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Van der Vreken A, Vanderkerken K, De Bruyne E, De Veirman K, Breckpot K, Menu E. Fueling CARs: metabolic strategies to enhance CAR T-cell therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:66. [PMID: 38987856 PMCID: PMC11238373 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00535-1] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells are widely applied for relapsed hematological cancer patients. With six approved cell therapies, for Multiple Myeloma and other B-cell malignancies, new insights emerge. Profound evidence shows that patients who fail CAR T-cell therapy have, aside from antigen escape, a more glycolytic and weakened metabolism in their CAR T cells, accompanied by a short lifespan. Recent advances show that CAR T cells can be metabolically engineered towards oxidative phosphorylation, which increases their longevity via epigenetic and phenotypical changes. In this review we elucidate various strategies to rewire their metabolism, including the design of the CAR construct, co-stimulus choice, genetic modifications of metabolic genes, and pharmacological interventions. We discuss their potential to enhance CAR T-cell functioning and persistence through memory imprinting, thereby improving outcomes. Furthermore, we link the pharmacological treatments with their anti-cancer properties in hematological malignancies to ultimately suggest novel combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Van der Vreken
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Team Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium.
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2
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Ramapriyan R, Vykunta VS, Vandecandelaere G, Richardson LGK, Sun J, Curry WT, Choi BD. Altered cancer metabolism and implications for next-generation CAR T-cell therapies. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 259:108667. [PMID: 38763321 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108667] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
This review critically examines the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating solid tumors, with a particular focus on the metabolic challenges within the tumor microenvironment. CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, yet its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited. A significant barrier is the hostile milieu of the tumor microenvironment, which impairs CAR T-cell survival and function. This review delves into the metabolic adaptations of cancer cells and their impact on immune cells, highlighting the competition for nutrients and the accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites. It also explores emerging strategies to enhance CAR T-cell metabolic fitness and persistence, including genetic engineering and metabolic reprogramming. An integrated approach, combining metabolic interventions with CAR T-cell therapy, has the potential to overcome these constraints and improve therapeutic outcomes in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishab Ramapriyan
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Vivasvan S Vykunta
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; ImmunoX Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Gust Vandecandelaere
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Leland G K Richardson
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jing Sun
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - William T Curry
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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3
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Liu J, Jiao X, Ma D, Fang Y, Gao Q. CAR-T therapy and targeted treatments: Emerging combination strategies in solid tumors. MED 2024; 5:530-549. [PMID: 38547867 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/17/2024]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapies hold great potential in achieving long-term remission in patients suffering from malignancies. However, their efficacy in treating solid tumors is impeded by challenges such as limited infiltration, compromised cancer recognition, decreased cytotoxicity, heightened exhaustion, absence of memory phenotypes, and inevitable toxicity. To surmount these obstacles, researchers are exploring innovative strategies, including the integration of CAR-T cells with targeted inhibitors. The combination of CAR-T therapies with specific targeted drugs has shown promise in enhancing CAR-T cell infiltration into tumor sites, boosting their tumor recognition capabilities, strengthening their cytotoxicity, alleviating exhaustion, promoting the development of a memory phenotype, and reducing toxicity. By harnessing the synergistic potential, a wider range of patients with solid tumors may potentially experience favorable outcomes. To summarize the current combined strategies of CAR-T therapies and targeted therapies, outline the potential mechanisms, and provide insights for future studies, we conducted this review by collecting existing experimental and clinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofei Jiao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Fang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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4
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Dorff TB, Blanchard MS, Adkins LN, Luebbert L, Leggett N, Shishido SN, Macias A, Del Real MM, Dhapola G, Egelston C, Murad JP, Rosa R, Paul J, Chaudhry A, Martirosyan H, Gerdts E, Wagner JR, Stiller T, Tilakawardane D, Pal S, Martinez C, Reiter RE, Budde LE, D'Apuzzo M, Kuhn P, Pachter L, Forman SJ, Priceman SJ. PSCA-CAR T cell therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:1636-1644. [PMID: 38867077 PMCID: PMC11186768 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02979-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Despite recent therapeutic advances, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains lethal. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have demonstrated durable remissions in hematological malignancies. We report results from a phase 1, first-in-human study of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)-directed CAR T cells in men with mCRPC. The starting dose level (DL) was 100 million (M) CAR T cells without lymphodepletion (LD), followed by incorporation of LD. The primary end points were safety and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). No DLTs were observed at DL1, with a DLT of grade 3 cystitis encountered at DL2, resulting in addition of a new cohort using a reduced LD regimen + 100 M CAR T cells (DL3). No DLTs were observed in DL3. Cytokine release syndrome of grade 1 or 2 occurred in 5 of 14 treated patients. Prostate-specific antigen declines (>30%) occurred in 4 of 14 patients, as well as radiographic improvements. Dynamic changes indicating activation of peripheral blood endogenous and CAR T cell subsets, TCR repertoire diversity and changes in the tumor immune microenvironment were observed in a subset of patients. Limited persistence of CAR T cells was observed beyond 28 days post-infusion. These results support future clinical studies to optimize dosing and combination strategies to improve durable therapeutic outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03873805 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya B Dorff
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - M Suzette Blanchard
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Lauren N Adkins
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Laura Luebbert
- Departments of Mathematics and Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Neena Leggett
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie N Shishido
- Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alan Macias
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Marissa M Del Real
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Gaurav Dhapola
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Colt Egelston
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - John P Murad
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Reginaldo Rosa
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jinny Paul
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Hripsime Martirosyan
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Gerdts
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Tracey Stiller
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Dileshni Tilakawardane
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Sumanta Pal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Catalina Martinez
- Department of Clinical and Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Robert E Reiter
- Department of Urology, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lihua E Budde
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Peter Kuhn
- Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lior Pachter
- Departments of Mathematics and Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Saul J Priceman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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5
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Camerini E, Amsen D, Kater AP, Peters FS. The complexities of T-cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:163-171. [PMID: 38782635 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by profound alterations and defects in the T-cell compartment. This observation has gained renewed interest as T-cell treatment strategies, which are successfully applied in more aggressive B-cell malignancies, have yielded disappointing results in CLL. Despite ongoing efforts to understand and address the observed T-cell defects, the exact mechanisms and nature underlying this dysfunction remain largely unknown. In this review, we examine the supporting signals from T cells to CLL cells in the lymph node niche, summarize key findings on T-cell functional defects, delve into potential underlying causes, and explore novel strategies for reversing these deficiencies. Our goal is to identify strategies aimed at resolving CLL-induced T-cell dysfunction which, in the future, will enhance the efficacy of autologous T-cell-based therapies for CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Camerini
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Derk Amsen
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory for Blood Cell Research at Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Fleur S Peters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Wu MH, Valenca-Pereira F, Cendali F, Giddings EL, Pham-Danis C, Yarnell MC, Novak AJ, Brunetti TM, Thompson SB, Henao-Mejia J, Flavell RA, D'Alessandro A, Kohler ME, Rincon M. Deleting the mitochondrial respiration negative regulator MCJ enhances the efficacy of CD8 + T cell adoptive therapies in pre-clinical studies. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4444. [PMID: 38789421 PMCID: PMC11126743 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial respiration is essential for the survival and function of T cells used in adoptive cellular therapies. However, strategies that specifically enhance mitochondrial respiration to promote T cell function remain limited. Here, we investigate methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ), an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial complex I expressed in CD8 cells, as a target for improving the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapies. We demonstrate that MCJ inhibits mitochondrial respiration in murine CD8+ CAR-T cells and that deletion of MCJ increases their in vitro and in vivo efficacy against murine B cell leukaemia. Similarly, MCJ deletion in ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells also increases their efficacy against established OVA-expressing melanoma tumors in vivo. Furthermore, we show for the first time that MCJ is expressed in human CD8 cells and that the level of MCJ expression correlates with the functional activity of CD8+ CAR-T cells. Silencing MCJ expression in human CD8 CAR-T cells increases their mitochondrial metabolism and enhances their anti-tumor activity. Thus, targeting MCJ may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to increase mitochondrial metabolism and improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Han Wu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Felipe Valenca-Pereira
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Francesca Cendali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Emily L Giddings
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Catherine Pham-Danis
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael C Yarnell
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Amanda J Novak
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tonya M Brunetti
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott B Thompson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jorge Henao-Mejia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard A Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M Eric Kohler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Mercedes Rincon
