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Tang C, Zhang Y. Potential alternatives to αβ-T cells to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based cancer immunotherapy: A comprehensive review. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 262:155518. [PMID: 39146830 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Currently, CAR-T cell therapy relies on an individualized manufacturing process in which patient's own T cells are infused back into patients after being engineered and expanded ex vivo. Despite the astonishing outcomes of autologous CAR-T cell therapy, this approach is endowed with several limitations and drawbacks, such as high cost and time-consuming manufacturing process. Switching the armature of CAR-T cell therapy from autologous settings to allogeneic can overcome several bottlenecks of the current approach. Nevertheless, the use of allogeneic CAR-T cells is limited by the risk of life-threatening GvHD. Thus, in recent years, developing a method to move CAR-T cell therapy to allogeneic settings without the risk of GvHD has become a hot research topic in this field. Since the alloreactivity of αβ T-cell receptor (TCR) accounts for developing GvHD, several efforts have been made to disrupt endogenous TCR of allogeneic CAR-T cells using gene editing tools to prevent GvHD. Nonetheless, the off-target activity of gene editing tools and their associated genotoxicities, as well as the negative consequences of endogenous TCR disruption, are the main concerns of using this approach. As an alternative, CAR αβ-T cells can be replaced with other types of CAR-engineered cells that are capable of recognizing and killing malignant cells through CAR while avoiding the induction of GvHD. These alternatives include T cell subsets with restricted TCR repertoire (γδ-T, iNKT, virus-specific T, double negative T cells, and MAIT cells), killer cells (NK and CIK cells), non-lymphocytic cells (neutrophils and macrophages), stem/progenitor cells, and cell-free extracellular vesicles. In this review, we discuss how these alternatives can move CAR-based immunotherapy to allogeneic settings to overcome the bottlenecks of autologous manner without the risk of GvHD. We comprehensively discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives over the traditional CAR αβ-T cells in light of their preclinical studies and clinical trials.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Graft vs Host Disease/immunology
- Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control
- Graft vs Host Disease/therapy
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Animals
- Gene Editing/methods
- Transplantation, Homologous/methods
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhi Tang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China; Department of Neurology, Xinxiang First Peoples Hospital, Xinxiang 453100, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China.
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2
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Rados M, Landegger A, Schmutzler L, Rabidou K, Taschner-Mandl S, Fetahu IS. Natural killer cells in neuroblastoma: immunological insights and therapeutic perspectives. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-024-10212-8. [PMID: 39294470 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10212-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have multifaceted roles within the complex tumor milieu. They are pivotal components of innate immunity and shape the dynamic landscape of tumor-immune cell interactions, and thus can be leveraged for use in therapeutic interventions. NK-based immunotherapies have had remarkable success in hematological malignancies, but these therapies are met with many challenges in solid tumors, including neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood tumor arising from the sympathetic nervous system. With a focus on NB, this review outlines the mechanisms employed by NK cells to recognize and eliminate malignant cells, delving into the dynamic relationship between ligand-receptor interactions, cytokines, and other molecules that facilitate the cross talk between NK and NB cells. We discuss the immunomodulatory functions of NK cells and the mechanisms that contribute to loss of this immunosurveillance in NB, with a focus on how this dynamic has been utilized in recent immunotherapy advancements for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Rados
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Lukas Schmutzler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kimberlie Rabidou
- Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Irfete S Fetahu
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Qi Z, Gu J, Qu L, Shi X, He Z, Sun J, Tan L, Sun M. Advancements of engineered live oncolytic biotherapeutics (microbe/virus/cells): Preclinical research and clinical progress. J Control Release 2024; 375:209-235. [PMID: 39244159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The proven efficacy of immunotherapy in fighting tumors has been firmly established, heralding a new era in harnessing both the innate and adaptive immune systems for cancer treatment. Despite its promise, challenges such as inefficient delivery, insufficient tumor penetration, and considerable potential toxicity of immunomodulatory agents have impeded the advancement of immunotherapies. Recent endeavors in the realm of tumor prophylaxis and management have highlighted the use of living biological entities, including bacteria, oncolytic viruses, and immune cells, as a vanguard for an innovative class of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs). These LBPs are gaining recognition for their inherent ability to target tumors. However, these LBPs must contend with significant barriers, including robust immune clearance mechanisms, cytotoxicity and other in vivo adverse effects. Priority must be placed on enhancing their safety and therapeutic indices. This review consolidates the latest preclinical research and clinical progress pertaining to the exploitation of engineered biologics, spanning bacteria, oncolytic viruses, immune cells, and summarizes their integration with combination therapies aimed at circumventing current clinical impasses. Additionally, the prospective utilities and inherent challenges of the biotherapeutics are deliberated, with the objective of accelerating their clinical application in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzhuo Qi
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Junmou Gu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lihang Qu
- The 4th People's Hospital of Shenyang, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xianbao Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhonggui He
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Intelligent Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Jin Sun
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Intelligent Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Lingchen Tan
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Mengchi Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Intelligent Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, China.
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4
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McErlean EM, McCarthy HO. Non-viral approaches in CAR-NK cell engineering: connecting natural killer cell biology and gene delivery. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:552. [PMID: 39256765 PMCID: PMC11384716 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02746-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are exciting candidates for cancer immunotherapy with potent innate cytotoxicity and distinct advantages over T cells for Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) therapy. Concerns regarding the safety, cost, and scalability of viral vectors has ignited research into non-viral alternatives for gene delivery. This review comprehensively analyses recent advancements and challenges with non-viral genetic modification of NK cells for allogeneic CAR-NK therapies. Non-viral alternatives including electroporation and multifunctional nanoparticles are interrogated with respect to CAR expression and translational responses. Crucially, the link between NK cell biology and design of drug delivery technologies are made, which is essential for development of future non-viral approaches. This review provides valuable insights into the current state of non-viral CAR-NK cell engineering, aimed at realising the full potential of NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M McErlean
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Biodesign Europe, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
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5
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Wang K, Wang L, Wang Y, Xiao L, Wei J, Hu Y, Wang D, Huang H. Reprogramming natural killer cells for cancer therapy. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2835-2855. [PMID: 38273655 PMCID: PMC11403237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The last decade has seen rapid development in the field of cellular immunotherapy, particularly in regard to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells. However, challenges, such as severe treatment-related toxicities and inconsistent quality of autologous products, have hindered the broader use of CAR-T cell therapy, highlighting the need to explore alternative immune cells for cancer targeting. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cells have been extensively studied in cellular immunotherapy and were found to exert cytotoxic effects without being restricted by human leukocyte antigen and have a lower risk of causing graft-versus-host disease; making them favorable for the development of readily available "off-the-shelf" products. Clinical trials utilizing unedited NK cells or reprogrammed NK cells have shown early signs of their effectiveness against tumors. However, limitations, including limited in vivo persistence and expansion potential, remained. To enhance the antitumor function of NK cells, advanced gene-editing technologies and combination approaches have been explored. In this review, we summarize current clinical trials of antitumor NK cell therapy, provide an overview of innovative strategies for reprogramming NK cells, which include improvements in persistence, cytotoxicity, trafficking and the ability to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and also discuss some potential combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Linqin Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yiyun Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jieping Wei
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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6
