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Barros MHM, Alves PDS. Contribution of the Epstein-Barr virus to the oncogenesis of mature T-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasms. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1240359. [PMID: 37781191 PMCID: PMC10538126 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1240359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
EBV is a lymphotropic virus, member of the Herpesviridae family that asymptomatically infects more than 90% of the human population, establishing a latent infection in memory B cells. EBV exhibits complex survival and persistence dynamics, replicating its genome through the proliferation of infected B cells or production of the lytic virions. Many studies have documented the infection of T/NK cells by EBV in healthy individuals during and after primary infection. This feature has been confirmed in humanized mouse models. Together these results have challenged the hypothesis that the infection of T/NK cells per se by EBV could be a triggering event for lymphomagenesis. Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive nodal T- and NK-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) are two EBV-associated lymphomas of T/NK cells. These two lymphomas display different clinical, histological and molecular features. However, they share two intriguing characteristics: the association with EBV and a geographical prevalence in East Asia and Latin America. In this review we will discuss the genetic characteristics of EBV in order to understand the possible role of this virus in the oncogenesis of ENKTCL and NKTCL. In addition, the main immunohistological, molecular, cytogenetic and epigenetic differences between ENKTCL and NKTCL will be discussed, as well as EBV differences in latency patterns and other viral molecular characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Daniela S. Alves
- Oncovirology Laboratory, Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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2
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Zhang Y, Lyu H, Guo R, Cao X, Feng J, Jin X, Lu W, Zhao M. Epstein‒Barr virus-associated cellular immunotherapy. Cytotherapy 2023:S1465-3249(23)00099-3. [PMID: 37149797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Epstein‒Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpes virus that is saliva-transmissible and universally asymptomatic. It has been confirmed that more than 90% of the population is latently infected with EBV for life. EBV can cause a variety of related cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. Currently, many clinical studies have demonstrated that EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and other cell therapies can be safely and effectively transfused to prevent and treat some diseases caused by EBV. This review will mainly focus on discussing EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and will touch on therapeutic EBV vaccines and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Hairong Lyu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruiting Guo
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinping Cao
- First Center Clinic College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Tianjin Jizhou District People's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenyi Lu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Mingfeng Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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3
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Li W, Duan X, Chen X, Zhan M, Peng H, Meng Y, Li X, Li XY, Pang G, Dou X. Immunotherapeutic approaches in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1079515. [PMID: 36713430 PMCID: PMC9875085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1079515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was the first tumor virus in humans. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) accounts for approximately 60% of the 200,000 new tumor cases caused by EBV infection worldwide each year. NPC has an insidious onset and is highly malignant, with more than 70% of patients having intermediate to advanced disease at the time of initial diagnosis, and is strongly implicated in epithelial cancers as well as malignant lymphoid and natural killer/T cell lymphomas. Over 90% of patients with confirmed undifferentiated NPC are infected with EBV. In recent decades, much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of NPC and developing therapeutic approaches. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the main treatment options for NPC; however, they have a limited efficacy in patients with locally advanced or distant metastatic tumors. Tumor immunotherapy, including vaccination, adoptive cell therapy, and immune checkpoint blockade, represents a promising therapeutic approach for NPC. Significant breakthroughs have recently been made in the application of immunotherapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC (RM-NPC), indicating a broad prospect for NPC immunotherapy. Here, we review important research findings regarding immunotherapy for NPC patients and provide insights for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaobing Duan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Xingxing Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Haichuan Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Ya Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Xian-Yang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,Department of R&D, OriCell Therapeutics Co. Ltd, Pudong, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaohui Dou, ; Guofu Pang, ; Xian-Yang Li,
