1
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Zhao Y, Feng X, Zhao Z, Song Z, Wang W, Zhao H. Interleukin-4-Loaded Heparin Hydrogel Regulates Macrophage Polarization to Promote Osteogenic Differentiation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024. [PMID: 39198394 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
In bone tissue engineering, biological scaffolds are designed with structural and functional properties that closely resemble the extracellular environment, aiming to establish a microenvironment conducive to osteogenesis. Macrophages hold significant potential for promoting osteogenesis and modulating the biological behavior of tumor cells. Multiple coculture experiments of macrophages and osteoblasts have demonstrated that macrophage polarization significantly impacts osteogenesis. Therefore, exploring bone biomaterials that can modulate macrophage polarization holds great clinical significance. In this study, heparin was modified with maleimide and was used as a raw material to form a hydrogel with 4-am-PEG-SH. The compound was used to polarize macrophages and promote osteogenesis after combining with interleukin 4 (IL-4) by taking advantage of the electronegativity of heparin. The results revealed overexpressed M2 macrophage-related phenotypic genes and cocultivation with MC3T3-E1 cells demonstrated the osteogenesis-promoting effect of the loaded IL-4 heparin hydrogel. Previous research reported that hydrogel loaded with IL-4 can be used as a biomaterial for osteogenesis promotion. Heparin materials used in this paper are derived from clinically anticoagulant drugs and feature a simple operation. The synthesized hydrogel effectively binds cytokines, regulates macrophages to induce osteogenesis and has many potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaofei Feng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhenrui Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhengdong Song
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenji Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Haiyan Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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2
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Moinuddin A, Poznanski SM, Portillo AL, Monteiro JK, Ashkar AA. Metabolic adaptations determine whether natural killer cells fail or thrive within the tumor microenvironment. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:19-39. [PMID: 38459782 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13316] [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] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are a top contender in the development of adoptive cell therapies for cancer due to their diverse antitumor functions and ability to restrict their activation against nonmalignant cells. Despite their success in hematologic malignancies, NK cell-based therapies have been limited in the context of solid tumors. Tumor cells undergo various metabolic adaptations to sustain the immense energy demands that are needed to support their rapid and uncontrolled proliferation. As a result, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is depleted of nutrients needed to fuel immune cell activity and contains several immunosuppressive metabolites that hinder NK cell antitumor functions. Further, we now know that NK cell metabolic status is a main determining factor of their effector functions. Hence, the ability of NK cells to withstand and adapt to these metabolically hostile conditions is imperative for effective and sustained antitumor activity in the TME. With this in mind, we review the consequences of metabolic hostility in the TME on NK cell metabolism and function. We also discuss tumor-like metabolic programs in NK cell induced by STAT3-mediated expansion that adapt NK cells to thrive in the TME. Finally, we examine how other approaches can be applied to enhance NK cell metabolism in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Moinuddin
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sophie M Poznanski
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ana L Portillo
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan K Monteiro
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali A Ashkar
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Zhu W, Zhang Z, Chen J, Chen X, Huang L, Zhang X, Huang X, Ma N, Xu W, Yi X, Lu X, Fu X, Li S, Mo G, Wang Y, Yuan G, Zang M, Li Q, Jiang X, He Y, Wu S, He Y, Li Y, Hou J. A novel engineered IL-21 receptor arms T-cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T cells) against hepatocellular carcinoma. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:101. [PMID: 38643203 PMCID: PMC11032311 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01792-6] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Strategies to improve T cell therapy efficacy in solid tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are urgently needed. The common cytokine receptor γ chain (γc) family cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21 play fundamental roles in T cell development, differentiation and effector phases. This study aims to determine the combination effects of IL-21 in T cell therapy against HCC and investigate optimized strategies to utilize the effect of IL-21 signal in T cell therapy. The antitumor function of AFP-specific T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T) was augmented by exogenous IL-21 in vitro and in vivo. IL-21 enhanced proliferation capacity, promoted memory differentiation, downregulated PD-1 expression and alleviated apoptosis in TCR-T after activation. A novel engineered IL-21 receptor was established, and TCR-T armed with the novel engineered IL-21 receptors (IL-21R-TCR-T) showed upregulated phosphorylated STAT3 expression without exogenous IL-21 ligand. IL-21R-TCR-T showed better proliferation upon activation and superior antitumor function in vitro and in vivo. IL-21R-TCR-T exhibited a less differentiated, exhausted and apoptotic phenotype than conventional TCR-T upon repetitive tumor antigen stimulation. The novel IL-21 receptor in our study programs powerful TCR-T and can avoid side effects induced by IL-21 systemic utilization. The novel IL-21 receptor creates new opportunities for next-generation TCR-T against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinzhang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle, UK
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Ma
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Weikang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoheng Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guosheng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengya Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotao Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajing He
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sha Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Demonstration Center for Experimental Education of Basic Medical Sciences of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yukai He
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jinlin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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4
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Isvoranu G, Chiritoiu-Butnaru M. Therapeutic potential of interleukin-21 in cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369743. [PMID: 38638431 PMCID: PMC11024325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is an immunostimulatory cytokine which belongs to the common gamma-chain family of cytokines. It plays an import role in the development, differentiation, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, in particular T and natural killer (NK) cells. Since its discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been shown to regulate both adaptive and immune responses associates with key role in antiviral and antitumor responses. Recent advances indicate IL-21 as a promising target for cancer treatment and encouraging results were obtained in preclinical studies which investigated the potency of IL-21 alone or in combination with other therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitory molecules, oncolytic virotherapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Furthermore, IL-21 showed antitumor effects in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, with minimal side effects in several clinical trials. In the present review, we will outline the recent progress in IL-21 research, highlighting the potential of IL-21 based therapy as single agent or in combination with other drugs to enhance cancer treatment efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheorghita Isvoranu
- Department of Animal Husbandry,” Victor Babeș” National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marioara Chiritoiu-Butnaru
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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5