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Bar O, Porgador A, Cooks T. Exploring the potential of the convergence between extracellular vesicles and CAR technology as a novel immunotherapy approach. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 3:e70011. [PMID: 39328262 PMCID: PMC11424882 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.70011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer therapy is a dynamically evolving field, witnessing the emergence of innovative approaches that offer a promising outlook for patients grappling with persistent disease. Within the realm of therapeutic exploration, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells as well as CAR NK cells, have surfaced as novel approaches, each possessing unique attributes and transformative potential. Immune cells engineered to express CARs recognizing tumour-specific antigens, have shown remarkable promise in treating terminal cancers by combining the precision of antibody specificity with the potent cytotoxic function of T cells. However, their application in solid tumours is still in its nascent stages, presenting unique major challenges. On the same note, CAR NK cells offer a distinct immunotherapeutic approach, utilizing CARs on NK cells, providing advantages in safety, manufacturing simplicity, and a broader scope for cancer treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising therapeutic agents due to their ability to carry crucial biomarkers and biologically active molecules, serving as vital messengers in the intercellular communication network. In the context of cancer, the therapeutic potential of EVs lies in delivering tumour-suppressing proteins, nucleic acid components, or targeting drugs with precision, thereby redefining the paradigm of precision medicine. The fusion of CAR technology with the capabilities of EVs has given rise to a new therapeutic frontier. CAR T EVs and CAR NK EVs, leveraging the power of EVs, have the potential to alleviate challenges associated with live-cell therapies. EVs are suggested to reduce the side effects linked to CAR T cell therapy and hold the potential to revolutionize the penetrance in solid tumours. EVs act as carriers of pro-apoptotic molecules and RNA components, enhancing immune responses and thereby expanding their therapeutic potential. In this review article, we navigate dynamic landscapes, with our objective being to evaluate comparative efficacy, safety profiles, manufacturing complexities, and clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Bar
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences Ben-Gurion University Beer-Sheva Israel
| | - Angel Porgador
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences Ben-Gurion University Beer-Sheva Israel
| | - Tomer Cooks
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences Ben-Gurion University Beer-Sheva Israel
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7
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Shalaby N, Xia Y, Kelly JJ, Sanchez-Pupo R, Martinez F, Fox MS, Thiessen JD, Hicks JW, Scholl TJ, Ronald JA. Imaging CAR-NK cells targeted to HER2 ovarian cancer with human sodium-iodide symporter-based positron emission tomography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:3176-3190. [PMID: 38722382 PMCID: PMC11368970 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06722-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapies utilize CARs to redirect immune cells towards cancer cells expressing specific antigens like human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Despite their potential, CAR T cell therapies exhibit variable response rates and adverse effects in some patients. Non-invasive molecular imaging can aid in predicting patient outcomes by tracking infused cells post-administration. CAR-T cells are typically autologous, increasing manufacturing complexity and costs. An alternative approach involves developing CAR natural killer (CAR-NK) cells as an off-the-shelf allogeneic product. In this study, we engineered HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells co-expressing the positron emission tomography (PET) reporter gene human sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and assessed their therapeutic efficacy and PET imaging capability in a HER2 ovarian cancer mouse model.NK-92 cells were genetically modified to express a HER2-targeted CAR, the bioluminescence imaging reporter Antares, and NIS. HER2-expressing ovarian cancer cells were engineered to express the bioluminescence reporter Firefly luciferase (Fluc). Co-culture experiments demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of CAR-NK cells compared to naive NK cells. In vivo studies involving mice with Fluc-expressing tumors revealed that those treated with CAR-NK cells exhibited reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival compared to controls. Longitudinal bioluminescence imaging demonstrated stable signals from CAR-NK cells over time. PET imaging using the NIS-targeted tracer 18F-tetrafluoroborate ([18F]TFB) showed significantly higher PET signals in mice treated with NIS-expressing CAR-NK cells.Overall, our study showcases the therapeutic potential of HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells in an aggressive ovarian cancer model and underscores the feasibility of using human-derived PET reporter gene imaging to monitor these cells non-invasively in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan Shalaby
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Ying Xia
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - John J Kelly
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rafael Sanchez-Pupo
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Francisco Martinez
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew S Fox
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Saint Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Thiessen
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, London, ON, Canada
- Saint Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Justin W Hicks
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, London, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy J Scholl
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, London, ON, Canada
| | - John A Ronald
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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Dong S, Zhao M, Zhu J, Li T, Yan M, Xing K, Liu P, Yu S, Ma J, He H. Natural killer cells: a future star for immunotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1442673. [PMID: 39234249 PMCID: PMC11371580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1442673] [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: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The interplay between immune components and the epithelium plays a crucial role in the development and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Natural killer (NK) cells, one of the main tumor-killing immune cell populations, have received increasing attention in HNSCC immunotherapy. In this review, we explore the mechanism underlying the interplay between NK cells and HNSCC. A series of immune evasion strategies utilized by cancer cells restrict HNSCC infiltration of NK cells. Overcoming these limitations can fully exploit the antineoplastic potential of NK cells. We also investigated the tumor-killing efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapies, immunotherapeutic strategies, and new results from clinical trials. Notably, cetuximab, the most essential component of NK cell-based immunotherapy, inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway and activates the immune system in conjunction with NK cells, inducing innate effector functions and improving patient prognosis. In addition, we compiled information on other areas for the improvement of patient prognosis using anti-EGFR receptor-based monoclonal antibody drugs and the underlying mechanisms and prognoses of new immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Dong
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Mingze Yan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Kaixun Xing
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shan Yu
- Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Immunology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongjiang He
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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Li W, Wang X, Zhang X, Aziz AUR, Wang D. CAR-NK Cell Therapy: A Transformative Approach to Overcoming Oncological Challenges. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1035. [PMID: 39199421 PMCID: PMC11352442 DOI: 10.3390/biom14081035] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in natural killer (NK) cells for cancer therapy is gaining momentum, marking a significant shift in cancer treatment. This review aims to explore the potential of CAR-NK cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy, providing a fresh perspective. It discusses the innovative approaches in CAR-NK cell design and engineering, particularly targeting refractory or recurrent cancers. By comparing CAR-NK cells with traditional therapies, the review highlights their unique ability to tackle tumor heterogeneity and immune system suppression. Additionally, it explains how novel cytokines and receptors can enhance CAR-NK cell efficacy, specificity, and functionality. This review underscores the advantages of CAR-NK cells, including reduced toxicity, lower cost, and broader accessibility compared to CAR-T cells, along with their potential in treating both blood cancers and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangshu Li
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children’s Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China; (W.L.); (X.W.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xiuying Wang
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children’s Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China; (W.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Xu Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 151801, China;
| | - Aziz ur Rehman Aziz
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children’s Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China; (W.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Daqing Wang
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children’s Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China; (W.L.); (X.W.)
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10
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Mohammad Taheri M, Javan F, Poudineh M, Athari SS. Beyond CAR-T: The rise of CAR-NK cell therapy in asthma immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2024; 22:736. [PMID: 39103889 PMCID: PMC11302387 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05534-8] [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: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma poses a major public health burden. While existing asthma drugs manage symptoms for many, some patients remain resistant. The lack of a cure, especially for severe asthma, compels exploration of novel therapies. Cancer immunotherapy successes with CAR-T cells suggest its potential for asthma treatment. Researchers are exploring various approaches for allergic diseases including membrane-bound IgE, IL-5, PD-L2, and CTLA-4 for asthma, and Dectin-1 for fungal asthma. NK cells offer several advantages over T cells for CAR-based immunotherapy. They offer key benefits: (1) HLA compatibility, meaning they can be used in a wider range of patients without the need for matching tissue types. (2) Minimal side effects (CRS and GVHD) due to their limited persistence and cytokine profile. (3) Scalability for "off-the-shelf" production from various sources. Several strategies have been introduced that highlight the superiority and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy for asthma treatment including IL-10, IFN-γ, ADCC, perforin-granzyme, FASL, KIR, NCRs (NKP46), DAP, DNAM-1, TGF-β, TNF-α, CCL, NKG2A, TF, and EGFR. Furthermore, we advocate for incorporating AI for CAR design optimization and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology for precise gene manipulation to generate highly effective CAR constructs. This review will delve into the evolution and production of CAR designs, explore pre-clinical and clinical studies of CAR-based therapies in asthma, analyze strategies to optimize CAR-NK cell function, conduct a comparative analysis of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapy with their respective challenges, and finally present established novel CAR designs with promising potential for asthma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Javan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Poudineh
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Shamseddin Athari
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, 12th Street, Shahrake Karmandan, Zanjan, 45139-561111, Iran.