| | - Guofu Pang
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaohui Dou, ; Guofu Pang, ; Xian-Yang Li,
| | - Xiaohui Dou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,Health Management Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaohui Dou, ; Guofu Pang, ; Xian-Yang Li,
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4
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Dasari V, Sinha D, Neller MA, Smith C, Khanna R. Prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases: emerging strategies for clinical development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:457-474. [PMID: 30987475 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1605906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects more than 95% of the world's population and is associated with infectious mononucleosis as well as a number of cancers in various geographical locations. Despite its significant health burden, no licenced prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines are available. Areas covered: Over the last two decades, our understanding of the role of EBV infection in the pathogenesis and immune regulation of EBV-associated diseases has provided new lines of research to conceptualize various novel prophylactic and therapeutic approaches to control EBV-associated disease. In this review, we evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine approaches against EBV and various immunotherapeutic strategies against a number of EBV-associated malignancies. This review also describes the existing and future prospects of improved EBV-targeted therapeutic strategies. Expert opinion: It is anticipated that these emerging strategies will provide answers for the major challenges in EBV vaccine development and help improve the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayendra Dasari
- a QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Debottam Sinha
- a QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Michelle A Neller
- a QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Corey Smith
- a QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- a QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia
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5
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Smith C, Khanna R. Adoptive cellular immunotherapy for virus‐associated cancers: a new paradigm in personalized medicine. Immunol Cell Biol 2017; 95:364-371. [DOI: 10.1038/icb.2016.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corey Smith
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumor Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumor Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Brisbane Queensland Australia
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6
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Alkhairy OK, Perez-Becker R, Driessen GJ, Abolhassani H, van Montfrans J, Borte S, Choo S, Wang N, Tesselaar K, Fang M, Bienemann K, Boztug K, Daneva A, Mechinaud F, Wiesel T, Becker C, Dückers G, Siepermann K, van Zelm MC, Rezaei N, van der Burg M, Aghamohammadi A, Seidel MG, Niehues T, Hammarström L. Novel mutations in TNFRSF7/CD27: Clinical, immunologic, and genetic characterization of human CD27 deficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 136:703-712.e10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Long-term Outcome of Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated With Postremission Therapy Using EBV LMP1 and LMP2a-specific CTLs. Mol Ther 2015; 23:1401-1409. [PMID: 26017177 PMCID: PMC4817864 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is associated with latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and frequent relapse even after complete response (CR) to intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The expression of EBV proteins in the tumor provides targets for adoptive immunotherapy with antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL). To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EBV latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 and LMP-2a-specific CTLs (LMP1/2a CTLs) stimulated with LMP1/2a RNA-transferred dendritic cells, we treated 10 ENKTCL patients who showed complete response to induction therapy. Patients who completed and responded to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or high-dose therapy followed by stem cell transplantation (HDT/SCT) were eligible to receive eight doses of 2 × 107 LMP1/2a CTLs/m2. Following infusion, there were no immediate or delayed toxicities. The 4-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 100%, and 90% (95% CI: 71.4 to 100%) respectively with a median follow-up of 55·5 months. Circulating IFN-γ secreting LMP1 and LMP2a-specific T cells within the peripheral blood corresponded with decline in plasma EBV DNA levels in patients. Adoptive transfer of LMP1/2a CTLs in ENKTCL patients is a safe and effective postremission therapeutic approach. Further randomized studies will be needed to define the role of EBV-CTLs in preventing relapse of ENKTCL.