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Klein C, Brinkmann U, Reichert JM, Kontermann RE. The present and future of bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:301-319. [PMID: 38448606 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00896-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) enable novel mechanisms of action and/or therapeutic applications that cannot be achieved using conventional IgG-based antibodies. Consequently, development of these molecules has garnered substantial interest in the past decade and, as of the end of 2023, 14 bsAbs have been approved: 11 for the treatment of cancer and 3 for non-oncology indications. bsAbs are available in different formats, address different targets and mediate anticancer function via different molecular mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of bsAbs for cancer therapy. We focus on bsAbs that are approved or in clinical development, including bsAb-mediated dual modulators of signalling pathways, tumour-targeted receptor agonists, bsAb-drug conjugates, bispecific T cell, natural killer cell and innate immune cell engagers, and bispecific checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulators. Finally, we provide an outlook into next-generation bsAbs in earlier stages of development, including trispecifics, bsAb prodrugs, bsAbs that induce degradation of tumour targets and bsAbs acting as cytokine mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Roland E Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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6
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Li X, Wu M, Lu J, Yu J, Chen D. Interleukin-21 as an adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy: Current advances and future directions. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189084. [PMID: 38354828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189084] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, it's well-recognized that a considerable proportion of patients fail to benefit from immunotherapy, and to improve immunotherapy response is clinically urgent. Insufficient immune infiltration and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) are main contributors to immunotherapy resistance. Thus sustaining functional self-renewal capacity for immune cells and subverting immune-suppressive signals are potential strategies for boosting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a crucial cytokine, which could enhance cytotoxic function of immune cells and reduces immunosuppressive cells enrichment in TME, shows promising orientations as an immunoadjuvant in tumor immunotherapy. This review focuses on IL-21 in cancer treatment, including function and mechanisms of IL-21, preclinical and clinical studies, and future directions for IL-21-assisted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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7
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Kim JW, Lee JH, Kim HJ, Heo K, Lee Y, Jang HJ, Lee HY, Park JW, Cho YB, Shin HG, Yang HR, Lee HE, Song JY, Lee S. Empowering SARS-CoV-2 variant neutralization with a bifunctional antibody engineered with tandem heptad repeat 2 peptides. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29506. [PMID: 38445718 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29506] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
With the global pandemic and the continuous mutations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the need for effective and broadly neutralizing treatments has become increasingly urgent. This study introduces a novel strategy that targets two aspects simultaneously, using bifunctional antibodies to inhibit both the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to host cell membranes and viral fusion. We developed pioneering IgG4-(HR2)4 bifunctional antibodies by creating immunoglobulin G4-based and phage display-derived human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically bind to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain, engineered with four heptad repeat 2 (HR2) peptides. Our in vitro experiments demonstrate the superior neutralization efficacy of these engineered antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 variants, ranging from original SARS-CoV-2 strain to the recently emerged Omicron variants, as well as SARS-CoV, outperforming the parental mAb. Notably, intravenous monotherapy with the bifunctional antibody neutralizes a SARS-CoV-2 variant in a murine model without causing significant toxicity. In summary, this study unveils the significant potential of HR2 peptide-driven bifunctional antibodies as a potent and versatile strategy for mitigating SARS-CoV-2 infections. This approach offers a promising avenue for rapid development and management in the face of the continuously evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants, holding substantial promise for pandemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Woong Kim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Kim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Heo
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonwoo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Jeong Jang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Won Park
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yea Bin Cho
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Gyeong Shin
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Rim Yang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Eon Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Song
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukmook Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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8
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Cook KD, Tran T, Thomas VA, Devanaboyina SC, Rock DA, Pearson JT. Correlation of In Vitro Kinetic Stability to Preclinical In Vivo Pharmacokinetics for a Panel of Anti-PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody Interleukin 21 Mutein Immunocytokines. Drug Metab Dispos 2024; 52:228-235. [PMID: 38135505 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.123.001555] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of therapeutic fusion protein drugs is often impeded by the unintended consequences that occur from fusing together domains from independent naturally occurring proteins, consequences such as altered biodistribution, tissue uptake, or rapid clearance and potential immunogenicity. For therapeutic fusion proteins containing globular domains, we hypothesized that aberrant in vivo behavior could be related to low kinetic stability of these domains leading to local unfolding and susceptibility to partial proteolysis and/or salvage and uptake. Herein we describe an assay to measure kinetic stability of therapeutic fusion proteins by way of their sensitivity to the protease thermolysin. The results indicate that in vivo pharmacokinetics of a panel of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monocolonal antibody:interleukin 21 immunocytokines in both mice and nonhuman primates are highly correlated with their in vitro susceptibility to thermolysin-mediated proteolysis. This assay can be used as a tool to quickly identify in vivo liabilities of globular domains of therapeutic proteins, thus aiding in the optimization and development of new multispecific drug candidates. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This work describes a novel assay utilizing protein kinetic stability to identify preclinical in vivo pharmacokinetic liabilities of multispecific therapeutic fusion proteins. This provides an efficient, inexpensive method to ascertain inherent protein stability in vitro before conducting in vivo studies, which can rapidly increase the speed of preclinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Cook
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | - Thuy Tran
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | - Veena A Thomas
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | | | - Dan A Rock
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
| | - Josh T Pearson
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, South San Francisco, California
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9
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Kroenke MA, Starcevic Manning M, Zuch de Zafra CL, Zhang X, Cook KD, Archer M, Lolkema MP, Wang J, Hoofring S, Saini G, Aeffner F, Ahern E, Cabanas EG, Govindan R, Hui M, Gupta S, Mytych DT. Translatability of findings from cynomolgus monkey to human suggests a mechanistic role for IL-21 in promoting immunogenicity to an anti-PD-1/IL-21 mutein fusion protein. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345473. [PMID: 38343535 PMCID: PMC10858450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
