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Jamitzky S, Altvater B, Krekeler C, Hoen L, Brandes C, Ebbinghaus J, Richter L, Kosel L, Ochs L, Farwick N, Urban K, Kluge L, Bücker L, Görlich D, Johnston ICD, Pfeifer R, Hartmann W, Rossig C, Kailayangiri S. Ganglioside SSEA-4 in Ewing sarcoma marks a tumor cell population with aggressive features and is a potential cell-surface immune target. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11935. [PMID: 38789477 PMCID: PMC11126692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62849-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrate markers of immature cells during prenatal human development can be aberrantly expressed in cancers and deserve evaluation as immune targets. A candidate target in Ewing sarcoma is the globo-series ganglioside stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4). We detected SSEA-4 expression on the cell surface of all of 14 EwS cell lines and in 21 of 31 (68%) primary EwS tumor biopsies. Among paired subpopulations of tumor cells with low versus high SSEA-4 expression, SSEA-4high expression was significantly and consistently associated with functional characteristics of tumor aggressiveness, including higher cell proliferation, colony formation, chemoresistance and propensity to migrate. SSEA-4low versus SSEA-4high expression was not related to expression levels of the EWSR1-FLI1 fusion transcript or markers of epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity. SSEA-4low cells selected from bulk populations regained higher SSEA-4 expression in vitro and during in vivo tumor growth in a murine xenograft model. T cells engineered to express SSEA-4-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) specifically interacted with SSEA-4 positive EwS cells and exerted effective antigen-specific tumor cell lysis in vitro. In conclusion, with its stable expression and functional significance in EwS, SSEA-4 is an attractive therapeutic immune target in this cancer that deserves further evaluation for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Jamitzky
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Bianca Altvater
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carolin Krekeler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Laura Hoen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Caroline Brandes
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Julia Ebbinghaus
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lisa Richter
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lisa Kosel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Laurin Ochs
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nicole Farwick
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Katja Urban
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lena Kluge
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lara Bücker
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Dennis Görlich
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, Schmeddingstr. 56, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ian C D Johnston
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, 51429, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Rita Pfeifer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, 51429, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Muenster, Domagkstr. 17, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany.
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 - CiM), University of Muenster, Roentgenstr. 16, 48149, Muenster, Germany.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Sareetha Kailayangiri
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 38149, Muenster, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Dey S, Devender M, Rani S, Pandey RK. Recent advances in CAR T-cell engineering using synthetic biology: Paving the way for next-generation cancer treatment. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:91-156. [PMID: 38762281 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
This book chapter highlights a comprehensive exploration of the transformative innovations in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to treat cancer by reprogramming a patient immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This chapter underscores the critical role of synthetic biology in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies. It begins by emphasizing the growing importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment, emphasizing the shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to patient-specific solutions. Synthetic biology, a multidisciplinary field, has been instrumental in customizing CAR T-cell therapies, allowing for fine-tuned precision and minimizing unwanted side effects. The chapter highlights recent advances in gene editing, synthetic gene circuits, and molecular engineering, showcasing how these technologies are optimizing CAR T-cell function. In summary, this book chapter sheds light on the remarkable progress made in the development of CAR T-cell therapies using synthetic biology, providing hope for cancer patients and hinting at a future where highly personalized and effective cancer treatments are the norm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Dey
- CSO Department, Cellworks Research India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Moodu Devender
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Swati Rani
- ICAR, National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajan Kumar Pandey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden.