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8
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Abstract
The adoptive transfer of T cells specific for native tumor antigens (TAs) is an increasingly popular cancer treatment option because of the ability of these cells to discriminate between normal and tumor tissues and the corresponding lack of short or long-term toxicities. Infusions of antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells targeting viral antigens derived from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induce sustained complete tumor remissions in patients with highly immunogenic tumors such as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, although resistance occurred when the infused T-cell population had restricted antigen specificity. T cells specific for EBV antigens have also produced complete remissions of EBV-positive nasopharyngeal carcinomas and lymphomas developing in immunocompetent individuals, even though in these patients tumor survival is dependent on their ability to evade T-cell immunity. Adapting this strategy to non-viral tumors is more challenging, as the target antigens expressed are less immunogenic and the tumors lack the potent danger signals that are characteristic of viruses. The goals of current studies are to define conditions that promote expansion of antigen-specific T cells ex vivo and to ensure their in vivo persistence and survival by combining with maneuvers such as lymphodepletion, checkpoint inhibition, cytokine infusions, or genetic manipulations. More pragmatic goals are to streamline manufacturing to facilitate the transition of these therapies to late phase trials and to evaluate closely histocompatibility antigen (HLA)-matched banked antigen-specific T cells so that T-cell therapies can be made more broadly available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliona M Rooney
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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9
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Cao Y, Zhou X, Zhou M, Xu D, Ma Q, Zhang P, Huang X, Li Q, Ma D, Zhou J. Inhibition of STAT3 activity re-activates anti-tumor immunity but fails to restore the immunogenicity of tumor cells in a B-cell lymphoma model. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 15:1153-62. [PMID: 24915165 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.29453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of patients with advanced lymphoma become refractory or relapse after initial treatment due to the persistence of minimal residual disease. Ideal immunotherapy strategy for eradicating the minimal residual disease of lymphoma and preventing the tendency to relapse need to be developed. Here, we use a mice model mimicked the disease entities of aggressive B-cell lymphoma dynamically to analyze the host anti-lymphoma immunity during the progression of lymphoma. We have shown that STAT3 activity was gradually enhanced in host immune effector cells with the progression of lymphoma. Inhibition of the STAT3 activity with a small molecule inhibitor was able to effectively enhance the function of both host innate and adaptive immunity, and thereby delayed the progression of lymphoma. Despite the therapeutic benefits were achieved by using of the STAT3 inhibitor, disrupting of STAT3 pathway did not prevent the eventual development of lymphoma due to the presence of point mutation of β2M, which controls immune recognition by T cells. Our findings highlight the complexity of the mechanism of immune evasion; therefore a detailed analysis of genes involved in the immune recognition process should be essential before an elegant immunotherapy strategy could be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cao
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhou
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Mi Zhou
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Danmei Xu
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Quanfu Ma
- Cancer Biology Research Center; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Peilin Zhang
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Xiaoyuan Huang
- Cancer Biology Research Center; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Qinlu Li
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Ding Ma
- Cancer Biology Research Center; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Department of Hematology; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China; Cancer Biology Research Center; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei PR China
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10
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Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphomas represent a broad spectrum of diseases and can be characterized by their pattern of viral latency. These pathologies display the importance of healthy T cell-mediated control of the EBV-infected B cells. Burkitt's lymphoma is the least immunogenic and has a type I latency pattern. Hodgkin's and a variety of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas exhibit antigens of type II latency. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in the solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant setting as well as lymphomas arising in primary immunodeficiency patients are tumors with type III latency. This last group expresses all 9 latent proteins and is the most immunogenic. T-cell approaches including donor lymphocyte infusions and the adoptive transfer of EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be used to treat these diseases. The authors describe the biology of these EBV-associated lymphomas and review the methodology and outcomes of existing T cell-based therapies as well as strategies to improve their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier El-Bietar
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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11
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Brody J, Kohrt H, Marabelle A, Levy R. Active and passive immunotherapy for lymphoma: proving principles and improving results. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29:1864-75. [PMID: 21482977 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2010.33.4623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional chemotherapy for lymphoma has advanced greatly over the past 50 years, changing some lymphoma subtypes from uniformly lethal to curable; however, the majority of lymphomas in patients remain incurable, and there is a need for novel therapies with less toxicity and more specific targeting of tumor cells. The vertebrate immune system has evolved the capacity for such specific targeting through the B-cell and T-cell receptors; passive immunotherapies utilizing these receptors, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or T cells, have shown efficacy in treating lymphomas. The first generation of mAb-based therapies has transformed the standard of care for lymphoma, and newer antibodies may improve on this approach. Clinical activity has been shown by T cells bearing receptors that target viral antigens as well as T cells bearing re-engineered receptors that target antigens recognized by antibodies. Active immunotherapies, such as vaccines and immune checkpoint blockades, have prolonged survival in certain solid tumors and are being actively pursued to treat lymphoma. A variety of vaccines (eg, protein- and cell-based vaccines) are being tested in ongoing trials, and the most recent iterations show therapeutic activity. Newer trials are addressing the problem of tumor-induced immunosuppression by the use of antibodies against immunologic checkpoints or by the reinfusion of primed T cells after lymphodepletion, a process we refer to as immunotransplantation. Herein, we discuss results of the various immunotherapy strategies applied to lymphoma and the ongoing approaches for their improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Brody
