953599) of this T-cell therapy for refractory and relapsed (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients. STAR consists of two protein modules each containing an antibody light or heavy chain variable region and TCR α or β chain constant region fused to the co-stimulatory domain of OX40. T-cells were transduced with a STAR-OX40 lentiviral vector. A leukemia xenograft mouse model was used to assess the STAR/STAR-OX40 T cell antitumor activity. Eighteen patients with R/R B-ALL were enrolled into the clinical trial. In a xenograft mouse model, STAR-T-cells exhibited superior tumor-specific cytotoxicity compared with conventional CAR-T cells. Incorporating OX40 into STAR further improved the proliferation and persistence of tumor-targeting T-cells. In our clinical trial, 100% of patients achieved complete remission 4 weeks post-STAR-OX40 T-cell infusion and 16/18 (88.9%) patients pursued consolidative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Twelve of 16 patients (75%) remained leukemia-free after a median follow-up of 545 (433-665) days. The two patients without consolidative allo-HSCT relapsed on Day 58 and Day 186. Mild cytokine release syndrome occurred in 10/18 (55.6%) patients, and 2 patients experienced grade III neurotoxicity. Our preclinical studies demonstrate super anti-tumor potency of STAR-OX40 T-cells compared with conventional CAR-T cells. The first-in-human clinical trial shows that STAR-OX40 T-cells are tolerable and an effective therapeutic platform for treating R/R B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiasheng Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
- Tsinghua‐Peking Center for Life Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital Langfang China
- Lu Daopei Institute of Hematology Beijing China
| | - Zhixiao Zhou
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Lemei Jia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Junfang Yang
- Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital Langfang China
- Lu Daopei Institute of Hematology Beijing China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital Langfang China
- Lu Daopei Institute of Hematology Beijing China
| | - Hanyang Yu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Wenzhong Li
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Guangna Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
| | - Wei Rui
- China Immunotech Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Beijing China
| | - Hongli Zheng
- China Immunotech Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Beijing China
| | - Xueqiang Zhao
- China Immunotech Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Beijing China
| | - Xin Lin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Tsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
- Tsinghua‐Peking Center for Life Sciences Beijing China
| | - Peihua Lu
- Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital Langfang China
- Lu Daopei Institute of Hematology Beijing China
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50
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Pan K, Farrukh H, Chittepu VCSR, Xu H, Pan CX, Zhu Z. CAR race to cancer immunotherapy: from CAR T, CAR NK to CAR macrophage therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:119. [PMID: 35361234 PMCID: PMC8969382 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy has made tremendous progress with five CAR T therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for hematological malignancies. However, CAR immunotherapy in solid tumors lags significantly behind. Some of the major hurdles for CAR immunotherapy in solid tumors include CAR T cell manufacturing, lack of tumor-specific antigens, inefficient CAR T cell trafficking and infiltration into tumor sites, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), therapy-associated toxicity, and antigen escape. CAR Natural Killer (NK) cells have several advantages over CAR T cells as the NK cells can be manufactured from pre-existing cell lines or allogeneic NK cells with unmatched major histocompatibility complex (MHC); can kill cancer cells through both CAR-dependent and CAR-independent pathways; and have less toxicity, especially cytokine-release syndrome and neurotoxicity. At least one clinical trial showed the efficacy and tolerability of CAR NK cell therapy. Macrophages can efficiently infiltrate into tumors, are major immune regulators and abundantly present in TME. The immunosuppressive M2 macrophages are at least as efficient as the proinflammatory M1 macrophages in phagocytosis of target cells; and M2 macrophages can be induced to differentiate to the M1 phenotype. Consequently, there is significant interest in developing CAR macrophages for cancer immunotherapy to overcome some major hurdles associated with CAR T/NK therapy, especially in solid tumors. Nevertheless, both CAR NK and CAR macrophages have their own limitations. This comprehensive review article will discuss the current status and the major hurdles associated with CAR T and CAR NK therapy, followed by the structure and cutting-edge research of developing CAR macrophages as cancer-specific phagocytes, antigen presenters, immunostimulators, and TME modifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Pan
- Vanderbilt University, 2201 West End Ave, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Hizra Farrukh
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Huihong Xu
- Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA
| | - Chong-Xian Pan
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA. .,Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway Building 3, Room 2B-110, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA.
| | - Zheng Zhu
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway Building 3, Room 2B-110, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA.
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