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Yang J, Zhang Z, Lam JSW, Fan H, Fu NY. Molecular Regulation and Oncogenic Functions of TSPAN8. Cells 2024; 13:193. [PMID: 38275818 PMCID: PMC10814125 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Tetraspanins, a superfamily of small integral membrane proteins, are characterized by four transmembrane domains and conserved protein motifs that are configured into a unique molecular topology and structure in the plasma membrane. They act as key organizers of the plasma membrane, orchestrating the formation of specialized microdomains called "tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs)" or "tetraspanin nanodomains" that are essential for mediating diverse biological processes. TSPAN8 is one of the earliest identified tetraspanin members. It is known to interact with a wide range of molecular partners in different cellular contexts and regulate diverse molecular and cellular events at the plasma membrane, including cell adhesion, migration, invasion, signal transduction, and exosome biogenesis. The functions of cell-surface TSPAN8 are governed by ER targeting, modifications at the Golgi apparatus and dynamic trafficking. Intriguingly, limited evidence shows that TSPAN8 can translocate to the nucleus to act as a transcriptional regulator. The transcription of TSPAN8 is tightly regulated and restricted to defined cell lineages, where it can serve as a molecular marker of stem/progenitor cells in certain normal tissues as well as tumors. Importantly, the oncogenic roles of TSPAN8 in tumor development and cancer metastasis have gained prominence in recent decades. Here, we comprehensively review the current knowledge on the molecular characteristics and regulatory mechanisms defining TSPAN8 functions, and discuss the potential and significance of TSPAN8 as a biomarker and therapeutic target across various epithelial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicheng Yang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Joanne Shi Woon Lam
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Hao Fan
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Nai Yang Fu
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
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Taheri FH, Hassani M, Sharifzadeh Z, Behdani M, Abdoli S, Sayadi M, Bagherzadeh K, Arashkia A, Abolhassani M. Tuning spacer length improves the functionality of the nanobody-based VEGFR2 CAR T cell. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:1. [PMID: 38178096 PMCID: PMC10768260 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-023-00827-0] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cells for cancer immunotherapy have obtained considerable clinical importance. CAR T cells need an optimized intracellular signaling domain to get appropriately activated and also for the proper antigen recognition, the length and composition of the extracellular spacer are critical factors. RESULTS We constructed two third-generation nanobody-based VEGFR2-CARs containing either IgG1 hinge-CH2-CH3 region or hinge-only as long or short extracellular spacers, respectively. Both CARs also contained intracellular activating domains of CD28, OX40, and CD3ζ. The T cells from healthy individuals were transduced efficiently with the two CARs, and showed increased secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokines, and also CD69 and CD25 activation markers along with cytolytic activity after encountering VEGFR2+ cells. The VEGFR2-CAR T cells harboring the long spacer showed higher cytokine release and CD69 and CD25 expression in addition to a more efficient cytolytic effect on VEGFR2+ target cells. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that the third-generation anti-VEGFR2 nanobody-based CAR T cell with a long spacer had a superior function and potentially could be a better candidate for solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hajari Taheri
- Hybridoma Lab, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Food and Drug Laboratory Research Center (FDLRC), Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA), MOH & ME, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hassani
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- Hybridoma Lab, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahryar Abdoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Golestan University of Medical Science, Gorgān, Iran
| | - Mahtab Sayadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Kowsar Bagherzadeh
- Eye Research Center, Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Abolhassani
- Hybridoma Lab, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Ebbinghaus M, Wittich K, Bancher B, Lebedeva V, Appelshoffer A, Femel J, Helm MS, Kollet J, Hardt O, Pfeifer R. Endogenous Signaling Molecule Activating (ESMA) CARs: A Novel CAR Design Showing a Favorable Risk to Potency Ratio for the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:615. [PMID: 38203786 PMCID: PMC10779313 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010615] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
As chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy continues to gain attention as a valuable treatment option against different cancers, strategies to improve its potency and decrease the side effects associated with this therapy have become increasingly relevant. Herein, we report an alternative CAR design that incorporates transmembrane domains with the ability to recruit endogenous signaling molecules, eliminating the need for stimulatory signals within the CAR structure. These endogenous signaling molecule activating (ESMA) CARs triggered robust cytotoxic activity and proliferation of the T cells when directed against the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231 while exhibiting reduced cytokine secretion and exhaustion marker expression compared to their cognate standard second generation CARs. In a NOD SCID Gamma (NSG) MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse model, the lead candidate maintained longitudinal therapeutic efficacy and an enhanced T cell memory phenotype. Profound tumor infiltration by activated T cells repressed tumor growth, further manifesting the proliferative capacity of the ESMA CAR T cell therapy. Consequently, ESMA CAR T cells entail promising features for improved clinical outcome as a solid tumor treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Ebbinghaus
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
- School of Applied Biosciences and Chemistry, HAN University of Applied Sciences, 6525 EM Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina Wittich
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Benjamin Bancher
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Valeriia Lebedeva
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Anijutta Appelshoffer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Julia Femel
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Martin S. Helm
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jutta Kollet
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Olaf Hardt
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Rita Pfeifer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; (M.E.); (K.W.); (B.B.); (V.L.); (A.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.H.); (J.K.)