AMG 256 is a bi-specific, heteroimmunoglobulin molecule with an anti-PD-1 antibody domain and a single IL-21 mutein domain on the C-terminus. Nonclinical studies in cynomolgus monkeys revealed that AMG 256 administration led to the development of immunogenicity-mediated responses and indicated that the IL-21 mutein domain of AMG 256 could enhance the anti-drug antibody response directed toward the monoclonal antibody domain. Anti-AMG 256 IgE were also observed in cynomolgus monkeys. A first-in-human (FIH) study in patients with advanced solid tumors was designed with these risks in mind. AMG 256 elicited ADA in 28 of 33 subjects (84.8%). However, ADA responses were only robust and exposure-impacting at the 2 lowest doses. At mid to high doses, ADA responses remained low magnitude and all subjects maintained exposure, despite most subjects developing ADA. Limited drug-specific IgE were also observed during the FIH study. ADA responses were not associated with any type of adverse event. The AMG 256 program represents a unique case where nonclinical studies informed on the risk of immunogenicity in humans, due to the IL-21-driven nature of the response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Kroenke
- Clinical Immunology, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Xinwen Zhang
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling, and Simulation, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kevin D. Cook
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Jin Wang
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Sarah Hoofring
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Gurleen Saini
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Famke Aeffner
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Mun Hui
- Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Shalini Gupta
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
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10
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Keri D, Walker M, Singh I, Nishikawa K, Garces F. Next generation of multispecific antibody engineering. Antib Ther 2024; 7:37-52. [PMID: 38235376 PMCID: PMC10791046 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Multispecific antibodies recognize two or more epitopes located on the same or distinct targets. This added capability through protein design allows these man-made molecules to address unmet medical needs that are no longer possible with single targeting such as with monoclonal antibodies or cytokines alone. However, the approach to the development of these multispecific molecules has been met with numerous road bumps, which suggests that a new workflow for multispecific molecules is required. The investigation of the molecular basis that mediates the successful assembly of the building blocks into non-native quaternary structures will lead to the writing of a playbook for multispecifics. This is a must do if we are to design workflows that we can control and in turn predict success. Here, we reflect on the current state-of-the-art of therapeutic biologics and look at the building blocks, in terms of proteins, and tools that can be used to build the foundations of such a next-generation workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Keri
- Department of Protein Therapeutics, Research, Gilead Research, 324 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Matt Walker
- Department of Protein Therapeutics, Research, Gilead Research, 324 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Isha Singh
- Department of Protein Therapeutics, Research, Gilead Research, 324 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Kyle Nishikawa
- Department of Protein Therapeutics, Research, Gilead Research, 324 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Fernando Garces
- Department of Protein Therapeutics, Research, Gilead Research, 324 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
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11
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Leonard WJ, Lin JX. Strategies to therapeutically modulate cytokine action. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:827-854. [PMID: 37542128 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are secreted or membrane-presented molecules that mediate broad cellular functions, including development, differentiation, growth and survival. Accordingly, the regulation of cytokine activity is extraordinarily important both physiologically and pathologically. Cytokine and/or cytokine receptor engineering is being widely investigated to safely and effectively modulate cytokine activity for therapeutic benefit. IL-2 in particular has been extensively engineered, to create IL-2 variants that differentially exhibit activities on regulatory T cells to potentially treat autoimmune disease versus effector T cells to augment antitumour effects. Additionally, engineering approaches are being applied to many other cytokines such as IL-10, interferons and IL-1 family cytokines, given their immunosuppressive and/or antiviral and anticancer effects. In modulating the actions of cytokines, the strategies used have been broad, including altering affinities of cytokines for their receptors, prolonging cytokine half-lives in vivo and fine-tuning cytokine actions. The field is rapidly expanding, with extensive efforts to create improved therapeutics for a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Cui C, Craft J, Joshi NS. T follicular helper cells in cancer, tertiary lymphoid structures, and beyond. Semin Immunol 2023; 69:101797. [PMID: 37343412 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
With the emergence and success of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, immuno-oncology has primarily focused on CD8 T cells, whose cytotoxic programs directly target tumor cells. However, the limited response rate of current immunotherapy regimens has prompted investigation into other types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, such as CD4 T cells and B cells, and how they interact with CD8 T cells in a coordinated network. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of CD4 T follicular helper (TFH) cells and B cells in cancer, highlighting the important role of their crosstalk and interactions with other immune cell components in the tumor microenvironment. These interactions also occur in tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), which resemble secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) with orchestrated vascular, chemokine, and cellular infrastructures that support the developmental pathways of functional immune cells. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs on TFH biology and T cell-B cell interactions in tumor immunology, and their potential as novel therapeutic targets to advance cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Cui
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Joseph Craft
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Nikhil S Joshi
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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13
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Wu S, Huang H, Sun R, Gao DS, Ye F, Huang J, Li E, Ni A, Lu KG, Chen K, Jiang J, Morel PA, Zhong Z, Lu B. Synergism Between IL21 and Anti-PD-1 Combination Therapy is Underpinned by the Coordinated Reprogramming of the Immune Cellular Network in the Tumor Microenvironment. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1460-1472. [PMID: 37546701 PMCID: PMC10402650 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
T cell-stimulating cytokines and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are an ideal combination for increasing response rates of cancer immunotherapy. However, the results of clinical trials have not been satisfying. It is important to understand the mechanism of synergy between these two therapeutic modalities. Here, through integrated analysis of multiple single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of human tumor-infiltrating immune cells, we demonstrate that IL21 is produced by tumor-associated T follicular helper cells and hyperactivated/exhausted CXCL13+CD4+ T cells in the human tumor microenvironment (TME). In the mouse model, the hyperactivated/exhausted CD4+ T cell-derived IL21 enhances the helper function of CD4+ T cells that boost CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses during PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. In addition, we demonstrated that IL21's antitumor activity did not require T-cell trafficking. Using scRNA-seq analysis of the whole tumor-infiltrating immune cells, we demonstrated that IL21 treatment in combination with anti-PD-1 blockade synergistically drives tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells to undergo clonal expansion and differentiate toward the hyperactive/exhausted functional state in the TME. In addition, IL21 treatment and anti-PD-1 blockade synergistically promote dendritic cell (DC) activation and maturation to mature DC as well as monocyte to type 1 macrophage (M1) differentiation in the TME. Furthermore, the combined treatment reprograms the immune cellular network by reshaping cell-cell communication in the TME. Our study establishes unique mechanisms of synergy between IL21 and PD-1-based ICI in the TME through the coordinated promotion of type 1 immune responses. Significance This study reveals how cytokine and checkpoint inhibitor therapy can be combined to increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxian Wu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, P.R. China