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11
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Cheon J, Song M, Kwon S. Alginate-gelatine hydrogel microspheres protect NK cell proliferation and cytotoxicity under hypoxic conditions. J Microencapsul 2024; 41:375-389. [PMID: 38945166 DOI: 10.1080/02652048.2024.2362170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to encapsulate natural killer (NK) cells in a hydrogel to sustain their function within the hypoxic tumour microenvironments. METHODS An alginate-gelatine hydrogel was generated via electrospray technology. Hydrogel biocompatibility was assessed through cell counting kit-8 and Live/Dead assays to ascertain cell. Moreover, we analysed lactate dehydrogenase assays to evaluate the cytotoxicity against tumours and utilised RT-qPCR to analyse cytokine gene level. RESULTS Alginate and gelatine formed hydrogels with diameters ranging from 489.2 ± 23.0 μm, and the encapsulation efficiency was 34.07 ± 1.76%. Encapsulated NK cells exhibited robust proliferation and tumour-killing capabilities under normoxia and hypoxia. Furthermore, encapsulation provided a protective shield against cell viability under hypoxia. Importantly, tumour-killing cytotoxicity through cytokines upregulation such as granzyme B and interferon-gamma was preserved under hypoxia. CONCLUSION The encapsulation of NK cells not only safeguards their viability but also reinforces anticancer capacity, countering the inhibition of activation induced by hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Cheon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Myeongkwan Song
- Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Soonjo Kwon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
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12
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Zhao H, Ren Y, Kou H, Zhang J, Zhang X. Increased CD56 expression after photodynamic therapy indicates an increased natural killer cell count following early photodynamic therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2024; 28:372. [PMID: 38910905 PMCID: PMC11190733 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic method for managing cSCC due to its proven ability to target specific areas over time and its low risk of side effects. PDT may cause tissue damage and vascular shutdown, and may regulate local immunological responses. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the early lymphocyte modifications before and after PDT for SCC. A total of 10 patients with SCC were identified by pathological investigation. Initially, all wounds were treated with 20% aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-PDT as the initial stage in the therapeutic procedure. The wounds were treated by exposing them to red LED light with a wavelength of 635 nm, an energy density of 100 J/cm2 and an intensity of 80 mW/cm2. The tumor tissue was surgically removed 24 h later, and another round of PDT therapy was administered. Immunohistochemistry for CD3 and CD56 was conducted on the wound tissue post-surgery. If the wound showed granulation, necrosis or secretion, debridement was added to the therapy. All patients were monitored for 0.6-1.0 year post-treatment. ALA-PDT combination surgery fully controlled the tumor tissue in all 10 patients. The immunohistochemical analysis of the wound tissues showed that the expression of CD56 increased, while the expression of CD3 was not different after photodynamic therapy. These results also indirectly indicated that the overall count of NK cells in the 10 patients increased, nevertheless, there was no alteration in the T lymphocyte count. In conclusion, the ALA-PDT combination surgical therapy for cSCC demonstrates favorable results. An increase in CD56 expression may be a mechanism for the effective treatment of cSCC with PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqing Zhao
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanbu County People's Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan 637300, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Ren
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Huiling Kou
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Junbo Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Xingcun Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
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13
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Bahramloo M, Shahabi SA, Kalarestaghi H, Rafat A, Mazloumi Z, Samimifar A, Asl KD. CAR-NK cell therapy in AML: Current treatment, challenges, and advantage. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117024. [PMID: 38941897 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, discovery of novel therapeutic method has been attention by the researchers and has changed the therapeutic perspective of hematological malignancies. Although NK cell play a pivotal role in the elimination of abnormal and cancerous cells, there are evidence that NK cell are disarm in hematological malignancy. Chimeric antigen receptor NK (CAR-NK) cell therapy, which includes the engineering of NK cells to detect tumor-specific antigens and, as a result, clear of cancerous cells, has created various clinical advantage for several human malignancies treatment. In the current review, we summarized NK cell dysfunction and CAR-NK cell based immunotherapy to treat AML patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadmahdi Bahramloo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sina Alinejad Shahabi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Kalarestaghi
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cell, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Ali Rafat
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mazloumi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Arian Samimifar
- Department of Medical Sciences, Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Dizaji Asl
- Department of Histopathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
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14
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Liu B, Zhou H, Tan L, Siu KTH, Guan XY. Exploring treatment options in cancer: Tumor treatment strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:175. [PMID: 39013849 PMCID: PMC11252281 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01856-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have burdened cancer patients with onerous physical and psychological challenges. Encouragingly, the landscape of tumor treatment has undergone a comprehensive and remarkable transformation. Emerging as fervently pursued modalities are small molecule targeted agents, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cell-based therapies, and gene therapy. These cutting-edge treatment modalities not only afford personalized and precise tumor targeting, but also provide patients with enhanced therapeutic comfort and the potential to impede disease progression. Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that these therapeutic strategies still harbour untapped potential for further advancement. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the merits and limitations of these treatment modalities holds the promise of offering novel perspectives for clinical practice and foundational research endeavours. In this review, we discussed the different treatment modalities, including small molecule targeted drugs, peptide drugs, antibody drugs, cell therapy, and gene therapy. It will provide a detailed explanation of each method, addressing their status of development, clinical challenges, and potential solutions. The aim is to assist clinicians and researchers in gaining a deeper understanding of these diverse treatment options, enabling them to carry out effective treatment and advance their research more efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Licheng Tan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kin To Hugo Siu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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15
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Bauvois B, Nguyen-Khac F, Merle-Béral H, Susin SA. CD38/NAD + glycohydrolase and associated antigens in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: From interconnected signalling pathways to therapeutic strategies. Biochimie 2024:S0300-9084(24)00165-2. [PMID: 39009062 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.07.006] [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: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a heterogenous disease characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic CD5+/CD19+ B lymphocytes. The spreading of the leukaemia relies on the CLL cell's ability to survive in the blood and migrate to and proliferate within the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. Some patients with CLL are either refractory to the currently available therapies or relapse after treatment; this emphasizes the need for novel therapeutic strategies that improving clinical responses and overcome drug resistance. CD38 is a marker of a poor prognosis and governs a set of survival, proliferation and migration signals that contribute to the pathophysiology of CLL. The literature data evidence a spatiotemporal association between the cell surface expression of CD38 and that of other CLL antigens, such as the B-cell receptor (BCR), CD19, CD26, CD44, the integrin very late antigen 4 (VLA4), the chemokine receptor CXCR4, the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGF-R2), and the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin receptor (NGAL-R). Most of these proteins contribute to CLL cell survival, proliferation and trafficking, and cooperate with CD38 in multilayered signal transduction processes. In general, these antigens have already been validated as therapeutic targets in cancer, and a broad repertoire of specific monoclonal antibodies and derivatives are available. Here, we review the state of the art in this field and examine the therapeutic opportunities for cotargeting CD38 and its partners in CLL, e.g. by designing novel bi-/trispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Bauvois
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMRS1138, Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies Team, F-75006, Paris, France.
| | - Florence Nguyen-Khac
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMRS1138, Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies Team, F-75006, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service d'Hématologie Biologique, F-75013, Paris, France.
| | - Hélène Merle-Béral
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMRS1138, Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies Team, F-75006, Paris, France.
| | - Santos A Susin
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMRS1138, Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies Team, F-75006, Paris, France.
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16
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Yang R, Yang Y, Liu R, Wang Y, Yang R, He A. Advances in CAR-NK cell therapy for hematological malignancies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1414264. [PMID: 39007146 PMCID: PMC11239349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1414264] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies, demonstrably improving patient outcomes and prognosis. However, its application has introduced new challenges, such as safety concerns, off-target toxicities, and significant costs. Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the innate immune system, capable of eliminating tumor cells without prior exposure to specific antigens or pre-activation. This inherent advantage complements the limitations of T cells, making CAR-NK cell therapy a promising avenue for hematological tumor immunotherapy. In recent years, preclinical and clinical studies have yielded preliminary evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of CAR-NK cell therapy in hematological malignancies, paving the way for future advancements in immunotherapy. This review aims to succinctly discuss the characteristics, significant therapeutic progress, and potential challenges associated with CAR-NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yun Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Hematological Diseases, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruoyu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aili He
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Hematological Diseases, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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17
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Chu Y, Nayyar G, Tian M, Lee DA, Ozkaynak MF, Ayala-Cuesta J, Klose K, Foley K, Mendelowitz AS, Luo W, Liao Y, Ayello J, Behbehani GK, Riddell S, Cripe T, Cairo MS. Efficiently targeting neuroblastoma with the combination of anti-ROR1 CAR NK cells and N-803 in vitro and in vivo in NB xenografts. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200820. [PMID: 38933492 PMCID: PMC11201149 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The prognosis for children with recurrent and/or refractory neuroblastoma (NB) is dismal. The receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), which is highly expressed on the surface of NB cells, provides a potential target for novel immunotherapeutics. Anti-ROR1 chimeric antigen receptor engineered ex vivo expanded peripheral blood natural killer (anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK) cells represent this approach. N-803 is an IL-15 superagonist with enhanced biological activity. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells with or without N-803 against ROR1+ NB models. Compared to mock exPBNK cells, anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells had significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against ROR1+ NB cells, and N-803 further increased cytotoxicity. High-dimensional analysis revealed that N-803 enhanced Stat5 phosphorylation and Ki67 levels in both exPBNK and anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells with or without NB cells. In vivo, anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK plus N-803 significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced survival in human ROR1+ NB xenografted NSG mice compared to anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK alone. Our results provide the rationale for further development of anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells plus N-803 as a novel combination immunotherapeutic for patients with recurrent and/or refractory ROR1+ NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaya Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Gaurav Nayyar