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
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7
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Carrillo MA, Zhen A, Mu W, Rezek V, Martin H, Peterson CW, Kiem HP, Kitchen SG. Stem cell-derived CAR T cells show greater persistence, trafficking, and viral control compared to ex vivo transduced CAR T cells. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1000-1015. [PMID: 38414243 PMCID: PMC11163220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is an area of intense investigation in the treatment of malignancies and chronic viral infections. One of the limitations of ACT-based CAR therapy is the lack of in vivo persistence and maintenance of optimal cell function. Therefore, alternative strategies that increase the function and maintenance of CAR-expressing T cells are needed. In our studies using the humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (BLT) mouse model and nonhuman primate (NHP) model of HIV infection, we evaluated two CAR-based gene therapy approaches. In the ACT approach, we used cytokine enhancement and preconditioning to generate greater persistence of anti-HIV CAR+ T cells. We observed limited persistence and expansion of anti-HIV CAR T cells, which led to minimal control of the virus. In our stem cell-based approach, we modified hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) with anti-HIV CAR to generate anti-HIV CAR T cells in vivo. We observed CAR-expressing T cell expansion, which led to better plasma viral load suppression. HSPC-derived CAR cells in infected NHPs showed superior trafficking and persistence in multiple tissues. Our results suggest that a stem cell-based CAR T cell approach may be superior in generating long-term persistence and functional antiviral responses against HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra A Carrillo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and UCLA AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anjie Zhen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and UCLA AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wenli Mu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and UCLA AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Valerie Rezek
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and UCLA AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heather Martin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and UCLA AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher W Peterson
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Kiem
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Scott G Kitchen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and UCLA AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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8
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Goldberg L, Haas ER, Urak R, Vyas V, Pathak KV, Garcia-Mansfield K, Pirrotte P, Singhal J, Figarola JL, Aldoss I, Forman SJ, Wang X. Immunometabolic Adaptation of CD19-Targeted CAR T Cells in the Central Nervous System Microenvironment of Patients Promotes Memory Development. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1048-1064. [PMID: 38315779 PMCID: PMC10984768 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2299] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of T-cell activation, and metabolic fitness is fundamental for T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Insights into the metabolic plasticity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in patients could help identify approaches to improve their efficacy in treating cancer. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal immunometabolic adaptation of CD19-targeted CAR T cells using clinical samples from CAR T-cell-treated patients. Context-dependent immunometabolic adaptation of CAR T cells demonstrated the link between their metabolism, activation, differentiation, function, and local microenvironment. Specifically, compared with the peripheral blood, low lipid availability, high IL15, and low TGFβ in the central nervous system microenvironment promoted immunometabolic adaptation of CAR T cells, including upregulation of a lipolytic signature and memory properties. Pharmacologic inhibition of lipolysis in cerebrospinal fluid led to decreased CAR T-cell survival. Furthermore, manufacturing CAR T cells in cerebrospinal fluid enhanced their metabolic fitness and antileukemic activity. Overall, this study elucidates spatiotemporal immunometabolic rewiring of CAR T cells in patients and demonstrates that these adaptations can be exploited to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells. SIGNIFICANCE The spatiotemporal immunometabolic landscape of CD19-targeted CAR T cells from patients reveals metabolic adaptations in specific microenvironments that can be exploited to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Goldberg
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Eric R. Haas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Ionic Cytometry Solutions, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Khyatiben V. Pathak
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Krystine Garcia-Mansfield
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Jyotsana Singhal
- Division of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - James L. Figarola
- Division of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ibrahim Aldoss
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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9
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Huang Y, Shao M, Teng X, Si X, Wu L, Jiang P, Liu L, Cai B, Wang X, Han Y, Feng Y, Liu K, Zhang Z, Cui J, Zhang M, Hu Y, Qian P, Huang H. Inhibition of CD38 enzymatic activity enhances CAR-T cell immune-therapeutic efficacy by repressing glycolytic metabolism. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101400. [PMID: 38307031 PMCID: PMC10897548 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101400] [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: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy has shown superior efficacy against hematopoietic malignancies. However, many patients failed to achieve sustainable tumor control partially due to CAR-T cell exhaustion and limited persistence. In this study, by performing single-cell multi-omics data analysis on patient-derived CAR-T cells, we identify CD38 as a potential hallmark of exhausted CAR-T cells, which is positively correlated with exhaustion-related transcription factors and further confirmed with in vitro exhaustion models. Moreover, inhibiting CD38 activity reverses tonic signaling- or tumor antigen-induced exhaustion independent of single-chain variable fragment design or costimulatory domain, resulting in improved CAR-T cell cytotoxicity and antitumor response. Mechanistically, CD38 inhibition synergizes the downregulation of CD38-cADPR -Ca2+ signaling and activation of the CD38-NAD+-SIRT1 axis to suppress glycolysis. Collectively, our findings shed light on the role of CD38 in CAR-T cell exhaustion and suggest potential clinical applications of CD38 inhibition in enhancing the efficacy and persistence of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mi Shao
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinyi Teng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaohui Si
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Longyuan Wu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Penglei Jiang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lianxuan Liu
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bohan Cai
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiujian Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yingli Han
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Youqin Feng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhaoru Zhang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiazhen Cui
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Pengxu Qian
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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10
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Munoz AM, Urak R, Taus E, Hsieh HJ, Awuah D, Vyas V, Lim L, Jin K, Lin SH, Priceman SJ, Clark MC, Goldberg L, Forman SJ, Wang X. Dexamethasone potentiates chimeric antigen receptor T cell persistence and function by enhancing IL-7Rα expression. Mol Ther 2024; 32:527-539. [PMID: 38140726 PMCID: PMC10861975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dexamethasone (dex) is a glucocorticoid that is a mainstay for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies, including immunotherapy-associated toxicities, yet the specific impact of dex on the activity of CAR T cells is not fully understood. We assessed whether dex treatment given ex vivo or as an adjuvant in vivo with CAR T cells impacted the phenotype or function of CAR T cells. We demonstrated that CAR T cell expansion and function were not inhibited by dex. We confirmed this observation using multiple CAR constructs and tumor models, suggesting that this is a general phenomenon. Moreover, we determined that dex upregulated interleukin-7 receptor α on CAR T cells and increased the expression of genes involved in activation, migration, and persistence when supplemented ex vivo. Direct delivery of dex and IL-7 into tumor-bearing mice resulted in increased persistence of adoptively transferred CAR T cells and complete tumor regression. Overall, our studies provide insight into the use of dex to enhance CAR T cell therapy and represent potential novel strategies for augmenting CAR T cell function during production as well as following infusion into patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlie M Munoz
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ellie Taus
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hui-Ju Hsieh
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Dennis Awuah
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Laura Lim
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Katherine Jin
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shu-Hong Lin
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Saul J Priceman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mary C Clark
- Department of Clinical Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lior Goldberg
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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11
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Franco FN, de Cassia Cardoso L, Silva BNM, de Araújo GR, Chaves MM. Aging: silencing the PKA and AkT/PKB signaling pathways alters the antioxidant capacity of resveratrol. Biogerontology 2023; 24:913-923. [PMID: 37458859 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
One of the theories related to aging is the increase in oxidative stress. Given this, the objective of the study is to evaluate the cellular mechanisms responsible for the resveratrol antioxidant effect on leukocytes from donors aged between 20 and 80 years old. For this, leukocytes from donors of three age groups (20-39, 40-59 and 60-80) were isolated. Image-iT™LIVE Green Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Kit was used. Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) analysis was performed by measuring nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. The PKA, Akt/PKB and p38-MAPK were evaluated by chemiluminescence. The statistical analysis between age and treatments were performed by Pearson correlation (*p < 0.05). It was possible to observe the antioxidant effect of resveratrol in all age groups. The correlation results show loss of resveratrol effect in decreasing ROS in leukocytes from older donors. We observed an active antioxidant effect of p38-MAPK in all ages, with resveratrol acting on it. The PKA and Akt/PKB were active in leukocytes from donors aged 20-59. In cells from donors older than 60, these pathways are silenced, and an effect is also not observed in cells treated with resveratrol. Therefore, resveratrol showed antioxidant effect in all age, although it was more pronounced in leukocytes from younger. One of resveratrol's mechanisms is due to the activation of the PKA and Akt/PKB, which were activated in younger donor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Nogueira Franco
- Biochemistry Laboratory of Aging and Correlated Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brazil
| | - Luciana de Cassia Cardoso
- Biochemistry Laboratory of Aging and Correlated Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Néllita Moura Silva
- Biochemistry Laboratory of Aging and Correlated Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brazil
| | - Glaucy Rodrigues de Araújo
- Biochemistry Laboratory of Aging and Correlated Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brazil
| | - Miriam Martins Chaves
- Biochemistry Laboratory of Aging and Correlated Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brazil.