| | - Runzi Sun
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - David Shihong Gao
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Fan Ye
- Anwita Biosciences Inc, San Carlos, California
| | | | - Ella Li
- Anwita Biosciences Inc, San Carlos, California
| | - Andrew Ni
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kevin GuoKai Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kong Chen
- Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, P.R. China
| | - Penelope A. Morel
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Binfeng Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey
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14
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Fu Y, Tang R, Zhao X. Engineering cytokines for cancer immunotherapy: a systematic review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1218082. [PMID: 37483629 PMCID: PMC10357296 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1218082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are pivotal mediators of cell communication in the tumor microenvironment. Multiple cytokines are involved in the host antitumor response, but the production and function of these cytokines are usually dysregulated during malignant tumor progression. Considering their clinical potential and the early successful use of cytokines in cancer immunotherapy, such as interferon alpha-2b (IFNα-2b; IntronA®) and IL-2 (Proleukin®), cytokine-based therapeutics have been extensively evaluated in many follow-up clinical trials. Following these initial breakthroughs, however, clinical translation of these natural messenger molecules has been greatly limited owing to their high-degree pleiotropic features and complex biological properties in many cell types. These characteristics, coupled with poor pharmacokinetics (a short half-life), have hampered the delivery of cytokines via systemic administration, particularly because of severe dose-limiting toxicities. New engineering approaches have been developed to widen the therapeutic window, prolong pharmacokinetic effects, enhance tumor targeting and reduce adverse effects, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we focus on the recent progress and competitive landscape in cytokine engineering strategies and preclinical/clinical therapeutics for cancer. In addition, aiming to promote engineered cytokine-based cancer immunotherapy, we present a profound discussion about the feasibility of recently developed methods in clinical medicine translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Renhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Nanjing, China
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15
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Quijano-Rubio A, Bhuiyan AM, Yang H, Leung I, Bello E, Ali LR, Zhangxu K, Perkins J, Chun JH, Wang W, Lajoie MJ, Ravichandran R, Kuo YH, Dougan SK, Riddell SR, Spangler JB, Dougan M, Silva DA, Baker D. A split, conditionally active mimetic of IL-2 reduces the toxicity of systemic cytokine therapy. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:532-540. [PMID: 36316485 PMCID: PMC10110466 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01510-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of recombinant cytokines has been limited by the severe side effects of systemic administration. We describe a strategy to reduce the dose-limiting toxicities of monomeric cytokines by designing two components that require colocalization for activity and that can be independently targeted to restrict activity to cells expressing two surface markers. We demonstrate the approach with a previously designed mimetic of cytokines interleukin-2 and interleukin-15-Neoleukin-2/15 (Neo-2/15)-both for trans-activating immune cells surrounding targeted tumor cells and for cis-activating directly targeted immune cells. In trans-activation mode, tumor antigen targeting of the two components enhanced antitumor activity and attenuated toxicity compared with systemic treatment in syngeneic mouse melanoma models. In cis-activation mode, immune cell targeting of the two components selectively expanded CD8+ T cells in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model and promoted chimeric antigen receptor T cell activation in a lymphoma xenograft model, enhancing antitumor efficacy in both cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Quijano-Rubio
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Monod Bio, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aladdin M Bhuiyan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Isabel Leung
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elisa Bello
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Zhangxu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jilliane Perkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jung-Ho Chun
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wentao Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marc J Lajoie
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Outpace Bio, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rashmi Ravichandran
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yun-Huai Kuo
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Michael Dougan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Daniel-Adriano Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Monod Bio, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA.
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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16
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Zhu W, Li Y, Han M, Jiang J. Regulatory Mechanisms and Reversal of CD8+T Cell Exhaustion: A Literature Review. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040541. [PMID: 37106742 PMCID: PMC10135681 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
CD8+T cell exhaustion is a state of T cell dysfunction during chronic infection and tumor progression. Exhausted CD8+T cells are characterized by low effector function, high expression of inhibitory receptors, unique metabolic patterns, and altered transcriptional profiles. Recently, advances in understanding and interfering with the regulatory mechanisms associated with T cell exhaustion in tumor immunotherapy have brought greater attention to the field. Therefore, we emphasize the typical features and related mechanisms of CD8+T cell exhaustion and particularly the potential for its reversal, which has clinical implications for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwan Zhu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Yiming Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Mingwei Han
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Jianli Jiang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710000, China
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17
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Anti-Claudin18.2-IL-21 fusion protein bifunctional molecule has more powerful anti-tumor effect and better safety. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 115:109634. [PMID: 36584573 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antibody or antibody-like protein drugs related to tumor immunotherapy are now widely used. Here, we describe an antibody-fusion protein drug IMAB362-mIL-21 with mouse IL-21 (mIL-21) fused into the C-terminal domain of IMAB362 (a clinical antibody drug against Claudin18.2), that we expect can achieve tumor targeting and activate local anti-tumor immune response more effectively, while reducing the systemic side effects of individual cytokines. In vitro assays comparing the fusion protein IMAB362-mIL-21 to IMAB362 and mIL-21, IMAB362-mIL-21 was able to recognize its cognate antigen Claudin18.2 and natural receptor mIL-21R with similar binding affinities, mediate equivalent ADCC activity and activate IL-21R-mediated downstream signal pathway. In in vivo assays, IMAB362-mIL-21 produced stronger anti-tumor effects compared with IMAB362 or mIL-21 or their combination at equimolar concentrations. Moreover, according to routine blood indicators, mIL-21-Fc and the combined treatment group had significant decreases (P < 0.01) in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT), while the IMAB362-mIL-21 group did not. The above results have shown that IMAB362-mIL-21 can produce better anti-tumor effects without obvious hematological toxicity, which is sufficient to show that this kind of antibody-cytokine protein has better application value than IMAB362 or IL-21 as single drugs or in combination. Therefore, this bifunctional molecule combined tumor-targeting and immune activation effectively and has good application prospects.