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Chu GJ, Bailey CG, Nagarajah R, Sagnella SM, Adelstein S, Rasko JEJ. The 4-1BBζ costimulatory domain in chimeric antigen receptors enhances CD8+ T-cell functionality following T-cell receptor stimulation. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:327. [PMID: 38105188 PMCID: PMC10726568 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03171-7] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells have revolutionized the treatment of CD19- and B-cell maturation antigen-positive haematological malignancies. However, the effect of a CAR construct on the function of T-cells stimulated via their endogenous T-cell receptors (TCRs) has yet to be comprehensively investigated. METHODS Experiments were performed to systematically assess TCR signalling and function in CAR T-cells using anti-mesothelin human CAR T-cells as a model system. CAR T-cells expressing the CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory endodomains were manufactured and compared to both untransduced T-cells and CAR T-cells with a non-functional endodomain. These cell products were treated with staphylococcal enterotoxin B to stimulate the TCR, and in vitro functional assays were performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Increased proliferation, CD69 expression and IFNγ production were identified in CD8+ 4-1BBζ CAR T-cells compared to control untransduced CD8+ T-cells. These functional differences were associated with higher levels of phosphorylated ZAP70 after stimulation. In addition, these functional differences were associated with a differing immunophenotype, with a more than two-fold increase in central memory cells in CD8+ 4-1BBζ CAR T-cell products. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that the 4-1BBζ CAR enhances CD8+ TCR-mediated function. This could be beneficial if the TCR targets epitopes on malignant tissues or infectious agents, but detrimental if the TCR targets autoantigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard J Chu
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Charles G Bailey
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Cancer & Gene Regulation Laboratory Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Rajini Nagarajah
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon M Sagnella
- Cell & Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Adelstein
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John E J Rasko
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Cell & Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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Rodríguez Gil de Montes AL, Spencer LM. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells: Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1261-1269. [PMID: 37596239 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
In immunotherapy with T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), autologous lymphocytes are extracted from the patient, genetically modified to obtain CAR-T cells, and reintroduced into the patient to attack cancer cells. The success of this therapy has been achieved in the area of CD19-positive leukemias and lymphomas, being approved for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. CARs are proteins that combine antibody specificity with T-cell cytotoxicity. The most common toxicities associated with therapy were not predicted by preclinical testing and include cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and cytopenias. These toxicities are usually reversible. One of the main challenges facing the field is the high economic cost that therapy entails, so the search for ways to reduce this cost must be a priority. In addition, other challenges to overcome include the situation that not all patients are supplied with the product and the existence of long waiting times for the start of therapy. The aim of this review is to present the development of the structure of CAR-T cells, the therapies approved to date, the toxicity associated with them, and the advantages and limitations that they present as immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lilian Maritza Spencer
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, San Miguel de Urcuquí, Ecuador
- Cell Biology Department, Simón Bolívar University, Valle de Sartenejas, Caracas, Venezuela
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Smith R. Bringing cell therapy to tumors: considerations for optimal CAR binder design. Antib Ther 2023; 6:225-239. [PMID: 37846297 PMCID: PMC10576856 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad019] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have revolutionized the immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies and are poised to expand the range of their impact across a broad range of oncology and non-oncology indications. Critical to the success of a given CAR is the choice of binding domain, as this is the key driver for specificity and plays an important role (along with the rest of the CAR structure) in determining efficacy, potency and durability of the cell therapy. While antibodies have proven to be effective sources of CAR binding domains, it has become apparent that the desired attributes for a CAR binding domain do differ from those of a recombinant antibody. This review will address key factors that need to be considered in choosing the optimal binding domain for a given CAR and how binder properties influence and are influenced by the rest of the CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- Department of Research, Kite, a Gilead Company, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 240, Emeryville, CA 94070, USA
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9