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12
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Awuah D, Li L, Williams L, Urak R, Kujawski M, Forman SJ, Shively JE, Wang X. Ex-vivo CS1-OKT3 dual specific bivalent antibody-armed effector T cells mediate cellular immunity against multiple myeloma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20853. [PMID: 38012196 PMCID: PMC10682018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47115-7] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific T cell engaging antibodies (bsAbs) have emerged as novel and powerful therapeutic agents for redirecting T cells towards antigen-specific tumor killing. The cell surface glycoprotein and SLAM family member, CS1, exhibits stable and high-level expression on malignant plasma cells including multiple myeloma, which is indicative of an ideal target for bsAb therapy. Here, we developed a CS1 bsAb (CS1-dbBiTE) using Click chemistry to conjugate intact anti-CS1 antibody (Elotuzumab) and anti-huOKT3 antibody at their respective hinge regions. Using a cellular therapy approach, human T cells were armed ex-vivo with CS1-dbBiTE prior to examining effector activity. Our data indicates that arming T cells with CS1-dbBiTE induced T cell activation and expansion and subsequent cytotoxic activity against CS1-bearing MM tumors, demonstrated by significant CD107a expression as well as inflammatory cytokine secretion. As expected, CS1-dbBiTE armed T cells showed significantly reduced effector activity in the absence of CS1 expression. Similarly, in MM mouse xenograft studies, armed T cells exhibited effective anti-tumor efficacy highlighted by reduced tumor burden in MM.1S tumor-bearing mice compared to controls. On the basis of these findings, the rationale for CS1 targeting by human T cells armed with CS1-dbBiTE presents a potentially effective therapeutic approach for targeting MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Awuah
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Lindsay Williams
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Maciej Kujawski
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - John E Shively
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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13
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Perpiñán E, Sanchez-Fueyo A, Safinia N. Immunoregulation: the interplay between metabolism and redox homeostasis. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 2:1283275. [PMID: 38993920 PMCID: PMC11235320 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2023.1283275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells are fundamental for the induction and maintenance of immune homeostasis, with their dysfunction resulting in uncontrolled immune responses and tissue destruction predisposing to autoimmunity, transplant rejection and several inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that metabolic processes and mitochondrial function are critical for the appropriate functioning of these cells in health, with their metabolic adaptation, influenced by microenvironmental factors, seen in several pathological processes. Upon activation regulatory T cells rearrange their oxidation-reduction (redox) system, which in turn supports their metabolic reprogramming, adding a layer of complexity to our understanding of cellular metabolism. Here we review the literature surrounding redox homeostasis and metabolism of regulatory T cells to highlight new mechanistic insights of these interlinked pathways in immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - N. Safinia
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Institute of Liver Studies, James Black Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Marchais M, Simula L, Phayanouvong M, Mami-Chouaib F, Bismuth G, Decroocq J, Bouscary D, Dutrieux J, Mangeney M. FOXO1 Inhibition Generates Potent Nonactivated CAR T Cells against Solid Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1508-1523. [PMID: 37649096 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown promising results in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Despite the successes, challenges remain. One of them directly involves the CAR T-cell manufacturing process and especially the ex vivo activation phase. While this is required to allow infection and expansion, ex vivo activation dampens the antitumor potential of CAR T cells. Optimizing the nature of the T cells harboring the CAR is a strategy to address this obstacle and has the potential to improve CAR T-cell therapy, including for solid tumors. Here, we describe a protocol to create CAR T cells without ex vivo preactivation by inhibiting the transcription factor FOXO1 (CAR TAS cells). This approach made T cells directly permissive to lentiviral infection, allowing CAR expression, with enhanced antitumor functions. FOXO1 inhibition in primary T cells (TAS cells) correlated with acquisition of a stem cell memory phenotype, high levels of granzyme B, and increased production of TNFα. TAS cells displayed enhanced proliferative and cytotoxic capacities as well as improved migratory properties. In vivo experiments showed that CAR TAS cells were more efficient at controlling solid tumor growth than classical CAR T cells. The production of CAR TAS from patients' cells confirmed the feasibility of the protocol in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maude Marchais
- CNRS UMR9196, Physiologie et Pathologie Moléculaires des Rétrovirus Endogènes et Infectieux, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
| | - Luca Simula
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Phayanouvong
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Fathia Mami-Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Georges Bismuth
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
| | - Justine Decroocq
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris, Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Didier Bouscary
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris, Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Dutrieux
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Viral DNA Integration and Chromatin Dynamics Network (DyNAVir), Paris, France
| | - Marianne Mangeney
- CNRS UMR9196, Physiologie et Pathologie Moléculaires des Rétrovirus Endogènes et Infectieux, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
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15
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Mehra V, Agliardi G, Dias Alves Pinto J, Shafat MS, Garai AC, Green L, Hotblack A, Arce Vargas F, Peggs KS, van der Waart AB, Dolstra H, Pule MA, Roddie C. AKT inhibition generates potent polyfunctional clinical grade AUTO1 CAR T-cells, enhancing function and survival. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007002. [PMID: 37709295 PMCID: PMC10503365 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AUTO1 is a fast off-rate CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which has been successfully tested in adult lymphoblastic leukemia. Tscm/Tcm-enriched CAR-T populations confer the best expansion and persistence, but Tscm/Tcm numbers are poor in heavily pretreated adult patients. To improve this, we evaluate the use of AKT inhibitor (VIII) with the aim of uncoupling T-cell expansion from differentiation, to enrich Tscm/Tcm subsets. METHODS VIII was incorporated into the AUTO1 manufacturing process based on the semiautomated the CliniMACS Prodigy platform at both small and cGMP scale. RESULTS AUTO1 manufactured with VIII showed Tscm/Tcm enrichment, improved expansion and cytotoxicity in vitro and superior antitumor activity in vivo. Further, VIII induced AUTO1 Th1/Th17 skewing, increased polyfunctionality, and conferred a unique metabolic profile and a novel signature for autophagy to support enhanced expansion and cytotoxicity. We show that VIII-cultured AUTO1 products from B-ALL patients on the ALLCAR19 study possess superior phenotype, metabolism, and function than parallel control products and that VIII-based manufacture is scalable to cGMP. CONCLUSION Ultimately, AUTO1 generated with VIII may begin to overcome the product specific factors contributing to CD19+relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedika Mehra
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giulia Agliardi
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Cell, Gene and Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Juliana Dias Alves Pinto
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Cell, Gene and Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Manar S Shafat
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Louisa Green
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alastair Hotblack
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Karl S Peggs
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anniek B van der Waart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin A Pule
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
- Autolus Ltd, London, UK
| | - Claire Roddie
- Research Department of Haematology, University College London, London, UK
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16
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Panahi Meymandi AR, Akbari B, Soltantoyeh T, Hadjati J, Klionsky DJ, Badie B, Mirzaei HR. Crosstalk between autophagy and metabolic regulation of (CAR) T cells: therapeutic implications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212695. [PMID: 37675121 PMCID: PMC10477670 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy's extraordinary success in subsets of B-cell lymphoma and leukemia, various barriers restrict its application in solid tumors. This has prompted investigating new approaches for producing CAR T cells with superior therapeutic potential. Emerging insights into the barriers to CAR T cell clinical success indicate that autophagy shapes the immune response via reprogramming cellular metabolism and vice versa. Autophagy, a self-cannibalization process that includes destroying and recycling intracellular components in the lysosome, influences T cell biology, including development, survival, memory formation, and cellular metabolism. In this review, we will emphasize the critical role of autophagy in regulating and rewiring metabolic circuits in CAR T cells, as well as how the metabolic status of CAR T cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) alter autophagy regulation in CAR T cells to restore functional competence in CAR Ts traversing solid TMEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Reza Panahi Meymandi
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnia Akbari
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Soltantoyeh
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Daniel J. Klionsky
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Behnam Badie
- Division of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, United States
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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17
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Cui Y, Wang F, Fang B. Mitochondrial dysfunction and drug targets in multiple myeloma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:8007-8016. [PMID: 36928159 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04672-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological cancer that has no cure. Although currently there are several novel drugs, most MM patients experience drug resistance and disease relapse. The results of previous studies suggest that aberrant mitochondrial function may contribute to tumor progression and drug resistance. Mitochondrial DNA mutations and metabolic reprogramming have been reported in MM patients. Several preclinical and clinical studies have shown encouraging results of mitochondria-targeting therapy in MM patients. In this review, we have summarized our current understanding of mitochondrial biology in MM. More importantly, we have reviewed mitochondrial targeting strategies in MM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Cui
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, No.127 of Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Fujue Wang
- Department of Hematology, Hengyang Medical School, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421000, China
| | - Baijun Fang
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, No.127 of Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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18