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18
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Williams MV, Mena-Palomo I, Cox B, Ariza ME. EBV dUTPase: A Novel Modulator of Inflammation and the Tumor Microenvironment in EBV-Associated Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:855. [PMID: 36765813 PMCID: PMC9913121 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that put into question the classical dogma that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exists in cells as either a lytic virus in which new progeny is produced or in a latent state in which no progeny is produced. Notably, a third state has now been described, known as the abortive-lytic phase, which is characterized by the expression of some immediate early (IE) and early (E) genes, but no new virus progeny is produced. While the function of these IE and E gene products is not well understood, several recent studies support the concept they may contribute to tumor promotion by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME). The mechanisms by which these viral gene products may contribute to tumorigenesis remain unclear; however, it has been proposed that some of them promote cellular growth, immune evasion, and/or inhibit apoptosis. One of these EBV early gene products is the deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) encoded by BLLF3, which not only contributes to the establishment of latency through the production of activin A and IL-21, but it may also alter the TME, thus promoting oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marshall V. Williams
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics (CBG), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Irene Mena-Palomo
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Brandon Cox
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Maria Eugenia Ariza
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics (CBG), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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19
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Rybchenko VS, Aliev TK, Panina AA, Kirpichnikov MP, Dolgikh DA. Targeted Cytokine Delivery for Cancer Treatment: Engineering and Biological Effects. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020336. [PMID: 36839658 PMCID: PMC9960319 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020336] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-tumor properties of several cytokines have already been investigated in multiple experiments and clinical trials. However, those studies evidenced substantial toxicities, even at low cytokine doses, and the lack of tumor specificity. These factors significantly limit clinical applications. Due to their high specificity and affinity, tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies or their antigen-binding fragments are capable of delivering fused cytokines to tumors and, therefore, of decreasing the number and severity of side effects, as well as of enhancing the therapeutic index. The present review surveys the actual antibody-cytokine fusion protein (immunocytokine) formats, their targets, mechanisms of action, and anti-tumor and other biological effects. Special attention is paid to the formats designed to prevent the off-target cytokine-receptor interactions, potentially inducing side effects. Here, we describe preclinical and clinical data and the efficacy of the antibody-mediated cytokine delivery approach, either as a single therapy or in combination with other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav S Rybchenko
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Teimur K Aliev
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Panina
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail P Kirpichnikov
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Dolgikh
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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20
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Zhou Y, Quan G, Liu Y, Shi N, Wu Y, Zhang R, Gao X, Luo L. The application of Interleukin-2 family cytokines in tumor immunotherapy research. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1090311. [PMID: 36936961 PMCID: PMC10018032 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1090311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Interleukin-2 Family contains six kinds of cytokines, namely IL-2, IL-15, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-21, all of which share a common γ chain. Many cytokines of the IL-2 family have been reported to be a driving force in immune cells activation. Therefore, researchers have tried various methods to study the anti-tumor effect of cytokines for a long time. However, due to the short half-life, poor stability, easy to lead to inflammatory storms and narrow safety treatment window of cytokines, this field has been tepid. In recent years, with the rapid development of protein engineering technology, some engineered cytokines have a significant effect in tumor immunotherapy, showing an irresistible trend of development. In this review, we will discuss the current researches of the IL-2 family and mainly focus on the application and achievements of engineered cytokines in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyihua Zhou
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Guiqi Quan
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yujun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yahui Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Ran Zhang, ; Xiang Gao, ; Longlong Luo,
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Ran Zhang, ; Xiang Gao, ; Longlong Luo,
| | - Longlong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Ran Zhang, ; Xiang Gao, ; Longlong Luo,
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21
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Shen J, Zou Z, Guo J, Cai Y, Xue D, Liang Y, Wang W, Peng H, Fu YX. An engineered concealed IL-15-R elicits tumor-specific CD8+T cell responses through PD-1-cis delivery. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213502. [PMID: 36165896 PMCID: PMC9521244 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy releases the inhibition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) but weakly induces TIL proliferation. Exogenous IL-15 could further expand TILs and thus synergize with αPD-L1 therapy. However, systemic delivery of IL-15 extensively expands peripheral NK cells, causing severe toxicity. To redirect IL-15 to intratumoral PD-1+CD8+T effector cells instead of NK cells for better tumor control and lower toxicity, we engineered an anti-PD-1 fusion with IL-15-IL-15Rα, whose activity was geographically concealed by immunoglobulin Fc region with an engineered linker (αPD-1-IL-15-R) to bypass systemic NK cells. Systematic administration of αPD-1-IL-15-R elicited extraordinary antitumor efficacy with undetectable toxicity. Mechanistically, cis-delivery of αPD-1-IL-15-R vastly expands tumor-specific CD8+T cells for tumor rejection. Additionally, αPD-1-IL-15-R upregulated PD-1 and IL-15Rβ on T cells to create a feedforward activation loop, thus rejuvenating TILs, not only resulting in tumor control in situ, but also suppressing tumor metastasis. Collectively, renavigating IL-15 to tumor-specific PD-1+CD8+T cells, αPD-1-IL-15-R elicits effective systemic antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuangzhi Zou
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingya Guo
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yueqi Cai
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Diyuan Xue
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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22
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Rial Saborido J, Völkl S, Aigner M, Mackensen A, Mougiakakos D. Role of CAR T Cell Metabolism for Therapeutic Efficacy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5442. [PMID: 36358860 PMCID: PMC9658570 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells hold enormous potential. However, a substantial proportion of patients receiving CAR T cells will not reach long-term full remission. One of the causes lies in their premature exhaustion, which also includes a metabolic anergy of adoptively transferred CAR T cells. T cell phenotypes that have been shown to be particularly well suited for CAR T cell therapy display certain metabolic characteristics; whereas T-stem cell memory (TSCM) cells, characterized by self-renewal and persistence, preferentially meet their energetic demands through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), effector T cells (TEFF) rely on glycolysis to support their cytotoxic function. Various parameters of CAR T cell design and manufacture co-determine the metabolic profile of the final cell product. A co-stimulatory 4-1BB domain promotes OXPHOS and formation of central memory T cells (TCM), while T cells expressing CARs with CD28 domains predominantly utilize aerobic glycolysis and differentiate into effector memory T cells (TEM). Therefore, modification of CAR co-stimulation represents one of the many strategies currently being investigated for improving CAR T cells' metabolic fitness and survivability within a hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we will focus on the role of CAR T cell metabolism in therapeutic efficacy together with potential targets of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Rial Saborido