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Meijuan Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Department of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mehmet F. Ozkaynak
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | | | - Kayleigh Klose
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Keira Foley
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | | | - Wen Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Yanling Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Janet Ayello
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Gregory K. Behbehani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, the Ohio State University; Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Stanley Riddell
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Tim Cripe
- Department of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mitchell S. Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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18
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Kiran S, Xue Y, Sarker DB, Li Y, Sang QXA. Feeder-free differentiation of human iPSCs into natural killer cells with cytotoxic potential against malignant brain rhabdoid tumor cells. Bioact Mater 2024; 36:301-316. [PMID: 38496035 PMCID: PMC10940949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.02.031] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic immune cells that can eliminate target cells without prior stimulation. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a robust source of NK cells for safe and effective cell-based immunotherapy against aggressive cancers. In this in vitro study, a feeder-free iPSC differentiation was performed to obtain iPSC-NK cells, and distinct maturational stages of iPSC-NK were characterized. Mature cells of CD56bright CD16bright phenotype showed upregulation of CD56, CD16, and NK cell activation markers NKG2D and NKp46 upon IL-15 exposure, while exposure to aggressive atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) cell lines enhanced NKG2D and NKp46 expression. Malignant cell exposure also increased CD107a degranulation markers and stimulated IFN-γ secretion in activated NK cells. CD56bright CD16bright iPSC-NK cells showed a ratio-dependent killing of ATRT cells, and the percentage lysis of CHLA-05-ATRT was higher than that of CHLA-02-ATRT. The iPSC-NK cells were also cytotoxic against other brain, kidney, and lung cancer cell lines. Further NK maturation yielded CD56-ve CD16bright cells, which lacked activation markers even after exposure to interleukins or ATRT cells - indicating diminished cytotoxicity. Generation and characterization of different NK phenotypes from iPSCs, coupled with their promising anti-tumor activity against ATRT in vitro, offer valuable insights into potential immunotherapeutic strategies for brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Kiran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
| | - Drishty B. Sarker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32310-6046, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
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19
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Soroush A, Shahhosseini R, Ghavamikia N, Hjazi A, Roudaki S, KhalatbariLimaki M, Mirbolouk M, Pakmehr S, Karimi P. Improvement of current immunotherapies with engineered oncolytic viruses that target cancer stem cells. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4055. [PMID: 38856033 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The heterogeneity of the solid tumor microenvironment (TME) impairs the therapeutic efficacy of standard therapies and also reduces the infiltration of antitumor immune cells, all of which lead to tumor progression and invasion. In addition, self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) support tumor dormancy, drug resistance, and recurrence, all of which might pose challenges to the eradication of malignant tumor masses with current therapies. Natural forms of oncolytic viruses (OVs) or engineered OVs are known for their potential to directly target and kill tumor cells or indirectly eradicate tumor cells by involving antitumor immune responses, including enhancement of infiltrating antitumor immune cells, induction of immunogenic cell death, and reprogramming of cold TME to an immune-sensitive hot state. More importantly, OVs can target stemness factors that promote tumor progression, which subsequently enhances the efficacy of immunotherapies targeting solid tumors, particularly the CSC subpopulation. Herein, we describe the role of CSCs in tumor heterogeneity and resistance and then highlight the potential and remaining challenges of immunotherapies targeting CSCs. We then review the potential of OVs to improve tumor immunogenicity and target CSCs and finally summarize the challenges within the therapeutic application of OVs in preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nima Ghavamikia
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin AbdulAziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahrzad Roudaki
- School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Mahtab Mirbolouk
- School of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, North Cyprus
| | | | - Parvin Karimi
- Fars Population-Based Cancer Registry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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20
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Isaak AJ, Clements GR, Buenaventura RGM, Merlino G, Yu Y. Development of Personalized Strategies for Precisely Battling Malignant Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5023. [PMID: 38732242 PMCID: PMC11084485 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most severe and fatal form of skin cancer, resulting from multiple gene mutations with high intra-tumor and inter-tumor molecular heterogeneity. Treatment options for patients whose disease has progressed beyond the ability for surgical resection rely on currently accepted standard therapies, notably immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies. Acquired resistance to these therapies and treatment-associated toxicity necessitate exploring novel strategies, especially those that can be personalized for specific patients and/or populations. Here, we review the current landscape and progress of standard therapies and explore what personalized oncology techniques may entail in the scope of melanoma. Our purpose is to provide an up-to-date summary of the tools at our disposal that work to circumvent the common barriers faced when battling melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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21
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Vazaios K, van Berkum RE, Calkoen FG, van der Lugt J, Hulleman E. OV Modulators of the Paediatric Brain TIME: Current Status, Combination Strategies, Limitations and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5007. [PMID: 38732225 PMCID: PMC11084613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are characterised by their preference for infecting and replicating in tumour cells either naturally or after genetic modification, resulting in oncolysis. Furthermore, OVs can elicit both local and systemic anticancer immune responses while specifically infecting and lysing tumour cells. These characteristics render them a promising therapeutic approach for paediatric brain tumours (PBTs). PBTs are frequently marked by a cold tumour immune microenvironment (TIME), which suppresses immunotherapies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the capability of OVs to induce a proinflammatory immune response, thereby modifying the TIME. In-depth insights into the effect of OVs on different cell types in the TIME may therefore provide a compelling basis for using OVs in combination with other immunotherapy modalities. However, certain limitations persist in our understanding of oncolytic viruses' ability to regulate the TIME to enhance anti-tumour activity. These limitations primarily stem from the translational limitations of model systems, the difficulties associated with tracking reliable markers of efficacy throughout the course of treatment and the role of pre-existing viral immunity. In this review, we describe the different alterations observed in the TIME in PBTs due to OV treatment, combination therapies of OVs with different immunotherapies and the hurdles limiting the development of effective OV therapies while suggesting future directions based on existing evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.V.); (F.G.C.); (J.v.d.L.)
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22
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Zhang Y, Shi Q, Wang P, Huang C, Tang S, Zhou M, Hu Q, Wu L, Liang D. iPSC-derived NK cells with site-specific integration of CAR19 and IL24 at the multi-copy rDNA locus enhanced antitumor activity and proliferation. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e553. [PMID: 38737469 PMCID: PMC11082533 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.553] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The generation of chimeric antigen receptor-modified natural killer (CAR-NK) cells using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has emerged as one of the paradigms for manufacturing off-the-shelf universal immunotherapy. However, there are still some challenges in enhancing the potency, safety, and multiple actions of CAR-NK cells. Here, iPSCs were site-specifically integrated at the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus with interleukin 24 (IL24) and CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR19), and successfully differentiated into iPSC-derived NK (iNK) cells, followed by expansion using magnetic beads in vitro. Compared with the CAR19-iNK cells, IL24 armored CAR19-iNK (CAR19-IL24-iNK) cells showed higher cytotoxic capacity and amplification ability in vitro and inhibited tumor progression more effectively with better survival in a B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) (Nalm-6 (Luc1))-bearing mouse model. Interestingly, RNA-sequencing analysis showed that IL24 may enhance iNK cell function through nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway-related genes while exerting a direct effect on tumor cells. This study proved the feasibility and potential of combining IL24 with CAR-iNK cell therapy, suggesting a novel and promising off-the-shelf immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Qingxin Shi
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Peiyun Wang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chujun Huang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Shuqing Tang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Miaojin Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Qian Hu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Lingqian Wu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Desheng Liang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical GeneticsSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human DiseasesSchool of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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23
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Hassan SH, Alshahrani MY, Saleh RO, Mohammed BA, Kumar A, Almalki SG, Alkhafaji AT, Ghildiyal P, Al-Tameemi AR, Elawady A. A new vision of the efficacy of both CAR-NK and CAR-T cells in treating cancers and autoimmune diseases. Med Oncol 2024; 41:127. [PMID: 38656354 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02362-0] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) based therapies are becoming increasingly important in treating patients. CAR-T cells have been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, harmful therapeutic barriers have been identified, such as the potential for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), neurotoxicity, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). As a result, CAR NK-cell therapy is expected to be a new therapeutic option. NK cells act as cytotoxic lymphocytes, supporting the innate immune response against autoimmune diseases and cancer cells by precisely detecting and eliminating malignant cells. Genetic modification of these cells provides a dual approach to the treatment of AD and cancer. It can be used through both CAR-independent and CAR-dependent mechanisms. The use of CAR-based cell therapies has been successful in treating cancer patients, leading to further investigation of this innovative treatment for alternative diseases, including AD. The complementary roles of CAR T and CAR NK cells have stimulated exploration in this area. Our study examines the latest research on the therapeutic effectiveness of these cells in treating both cancer and ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Hussein Hassan
- Community Health Department, Technical Institute of Karbala, AL-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Najaf, Iraq.