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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12
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Merlo A, Turrini R, Dolcetti R, Zanovello P, Rosato A. Immunotherapy for EBV-associated malignancies. Int J Hematol 2011; 93:281-293. [PMID: 21336546 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-011-0782-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Revised: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Since 1995 to date, more than 250 patients with EBV-related diseases received virus-specific CTL. Cell therapy proved to be safe and effective, and achieved some complete remissions also in patients who failed all previous standard treatments. The first clinical results with EBV-specific CTL were obtained for both prophylaxis and treatment of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease arising in stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant recipients. Based on such encouraging results, the same approach was then extended to other EBV-related diseases, namely Hodgkin's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and chronic active infection. Nowadays, the modification of the CTL generation protocols and the introduction of new specificities into EBV-specific CTL lines by chimeric antigen receptor transfer allow targeting other viral infections and also non-EBV related malignancies. Aim of this review is to summarize clinical results obtained thus far in adoptive cell therapy approaches with EBV-specific CTL. Moreover, by analyzing ongoing clinical trials, we also provide some insights on the potential future of a successful and paradigmatic history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Merlo
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata, 64, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Riccardo Turrini
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata, 64, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, CRO, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Paola Zanovello
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata, 64, 35128, Padua, Italy.,Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata, 64, 35128, Padua, Italy. .,Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
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13
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Kohrt H, Lee M, Advani R. Risk stratification in extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2011; 10:1395-405. [PMID: 20836675 DOI: 10.1586/era.10.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL), a subtype of natural killer/T-cell malignancies, is a rare subset of lymphomas with significant biological and clinical heterogeneity. The prognosis of ENKL is variable and therapeutic approaches are not well established. The optimal dose, combination, and sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy are evolving, as is the role of stem cell transplantation. Radiotherapy is an essential component of therapy for early-stage disease. The clinical course of advanced disease is highly aggressive, with frequent chemotherapy resistance and a poor prognosis. For relapsed disease, asparaginase-based regimens have provided encouraging results and are currently under investigation in the frontline setting. Our article discusses the key aspects of biology, pathogenesis and clinical presentation that contribute to the heterogeneity, and proposes a stratified approach to the treatment of ENKL based on clinical, pathologic and biologic risk factors. Although considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the biology and prognosis of this lymphoma, it remains critical that all patients with a diagnosis of ENKL are enrolled and treated in clinical trials so that optimal therapies can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holbrook Kohrt
- Stanford Cancer Center, 875 Blake Wilbur Drive, MC5151, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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14
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Okur FV, Krance R. Stem cell transplantation in childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2011; 5:192-9. [PMID: 20661786 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-010-0059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high cure rates achieved with intensified primary therapies for childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), the prognosis for children with relapsed or refractory disease is poor. Optimal treatment for this group remains a challenge. Dose intensification followed by stem cell transplantation has been used in these circumstances and may provide a curative treatment option for these patients, but the number of children treated using this approach is relatively small and its effectiveness has been difficult to judge. Moreover, the limited experience is insufficient to define the patient most likely to benefit from transplantation. Likewise, the selection of autologous or allogeneic transplantation and the optimal conditioning regimen are debated. We summarize the current experience for stem cell transplantation in childhood NHL and offer our recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma V Okur
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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15
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Direct and indirect antitumor effects by human peripheral blood lymphocytes expressing both chimeric immune receptor and interleukin-2 in ovarian cancer xenograft model. Cancer Gene Ther 2010; 17:742-50. [PMID: 20559334 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2010.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) electroporated with RNA encoding anti-Her-2/neu-specific chimeric immune receptor (CIR) have been reported to elicit potent immune responses against SKOV3 tumors in a nude mouse model. However, CIR-electroporated PBL (CIR-PBL) did not proliferate, and the cell number rapidly decreased in the absence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2). In this study, PBLs electroporated with both CIR and IL-2 RNA (CIR/IL-2-PBL) were studied to determine whether antitumor effects could be improved by adoptive immunotherapy. CIR and IL-2 were expressed in CIR/IL-2-PBL at levels similar to PBLs electroporated, with IL-2 RNA (IL-2-PBL) or CIR-PBL. Transfer of IL-2 RNA induced proliferation and prolonged survival of PBLs in vitro. In a xenograft model, both IL-2-PBL and CIR/IL-2-PBL showed significantly higher antitumor effects than CIR-PBL. The number of tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells was significantly increased in IL-2-PBL and CIR/IL-2-PBL. After NK cell depletion, IL-2-PBL showed significantly lower antitumor effects than CIR/IL-2-PBL. These results suggest that transfer of IL-2 RNA to CIR-PBL can promote NK cell infiltration of tumors and prolong survival of infused PBLs in vivo. RNA electroporated PBLs may represent efficient tools for delivery of functional molecules to tumors by multiple gene transfer.