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Aigner
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Mougiakakos
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Center, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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23
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Hui Z, Zhang J, Ren Y, Li X, Yan C, Yu W, Wang T, Xiao S, Chen Y, Zhang R, Wei F, You J, Ren X. Single-cell profiling of immune cells after neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:607. [PMID: 35831283 PMCID: PMC9279493 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with chemotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy) in the neoadjuvant setting have achieved favorable clinical benefits in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the mechanism of clinical responses remain unclear. We provide a rich resource of 186,477 individual immune cells from 48 samples of four treatment-naive and eight neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy treated IIIA NSCLC patients (responders versus non-responders) by single-cell RNA-seq and TCR-seq. We observed the synergistic increase of B cells and CD4+ T cells were associated with a positive therapeutic response of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. B cell IgG subclasses IgG1 and IgG3 played a critical role in anti-tumor immune response in tumor lesions, and this process was driven by increased IL-21 secreted by infiltrated T follicular helper (Tfh) cells after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. Furthermore, we uncovered several critical events for positive clinical outcomes, including the diminished activated TNFRSF4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), increased LAMP3+ dendritic cells (DCs), and the expansion of intratumoral CD4+ T clones and peripheral C3-Cytotoxic CD8+ T clones. A validation cohort of 26 treatment-naive and 30 neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy treated IIIA/ IIIB NSCLC patients verified these findings. In total, our comprehensive study of the single-cell profile of immune cells provides insights into mechanisms underlying anti-PD-1-based therapies and identified potential predictive factors and therapeutic targets for improving the efficiency of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Hui
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Yulin Ren
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427International Personalized Cancer Center, Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tianjin, 300308 China
| | - Cihui Yan
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Wenwen Yu
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of R&D, Hangzhou Repugene Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311100 China
| | - Shanshan Xiao
- Department of R&D, Hangzhou Repugene Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311100 China
| | - Yulong Chen
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Ran Zhang
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thoracic Oncology Surgery, Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tianjin, 300308 China
| | - Feng Wei
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Jian You
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China ,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China ,grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
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24
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Roles for macrophage-polarizing interleukins in cancer immunity and immunotherapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:333-353. [PMID: 35587857 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00667-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are the most abundant and one of the most critical cells of tumor immunity. They provide a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity through releasing cytokines into the tumor microenvironment (TME). A number of interleukin (IL) cytokine family members is involved in shaping the final phenotype of macrophages toward either a classically-activated pro-inflammatory M1 state with anti-tumor activity or an alternatively-activated anti-inflammatory M2 state with pro-tumor activity. Shaping TME macrophages toward the M1 phenotype or recovering this phenotypic state may offer a promising therapeutic approach in patients with cancer. Here, we focus on the impact of macrophage-polarizing ILs on immune cells and IL-mediated cellular cross-interactions within the TME. The key aim of this review is to define therapeutic schedules for addressing ILs in cancer immunotherapy based on their multi-directional impacts in such a milieu. Gathering more knowledge on this area is also important for defining adverse effects related to cytokine therapy and addressing them for reinforcing the efficacy of immunotherapy against cancer.
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25
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. Checkpoint inhibitor/interleukin-based combination therapy of cancer. Cancer Med 2022; 11:2934-2943. [PMID: 35301813 PMCID: PMC9359865 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the current focus in cancer immunotherapy. However, issues are raised in the area, as the recent studies showed that such therapeutic modality suffers from low durability and low or no efficacy for patients with some tumor types including cases with non-inflamed or cold cancers. Therefore, efforts have been made to solve the issue using immune combination therapy, such as the use of immunocytokines. The combination of ICI with interleukins (ILs) and IL-targeting agents is now under consideration in the area of therapy, and the primary results are promising. PURPOSE The focus of this review is to discuss the possibility of using ILs and IL-targeting drugs in combination with ICI in cancer immunotherapy and describing recent advances in the field using PEGylated ILs and fusion proteins. The key focus in this area is to reduce adverse events and to increase the efficacy and durability of such combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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26
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Di Nitto C, Neri D, Weiss T, Weller M, De Luca R. Design and Characterization of Novel Antibody-Cytokine Fusion Proteins Based on Interleukin-21. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11010019. [PMID: 35323193 PMCID: PMC8944420 DOI: 10.3390/antib11010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL21) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the modulation of both innate and adaptive immunity. IL21 is mainly secreted by natural killer (NK) and activated CD4+ T-cells. The biology of this cytokine can be associated to proinflammatory responses reflecting its potent stimulatory activity of NK and CD8+ T-cells. Here we describe four formats of novel IL21-based antibody–cytokine fusion proteins, targeting the extra domain A (EDA) of fibronectin and explore their potential for cancer treatment. The fusion proteins were designed, expressed, and characterized. F8 in single-chain diabody (scDb) format fused to IL21 at its C-terminus exhibited a promising profile in size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and SDS-PAGE. The lead candidate was further characterized in vitro. A cell-based activity assay on murine cytotoxic T-cells showed that human IL21, compared to murine IL21 partially cross-reacted with the murine receptor. The prototype was able to recognize EDA as demonstrated by immunofluorescence analysis on tumor sections. In an in vivo quantitative biodistribution experiment, F8(scDb)-murine IL21 did not preferentially accumulate at the site of disease after intravenous injection, suggesting that additional protein engineering would be required to improve the tumor-homing properties of IL21-based product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Di Nitto
- Philochem AG, 8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (C.D.N.); (D.N.)
| | - Dario Neri
- Philochem AG, 8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (C.D.N.); (D.N.)