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Li L, Guo Y, Lu Y, Xu Y, Lu Y, Zhu X, Dong X, Che J. An updated patent review of AKT inhibitors (2020 - present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:549-564. [PMID: 37864349 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2273895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protein kinase B (Akt), an essential protein in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Over the past two years, different types of Akt modulators have continued to emerge in the patent literature. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the patent literature covering small molecule inhibitors, peptides, PROTACs, and antisense nucleic acids targetingAkt from 2020 to present. Also, we discuss the outcomes of several clinical trials, combination strategies for different mechanisms, and the application of Akt regulators in other non-oncology indications.Our search for relevant information was conducted using various databases, including the European Patent Office, SciFinder, andPubMed, from 01.2020 to 04.2023. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, some combination therapeutic strategies involvingAkt inhibitors have shown promising clinical outcomes. Future research can be directed toward developing new applications of Akt inhibitors, which may have implications for other diseases beyond cancer. New attempts suggest that targeting allosteric sites may be a potential solution to the problem of isoform selectivity.Furthermore, directly knocking out Akt protein by using the degraderssuggests a promising direction for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linjie Li
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yaping Xu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiuping Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
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Akbari B, Soltantoyeh T, Shahosseini Z, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Hadjati J, Brown CE, Mirzaei HR. PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling elicits mesoCAR T cell immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209572. [PMID: 37457723 PMCID: PMC10348647 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction For many years, surgery, adjuvant and combination chemotherapy have been the cornerstone of pancreatic cancer treatment. Although these approaches have improved patient survival, relapse remains a common occurrence, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. CAR T cell therapies are now showing tremendous success in hematological cancers. However, the clinical efficacy of CAR T cells in solid tumors remained low, notably due to presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Prostaglandin E2, a bioactive lipid metabolite found within the TME, plays a significant role in promoting cancer progression by increasing tumor proliferation, improving angiogenesis, and impairing immune cell's function. Despite the well-established impact of PGE2 signaling on cancer, its specific effects on CAR T cell therapy remain under investigation. Methods To address this gap in knowledge the role of PGE2-related genes in cancer tissue and T cells of pancreatic cancer patients were evaluated in-silico. Through our in vitro study, we manufactured fully human functional mesoCAR T cells specific for pancreatic cancer and investigated the influence of PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling on proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine production of mesoCAR T cells against pancreatic cancer cells. Results In-silico investigations uncovered a significant negative correlation between PGE2 expression and gene signature of memory T cells. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the activation of PGE2 signaling through EP2 and EP4 receptors suppressed the proliferation and major antitumor functions of mesoCAR T cells. Interestingly, the dual blockade of EP2 and EP4 receptors effectively reversed PGE2-mediated suppression of mesoCAR T cells, while individual receptor antagonists failed to mitigate the PGE2-induced suppression. Discussion In summary, our findings suggest that mitigating PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling may be a viable strategy for enhancing CAR T cell activity within the challenging TME, thereby improving the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnia Akbari
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Soltantoyeh
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shahosseini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Christine E. Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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20
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Lopez E, Karattil R, Nannini F, Weng-Kit Cheung G, Denzler L, Galvez-Cancino F, Quezada S, Pule MA. Inhibition of lactate transport by MCT-1 blockade improves chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy against B-cell malignancies. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006287. [PMID: 37399358 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown remarkable results against B-cell malignancies, but only a minority of patients have long-term remission. The metabolic requirements of both tumor cells and activated T cells result in production of lactate. The export of lactate is facilitated by expression of monocarboxylate transporter (MCTs). CAR T cells express high levels of MCT-1 and MCT-4 on activation, while certain tumors predominantly express MCT-1. METHODS Here, we studied the combination of CD19-specific CAR T-cell therapy with pharmacological blockade of MCT-1 against B-cell lymphoma. RESULTS MCT-1 inhibition with small molecules AZD3965 or AR-C155858 induced CAR T-cell metabolic rewiring but their effector function and phenotype remained unchanged, suggesting CAR T cells are insensitive to MCT-1 inhibition. Moreover, improved cytotoxicity in vitro and antitumoral control on mouse models was found with the combination of CAR T cells and MCT-1 blockade. CONCLUSION This work highlights the potential of selective targeting of lactate metabolism via MCT-1 in combination with CAR T cells therapies against B-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Lopez
- Haematology Department, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rajesh Karattil
- Haematology Department, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Nannini
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Lilian Denzler
- Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sergio Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martin A Pule
- Haematology Department, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
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21
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Urak R, Gittins B, Soemardy C, Grepo N, Goldberg L, Maker M, Shevchenko G, Davis A, Li S, Scott T, Morris KV, Forman SJ, Wang X. Evaluation of the Elements of Short Hairpin RNAs in Developing shRNA-Containing CAR T Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2848. [PMID: 37345185 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102848] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) have emerged as a powerful tool for gene knockdown in various cellular systems, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. However, the elements of shRNAs that are crucial for their efficacy in developing shRNA-containing CAR T cells remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the impact of different shRNA elements, including promoter strength, orientation, multiple shRNAs, self-targeting, and sense and antisense sequence composition on the knockdown efficiency of the target gene in CAR T cells. Our findings highlight the importance of considering multiple shRNAs and their orientation to achieve effective knockdown. Moreover, we demonstrate that using a strong promoter and avoiding self-targeting can enhance CAR T cell functionality. These results provide a framework for the rational design of CAR T cells with shRNA-mediated knockdown capabilities, which could improve the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Urak
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Brenna Gittins
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Citradewi Soemardy
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nicole Grepo
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lior Goldberg
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Madeleine Maker
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Galina Shevchenko
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Alicia Davis
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shirley Li
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tristan Scott
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Kevin V Morris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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22
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Zhang H, Passang T, Ravindranathan S, Bommireddy R, Jajja MR, Yang L, Selvaraj P, Paulos CM, Waller EK. The magic of small-molecule drugs during ex vivo expansion in adoptive cell therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1154566. [PMID: 37153607 PMCID: PMC10160370 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1154566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past decades, advances in the use of adoptive cellular therapy to treat cancer have led to unprecedented responses in patients with relapsed/refractory or late-stage malignancies. However, cellular exhaustion and senescence limit the efficacy of FDA-approved T-cell therapies in patients with hematologic malignancies and the widespread application of this approach in treating patients with solid tumors. Investigators are addressing the current obstacles by focusing on the manufacturing process of effector T cells, including engineering approaches and ex vivo expansion strategies to regulate T-cell differentiation. Here we reviewed the current small-molecule strategies to enhance T-cell expansion, persistence, and functionality during ex vivo manufacturing. We further discussed the synergistic benefits of the dual-targeting approaches and proposed novel vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonists (VIPR-ANT) peptides as emerging candidates to enhance cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwen Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tenzin Passang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sruthi Ravindranathan
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ramireddy Bommireddy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mohammad Raheel Jajja
- Departmert of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Lily Yang
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Periasamy Selvaraj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University of School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Edmund K. Waller
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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23
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Cao X, Jin X, Zhang X, Utsav P, Zhang Y, Guo R, Lu W, Zhao M. Small-Molecule Compounds Boost CAR-T Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:184-211. [PMID: 36701037 PMCID: PMC9992085 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01049-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Although chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy has been successfully applied in patients with hematological malignancies, several obstacles still need to be overcome, such as high relapse rates and side effects. Overcoming the limitations of CAR-T cell therapy and boosting the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy are urgent issues that must be addressed. The exploration of small-molecule compounds in combination with CAR-T cell therapies has achieved promising success in pre-clinical and clinical studies in recent years. Protein kinase inhibitors, demethylating drugs, HDAC inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, Akt inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and Bcl-2 inhibitors exhibited potential synergy in combination with CAR-T cell therapy. In this review, we will discuss the recent application of these combination therapies for improved outcomes of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Cao
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Paudel Utsav
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Ruiting Guo