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Wang H, Tang L, Kong Y, Liu W, Zhu X, You Y. Strategies for Reducing Toxicity and Enhancing Efficacy of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119115. [PMID: 37298069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in hematologic malignancies has made great progress, but there are still some problems. First, T cells from tumor patients show an exhaustion phenotype; thus, the persistence and function of the CAR-Ts are poor, and achieving a satisfactory curative effect is difficult. Second, some patients initially respond well but quickly develop antigen-negative tumor recurrence. Thirdly, CAR-T treatment is not effective in some patients and is accompanied by severe side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. The solution to these problems is to reduce the toxicity and enhance the efficacy of CAR-T therapy. In this paper, we describe various strategies for reducing the toxicity and enhancing the efficacy of CAR-T therapy in hematological malignancies. In the first section, strategies for modifying CAR-Ts using gene-editing technologies or combining them with other anti-tumor drugs to enhance the efficacy of CAR-T therapy are introduced. The second section describes some methods in which the design and construction of CAR-Ts differ from the conventional process. The aim of these methods is to enhance the anti-tumor activity of CAR-Ts and prevent tumor recurrence. The third section describes modifying the CAR structure or installing safety switches to radically reduce CAR-T toxicity or regulating inflammatory cytokines to control the symptoms of CAR-T-associated toxicity. Together, the knowledge summarized herein will aid in designing better-suited and safer CAR-T treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobing Wang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yingjie Kong
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pain Treatment, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaojian Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yong You
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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10
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Zhang Y, Xu Y, Dang X, Zhu Z, Qian W, Liang A, Han W. Challenges and optimal strategies of CAR T therapy for hematological malignancies. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:269-279. [PMID: 36848181 PMCID: PMC10106177 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002476] [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: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Remarkable improvement relative to traditional approaches in the treatment of hematological malignancies by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has promoted sequential approvals of eight commercial CAR T products within last 5 years. Although CAR T cells' productization is now rapidly boosting their extensive clinical application in real-world patients, the limitation of their clinical efficacy and related toxicities inspire further optimization of CAR structure and substantial development of innovative trials in various scenarios. Herein, we first summarized the current status and major progress in CAR T therapy for hematological malignancies, then described crucial factors which possibly compromise the clinical efficacies of CAR T cells, such as CAR T cell exhaustion and loss of antigen, and finally, we discussed the potential optimization strategies to tackle the challenges in the field of CAR T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhang
- Department of Bio-Therapeutics, The First Medical Centre, The General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Xiuyong Dang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Zeyu Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Wenbin Qian
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Aibin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Weidong Han
- Department of Bio-Therapeutics, The First Medical Centre, The General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China
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11
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Stepanov AV, Kalinin RS, Shipunova VO, Zhang D, Xie J, Rubtsov YP, Ukrainskaya VM, Schulga A, Konovalova EV, Volkov DV, Yaroshevich IA, Moysenovich AM, Belogurov AA, Zhang H, Telegin GB, Chernov AS, Maschan MA, Terekhov SS, Wu P, Deyev SM, Lerner RA, Gabibov AG, Altman S. Switchable targeting of solid tumors by BsCAR T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210562119. [PMID: 36343224 PMCID: PMC9674235 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210562119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has become a critical milestone in modern oncotherapy. Despite the remarkable in vitro effectiveness, the problem of safety and efficacy of CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors is challenged by the lack of tumor-specific antigens required to avoid on-target off-tumor effects. Spatially separating the cytotoxic function of CAR T cells from tumor antigen recognition provided by protein mediators allows for the precise control of CAR T cell cytotoxicity. Here, the high affinity and capability of the bacterial toxin-antitoxin barnase-barstar system were adopted to guide CAR T cells to solid tumors. The complementary modules based on (1) ankyrin repeat (DARPin)-barnase proteins and (2) barstar-based CAR (BsCAR) were designed to provide switchable targeting to tumor cells. The alteration of the DARPin-barnase switches enabled the targeting of different tumor antigens with a single BsCAR. A gradual increase in cytokine release and tunable BsCAR T cell cytotoxicity was achieved by varying DARPin-barnase loads. Switchable BsCAR T cell therapy was able to eradicate the HER2+ ductal carcinoma in vivo. Guiding BsCAR T cells by DARPin-barnase switches provides a universal approach for a controlled multitargeted adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V. Stepanov
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Roman S. Kalinin
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Victoria O. Shipunova
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Ding Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Jia Xie
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Yuri P. Rubtsov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Valeria M. Ukrainskaya
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey Schulga
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Elena V. Konovalova
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Dmitry V. Volkov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Igor A. Yaroshevich
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Anastasiia M. Moysenovich