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raed Obaid Saleh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Maarif University College, Al-Anbar, Iraq
| | | | - Abhinav Kumar
- Department of Nuclear and Renewable Energy, Ural Federal University Named After the First President of Russia Boris Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, 620002, Russia
| | - Sami G Almalki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, 11952, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Pallavi Ghildiyal
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | | | - Ahmed Elawady
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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24
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Abbaszade Dibavar M, Soleimani M, Mohammadi MH, Zomorrod MS. High yield killing of lymphoma cells by anti-CD22 CAR-NK cell therapy. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:321-332. [PMID: 38589736 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00895-2] [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: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) offer a promising new approach for targeting B cell malignancies through the immune system. Despite the proven effectiveness of CAR T cells targeting CD19 and CD22 in hematological malignancies, it is imperative to note that their production remains a highly complex process. Unlike T cells, NK cells eliminate targets in a non-antigen-specific manner while avoiding graft vs. host disease (GvHD). CAR-NK cells are considered safer than CAR-T cells because they have a shorter lifespan and produce less toxic cytokines. Due to their unlimited ability to proliferate in vitro, NK-92 cells can be used as a source for CAR-engineered NK cells. We found that CARs created from the m971 anti-CD22 mAb, which specifically targets a proximal CD22 epitope, were more effective at anti-leukemic activity compared to those made with other binding domains. To further enhance the anti-leukemic capacity of NK cells, we used lentiviral transduction to generate the m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92. CD22 is highly expressed in B cell lymphoma. To evaluate the potential of targeting CD22, Raji cells were selected as CD22-positive cells. Our study aimed to investigate CD22 as a potential target for CAR-NK-92 therapy in the treatment of B cell lymphoma. We first generated m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 that expressed a CAR for binding CD22 in vitro. Flow cytometric analysis was used to evaluate the expression of CAR. The 7AAD determined the cytotoxicity of the m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 towards target lymphoma cell lines by flow cytometry assay. The ELISA assay evaluated cytokine production in CAR NK-92 cells in response to target cells. The m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 cells have successfully expressed the CD22-specific CAR. m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 cells efficiently lysed CD22-expressing lymphoma cell lines and produced large amounts of cytokines such as IFN-γ and GM-CSF but a lower level of IL-6 after coculturing with target cells. Based on our results, it is evident that transferring m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 cells could be a promising immunotherapy for B cell lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnoosh Abbaszade Dibavar
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- HSCT Research Center, Laboratory Hematology and Blood Banking Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mina Soufi Zomorrod
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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25
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Yang N, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Fan Y, Zhang J, Lin X, Guo T, Gu Y, Wu J, Gao J, Zhao X, He Z. CD19/CD20 dual-targeted chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells exhibit improved cytotoxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Transl Med 2024; 22:274. [PMID: 38475814 PMCID: PMC10935961 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04990-6] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells represent a promising advancement in CAR cell therapy, addressing limitations observed in CAR-T cell therapy. However, our prior study revealed challenges in CAR-NK cells targeting CD19 antigens, as they failed to eliminate CD19+ Raji cells in NSG tumor-bearing mice, noting down-regulation or loss of CD19 antigen expression in some Raji cells. In response, this study aims to enhance CD19 CAR-NK cell efficacy and mitigate the risk of tumor recurrence due to target antigen escape by developing CD19 and CD20 (CD19/CD20) dual-targeted CAR-NK cells. METHODS Initially, mRNA encoding anti-CD19 CARs (FMC63 scFv-CD8α-4-1BB-CD3ζ) and anti-CD20 CARs (LEU16 scFv-CD8α-4-1BB-CD3ζ) was constructed via in vitro transcription. Subsequently, CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells were generated through simultaneous electrotransfection of CD19/CD20 CAR mRNA into umbilical cord blood-derived NK cells (UCB-NK). RESULTS Following co-electroporation, the percentage of dual-CAR expression on NK cells was 86.4% ± 1.83%, as determined by flow cytometry. CAR expression was detectable at 8 h post-electric transfer, peaked at 24 h, and remained detectable at 96 h. CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells exhibited increased specific cytotoxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines (BALL-1: CD19+CD20+, REH: CD19+CD20-, Jurkat: CD19-CD20-) compared to UCB-NK, CD19 CAR-NK, and CD20 CAR-NK cells. Moreover, CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells released elevated levels of perforin, IFN-γ, and IL-15. Multiple activation markers such as CD69 and cytotoxic substances were highly expressed. CONCLUSIONS The creation of CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells addressed the risk of tumor escape due to antigen heterogeneity in ALL, offering efficient and safe 'off-the-shelf' cell products. These cells demonstrate efficacy in targeting CD20 and/or CD19 antigens in ALL, laying an experimental foundation for their application in ALL treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Caili Zhang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yingchun Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuting Fan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaojin Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yangzuo Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jieheng Wu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianmei Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Zhixu He
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Guiyang, China.
- Department of Pediatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
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26
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Stenger TD, Miller JS. Therapeutic approaches to enhance natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356666. [PMID: 38545115 PMCID: PMC10966407 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhancing the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy, due to their pivotal role in immune surveillance and tumor clearance. This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of therapeutic approaches designed to augment NK cell cytotoxicity. We analyze a wide range of strategies, including cytokine-based treatment, monoclonal antibodies, and NK cell engagers, and discuss criteria that must be considered when selecting an NK cell product to combine with these strategies. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and limitations associated with each therapeutic strategy, as well as the potential for combination therapies to maximize NK cell cytotoxicity while minimizing adverse effects. By exploring the wealth of research on this topic, this literature review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians seeking to develop and implement novel therapeutic strategies that harness the full potential of NK cells in the fight against cancer. Enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity holds great promise in the evolving landscape of immunotherapy, and this review serves as a roadmap for understanding the current state of the field and the future directions in NK cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terran D. Stenger
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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27
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Maia A, Tarannum M, Lérias JR, Piccinelli S, Borrego LM, Maeurer M, Romee R, Castillo-Martin M. Building a Better Defense: Expanding and Improving Natural Killer Cells for Adoptive Cell Therapy. Cells 2024; 13:451. [PMID: 38474415 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050451] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have gained attention as a promising adoptive cell therapy platform for their potential to improve cancer treatments. NK cells offer distinct advantages over T-cells, including major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-independent tumor recognition and low risk of toxicity, even in an allogeneic setting. Despite this tremendous potential, challenges persist, such as limited in vivo persistence, reduced tumor infiltration, and low absolute NK cell numbers. This review outlines several strategies aiming to overcome these challenges. The developed strategies include optimizing NK cell expansion methods and improving NK cell antitumor responses by cytokine stimulation and genetic manipulations. Using K562 cells expressing membrane IL-15 or IL-21 with or without additional activating ligands like 4-1BBL allows "massive" NK cell expansion and makes multiple cell dosing and "off-the-shelf" efforts feasible. Further improvements in NK cell function can be reached by inducing memory-like NK cells, developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells, or isolating NK-cell-based tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Memory-like NK cells demonstrate higher in vivo persistence and cytotoxicity, with early clinical trials demonstrating safety and promising efficacy. Recent trials using CAR-NK cells have also demonstrated a lack of any major toxicity, including cytokine release syndrome, and, yet, promising clinical activity. Recent data support that the presence of TIL-NK cells is associated with improved overall patient survival in different types of solid tumors such as head and neck, colorectal, breast, and gastric carcinomas, among the most significant. In conclusion, this review presents insights into the diverse strategies available for NK cell expansion, including the roles played by various cytokines, feeder cells, and culture material in influencing the activation phenotype, telomere length, and cytotoxic potential of expanded NK cells. Notably, genetically modified K562 cells have demonstrated significant efficacy in promoting NK cell expansion. Furthermore, culturing NK cells with IL-2 and IL-15 has been shown to improve expansion rates, while the presence of IL-12 and IL-21 has been linked to enhanced cytotoxic function. Overall, this review provides an overview of NK cell expansion methodologies, highlighting the current landscape of clinical trials and the key advancements to enhance NK-cell-based adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Maia
- Molecular and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mubin Tarannum
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joana R Lérias
- ImmunoTherapy/ImmunoSurgery, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Piccinelli
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luis Miguel Borrego
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), NOVA University of Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
- Immunoallergy Department, Hospital da Luz, 1600-209 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoTherapy/ImmunoSurgery, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- I Medical Clinic, University of Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rizwan Romee
- NK Cell Gene Manipulation and Therapy Laboratory, Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mireia Castillo-Martin
- Molecular and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
- Pathology Service, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
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28
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Choi SH, Cho HB, Choi JH, Kim HJ, Jang HJ, Cho S, Maeng E, Park H, Ryu KS, Park KH, Park KS. Nano-chemical priming strategy to enhance TGF-β resistance and anti-tumor activity of natural killer cells. J Control Release 2024; 367:768-778. [PMID: 38341178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells is a promising strategy for circumventing the limitations of cancer treatments. However, components of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), compromise the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells significantly. To address these limitations, we developed a novel method of engineering NK cells for adaptive transfer. The method is based on nanogels that serve two functions: (1) they overcome the TGF-β-mediated stress environment of the TME, and (2) they enhance the direct anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Previously, we demonstrated that cationic compounds such as 25 K branched polyethylenimine (25 K bPEI) prime NK cells, putting them in a 'ready-to-fight' state. Based on these findings, we designed nanogels that have two primary characteristics: (1) they encapsulate galunisertib (Gal), which is used clinically to inhibit TGF-β receptor activity, thereby blocking TGF-β signaling; and (2) they provide cells with a surface coating of 25 K bPEI. When grown in culture medium containing TGF-β, nanogel-treated NK cells demonstrated greater migration ability, degranulation activity, and cytotoxicity towards cancer cells than untreated NK cells. Additionally, the in vivo efficacy of nanogel-treated NK cells against PC-3 xenografts was significantly greater than that of Chem_NK cells primed by 25 K bPEI alone. These findings suggest that Gal-loaded 25 K bPEI-coated nanogels exert anti-tumor effects via chemical priming, as well suppressing the effects of TGF-β on NK cells. We also expect 25 K bPEI-based nanogels to have great potential to overcome the suppressive effects of the TME through their NK cell-priming activity and delivery of the desired chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hee Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Bang Cho
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ho Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jung Jang
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohyun Cho
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunchong Maeng
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hail Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Seo Ryu
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun-Hong Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyung-Soon Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea.