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Wenyi Lu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
| | - Mingfeng Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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24
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Tang J, Sheng J, Zhang Q, Ji Y, Wang X, Zhang J, Wu J, Song J, Bai X, Liang T. Runx3-overexpression cooperates with ex vivo AKT inhibition to generate receptor-engineered T cells with better persistence, tumor-residency, and antitumor ability. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006119. [PMID: 36849200 PMCID: PMC9972435 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006119] [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] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solid tumors pose unique roadblocks to treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, including limited T-cell persistence, inefficient tumor infiltration, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To date, attempts to overcome these roadblocks have been unsatisfactory. Herein, we reported a strategy of combining Runx3 (encoding RUNX family transcription factor 3)-overexpression with ex vivo protein kinase B (AKT) inhibition to generate CAR-T cells with both central memory and tissue-resident memory characteristics to overcome these roadblocks. METHODS We generated second-generation murine CAR-T cells expressing a CAR against human carbonic anhydrase 9 together with Runx3-overexpression and expanded them in the presence of AKTi-1/2, a selective and reversible inhibitor of AKT1/AKT2. We explored the influence of AKT inhibition (AKTi), Runx3-overexpression, and their combination on CAR-T cell phenotypes using flow cytometry, transcriptome profiling, and mass cytometry. The persistence, tumor-infiltration, and antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells were evaluated in subcutaneous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor models. RESULTS AKTi generated a CD62L+central memory-like CAR-T cell population with enhanced persistence, but promotable cytotoxic potential. Runx3-overexpression cooperated with AKTi to generate CAR-T cells with both central memory and tissue-resident memory characteristics. Runx3-overexpression enhanced the potential of CD4+CAR T cells and cooperated with AKTi to inhibit the terminal differentiation of CD8+CAR T cells induced by tonic signaling. While AKTi promoted CAR-T cell central memory phenotype with prominently enhanced expansion ability, Runx3-overexpression promoted the CAR-T cell tissue-resident memory phenotype and further enhanced persistence, effector function, and tumor-residency. These novel AKTi-generated Runx3-overexpressing CAR-T cells exhibited robust antitumor activity and responded well to programmed cell death 1 blockade in subcutaneous PDAC tumor models. CONCLUSIONS Runx3-overexpression cooperated with ex vivo AKTi to generate CAR-T cells with both tissue-resident and central memory characteristics, which equipped CAR-T cells with better persistence, cytotoxic potential, and tumor-residency ability to overcome roadblocks in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghui Tang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianpeng Sheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongtao Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xun Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junlei Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangchao Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinyuan Song
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China .,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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25
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Heuser C, Renner K, Kreutz M, Gattinoni L. Targeting lactate metabolism for cancer immunotherapy - a matter of precision. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:32-45. [PMID: 36496155 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T cell therapies have been valuable additions to the toolbox in the fight against cancer. These treatments have profoundly increased the number of patients with a realistic perspective toward a return to a cancer-free life. Yet, in a number of patients and tumor entities, cancer immunotherapies have been ineffective so far. In solid tumors, immune exclusion and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment represent substantial roadblocks to successful therapeutic outcomes. A major contributing factor to the depressed anti-tumor activity of immune cells in tumors is the harsh metabolic environment. Hypoxia, nutrient competition with tumor and stromal cells, and accumulating noxious waste products, including lactic acid, pose massive constraints to anti-tumor immune cells. Numerous strategies are being developed to exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of tumor cells in the hope that these would also alleviate metabolism-inflicted immune suppression. While promising in principle, especially in combination with immunotherapies, these strategies need to be scrutinized for their effect on tumor-fighting immune cells, which share some of their key metabolic properties with tumor cells. Here, we provide an overview of strategies that seek to tackle lactate metabolism in tumor or immune cells to unleash anti-tumor immune responses, thereby opening therapeutic options for patients whose tumors are currently not treatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Heuser
- Division of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Renner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marina Kreutz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Group Immunometabolomics, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology (CITO), University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- Division of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology (CITO), University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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26
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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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27
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Abraham-Miranda J, Menges M, Atkins R, Mattie M, Kanska J, Turner J, Hidalgo-Vargas MJ, Locke FL. CAR-T manufactured from frozen PBMC yield efficient function with prolonged in vitro production. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1007042. [PMID: 36225930 PMCID: PMC9549966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are engineered to identify and eliminate cells expressing a target antigen. Current manufacturing protocols vary between commercial CAR-T cell products warranting an assessment of these methods to determine which approach optimally balances successful manufacturing capacity and product efficacy. One difference between commercial product manufacturing methods is whether T cell engineering begins with fresh (unfrozen) patient cells or cells that have been cryopreserved prior to manufacture. Starting with frozen PBMC material allows for greater manufacturing flexibility, and the possibility of collecting and storing blood from patients prior to multiple lines of therapy. We prospectively analyzed if second generation anti-CD19 CAR-T cells with either CD28 or 4-1BB co-stimulatory domains have different phenotype or function when prepared side-by-side using fresh or cryopreserved PBMCs. We found that cryopreserved PBMC starting material is associated with slower CAR-T cell expansion during manufacture but does not affect phenotype. We also demonstrate that CAR-T cell activation, cytokine production and in vitro anti-tumor cytotoxicity were not different when CAR-T cells were manufactured from fresh or cryopreserved PBMC. As CAR-T cell therapy expands globally, the need for greater flexibility around the timing of manufacture will continue to grow. This study helps support the concept that cryopreservation of PBMCs could be the solution to these issues without compromising the quality of the final CAR-T product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Abraham-Miranda
- Department of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Meghan Menges
- Department of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Reginald Atkins
- Department of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Mike Mattie
- Kite Pharma, A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, CA, United States
| | - Justyna Kanska
- Kite Pharma, A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, CA, United States
| | - Joel Turner
- Department of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Melanie J. Hidalgo-Vargas
- Department of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Frederick L. Locke
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Frederick L. Locke,
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Xiao X, Wang Y, Zou Z, Yang Y, Wang X, Xin X, Tu S, Li Y. Combination strategies to optimize the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in haematological malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954235. [PMID: 36091028 PMCID: PMC9460961 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of haematological malignancies. However, resistance and relapse remain prominent limitations, and they are related to the limited persistence and efficacy of CAR T cells, downregulation or loss of tumour antigens, intrinsic resistance of tumours to death signalling, and immune suppressive microenvironment. Rational combined modality treatments are regarded as a promising strategy to further unlock the antitumor potential of CAR T cell therapy, which can be applied before CAR T cell infusion as a conditioning regimen or in ex vivo culture settings as well as concomitant with or after CAR T cell infusion. In this review, we summarize the combinatorial strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, targeted therapies and other immunotherapies, in an effort to further enhance the effectiveness of this impressive therapy and benefit more patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Xiao
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yazhuo Wang
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengbang Zou
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yufei Yang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Xin
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sanfang Tu
- Department of Haematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Sanfang Tu, ; Yuhua Li,
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Haematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Sanfang Tu, ; Yuhua Li,
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Rad SMAH, Halpin JC, Tawinwung S, Suppipat K, Hirankarn N, McLellan AD. MicroRNA‐mediated metabolic reprogramming of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Immunol Cell Biol 2022; 100:424-439. [PMID: 35507473 PMCID: PMC9322280 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini Rad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology School of Biomedical Science University of Otago Dunedin Otago New Zealand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune‐mediated Diseases Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Joshua Colin Halpin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology School of Biomedical Science University of Otago Dunedin Otago New Zealand
| | - Supannikar Tawinwung
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune‐mediated Diseases Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Koramit Suppipat
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune‐mediated Diseases Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Nattiya Hirankarn
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune‐mediated Diseases Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Alexander D McLellan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology School of Biomedical Science University of Otago Dunedin Otago New Zealand