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Belogurov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Hongkai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Georgij B. Telegin
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexandr S. Chernov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Mikhail A. Maschan
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Stanislav S. Terekhov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Sergey M. Deyev
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Richard A. Lerner
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Alexander G. Gabibov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Sidney Altman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
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12
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Mazinani M, Rahbarizadeh F. CAR-T cell potency: from structural elements to vector backbone components. Biomark Res 2022; 10:70. [PMID: 36123710 PMCID: PMC9487061 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which a patient’s own T lymphocytes are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, has achieved remarkable success in some hematological malignancies in preclinical and clinical trials, resulting in six FDA-approved CAR-T products currently available in the market. Once equipped with a CAR construct, T cells act as living drugs and recognize and eliminate the target tumor cells in an MHC-independent manner. In this review, we first described all structural modular of CAR in detail, focusing on more recent findings. We then pointed out behind-the-scene elements contributing to CAR expression and reviewed how CAR expression can be drastically affected by the elements embedded in the viral vector backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mazinani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran. .,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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McComb S, Nguyen T, Shepherd A, Henry KA, Bloemberg D, Marcil A, Maclean S, Zafer A, Gilbert R, Gadoury C, Pon RA, Sulea T, Zhu Q, Weeratna RD. Programmable Attenuation of Antigenic Sensitivity for a Nanobody-Based EGFR Chimeric Antigen Receptor Through Hinge Domain Truncation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864868. [PMID: 35935988 PMCID: PMC9354126 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor family receptor (EGFR) is commonly overexpressed in many solid tumors and an attractive target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy, but as EGFR is also expressed at lower levels in healthy tissues a therapeutic strategy must balance antigenic responsiveness against the risk of on-target off-tumor toxicity. Herein, we identify several camelid single-domain antibodies (also known as nanobodies) that are effective EGFR targeting moieties for CARs (EGFR-sdCARs) with very strong reactivity to EGFR-high and EGFR-low target cells. As a strategy to attenuate their potent antigenic sensitivity, we performed progressive truncation of the human CD8 hinge commonly used as a spacer domain in many CAR constructs. Single amino acid hinge-domain truncation progressively decreased both EGFR-sdCAR-Jurkat cell binding to EGFR-expressing targets and expression of the CD69 activation marker. Attenuated signaling in hinge-truncated EGFR-sdCAR constructs increased selectivity for antigen-dense EGFR-overexpressing cells over an EGFR-low tumor cell line or healthy donor derived EGFR-positive fibroblasts. We also provide evidence that epitope location is critical for determining hinge-domain requirement for CARs, as hinge truncation similarly decreased antigenic sensitivity of a membrane-proximal epitope targeting HER2-CAR but not a membrane-distal EGFRvIII-specific CAR. Hinge-modified EGFR-sdCAR cells showed clear functional attenuation in Jurkat-CAR-T cells and primary human CAR-T cells from multiple donors in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these results indicate that hinge length tuning provides a programmable strategy for throttling antigenic sensitivity in CARs targeting membrane-proximal epitopes, and could be employed for CAR-optimization and improved tumor selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott McComb
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Scott McComb,
| | - Tina Nguyen
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alex Shepherd
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin A. Henry
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Darin Bloemberg
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anne Marcil
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Maclean
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmed Zafer
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rénald Gilbert
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christine Gadoury
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Robert A. Pon
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Traian Sulea
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Qin Zhu
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Risini D. Weeratna
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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14
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Pfeifer R, Henze J, Wittich K, Gosselink A, Kinkhabwala A, Gremse F, Bleilevens C, Bigott K, Jungblut M, Hardt O, Alves F, Al Rawashdeh W. A multimodal imaging workflow for monitoring CAR T cell therapy against solid tumor from whole-body to single-cell level. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:4834-4850. [PMID: 35836798 PMCID: PMC9274742 DOI: 10.7150/thno.68966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR T cell research in solid tumors often lacks spatiotemporal information and therefore, there is a need for a molecular tomography to facilitate high-throughput preclinical monitoring of CAR T cells. Furthermore, a gap exists between macro- and microlevel imaging data to better assess intratumor infiltration of therapeutic cells. We addressed this challenge by combining 3D µComputer tomography bioluminescence tomography (µCT/BLT), light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) and cyclic immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Methods: NSG mice with subcutaneous AsPC1 xenograft tumors were treated with EGFR CAR T cell (± IL-2) or control BDCA-2 CAR T cell (± IL-2) (n = 7 each). Therapeutic T cells were genetically modified to co-express the CAR of interest and the luciferase CBR2opt. IL-2 was administered s.c. under the xenograft tumor on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 post-therapy-initiation at a dose of 25,000 IU/mouse. CAR T cell distribution was measured in 2D BLI and 3D µCT/BLT every 3-4 days. On day 6, 4 tumors were excised for cyclic IF where tumor sections were stained with a panel of 25 antibodies. On day 6 and 13, 8 tumors were excised from rhodamine lectin-preinjected mice, permeabilized, stained for CD3 and imaged by LSFM. Results: 3D µCT/BLT revealed that CAR T cells pharmacokinetics is affected by antigen recognition, where CAR T cell tumor accumulation based on target-dependent infiltration was significantly increased in comparison to target-independent infiltration, and spleen accumulation was delayed. LSFM supported these findings and revealed higher T cell accumulation in target-positive groups at day 6, which also infiltrated the tumor deeper. Interestingly, LSFM showed that most CAR T cells accumulate at the tumor periphery and around vessels. Surprisingly, LSFM and cyclic IF revealed that local IL-2 application resulted in early-phase increased proliferation, but long-term overstimulation of CAR T cells, which halted the early added therapeutic effect. Conclusion: Overall, we demonstrated that 3D µCT/BLT is a valuable non-isotope-based technology for whole-body cell therapy monitoring and investigating CAR T cell pharmacokinetics. We also presented combining LSFM and MICS for ex vivo 3D- and 2D-microscopy tissue analysis to assess intratumoral therapeutic cell distribution and status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Pfeifer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Janina Henze
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.,University Medical Center Göttingen, Translational Molecular Imaging, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology & Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Katharina Wittich
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Andre Gosselink
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.,Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Ali Kinkhabwala
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Gremse-IT GmbH, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Cathrin Bleilevens
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Kevin Bigott
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Melanie Jungblut
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Olaf Hardt
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Frauke Alves
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Translational Molecular Imaging, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology & Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Science, Translational Molecular Imaging, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Wa'el Al Rawashdeh
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D Reagents, Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.,Ossium Health Inc, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America.,✉ Corresponding author: E-mail: (W.A.)
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15
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López-Cantillo G, Urueña C, Camacho BA, Ramírez-Segura C. CAR-T Cell Performance: How to Improve Their Persistence? Front Immunol 2022; 13:878209. [PMID: 35572525 PMCID: PMC9097681 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.878209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with T cells reprogrammed to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) has been highly successful in patients with hematological neoplasms. However, its therapeutic benefits have been limited in solid tumor cases. Even those patients who respond to this immunotherapy remain at risk of relapse due to the short-term persistence or non-expansion of CAR-T cells; moreover, the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) leads to the dysfunction of these cells after reinfusion. Some research has shown that, in adoptive T-cell therapies, the presence of less differentiated T-cell subsets within the infusion product is associated with better clinical outcomes. Naive and memory T cells persist longer and exhibit greater antitumor activity than effector T cells. Therefore, new methods are being studied to overcome the limitations of this therapy to generate CAR-T cells with these ideal phenotypes. In this paper, we review the characteristics of T-cell subsets and their implications in the clinical outcomes of adoptive therapy with CAR-T cells. In addition, we describe some strategies developed to overcome the reduced persistence of CAR T-cells and alternatives to improve this therapy by increasing the expansion ability and longevity of modified T cells. These methods include cell culture optimization, incorporating homeostatic cytokines during the expansion phase of manufacturing, modulation of CAR-T cell metabolism, manipulating signaling pathways involved in T-cell differentiation, and strategies related to CAR construct designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina López-Cantillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Urueña
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Cesar Ramírez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia.,Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
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16