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29
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Li T, Niu M, Zhang W, Qin S, Zhou J, Yi M. CAR-NK cells for cancer immunotherapy: recent advances and future directions. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1361194. [PMID: 38404574 PMCID: PMC10884099 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1361194] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells, intrinsic to the innate immune system, are pivotal in combating cancer due to their independent cytotoxic capabilities in antitumor immune response. Unlike predominant treatments that target T cell immunity, the limited success of T cell immunotherapy emphasizes the urgency for innovative approaches, with a spotlight on harnessing the potential of NK cells. Despite tumors adapting mechanisms to evade NK cell-induced cytotoxicity, there is optimism surrounding Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) NK cells. This comprehensive review delves into the foundational features and recent breakthroughs in comprehending the dynamics of NK cells within the tumor microenvironment. It critically evaluates the potential applications and challenges associated with emerging CAR-NK cell therapeutic strategies, positioning them as promising tools in the evolving landscape of precision medicine. As research progresses, the unique attributes of CAR-NK cells offer a new avenue for therapeutic interventions, paving the way for a more effective and precise approach to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weijiang Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Qin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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30
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Choi D, Gonzalez‐Suarez AM, Dumbrava MG, Medlyn M, de Hoyos‐Vega JM, Cichocki F, Miller JS, Ding L, Zhu M, Stybayeva G, Gaspar‐Maia A, Billadeau DD, Ma WW, Revzin A. Microfluidic Organoid Cultures Derived from Pancreatic Cancer Biopsies for Personalized Testing of Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2303088. [PMID: 38018486 PMCID: PMC10837378 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Patient-derived cancer organoids (PDOs) hold considerable promise for personalizing therapy selection and improving patient outcomes. However, it is challenging to generate PDOs in sufficient numbers to test therapies in standard culture platforms. This challenge is particularly acute for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) where most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with non-resectable tumors and where patient tissue is in the form of needle biopsies. Here the development and characterization of microfluidic devices for testing therapies using a limited amount of tissue or PDOs available from PDAC biopsies is described. It is demonstrated that microfluidic PDOs are phenotypically and genotypically similar to the gold-standard Matrigel organoids with the advantages of 1) spheroid uniformity, 2) minimal cell number requirement, and 3) not relying on Matrigel. The utility of microfluidic PDOs is proven by testing PDO responses to several chemotherapies, including an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase (GSKI). In addition, microfluidic organoid cultures are used to test effectiveness of immunotherapy comprised of NK cells in combination with a novel biologic. In summary, our microfluidic device offers considerable benefits for personalizing oncology based on cancer biopsies and may, in the future, be developed into a companion diagnostic for chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daheui Choi
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical EngineeringMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | | | - Mihai G. Dumbrava
- Division of Experimental PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
- Center for Individualized MedicineEpigenomics programMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Michael Medlyn
- Division of Oncology ResearchCollege of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | | | - Frank Cichocki
- Department of MedicineUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMN55455USA
| | | | - Li Ding
- Division of Oncology ResearchCollege of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Mojun Zhu
- Division of Medical OncologyMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Gulnaz Stybayeva
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical EngineeringMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Alexandre Gaspar‐Maia
- Division of Experimental PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
- Center for Individualized MedicineEpigenomics programMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Daniel D. Billadeau
- Division of Oncology ResearchCollege of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Wen Wee Ma
- Division of Medical OncologyMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
| | - Alexander Revzin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical EngineeringMayo ClinicRochesterMN55905USA
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31
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Tang HY, Cao YZ, Zhou YW, Ma YS, Jiang H, Zhang H, Jiang L, Yang QX, Tang XM, Yang C, Liu XY, Liu FX, Liu JB, Fu D, Wang YF, Yu H. The power and the promise of CAR-mediated cell immunotherapy for clinical application in pancreatic cancer. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00027-4. [PMID: 38244773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.014] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer, referred to as the "monarch of malignancies," is a neoplastic growth mostly arising from the epithelial cells of the pancreatic duct and acinar cells. This particular neoplasm has a highly unfavorable prognosis due to its marked malignancy, inconspicuous initial manifestation, challenging early detection, rapid advancement, and limited survival duration. Cellular immunotherapy is the ex vivo culture and expansion of immune effector cells, granting them the capacity to selectively target malignant cells using specialized techniques. Subsequently, these modified cells are reintroduced into the patient's organism with the purpose of eradicating tumor cells and providing therapeutic intervention for cancer. PRESENT SITUATION Presently, the primary cellular therapeutic modalities employed in the treatment of pancreatic cancer encompass CAR T-cell therapy, TCR T-cell therapy, NK-cell therapy, and CAR NK-cell therapy. AIM OF REVIEW This review provides a concise overview of the mechanisms and primary targets associated with various cell therapies. Additionally, we will explore the prospective outlook of cell therapy in the context of treating pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Tang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226631, Jiangsu, China; General Surgery, Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Zhi Cao
- General Surgery, Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Wei Zhou
- General Surgery, Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Shui Ma
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The 905th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, Shanghai 200050, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226631, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, China
| | - Qin-Xin Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Tang
- General Surgery, Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xin-Yun Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fu-Xing Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226631, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Da Fu
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226631, Jiangsu, China; General Surgery, Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yun-Feng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, Shanghai 201299, China.
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China; Department of Pathology, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China.
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Esmaeilzadeh A, Hadiloo K, Jabbari M, Elahi R. Current progress of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T versus CAR NK cell for immunotherapy of solid tumors. Life Sci 2024; 337:122381. [PMID: 38145710 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Equipping cancer-fighting immune cells with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has gained immense attention for cancer treatment. CAR-engineered T cells (CAR T cells) are the first immune-engineered cells that have achieved brilliant results in anti-cancer therapy. Despite promising anti-cancer features, CAR T cells could also cause fatal side effects and have shown inadequate efficacy in some studies. This has led to the introduction of other candidates for CAR transduction, e.g., Natural killer cells (NK cells). Regarding the better safety profile and anti-cancer properties, CAR-armored NK cells (CAR NK cells) could be a beneficial and suitable alternative to CAR T cells. Since introducing these two cells as anti-cancer structures, several studies have investigated their efficacy and safety, and most of them have focused on hematological malignancies. Solid tumors have unique properties that make them more resistant and less curable cancers than hematological malignancies. In this review article, we conduct a comprehensive review of the structure and properties of CAR NK and CAR T cells, compare the recent experience of immunotherapy with CAR T and CAR NK cells in various solid cancers, and overview current challenges and future solutions to battle solid cancers using CARNK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center (CGRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Kaveh Hadiloo
- Student Research Committee, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Marjan Jabbari
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Reza Elahi
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Zhang B, Yang M, Zhang W, Liu N, Wang D, Jing L, Xu N, Yang N, Ren T. Chimeric antigen receptor-based natural killer cell immunotherapy in cancer: from bench to bedside. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:50. [PMID: 38221520 PMCID: PMC10788349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has rapidly evolved in the past decades in the battle against cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have demonstrated significant success in certain hematologic malignancies, although they still face certain limitations, including high costs and toxic effects. Natural killer cells (NK cells), as a vital component of the immune system, serve as the "first responders" in the context of cancer development. In this literature review, we provide an updated understanding of NK cell development, functions, and their applications in disease therapy. Furthermore, we explore the rationale for utilizing engineered NK cell therapies, such as CAR-NK cells, and discuss the differences between CAR-T and CAR-NK cells. We also provide insights into the key elements and strategies involved in CAR design for engineered NK cells. In addition, we highlight the challenges currently encountered and discuss the future directions in NK cell research and utilization, including pre-clinical investigations and ongoing clinical trials. Based on the outstanding antitumor potential of NK cells, it is highly likely that they will lead to groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Mengzhe Yang
- Graduate School of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530199, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518052, China
| | - Daogang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Liangfang Jing
- Department of Neonatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, 650101, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China.