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Yamaguchi Y, Gibson J, Ou K, Lopez LS, Ng RH, Leggett N, Jonsson VD, Zarif JC, Lee PP, Wang X, Martinez C, Dorff TB, Forman SJ, Priceman SJ. PD-L1 blockade restores CAR T cell activity through IFN-γ-regulation of CD163+ M2 macrophages. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004400. [PMID: 35738799 PMCID: PMC9226933 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that inhibits T cell infiltration, survival, and antitumor activity has posed a major challenge for developing effective immunotherapies for solid tumors. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy has shown unprecedented clinical response in treating patients with hematological malignancies, and intense investigation is underway to achieve similar responses with solid tumors. Immunologically cold tumors, including prostate cancers, are often infiltrated with abundant tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and infiltration of CD163+ M2 macrophages correlates with tumor progression and poor responses to immunotherapy. However, the impact of TAMs on CAR T cell activity alone and in combination with TME immunomodulators is unclear. METHODS To model this in vitro, we utilized a novel co-culture system with tumor cells, CAR T cells, and polarized M1 or M2 macrophages from CD14+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from healthy human donors. Tumor cell killing, T cell activation and proliferation, and macrophage phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry, cytokine production, RNA sequencing, and functional blockade of signaling pathways using antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. We also evaluated the TME in humanized mice following CAR T cell therapy for validation of our in vitro findings. RESULTS We observed inhibition of CAR T cell activity with the presence of M2 macrophages, but not M1 macrophages, coinciding with a robust induction of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in M2 macrophages. We observed similar PD-L1 expression in TAMs following CAR T cell therapy in the TME of humanized mice. PD-L1, but not programmed cell death protein-1, blockade in combination with CAR T cell therapy altered phenotypes to more M1-like subsets and led to loss of CD163+ M2 macrophages via interferon-γ signaling, resulting in improved antitumor activity of CAR T cells. CONCLUSION This study reveals an alternative mechanism by which the combination of CAR T cells and immune checkpoint blockade modulates the immune landscape of solid tumors to enhance therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Jackson Gibson
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Kevin Ou
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Lupita S Lopez
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Rachel H Ng
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Neena Leggett
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Vanessa D Jonsson
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Jelani C Zarif
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter P Lee
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Catalina Martinez
- Department of Clinical and Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Tanya B Dorff
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Saul J Priceman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
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31
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Alzawi A, Iftikhar A, Shalgm B, Jones S, Ellis I, Islam M. Receptor, Signal, Nucleus, Action: Signals That Pass through Akt on the Road to Head and Neck Cancer Cell Migration. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112606. [PMID: 35681586 PMCID: PMC9179418 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112606] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The ecosystem that surrounds a tumour, the microenvironment, has a huge impact on the spread of cancer, but its exact role in the molecular mechanism of spreading is still under scrutiny. This literature review aims to focus on the evidence published on the production of growth factors or proteins from the tumour microenvironment, which initiate signals in cancer cells. This review provides evidence that when Akt, a signalling protein, is activated by different growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α/β, vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor, head and neck cancer cell spreading is stimulated. In a nutshell, it demonstrates that the tumour microenvironment plays an important role in cancer spreading by synthesising and secreting growth factors and suggests that targeting growth-factor-activated Akt in combination therapy could be a valuable therapeutic approach in treating head and neck cancer patients. Abstract This review aims to provide evidence for the role of the tumour microenvironment in cancer progression, including invasion and metastasis. The tumour microenvironment is complex and consists of tumour cells and stromal-derived cells, in addition to a modified extracellular matrix. The cellular components synthesise growth factors such as EGF, TGFα and β, VEGF, and NGF, which have been shown to initiate paracrine signalling in head and neck cancer cells by binding to cell surface receptors. One example is the phosphorylation, and hence activation, of the signalling protein Akt, which can ultimately induce oral cancer cell migration in vitro. Blocking of Akt activation by an inhibitor, MK2206, leads to a significant decrease, in vitro, of cancer-derived cell migration, visualised in both wound healing and scatter assays. Signalling pathways have therefore been popular targets for the design of chemotherapeutic agents, but drug resistance has been observed and is related to direct tumour–tumour cell communication, the tumour–extracellular matrix interface, and tumour–stromal cell interactions. Translation of this knowledge to patient care is reliant upon a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships present in the tumour microenvironment and could ultimately lead to the design of efficacious treatment regimens such as targeted therapy or novel therapeutic combinations.
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Shen L, Xiao Y, Zhang C, Li S, Teng X, Cui L, Liu T, Wu N, Lu Z. Metabolic reprogramming by ex vivo glutamine inhibition endows CAR-T cells with less-differentiated phenotype and persistent antitumor activity. Cancer Lett 2022; 538:215710. [PMID: 35489446 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The inadequate in vivo persistence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells has been shown to lead to poor therapeutic efficacy and disease recurrence. In vivo persistence is associated with the differentiation subsets infused, with less differentiated TN or TCM conferring superior renewal capacity and antitumor immunity compared to TEM or TEFF. However, ex vivo expanded CAR-T cells exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity with majority of TEM or TEFF subsets and very low populations of TN and TCM. The transition of differentiation subsets is closely correlated with T cell metabolism fitness. Effector T cell differentiation from TN or TCM requires glutamine uptake and metabolism. Using a CD19-specific CAR, we demonstrated that glutamine inhibition by adding the glutamine antagonist 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) into the culture endows CAR-T cells with enhanced mitochondrial OXPHOS utilizing fatty acids and reduced glycolytic activity, and retains more TN or TCM subsets. DON- pretreated CAR-T cells exhibited stronger cytotoxic lysis in vitro and more robust elimination of tumor burdens in vivo. This study suggests that glutamine inhibition ex vivo would be a potential approach for modulating metabolism and differentiation state to improve the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Yefei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Chaoting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Shance Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xia Teng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Likun Cui
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
| | - Zheming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
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Watanabe N, Mo F, McKenna MK. Impact of Manufacturing Procedures on CAR T Cell Functionality. Front Immunol 2022; 13:876339. [PMID: 35493513 PMCID: PMC9043864 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.876339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cell therapy has rapidly expanded in the past few decades. As of today, there are six CAR T cell products that have been approved by the FDA: KYMRIAH (tisagenlecleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), YESCARTA (axicabtagene ciloleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), TECARTUS (brexucabtagene autoleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), BREYANZI (lisocabtagene maraleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel, BCMA CAR T cells) and CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel, BCMA CAR T cells). With this clinical success, CAR T cell therapy has become one of the most promising treatment options to combat cancers. Current research efforts focus on further potentiating its efficacy in non-responding patients and solid tumor settings. To achieve this, recent evidence suggested that, apart from developing next-generation CAR T cells with additional genetic modifications, ex vivo culture conditions could significantly impact CAR T cell functionality – an often overlooked aspect during clinical translation. In this review, we focus on the ex vivo manufacturing process for CAR T cells and discuss how it impacts CAR T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihiro Watanabe
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Norihiro Watanabe,
| | - Feiyan Mo
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mary Kathryn McKenna
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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Huang Y, Si X, Shao M, Teng X, Xiao G, Huang H. Rewiring mitochondrial metabolism to counteract exhaustion of CAR-T cells. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:38. [PMID: 35346311 PMCID: PMC8960222 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01255-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Short persistence and early exhaustion of T cells are major limits to the efficacy and broad application of immunotherapy. Exhausted T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells upregulate expression of genes associated with terminated T cell differentiation, aerobic glycolysis and apoptosis. Among cell exhaustion characteristics, impaired mitochondrial function and dynamics are considered hallmarks. Here, we review the mitochondrial characteristics of exhausted T cells and particularly discuss different aspects of mitochondrial metabolism and plasticity. Furthermore, we propose a novel strategy of rewiring mitochondrial metabolism to emancipate T cells from exhaustion and of targeting mitochondrial plasticity to boost CAR-T cell therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Si
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mi Shao
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Teng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Immunology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China. .,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 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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35
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Preclinical Evaluation of CAR T Cell Function: In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063154. [PMID: 35328572 PMCID: PMC8955360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a rapidly emerging modality that engineers T cells to redirect tumor-specific cytotoxicity. CAR T cells have been well characterized for their efficacy against B cell malignancies, and rigorously studied in other types of tumors. Preclinical evaluation of CAR T cell function, including direct tumor killing, cytokine production, and memory responses, is crucial to the development and optimization of CAR T cell therapies. Such comprehensive examinations are usually performed in different types of models. Model establishment should focus on key challenges in the clinical setting and the capability to generate reliable data to indicate CAR T cell therapeutic potency in the clinic. Further, modeling the interaction between CAR T cells and tumor microenvironment provides additional insight for the future endeavors to enhance efficacy, especially against solid tumors. This review will summarize both in vitro and in vivo models for CAR T cell functional evaluation, including how they have evolved with the needs of CAR T cell research, the information they can provide for preclinical assessment of CAR T cell products, and recent technology advances to test CAR T cells in more clinically relevant models.