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Xiao BF, Zhang JT, Zhu YG, Cui XR, Lu ZM, Yu BT, Wu N. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Lung Cancer: Potential and Challenges. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782775. [PMID: 34790207 PMCID: PMC8591168 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has exhibited a substantial clinical response in hematological malignancies, including B-cell leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Therefore, the feasibility of using CAR-T cells to treat solid tumors is actively evaluated. Currently, multiple basic research projects and clinical trials are being conducted to treat lung cancer with CAR-T cell therapy. Although numerous advances in CAR-T cell therapy have been made in hematological tumors, the technology still entails considerable challenges in treating lung cancer, such as on−target, of−tumor toxicity, paucity of tumor-specific antigen targets, T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment, and low infiltration level of immune cells into solid tumor niches, which are even more complicated than their application in hematological tumors. Thus, progress in the scientific understanding of tumor immunology and improvements in the manufacture of cell products are advancing the clinical translation of these important cellular immunotherapies. This review focused on the latest research progress of CAR-T cell therapy in lung cancer treatment and for the first time, demonstrated the underlying challenges and future engineering strategies for the clinical application of CAR-T cell therapy against lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu-Fan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Tao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yu-Ge Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Run Cui
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe-Ming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ben-Tong Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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17
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Lim J, Sari-Ak D, Bagga T. Siglecs as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:1178. [PMID: 34827170 PMCID: PMC8615218 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hypersialylation is a common post-translational modification of protein and lipids found on cancer cell surfaces, which participate in cell-cell interactions and in the regulation of immune responses. Sialic acids are a family of nine-carbon α-keto acids found at the outermost ends of glycans attached to cell surfaces. Given their locations on cell surfaces, tumor cells aberrantly overexpress sialic acids, which are recognized by Siglec receptors found on immune cells to mediate broad immunomodulatory signaling. Enhanced sialylation exposed on cancer cell surfaces is exemplified as "self-associated molecular pattern" (SAMP), which tricks Siglec receptors found on leukocytes to greatly down-regulate immune responsiveness, leading to tumor growth. In this review, we focused on all 15 human Siglecs (including Siglec XII), many of which still remain understudied. We also highlighted strategies that disrupt the course of Siglec-sialic acid interactions, such as antibody-based therapies and sialic acid mimetics leading to tumor cell depletion. Herein, we introduced the central roles of Siglecs in mediating pro-tumor immunity and discussed strategies that target these receptors, which could benefit improved cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackwee Lim
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8a Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Singapore;
| | - Duygu Sari-Ak
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul 34668, Turkey;
| | - Tanaya Bagga
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8a Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Singapore;
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18
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Watanabe K, Nishikawa H. Engineering strategies for broad application of TCR-T and CAR-T cell therapies. Int Immunol 2021; 33:551-562. [PMID: 34374779 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy, including the transfer of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes after in vitro expansion or T cells redirected to tumor antigens using antigen-specific transgenic T cell receptor T cells (TCR-T cells) or chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), has shown a significant clinical impact. Particularly, several types of CAR-T cell therapies have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The striking success of CAR-T cell therapies in hematological malignancies motivates their further expansion to a wide range of solid tumors, yet multiple obstacles, including the lack of proper target antigens exhibiting a tumor-specific expression pattern and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) impairing the effector functions of adoptively transferred T cells, have prevented clinical application. Gene engineering technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have enabled flexible reprograming of TCR/CAR-T cell signaling or loading genes that are targets of the tumor immunosuppression as a payload to overcome the difficulties. Here, we discuss recent advances in TCR/CAR-T cell engineering: various promising approaches to enhance the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells in the TME for maximizing the efficacy and the safety of adoptive cell therapy are now being tested in the clinic, especially targeting solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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19
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Current Status on Therapeutic Molecules Targeting Siglec Receptors. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122691. [PMID: 33333862 PMCID: PMC7765293 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type of lectins (Siglecs) are receptors that recognize sialic acid-containing glycans. In the majority of the cases, Siglecs are expressed on immune cells and play a critical role in regulating immune cell signaling. Over the years, it has been shown that the sialic acid-Siglec axis participates in immunological homeostasis, and that any imbalance can trigger different pathologies, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer. For all this, different therapeutics have been developed that bind to Siglecs, either based on antibodies or being smaller molecules. In this review, we briefly introduce the Siglec family and we compile a description of glycan-based molecules and antibody-based therapies (including CAR-T and bispecific antibodies) that have been designed to therapeutically targeting Siglecs.
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