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16
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Merlo A, Turrini R, Dolcetti R, Martorelli D, Muraro E, Comoli P, Rosato A. The interplay between Epstein-Barr virus and the immune system: a rationale for adoptive cell therapy of EBV-related disorders. Haematologica 2010; 95:1769-77. [PMID: 20421267 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2010.023689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus has evolved a plethora of strategies to evade immune system recognition and to establish latent infection in memory B cells, where the virus resides lifelong without any consequence in the majority of individuals. However, some imbalances in the equilibrium between the inherent virus transforming properties and the host immune system can lead to the development of different tumors, such as lymphoproliferative disorders, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The expression of viral antigens in malignant cells makes them suitable targets for immunotherapeutic approaches, which are mainly based on the ex vivo expansion of EBV-specific T cells. Indeed, the infusion of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes has proved not only to be safe and effective, but also capable of restoring or inducing a protective anti-virus immunity, which is lacking, albeit to a different extent, in every EBV-driven malignancy. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of adoptive immunotherapy approaches for EBV-related malignancies, with particular emphasis on the immunological and virological aspects linked to the clinical responses obtained. Data collected confirm the clinical relevance of the use of EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the field of adoptive immunotherapy and suggest the increasing importance of this approach also against other tumors, concurrent with the increasing knowledge of the intimate and continuous interplay between the virus and the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Merlo
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova, Italy
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Kohrt H, Johannsen A, Hoppe R, Horning SJ, Rosenberg SA, Advani R, Lee PP. Dynamic CD8 T-cell responses to tumor-associated Epstein-Barr virus antigens in patients with Epstein-Barr virus-negative Hodgkin's disease. Oncol Res 2010; 18:287-92. [PMID: 20225766 DOI: 10.3727/096504009x12596189659169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In almost half of patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease (HD), the malignant Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells express Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens. Multiple translational efforts are actively investigating antitumor immune strategies by stimulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against tumor-associated EBV antigens. It has previously been believed that this therapeutic strategy and presence of EBV-specific CTLs are limited to EBV-positive HD. In an effort to explore the EBV-specific immune response, here we characterize EBV-specific CTL responses to lytic and latent EBV antigens in 12 consecutive EBV carriers with EBV-negative HD. Compared to healthy donors, we detected weak, baseline EBV-specific responses to both lytic and latent antigens by IFN-gamma ELISPOT in patients with EBV-negative HD at diagnosis. Chemoradiotherapy was associated temporally with a decrease EBV-specific responses. At final follow-up (24 months), recovery of EBV-specific CTL responses was observed with robustness of lytic-specific response equivalent to healthy controls. We confirm evidence of EBV-specific CTLs in patients with EBV-negative HD and provide the first report of dynamic variance in this population during treatment. Our observation challenges prior belief that patients with HD remain immunodeficient following therapy and argues that the clinical significance of the EBV-specific immune response in EBV-negative HD should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holbrook Kohrt
- Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Kohrt H, Advani R. Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma: current concepts in biology and treatment. Leuk Lymphoma 2010; 50:1773-84. [PMID: 19883307 DOI: 10.3109/10428190903186502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer/T-cell (NK/T) lymphomas represent a group of rare tumors of NK and NK-T cells. The World Health Organization classifies NK-cell tumors into three types, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphomas (ENKL, nasal and non-nasal), NK-cell leukemias, and a blastic variant (CD4-positive, CD56-positive hematodermic neoplasms). We focus our review to the current concepts in biology and treatment of ENKL. Though considerable advances have been made in our understanding of NK-cell biology, malignant transformation including the role of Epstein-Barr virus, and prognosis, the rare nature of ENKL and its heterogeneity limit the ability to standardize therapy. Radiotherapy is fundamental to treatment of early-stage disease with a role for chemoradiotherapy among high-risk patients. The clinical course of advanced disease is highly aggressive with frequent chemotherapy resistance and a poor prognosis. Therapeutic approaches to advanced-stage or relapsed and refractory disease, including the appropriate sequence of chemotherapy, combined modality therapy, and stem cell transplantation is not well-established. International and multicenter clinical trials are needed for this rare and aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holbrook Kohrt
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Liu P, Xie BL, Cai SH, He YW, Zhang G, Yi YM, Du J. Expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in nasopharyngeal carcinoma impairs the cytolytic function of peripheral blood lymphocytes. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:416. [PMID: 19948041 PMCID: PMC2797021 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells and infiltrating lymphocytes are frequently found in tumor tissues in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Most patients with NPC, however, especially those with advanced stages, have a poor clinical prognosis despite conventional immunotherapy. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunosuppressive enzyme, on the lymphocyte function in NPC. METHODS The NPC cell line CNE2 was treated by interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) and the levels of IDO expression was analyzed by Western blotting and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lymphocytes from health human exposed to the milieu created by IDO-positive CNE2 cells and the lymphocyte cytotoxicity to target tumor cells was analyzed by standard lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Additionally, expression of IDO was determined by Immunohistochemical assay in the tumor tissues form clinically evaluated NPC. RESULTS IDO expression was acutely induced in the NPC cell line CNE2 by low dose interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) or by co-incubation with activated lymphocytes. Exposure to the milieu created by IDO-positive CNE2 cells did not promote lymphocyte death, but lymphocyte cytotoxicity against target tumor cells was impaired. The suppression of lymphocyte cytotoxic function was fully restored when the conditioned medium was replaced by fresh medium for 24 h. In additionally, the IDO-positive cells were found scattered in the tumor tissues from patients with NPC. CONCLUSION Altogether, these findings suggest that IDO-mediated immunosuppression may be involved in the tumor immune evasion, and that blocking IDO activity in tumor cells may help to re-establish an effective anti-tumor T cell response in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Brody J, Levy R. Lymphoma immunotherapy: vaccines, adoptive cell transfer and immunotransplant. Immunotherapy 2009; 1:809-24. [PMID: 20636025 PMCID: PMC5469410 DOI: 10.2217/imt.09.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma has benefited greatly from basic science and clinical research such that chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy have changed some lymphoma subtypes from uniformly lethal to curable, but the majority of lymphoma patients remain incurable. Novel therapies with less toxicity and more specific targeting of tumor cells are needed and immunotherapy is among the most promising of these. Recently completed randomized trials of idiotype vaccines and earlier-phase trials of other vaccine types have shown the ability to induce antitumor T cells and some clinical responses. More recently, trials of adoptive transfer of antitumor T cells have demonstrated techniques to increase the persistence and antitumor effect of these cells. Herein, we discuss lymphoma immunotherapy clinical trial results and what lessons can be taken to improve their effect, including the combination of vaccination and adoptive transfer in an approach we have dubbed 'immunotransplant'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Brody
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305, USA.