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36
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Wang Z, McWilliams-Koeppen HP, Reza H, Ostberg JR, Chen W, Wang X, Huynh C, Vyas V, Chang WC, Starr R, Wagner JR, Aguilar B, Yang X, Wu X, Wang J, Chen W, Koelker-Wolfe E, Seet CS, Montel-Hagen A, Crooks GM, Forman SJ, Brown CE. 3D-organoid culture supports differentiation of human CAR+ iPSCs into highly functional CAR T cells. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:515-527.e8. [PMID: 35278370 PMCID: PMC9119152 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unlimited generation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is an attractive approach for "off-the-shelf" CAR T cell immunotherapy. Approaches to efficiently differentiate iPSCs into canonical αβ T cell lineages, while maintaining CAR expression and functionality, however, have been challenging. We report that iPSCs reprogramed from CD62L+ naive and memory T cells followed by CD19-CAR engineering and 3D-organoid system differentiation confers products with conventional CD8αβ-positive CAR T cell characteristics. Expanded iPSC CD19-CAR T cells showed comparable antigen-specific activation, degranulation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine secretion compared with conventional CD19-CAR T cells and maintained homogeneous expression of the TCR derived from the initial clone. iPSC CD19-CAR T cells also mediated potent antitumor activity in vivo, prolonging survival of mice with CD19+ human tumor xenografts. Our study establishes feasible methodologies to generate highly functional CAR T cells from iPSCs to support the development of "off-the-shelf" manufacturing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Helen P McWilliams-Koeppen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Hernan Reza
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie R Ostberg
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wuyang Chen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christian Huynh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ellery Koelker-Wolfe
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christopher S Seet
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amélie Montel-Hagen
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gay M Crooks
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christine E Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Jalili A, Hajifathali A, Bereimipour A, Roshandel E, Aghdami N. The Impact of Different Cell Culture Mediums on CD8+ T Cells Expansion: A Bioinformatics Study. CELL JOURNAL 2022; 24:155-162. [PMID: 35451586 PMCID: PMC9035229 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.7779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective Different Cell Culture medias can affect the expansion of T cells. The aim of this study is to assess signaling pathways, protein interactions and genes in T cells cultured in different common T cell expansion medias to select the best candidate. Materials and Methods In this in silico observational study, with the use of bioinformatics analysis and the use of enrichment databases, gene expression profiles were investigated using microarray analysis. Results The results of this study were the joint selection of 26 upregulated genes and 59 downregulated genes that were involved in SREBP control of lipid synthesis, co-stimulatory signal during T-cell activation mitosis and chromosome dynamics, telomeres, telomerase, and cellular aging signal pathways. Conclusion Using bioinformatics analyzes, integrated and regular genes were selected as common genes CD80, LST1, ATM and ITM2B 4-1BBL, Akt inhibitor, interleukin 7 and 15 expansion media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan Jalili
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Medical Technologies, Royan Institute, ACECR, Tehran,
Iran,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and
Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Bereimipour
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and
Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran ,Faculty of Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,P.O.Box: 1985711151Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIranP.O.Box: 16635-148Department of Regenerative MedicineCell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and TechnologyACECRTehranIran
Emails:,
| | - Nasser Aghdami
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR,
Tehran, Iran ,P.O.Box: 1985711151Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIranP.O.Box: 16635-148Department of Regenerative MedicineCell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and TechnologyACECRTehranIran
Emails:,
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38
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Stock S, Kluever AK, Endres S, Kobold S. Enhanced Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy through Co-Application of Synergistic Combination Partners. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020307. [PMID: 35203517 PMCID: PMC8869718 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved remarkable response rates and revolutionized the treatment of patients suffering from defined hematological malignancies. However, many patients still do not respond to this therapy or relapse after an initial remission, underscoring the need for improved efficacy. Insufficient in vivo activity, persistence, trafficking, and tumor infiltration of CAR T cells, as well as antigen escape and treatment-associated adverse events, limit the therapeutic success. Multiple strategies and approaches have been investigated to further improve CAR T cell therapy. Besides genetic modification of the CAR itself, the combination with other treatment modalities has the potential to improve this approach. In particular, combining CAR T cells with clinically approved compounds such as monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors might be a promising strategy. Combination partners could already be applied during the production process to influence the cellular composition and immunophenotype of the final CAR T cell product. Alternatively, simultaneous administration of clinically approved compounds with CAR T cells would be another feasible avenue. In this review, we will discuss current strategies to combine CAR T cells with compounds to overcome recent limitations and further enhance this promising cancer therapy, potentially broadening its application beyond hematology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Stock
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (S.E.)
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, 81337 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Anna-Kristina Kluever
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (S.E.)
| | - Stefan Endres
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (S.E.)
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (S.E.)
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.K.)
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39
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Shen L, Xiao Y, Tian J, Lu Z. Remodeling metabolic fitness: Strategies for improving the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Cancer Lett 2022; 529:139-152. [PMID: 35007698 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The dramatic success of adoptive transfer of engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) has been achieved with effective responses in some relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies, which is not yet met in solid tumors. The efficacy of CAR-T therapy is associated with its fate determination and their interaction with cancer cells in tumor microenvironment (TME), which is closely correlated with T cell metabolism fitness. Indeed, modulating T cell metabolism reprogramming has been proven crucial for their survival and reinvigorating antitumor immunity, and thus is considered as a promising strategy to improve the clinical performance of CAR-T cell therapy in difficult-to-treat cancers. This review briefly summarizes the T cell metabolic profiles and key metabolic challenges it faces in TME such as nutrient depletion, hypoxia, and toxic metabolites, then emphatically discusses the potential strategies to modulate metabolic properties of CAR-T cells including improving CARs construct design, optimizing manufacture process via addition of exogenous cytokines or targeting specific signaling pathway, manipulating ROS levels balance or relieve the unfavorable metabolic TME including adaptation to hypoxia and relieving inhibitory effect of toxic metabolites, eventually strengthening the anti-tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Yefei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahe Tian
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Zheming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China.
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40
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Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Rahbarizadeh F. Optimizing the Clinical Impact of CAR-T Cell Therapy in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Looking Back While Moving Forward. Front Immunol 2021; 12:765097. [PMID: 34777381 PMCID: PMC8581403 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.765097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has been successful in creating extraordinary clinical outcomes in the treatment of hematologic malignancies including relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). With several FDA approvals, CAR-T therapy is recognized as an alternative treatment option for particular patients with certain conditions of B-ALL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. However, CAR-T therapy for B-ALL can be surrounded by challenges such as various adverse events including the life-threatening cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity, B-cell aplasia-associated hypogammaglobulinemia and agammaglobulinemia, and the alloreactivity of allogeneic CAR-Ts. Furthermore, recent advances such as improvements in media design, the reduction of ex vivo culturing duration, and other phenotype-determining factors can still create room for a more effective CAR-T therapy in R/R B-ALL. Herein, we review preclinical and clinical strategies with a focus on novel studies aiming to address the mentioned hurdles and stepping further towards a milestone in CAR-T therapy of B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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41
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Vanhaesebroeck B, Perry MWD, Brown JR, André F, Okkenhaug K. PI3K inhibitors are finally coming of age. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:741-769. [PMID: 34127844 PMCID: PMC9297732 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00209-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Overactive phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in cancer and immune dysregulation has spurred extensive efforts to develop therapeutic PI3K inhibitors. Although progress has been hampered by issues such as poor drug tolerance and drug resistance, several PI3K inhibitors have now received regulatory approval - the PI3Kα isoform-selective inhibitor alpelisib for the treatment of breast cancer and inhibitors mainly aimed at the leukocyte-enriched PI3Kδ in B cell malignancies. In addition to targeting cancer cell-intrinsic PI3K activity, emerging evidence highlights the potential of PI3K inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy. This Review summarizes key discoveries that aid the clinical translation of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ inhibitors, highlighting lessons learnt and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew W D Perry
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jennifer R Brown
- CLL Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabrice André
- Institut Gustave Roussy, INSERM U981, Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Klaus Okkenhaug
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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42
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Haslauer T, Greil R, Zaborsky N, Geisberger R. CAR T-Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168996. [PMID: 34445701 PMCID: PMC8396650 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells (CAR T-cells) are a promising therapeutic approach in treating hematological malignancies. CAR T-cells represent engineered autologous T-cells, expressing a synthetic CAR, targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) independent of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) presentation. The most common target is CD19 on B-cells, predominantly used for the treatment of lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), leading to approval of five different CAR T-cell therapies for clinical application. Despite encouraging clinical results, treatment of other hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains difficult. In this review, we focus especially on CAR T-cell application in different hematological malignancies as well as strategies for overcoming CAR T-cell dysfunction and increasing their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Haslauer
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Nadja Zaborsky
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Roland Geisberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-57255-25847
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43
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PI3K/Akt Pathway: The Indestructible Role of a Vintage Target as a Support to the Most Recent Immunotherapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164040. [PMID: 34439194 PMCID: PMC8392360 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary PI3K/Akt pathway has an impressive story as tumor marker. PI3K-dependent solid tumors have been studied for several years in order to inhibit the pathway at different levels along the signaling. Despite the highly satisfactory results obtained in vitro and in xenograft mouse tumor models, the use of PI3K/Akt inhibitors in clinical trials resulted in being not as efficient as expected. With the emerging role of the tumor microenvironment in the response to therapy and the awareness, increasing in recent years, of the necessity to army the immune system against the tumor, new opportunities have emerged for PI3K/Akt inhibitors. Here, we show that PI3K/Akt, in addition to its function as tumor marker, exerts a pivotal role as an immunomodulator. Recent studies demonstrate that PI3K/Akt pathway is crucial for the regulation of the immune system and that its inhibition in combination with immunomodulatory agents may provide a new therapeutic approach for cancer. Abstract Pathologic activation of PI3Ks and the subsequent deregulation of its downstream signaling pathway is among the most frequent events associated with cellular transformation, cancer, and metastasis. PI3Ks are also emerging as critical factors in regulating anti-tumor immunity by either promoting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment or by controlling the activity and the tumor infiltration of cells involved in the immune response. For these reasons, significant pharmaceutical efforts are dedicated to inhibiting the PI3K pathway, with the main goal to target the tumor and, at the same time, to enhance the anti-tumor immunity. Recent immunotherapeutic approaches involving the use of adoptive cell transfer of autologous genetically modified T cells or immune check-point inhibitors showed high efficacy. However, mechanisms of resistance to these kinds of therapy are emerging, due in part to the inhibition of effector T cell functions exerted by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, we first describe how inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway contribute to enhance anti-tumor immunity and further discuss how inhibitors of the pathway are used in combination with different immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic agents to improve anti-tumor efficacy.