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Jiang JH, Ren RT, Cheng YJ, Li XX, Zhang GR. Immune cells and RBCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells: method, progress, prospective challenges. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1327466. [PMID: 38250324 PMCID: PMC10796611 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1327466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood has an important role in the healthcare system, particularly in blood transfusions and immunotherapy. However, the occurrence of outbreaks of infectious diseases worldwide and seasonal fluctuations, blood shortages are becoming a major challenge. Moreover, the narrow specificity of immune cells hinders the widespread application of immune cell therapy. To address this issue, researchers are actively developing strategies for differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into blood cells in vitro. The establishment of iPSCs from terminally differentiated cells such as fibroblasts and blood cells is a straightforward process. However, there is need for further refinement of the protocols for differentiating iPSCs into immune cells and red blood cells to ensure their clinical applicability. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies and challenges facing the generation of iPSC-derived immune cells and red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-he Jiang
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ru-tong Ren
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yan-jie Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Science, School of Life and Health Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou, Anhui, China
| | - Xin-xin Li
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Gui-rong Zhang
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Moradi V, Omidkhoda A, Ahmadbeigi N. The paths and challenges of "off-the-shelf" CAR-T cell therapy: An overview of clinical trials. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115888. [PMID: 37979380 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115888] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) has made a tremendous revolution in the era of cancer immunotherapy, so that since 2017 eight CAR-T cell products have been granted marketing authorization. All of these approved products are generated from autologous sources, but this strategy faces several challenges such as time-consuming and expensive manufacturing process and reduced anti-tumor potency of patients' T cells due to the disease or previous therapies. The use of an allogeneic source can overcome these issues and provide an industrial, scalable, and standardized manufacturing process that reduces costs and provides faster treatment for patients. Nevertheless, for using allogeneic CAR-T cells, we are faced with the challenge of overcoming two formidable impediments: severe life-threatening graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) caused by allogeneic CAR-T cells, and allorejection of allogeneic CAR-T cells by host immune cells which is called "host versus graft" (HvG). In this study, we reviewed recent registered clinical trials of allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy to analyze different approaches to achieve a safe and efficacious "off-the-shelf" source for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Moradi
- Hematology and blood transfusion science department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Omidkhoda
- Hematology and blood transfusion science department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Naser Ahmadbeigi
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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36
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Chamorro DF, Somes LK, Hoyos V. Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:124. [PMID: 38201551 PMCID: PMC10778447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010124] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Chamorro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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37
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Mikanik F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Shahbaz Ghasabeh A, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Cytokine-Induced Memory-Like NK Cells: Emerging strategy for AML immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115718. [PMID: 37857247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115718] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease developed from the malignant expansion of myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The implementation of intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has improved outcomes associated with AML, but relapse, along with suboptimal outcomes, is still a common scenario. In the past few years, exploring new therapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes has occurred rapidly. In this regard, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has attracted clinical interest due to its critical role in immunosurveillance and their capabilities to target AML blasts. NK cells are cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and directly inducing cytotoxicity. Although NK cells are well known as short-lived innate immune cells with non-specific responses that have limited their clinical applications, the discovery of cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells could overcome these challenges. NK cells pre-activated with the cytokine combination IL-12/15/18 achieved a long-term life span with adaptive immunity characteristics, termed CIML-NK cells. Previous studies documented that using CIML-NK cells in cancer treatment is safe and results in promising outcomes. This review highlights the current application, challenges, and opportunities of CIML-NK cell-based therapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Shahbaz Ghasabeh
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, School of Allied Medical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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38
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Chen Z, Hu Y, Mei H. Advances in CAR-Engineered Immune Cell Generation: Engineering Approaches and Sourcing Strategies. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303215. [PMID: 37906032 PMCID: PMC10724421 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as a highly efficacious treatment modality for refractory and relapsed hematopoietic malignancies in recent years. Furthermore, CAR technologies for cancer immunotherapy have expanded from CAR-T to CAR-natural killer cell (CAR-NK), CAR-cytokine-induced killer cell (CAR-CIK), and CAR-macrophage (CAR-MΦ) therapy. Nevertheless, the high cost and complex manufacturing processes of ex vivo generation of autologous CAR products have hampered broader application. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient and economical paradigm shift for exploring new sourcing strategies and engineering approaches toward generating CAR-engineered immune cells to benefit cancer patients. Currently, researchers are actively investigating various strategies to optimize the preparation and sourcing of these potent immunotherapeutic agents. In this work, the latest research progress is summarized. Perspectives on the future of CAR-engineered immune cell manufacturing are provided, and the engineering approaches, and diverse sources used for their development are focused upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaozhao Chen
- Institute of HematologyUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology1277 Jiefang AvenueWuhanHubei430022China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic DiseaseWuhan430022China
| | - Yu Hu
- Institute of HematologyUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology1277 Jiefang AvenueWuhanHubei430022China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic DiseaseWuhan430022China
| | - Heng Mei
- Institute of HematologyUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology1277 Jiefang AvenueWuhanHubei430022China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic DiseaseWuhan430022China
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Yi M, Li T, Niu M, Mei Q, Zhao B, Chu Q, Dai Z, Wu K. Exploiting innate immunity for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:187. [PMID: 38008741 PMCID: PMC10680233 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01885-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment paradigms of various types of cancers. However, most of these immunomodulatory strategies focus on harnessing adaptive immunity, mainly by inhibiting immunosuppressive signaling with immune checkpoint blockade, or enhancing immunostimulatory signaling with bispecific T cell engager and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell. Although these agents have already achieved great success, only a tiny percentage of patients could benefit from immunotherapies. Actually, immunotherapy efficacy is determined by multiple components in the tumor microenvironment beyond adaptive immunity. Cells from the innate arm of the immune system, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and unconventional T cells, also participate in cancer immune evasion and surveillance. Considering that the innate arm is the cornerstone of the antitumor immune response, utilizing innate immunity provides potential therapeutic options for cancer control. Up to now, strategies exploiting innate immunity, such as agonists of stimulator of interferon genes, CAR-macrophage or -natural killer cell therapies, metabolic regulators, and novel immune checkpoint blockade, have exhibited potent antitumor activities in preclinical and clinical studies. Here, we summarize the latest insights into the potential roles of innate cells in antitumor immunity and discuss the advances in innate arm-targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Mei
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhijun Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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Fantini M, Arlen PM, Tsang KY. Potentiation of natural killer cells to overcome cancer resistance to NK cell-based therapy and to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275904. [PMID: 38077389 PMCID: PMC10704476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275904] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cellular components of the innate immune system that can recognize and suppress the proliferation of cancer cells. NK cells can eliminate cancer cells through direct lysis, by secreting perforin and granzymes, or through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). ADCC involves the binding of the Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16), present on NK cells, to the constant region of an antibody already bound to cancer cells. Cancer cells use several mechanisms to evade antitumor activity of NK cells, including the accumulation of inhibitory cytokines, recruitment and expansion of immune suppressor cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), modulation of ligands for NK cells receptors. Several strategies have been developed to enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells with the goal of overcoming cancer cells resistance to NK cells. The three main strategies to engineer and boost NK cells cytotoxicity include boosting NK cells with modulatory cytokines, adoptive NK cell therapy, and the employment of engineered NK cells to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy. Although the first two strategies improved the efficacy of NK cell-based therapy, there are still some limitations, including immune-related adverse events, induction of immune-suppressive cells and further cancer resistance to NK cell killing. One strategy to overcome these issues is the combination of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that mediate ADCC and engineered NK cells with potentiated anti-cancer activity. The advantage of using mAbs with ADCC activity is that they can activate NK cells, but also favor the accumulation of immune effector cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Several clinical trials reported that combining engineered NK cells with mAbs with ADCC activity can result in a superior clinical response compared to mAbs alone. Next generation of clinical trials, employing engineered NK cells with mAbs with higher affinity for CD16 expressed on NK cells, will provide more effective and higher-quality treatments to cancer patients.