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Bollard CM, Cooper LJ, Heslop HE. Immunotherapy targeting EBV-expressing lymphoproliferative diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2008; 21:405-20. [PMID: 18790446 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2008.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), occurring in immunocompetent individuals as well as those with immunodeficiency. In patients with immunodeficiency, the nature of EBV infection in the malignant cell determines the pattern of antigen expression and the associated presence of targets for cellular immunotherapy. EBV-expressing lymphoma cells in the setting of immunodeficiency express type III latency, characterized by expression of all nine latent-cycle EBV antigens, and strategies to restore EBV-specific immune responses have resulted in effective anti-tumour activity. In contrast, EBV-associated NHL in immunocompetent individuals is characterized by type II latency, where a more restricted array of EBV-associated antigens is expressed. In this setting, T-cell therapies are limited by inadequate persistence of transferred T cells and by tumour-evasion strategies. A number of strategies to genetically modify the infused T cells and modulate the host environment are under evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Bollard
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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Merlo A, Turrini R, Dolcetti R, Zanovello P, Amadori A, Rosato A. Adoptive cell therapy against EBV-related malignancies: a survey of clinical results. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2008; 8:1265-94. [PMID: 18694349 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.8.9.1265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection is associated with a heterogeneous group of tumors, including lymphoproliferative disorders, Hodgkin's disease, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. As such neoplastic disorders express viral antigens, they can be treated by adoptive immunotherapy strategies relying mostly on in vitro generation and expansion of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), which can be administered to patients for both prophylaxis and treatment. OBJECTIVE We reviewed results obtained in all clinical trials reported thus far employing anti-EBV adoptive immunotherapy for different virus-related malignancies. METHODS 'PTLD after HSCT', 'PTLD after SOT', 'NPC', 'HD', 'SCAEBV' and 'extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma', in combination with 'Adoptive immunotherapy' and 'Adoptive transfer', were used as search keys for papers in PubMed. CONCLUSIONS Although the heterogeneity of different studies precludes their collection for a meta-analysis, it can be inferred that adoptive therapy with EBV-specific CTL is safe, well tolerated and particularly effective in the case of most immunogenic tumors, like post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Merlo
- University of Padova, Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, Via Gattamelata 64, I-35128 Padova, Italy
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Mitchell DA, Karikari I, Cui X, Xie W, Schmittling R, Sampson JH. Selective modification of antigen-specific T cells by RNA electroporation. Hum Gene Ther 2008; 19:511-21. [PMID: 18471037 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2007.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been observed that the efficient transfection of T cells by RNA electroporation requires prior activation of T cells with mitogens or by anti-CD3 antibody stimulation. We hypothesized that this requirement for T cell activation could be leveraged to express marker genes within activated T cells responding to antigen-pulsed dendritic cells and allow for the selective enrichment and modification of antigen-specific T cells. Using electroporation of mRNA encoding green fluorescent protein as a marker gene, we demonstrate that RNA electroporation can efficiently allow for the separation of cytomegalovirus-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells from bulk culture responding to cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen-pulsed dendritic cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that cytomegalovirus-specific T cells can be functionally modified by RNA transfection of the C-X-C chemokine receptor, CXCR2, to migrate efficiently toward a variety of CXCR2-specific chemokines in vitro and in vivo. These studies demonstrate the utility of RNA transfection as a simple method by which to purify and selectively modify the function of antigen-specific T cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy, and importantly provide evidence that transient expression of proteins by RNA transfection is an efficient means of modulating the in vivo function of activated T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duane A Mitchell
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Craddock J, Heslop HE. Adoptive cellular therapy with T cells specific for EBV-derived tumor antigens. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 3:33-41. [PMID: 19255606 DOI: 10.1016/j.uct.2008.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John Craddock
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
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Abstract
Clinical trials have established that T cells have the ability to prevent and treat pathogens and tumors. This is perhaps best exemplified by engraftment of allogeneic T cells in the context of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), which for over the last 50 years remains one of the best and most robust examples of cell-based therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Yet, the approach to infuse T cells for treatment of cancer, in general, and pediatric tumors, in particular, generally remains on the sidelines of cancer therapy. This review outlines the current state-of-the-art and provides a rationale for undertaking adoptive immunotherapy trials with emphasis on childhood malignancies.