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44
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Park CH. Making Potent CAR T Cells Using Genetic Engineering and Synergistic Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133236. [PMID: 34209505 PMCID: PMC8269169 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies are emerging as powerful weapons for the treatment of malignancies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have shown dramatic clinical results in patients with hematological malignancies. However, it is still challenging for CAR T cell therapy to be successful in several types of blood cancer and most solid tumors. Many attempts have been made to enhance the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy by modifying the CAR construct using combination agents, such as compounds, antibodies, or radiation. At present, technology to improve CAR T cell therapy is rapidly developing. In this review, we particularly emphasize the most recent studies utilizing genetic engineering and synergistic agents to improve CAR T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Hoon Park
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Daejeon 34114, Korea; ; Tel.: +82-42-860-7416; Fax: +82-42-861-4246
- Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
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45
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Wehrli M, Maus MV. New CARs on and off the road: challenges and new developments in CAR-T cell therapy. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 59:116-126. [PMID: 34198161 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Building on the tremendous success of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in hematological malignancies, there are efforts under way to overcome the challenges associated with this treatment and expand its application to solid tumors. In this fast-evolving field, new therapeutic options are constantly generated, tested in model systems, and further evaluated in clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of recent challenges and developments associated with engineered T cells and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell applications. We report on the most recent progress in hematological malignancies and highlight technical advances for applications in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Wehrli
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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46
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Glover M, Avraamides S, Maher J. How Can We Engineer CAR T Cells to Overcome Resistance? Biologics 2021; 15:175-198. [PMID: 34040345 PMCID: PMC8141613 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s252568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved unrivalled success in the treatment of B cell and plasma cell malignancies, with five CAR T cell products now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, CAR T cell therapies for solid tumours have not been nearly as successful, owing to several additional challenges. Here, we discuss mechanisms of tumour resistance in CAR T cell therapy and the emerging strategies that are under development to engineer CAR T cells to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Glover
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Stephanie Avraamides
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.,King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE5 9RS, UK.,Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2UD, UK
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47
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Caulier B, Enserink JM, Wälchli S. Pharmacologic Control of CAR T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094320. [PMID: 33919245 PMCID: PMC8122276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy is a promising modality for the treatment of advanced cancers that are otherwise incurable. During the last decade, different centers worldwide have tested the anti-CD19 CAR T cells and shown clinical benefits in the treatment of B cell tumors. However, despite these encouraging results, CAR treatment has also been found to lead to serious side effects and capricious response profiles in patients. In addition, the CD19 CAR success has been difficult to reproduce for other types of malignancy. The appearance of resistant tumor variants, the lack of antigen specificity, and the occurrence of severe adverse effects due to over-stimulation of the therapeutic cells have been identified as the major impediments. This has motivated a growing interest in developing strategies to overcome these hurdles through CAR control. Among them, the combination of small molecules and approved drugs with CAR T cells has been investigated. These have been exploited to induce a synergistic anti-cancer effect but also to control the presence of the CAR T cells or tune the therapeutic activity. In the present review, we discuss opportunistic and rational approaches involving drugs featuring anti-cancer efficacy and CAR-adjustable effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Caulier
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
- Center for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell), Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorrit M. Enserink
- Center for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell), Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0379 Oslo, Norway
- Section for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sébastien Wälchli
- Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
- Correspondence:
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48
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Cellular networks controlling T cell persistence in adoptive cell therapy. Nat Rev Immunol 2021; 21:769-784. [PMID: 33879873 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-021-00539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The antitumour activity of endogenous or adoptively transferred tumour-specific T cells is highly dependent on their differentiation status. It is now apparent that less differentiated T cells compared with fully differentiated effector T cells have better antitumour therapeutic effects owing to their enhanced capacity to expand and their long-term persistence. In patients with cancer, the presence of endogenous or adoptively transferred T cells with stem-like memory or precursor phenotype correlates with improved therapeutic outcomes. Advances in our understanding of T cell differentiation states at the epigenetic and transcriptional levels have led to the development of novel methods to generate tumour-specific T cells - namely, chimeric antigen receptor T cells - that are more persistent and resistant to the development of dysfunction. These include the use of novel culture methods before infusion, modulation of transcriptional, metabolic and/or epigenetic programming, and strategies that fine-tune antigen receptor signalling. This Review discusses existing barriers and strategies to overcome them for successful T cell expansion and persistence in the context of adoptive T cell immunotherapy for solid cancers.
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49
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Brayshaw LL, Martinez-Fleites C, Athanasopoulos T, Southgate T, Jespers L, Herring C. The role of small molecules in cell and gene therapy. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:330-352. [PMID: 34046619 PMCID: PMC8130622 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00221f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies have achieved impressive results in the treatment of rare genetic diseases using gene corrected stem cells and haematological cancers using chimeric antigen receptor T cells. However, these two fields face significant challenges such as demonstrating long-term efficacy and safety, and achieving cost-effective, scalable manufacturing processes. The use of small molecules is a key approach to overcome these barriers and can benefit cell and gene therapies at multiple stages of their lifecycle. For example, small molecules can be used to optimise viral vector production during manufacturing or used in the clinic to enhance the resistance of T cell therapies to the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Here, we review current uses of small molecules in cell and gene therapy and highlight opportunities for medicinal chemists to further consolidate the success of cell and gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis L Brayshaw
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Carlos Martinez-Fleites
- Protein Degradation Group, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Thomas Southgate
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Laurent Jespers
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Christopher Herring
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
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Pellegrino M, Del Bufalo F, De Angelis B, Quintarelli C, Caruana I, de Billy E. Manipulating the Metabolism to Improve the Efficacy of CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 10:cells10010014. [PMID: 33374128 PMCID: PMC7824126 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing T-cells has produced unprecedented successful results in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, the use of this technology in other malignancies remains less effective. In the setting of solid neoplasms, CAR T-cell metabolic fitness needs to be optimal to reach the tumor and execute their cytolytic function in an environment often hostile. It is now well established that both tumor and T cell metabolisms play critical roles in controlling the immune response by conditioning the tumor microenvironment and the fate and activity of the T cells. In this review, after a brief description of the tumoral and T cell metabolic reprogramming, we summarize the latest advances and new strategies that have been developed to improve the metabolic fitness and efficacy of CAR T-cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha Pellegrino
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, 81100 Naples, Italy
| | - Ignazio Caruana
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children’s Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-3516
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