- Philogen SpA, Piazza la Lizza 7, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.W.); (M.W.)
- Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (T.W.); (M.W.)
- Clinical Neuroscience Center, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto De Luca
- Philochem AG, 8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (C.D.N.); (D.N.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
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28
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The use of supercytokines, immunocytokines, engager cytokines, and other synthetic cytokines in immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:192-209. [PMID: 35043005 PMCID: PMC8803834 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines exert powerful immunomodulatory effects that are critical to physiology and pathology in humans. The application of natural cytokines in clinical studies has not been clearly established, and there are often problems associated with toxicity or lack of efficacy. The key reasons can be attributed to the pleiotropy of cytokine receptors and undesired activation of off-target cells. With a deeper understanding of the structural principles and functional signals of cytokine-receptor interactions, artificial modification of cytokine signaling through protein engineering and synthetic immunology has become an increasingly feasible and powerful approach. Engineered cytokines are designed to selectively target cells. Herein, the theoretical and experimental evidence of cytokine engineering is reviewed, and the "supercytokines" resulting from structural enhancement and the "immunocytokines" generated by antibody fusion are described. Finally, the "engager cytokines" formed by the crosslinking of cytokines and bispecific immune engagers and other synthetic cytokines formed by nonnatural analogs are also discussed.
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29
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. (Im)maturity in Tumor Ecosystem. Front Oncol 2022; 11:813897. [PMID: 35145911 PMCID: PMC8821092 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.813897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors have special features that make them distinct from their normal counterparts. Immature cells in a tumor mass and their critical contributions to the tumorigenesis will open new windows toward cancer therapy. Incomplete cellular development brings versatile and unique functionality in the cellular tumor ecosystem, such as what is seen for highly potential embryonic cells. There is evidence that maturation of certain types of cells in this ecosystem can recover the sensitivity of the tumor. Therefore, understanding more about the mechanisms that contributed to this immaturity will render new therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Targeting such mechanisms can be exploited as a supplementary to the current immunotherapeutic treatment schedules, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The key focus of this review is to discuss the impact of (im)maturity in cellular tumor ecosystems on cancer progression, focusing mainly on immaturity in the immune cell compartment of the tumor, as well as on the stemness of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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30
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Engineered antibody fusion proteins for targeted disease therapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:1064-1081. [PMID: 34706833 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Since the FDA approval of the first therapeutic antibody 35 years ago, antibody-based products have gained prominence in the pharmaceutical market. Building on the early successes of monoclonal antibodies, more recent efforts have capitalized on the exquisite specificity and/or favorable pharmacokinetic properties of antibodies by developing fusion proteins that enable targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads which are otherwise ineffective when administered systemically. This review focuses on recent engineering and translational advances for therapeutics that genetically fuse antibodies to disease-relevant payloads, including cytokines, toxins, enzymes, neuroprotective agents, and soluble factor traps. With numerous antibody fusion proteins in the clinic and other innovative molecules poised to follow suit, these potent, multifunctional drug candidates promise to be a major player in the therapeutic development landscape for years to come.
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31
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Garcia-Lacarte M, Grijalba SC, Melchor J, Arnaiz-Leché A, Roa S. The PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint in Normal Germinal Centers and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4683. [PMID: 34572910 PMCID: PMC8471895 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides a recognized role of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in anti-tumour immune evasion, there is accumulating evidence that PD-1/PD-L1 interactions between B and T cells also play an important role in normal germinal center (GC) reactions. Even when smaller in number, T follicular helper cells (TFH) and regulatory T (TFR) or B (Breg) cells are involved in positive selection of GC B cells and may result critical in the lymphoma microenvironment. Here, we discuss a role of PD-1/PD-L1 during tumour evolution in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a paradigm of GC-derived lymphomagenesis. We depict a progression model, in two phases, where malignant B cells take advantage of positive selection signals derived from correct antigen-presentation and PD-1/PD-L1 inter-cellular crosstalks to survive and initiate tumour expansion. Later, a constant pressure for the accumulation of genetic/epigenetic alterations facilitates that DLBCL cells exhibit higher PD-L1 levels and capacity to secrete IL-10, resembling Breg-like features. As a result, a complex immunosuppressive microenvironment is established where DLBCL cells sustain proliferation and survival by impairing regulatory control of TFR cells and limiting IL-21-mediated anti-tumour functions of TFH cells and maximize the use of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling to escape from CD8+ cytotoxic activity. Integration of these molecular and cellular addictions into a framework may contribute to the better understanding of the lymphoma microenvironment and contribute to the rationale for novel PD-1/PD-L1-based combinational immunotherapies in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Garcia-Lacarte
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Cima University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara C. Grijalba
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
| | - Javier Melchor
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Cima University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adrián Arnaiz-Leché
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
| | - Sergio Roa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (S.C.G.); (J.M.); (A.A.-L.)