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Abstract
The World Health Organization classification of haematolymphoid tumours recognizes three categories of natural killer (NK)-cell neoplasms: blastic NK-cell lymphoma, aggressive NK-cell leukaemia, and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type. Recent studies indicate that CD4+CD56+ blastic NK-cell lymphoma is of plasmacytoid dendritic cell origin, and true tumours of precursor NK-cell origin may be present mainly in the CD4-CD56+ subset. Myeloid/NK-cell precursor acute leukaemia may also develop from precursor NK cells. However, because the developmental pathway of normal NK cells is not well understood, tumours of precursor NK-cell origin are not clearly identified. Among mature NK-cell tumours, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is relatively common in Asia and Latin America. In localized disease, chemoradiotherapy seems to be promising, and in advanced disease, new combination chemotherapies are under active investigation. Aggressive NK-cell leukaemia is rare and has a poor prognosis. Because NK-cell neoplasms are rare and difficult to manage, rigorous studies are required for their understanding and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Oshimi
- Department of Haematology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Autologous white blood cell transfusion: Toward a younger immunity. Hum Immunol 2007; 68:805-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2007.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2007] [Revised: 07/05/2007] [Accepted: 07/16/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Abstract
1. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the most widely used and well-established modalities for treating malignant diseases. Surgery is used to excise solid tumours and radiotherapy/chemotherapy are used for the treatment of liquid tumours and for solid tumours where there is a risk of micrometastases. A major drawback for both radiotherapy and chemotherapy is their lack of specificity for tumour cells. Both these treatments can destroy normal bone marrow cells and result in severe side-effects. 2. The impairment of haemapoiesis due to bone marrow destruction combined with the use of toxins in chemotherapy that inhibit the proliferation of immune cells leaves many patients immunocompromised. This complicates the development of prophylactic (vaccine) strategies for tumours where patients are undergoing conventional therapy. 3. An alternative approach is to expand and activate tumour-specific immune cells in vitro that can then be adoptively transferred back in large numbers. This is defined as adoptive immunotherapy and has the advantage of potentially bypassing the immuno-inhibitory effects of conventional therapies. 4. Transferred immune cells have been shown to mediate tumour regression in patients by both direct and indirect mechanisms. The immune cells used include tumour reactive T lymphocytes and dendritic cells, which elicit tumour specific responses. 5. Many novel cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies developed in murine tumour models are now being applied in human clinical trials. The malignancies targeted include melanoma, chronic myelogenous leukaemia and breast, ovarian, colon and kidney cancers. In the present review, we discuss these novel cell-based strategies and the implications they have for the future treatment of human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Macary
- Immunology Program and Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Several viruses have been associated with lymphomageneisis. Epstein-Barr virus is associated with B-cell lymphomas in immunosuppressed patients as well as some cases of Burkitt's lymphoma, some T and natural killer lymphomas and approximately 40% of cases of Hodgkin's disease. Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 and human herpes virus 8 genomes are also found in tumor cells in some types of lymphoma, while there are epidemiological data linking hepatitis C and lymphoma. The presence of the viral genome in all these malignancies offers the prospect for therapeutic interventions targeting virus-encoded proteins. RECENT FINDINGS Immunotherapy with antigen-specific T cells has efficacy in immunosuppressed patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated posttransplant lymphoma and in some patients with Epstein-Barr virus-positive Hodgkin's disease. Preclinical studies are focusing on agents that block Epstein-Barr virus-encoded proteins or induce lytic cycle agents. In hepatitis C virus-positive lymphomas, responses have been reported with immune modulation. Increasing knowledge of cellular pathways modulated by viruses provides additional potential targets for therapy. SUMMARY While the contribution to oncogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus in B-cell lymphoproliferative disease arising in immunosuppressed patients is clear cut, its role and that of other viruses in lymphomagenesis is less clear in lymphomas developing in immunocompetent patients. The presence of viral genomes in these lymphomas, however, offers targets for intervention and approaches under evaluation include adoptive immunotherapy, interferon, and small molecules targeting aspects of virus biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil Ahmed
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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