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Cima University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Cancer—Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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32
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Xu Y, Campos Carrascosa L, Yeung YA, Chu MLH, Yang W, Djuretic I, Pappas DC, Zeytounian J, Ge Z, de Ruiter V, Starbeck-Miller GR, Patterson J, Rigas D, Chen SH, Kraynov E, Boor PP, Noordam L, Doukas M, Tsao D, Ijzermans JN, Guo J, Grünhagen DJ, Erdmann J, Verheij J, van Royen ME, Doornebosch PG, Feldman R, Park T, Mahmoudi S, Dorywalska M, Ni I, Chin SM, Mistry T, Mosyak L, Lin L, Ching KA, Lindquist KC, Ji C, Londono LM, Kuang B, Rickert R, Kwekkeboom J, Sprengers D, Huang TH, Chaparro-Riggers J. An Engineered IL15 Cytokine Mutein Fused to an Anti-PD-1 Improves Intratumoral T-Cell Function and Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1141-1157. [PMID: 34376502 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of cytokines for immunotherapy shows clinical efficacy but is frequently accompanied by severe adverse events caused by excessive and systemic immune activation. Here, we set out to address these challenges by engineering a fusion protein of a single, potency-reduced, IL15 mutein and a PD-1-specific antibody (anti-PD1-IL15m). This immunocytokine was designed to deliver PD-1-mediated, avidity-driven IL2/15 receptor stimulation to PD-1+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) while minimally affecting circulating peripheral natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with a mouse cross-reactive fusion, anti-mPD1-IL15m demonstrated potent antitumor efficacy without exacerbating body weight loss in B16 and MC38 syngeneic tumor models. Moreover, anti-mPD1-IL15m was more efficacious than an IL15 superagonist, an anti-mPD-1, or the combination thereof in the B16 melanoma model. Mechanistically, anti-PD1-IL15m preferentially targeted CD8+ TILs and scRNA-seq analyses revealed that anti-mPD1-IL15m treatment induced the expansion of an exhausted CD8+ TILs cluster with high proliferative capacity and effector-like signatures. Antitumor efficacy of anti-mPD1-IL15m was dependent on CD8+ T cells, as depletion of CD8+ cells resulted in the loss of antitumor activity, whereas depletion of NK cells had little impact on efficacy. The impact of anti-hPD1-IL15m on primary human TILs from cancer patients was also evaluated. Anti-hPD1-IL15m robustly enhanced the proliferation, activation, and cytotoxicity of CD8+ and CD4+ TILs from human primary cancers in vitro, whereas tumor-derived regulatory T cells were largely unaffected. Taken together, we showed that anti-PD1-IL15m exhibits a high translational promise with improved efficacy and safety of IL15 for cancer immunotherapy via targeting PD-1+ TILs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Irene Ni
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer (United States)
| | | | | | | | | | - Keith A Ching
- Computational Biology/Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global R & D
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33
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Uricoli B, Birnbaum LA, Do P, Kelvin JM, Jain J, Costanza E, Chyong A, Porter CC, Rafiq S, Dreaden EC. Engineered Cytokines for Cancer and Autoimmune Disease Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002214. [PMID: 33690997 PMCID: PMC8651077 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine signaling is critical to a range of biological processes including cell development, tissue repair, aging, and immunity. In addition to acting as key signal mediators of the immune system, cytokines can also serve as potent immunotherapies with more than 20 recombinant products currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to treat conditions including hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and various cancers. Yet despite their biological importance and clinical utility, cytokine immunotherapies suffer from intrinsic challenges that limit their therapeutic potential including poor circulation, systemic toxicity, and low tissue- or cell-specificity. In the past decade in particular, methods have been devised to engineer cytokines in order to overcome such challenges and here, the myriad strategies are reviewed that may be employed in order to improve the therapeutic potential of cytokine and chemokine immunotherapies with applications in cancer and autoimmune disease therapy, as well as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. For clarity, these strategies are collected and presented as they vary across size scales, ranging from single amino acid substitutions, to larger protein-polymer conjugates, nano/micrometer-scale particles, and macroscale implants. Together, this work aims to provide readers with a timely view of the field of cytokine engineering with an emphasis on early-stage therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biaggio Uricoli
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lacey A. Birnbaum
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Priscilla Do
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - James M. Kelvin
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Juhi Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Emma Costanza
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Andrew Chyong
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Christopher C. Porter
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sarwish Rafiq
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Erik C. Dreaden
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Rangel Rivera GO, Knochelmann HM, Dwyer CJ, Smith AS, Wyatt MM, Rivera-Reyes AM, Thaxton JE, Paulos CM. Fundamentals of T Cell Metabolism and Strategies to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:645242. [PMID: 33815400 PMCID: PMC8014042 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.645242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging reports show that metabolic pathways can be targeted to enhance T cell-mediated immunity to tumors. Yet, tumors consume key metabolites in the host to survive, thus robbing T cells of these nutrients to function and thrive. T cells are often deprived of basic building blocks for energy in the tumor, including glucose and amino acids needed to proliferate or produce cytotoxic molecules against tumors. Immunosuppressive molecules in the host further compromise the lytic capacity of T cells. Moreover, checkpoint receptors inhibit T cell responses by impairing their bioenergetic potential within tumors. In this review, we discuss the fundamental metabolic pathways involved in T cell activation, differentiation and response against tumors. We then address ways to target metabolic pathways to improve the next generation of immunotherapies for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Connor J Dwyer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amalia M Rivera-Reyes
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica E Thaxton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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35
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Hu Z, Bi G, Sui Q, Bian Y, Du Y, Liang J, Li M, Zhan C, Lin Z, Wang Q. Analyses of multi-omics differences between patients with high and low PD1/PDL1 expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 88:106910. [PMID: 32829091 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy has achieved excellent results in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. However, in which population it can exert the greatest effect is still unknown. Some studies have suggested that its effect is related to the expression level of PD1. Analyzing the relationship between PD1 expression level and genetic differences in lung squamous cell carcinoma patients will be helpful in understanding the underlying causes of this immunotherapy effect and provide a reference for clinical practice. METHODS In this study, we used RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, methylation array, mutation profiles, and copy number variation data from the TCGA database and RNA-seq data from the GEO database to analyze the distinctive genomic patterns associated with PD1 and PDL1 expression. RNA-seq data from 44 LUSC patients who underwent surgery at Zhongshan Hospital were also included in the study. RESULTS After grouping LUSC patients according to the expression levels of PD1 and PDL1, we found no significant difference in survival between the two groups. However, 178 genes, including IL-21, KLRC3, and KLRC4, were significantly upregulated in both the TCGA and GEO databases in the high expression group, and there was a precise correlation between gene expression and epigenetic changes in the two groups. At the same time, the overall level of somatic mutations was not significantly different between the two groups. It is worth noting that the gene enrichment results showed that the differential pathways were mainly enriched in immune regulation, especially T cell-related immune activities. CONCLUSION We found that the differences in gene expression between the two groups were related to immunity, which may affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy. We hope our results can provide a reference for further research and help in finding other targets to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyang Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guoshu Bi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qihai Sui
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yunyi Bian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yajing Du
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Jiaqi Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Zongwu Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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