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Miliotou AN, Georgiou-Siafis SK, Ntenti C, Pappas IS, Papadopoulou LC. Recruiting In Vitro Transcribed mRNA against Cancer Immunotherapy: A Contemporary Appraisal of the Current Landscape. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9181-9214. [PMID: 37998753 PMCID: PMC10670245 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110576] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 100 innovative in vitro transcribed (IVT)-mRNAs are presently undergoing clinical trials, with a projected substantial impact on the pharmaceutical market in the near future. Τhe idea behind this is that after the successful cellular internalization of IVT-mRNAs, they are subsequently translated into proteins with therapeutic or prophylactic relevance. Simultaneously, cancer immunotherapy employs diverse strategies to mobilize the immune system in the battle against cancer. Therefore, in this review, the fundamental principles of IVT-mRNA to its recruitment in cancer immunotherapy, are discussed and analyzed. More specifically, this review paper focuses on the development of mRNA vaccines, the exploitation of neoantigens, as well as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cells, showcasing their clinical applications and the ongoing trials for the development of next-generation immunotherapeutics. Furthermore, this study investigates the synergistic potential of combining the CAR immunotherapy and the IVT-mRNAs by introducing our research group novel, patented delivery method that utilizes the Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) technology to transduce the IVT-mRNAs encoding the CAR of interest into the Natural Killer (NK)-92 cells, highlighting the potential for enhancing the CAR NK cell potency, efficiency, and bioenergetics. While IVT-mRNA technology brings exciting progress to cancer immunotherapy, several challenges and limitations must be acknowledged, such as safety, toxicity, and delivery issues. This comprehensive exploration of IVT-mRNA technology, in line with its applications in cancer therapeutics, offers valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges in the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy, setting the stage for future advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androulla N. Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
- Department of Health Sciences, KES College, 1055 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sofia K. Georgiou-Siafis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece;
| | - Charikleia Ntenti
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
- 1st Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Ioannis S. Pappas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece;
| | - Lefkothea C. Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
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Mehra V, Chhetri JB, Ali S, Roddie C. The Emerging Role of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as Adoptive Cellular Immunotherapeutics. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1419. [PMID: 37998018 PMCID: PMC10669440 DOI: 10.3390/biology12111419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has transformed the treatment landscape for cancer and infectious disease through the investigational use of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-Ts), tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and viral-specific T-cells (VSTs). Whilst these represent breakthrough treatments, there are subsets of patients who fail to respond to autologous ACT products. This is frequently due to impaired patient T-cell function or "fitness" as a consequence of prior treatments and age, and can be exacerbated by complex manufacturing protocols. Further, the manufacture of autologous, patient-specific products is time-consuming, expensive and non-standardised. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as an allogeneic alternative to patient-specific products can potentially overcome the issues outlined above. iPSC technology provides an unlimited source of rejuvenated iPSC-derived T-cells (T-iPSCs) or natural killer (NK) cells (NK-iPSCs), and in the context of the growing field of allogeneic ACT, iPSCs have enormous potential as a platform for generating off-the-shelf, standardised, "fit" therapeutics for patients. In this review, we evaluate current and future applications of iPSC technology in the CAR-T/NK, TIL and VST space. We discuss current and next-generation iPSC manufacturing protocols, and report on current iPSC-based adoptive therapy clinical trials to elucidate the potential of this technology as the future of ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Claire Roddie
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, Paul O’Gorman Building, London WCIE 6DD, UK
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Ahmadvand M, Barough MS, Barkhordar M, Faridfar A, Ghaderi A, Jalaeikhoo H, Rajaienejad M, Majidzadeh K, Ghavamzadeh A, Sarrami-Forooshani R. Phase I non-randomized clinical trial of allogeneic natural killer cells infusion in acute myeloid leukemia patients. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1090. [PMID: 37950209 PMCID: PMC10636850 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11610-x] [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: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A new type of immune cell transplantation called allogeneic NK cell infusion is proposed as a potential universal off-the-shelf cell product for adoptive immune cell therapy in hematologic malignancies. DESIGN A multicentral phase I non-randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy of adoptively infused NK cells in patients with refractory/relapsed AML. We evaluated the feasibility of the trial by considering cell production, patient selection, and treatment protocol. METHOD Allogeneic NK cells were produced from random healthy unrelated donors; 10 patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria and were included in two groups in case of NK cell dose escalation. Two cell infusions were given, spaced 7 days apart, following a lymphodepletion conditioning regimen of fludarabin-endoxan administered 7 days before the first infusion. The intervention safety was scored using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) based on variations in vital signs due to cell infusion. NK cell chimerism, tumor burden, and duration of relapse were considered to be components of efficacy. The pilot feasibility evaluation was checked using the CONSORT platform. RESULTS The NK cell infusion procedure was well tolerated, and no grade 2-5 toxicities related (possible or probable) to PB-NK cell infusion were observed. Four patients developed grade 1 transient chills, headaches, vomiting, and bone pain following each PB-NK cell infusion that were not required hospitalization. One of these patients (p01) died because of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Of 9 evaluable patients, 6 (66.6%) showed stable disease (SD) and 3 (33.3%) presented progressive disease (PD). Of 6 SD patients, 2 (p08 and p09) remained alive in SD and 3 patients (p04, p05 and p07) converted to PD at 9 months after infusion of NK cells, and 1 (p03) was not evaluable due to follow-up loss. No patient achieved complete remission. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of adoptive transfer of random healthy unrelated donor PB-NK cells in refractory/relapsed AML patients and supports continued study in phase II clinical trials in relapsed/refractory AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ahmadvand
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahdieh Shokrollahi Barough
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX: 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Barkhordar
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Faridfar
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX: 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin Ghaderi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology Ward, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Hasan Jalaeikhoo
- Research Center for Cancer Epidemiology and Screening, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rajaienejad
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX: 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh
- Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ardeshir Ghavamzadeh
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX: 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran.
- Cancer and cell therapy research center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ramin Sarrami-Forooshani
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX: 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran.
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Ayuso JM, Farooqui M, Virumbrales-Muñoz M, Denecke K, Rehman S, Schmitz R, Guerrero JF, Sanchez-de-Diego C, Campo SA, Maly EM, Forsberg MH, Kerr SC, Striker R, Sherer NM, Harari PM, Capitini CM, Skala MC, Beebe DJ. Microphysiological model reveals the promise of memory-like natural killer cell immunotherapy for HIV ± cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6681. [PMID: 37865647 PMCID: PMC10590421 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41625-8] [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: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies are exploring the use of cell adoptive therapies to treat hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors. However, there are numerous factors that dampen the immune response, including viruses like human immunodeficiency virus. In this study, we leverage human-derived microphysiological models to reverse-engineer the HIV-immune system interaction and evaluate the potential of memory-like natural killer cells for HIV+ head and neck cancer, one of the most common tumors in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus. Here, we evaluate multiple aspects of the memory-like natural killer cell response in human-derived bioengineered environments, including immune cell extravasation, tumor penetration, tumor killing, T cell dependence, virus suppression, and compatibility with retroviral medication. Overall, these results suggest that memory-like natural killer cells are capable of operating without T cell assistance and could simultaneously destroy head and neck cancer cells as well as reduce viral latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Ayuso
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Mehtab Farooqui
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - María Virumbrales-Muñoz
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Katheryn Denecke
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shujah Rehman
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard street, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca Schmitz
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard street, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jorge F Guerrero
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Cristina Sanchez-de-Diego
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sara Abizanda Campo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Maly
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard street, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Matthew H Forsberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA
| | - Sheena C Kerr
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Robert Striker
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA
- Vivent Health, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Nathan M Sherer
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul M Harari
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christian M Capitini
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA
| | - Melissa C Skala
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard street, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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Motallebnejad P, Kantardjieff A, Cichocki F, Azarin SM, Hu WS. Process engineering of natural killer cell-based immunotherapy. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1314-1326. [PMID: 37142447 PMCID: PMC10523923 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.018] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapy offers the potential for curative treatment of cancers. Although T cells have been the predominantly used cell type, natural killer (NK) cells have attracted great attention owing to their ability to kill cancer cells and because they are naturally suitable for allogeneic applications. Upon stimulation by cytokines or activation by a target cell, NK cells proliferate and expand their population. These cytotoxic NK cells can be cryopreserved and used as an off-the-shelf medicine. The production process for NK cells thus differs from that of autologous cell therapies. We briefly outline key biological features of NK cells, review the manufacturing technologies for protein biologics, and discuss their adaptation for developing robust NK cell biomanufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Motallebnejad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Frank Cichocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Samira M Azarin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei-Shou Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Nitta CF, Pierce M, Elia J, Ruiz J, Hipol AD, Fong N, Qazi H, Kessel S, Kuksin D, Mejia E, Lin B, Smith T, Croteau J, Schrantz N, Yang X, Chan LLY. A rapid and high-throughput T cell immunophenotyping assay for cellular therapy bioprocess using the Cellaca® PLX image cytometer. J Immunol Methods 2023; 521:113538. [PMID: 37597726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
In cellular therapies chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T or NK cells undergo phenotypic analysis at multiple stages during discovery and development of novel therapies. Patient samples are routinely analyzed via flow cytometry for population identification and distribution of CD3, CD4, and CD8 positive T cells. As an alternative or orthogonal method, image cytometry systems have been used to perform simple cell-based assays in lieu of flow cytometry. Recently, a new image cytometry system, the Cellaca® PLX (Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA), was developed for high-throughput cell counting and viability, immunophenotyping, transfection/transduction efficiency, and cell health assays. This novel instrument allows investigators to quickly assess several critical quality attributes (CQAs) such as cell identity, viability, and other relevant biological functions recommended by the International Organization for Standardization using the ISO Cell Characterization documents focused on cellular therapeutic products. In this work, we demonstrate a rapid and high-throughput image cytometry detection method for cellular immunophenotyping and viability using the Cellaca PLX system for samples throughout the cellular therapy workflow. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) underwent red blood cell (RBC) lysis and CD3 enrichment. Samples were then subsequently stained with Hoechst/CD3/CD4/CD8 or Hoechst/CD3/CD8/RubyDead Dye surface marker kits and measured on the Cellaca PLX and three different flow cytometers for side-by-side comparison and assay validation. Acquisition and analysis of cell viability and cell populations was shown to be faster and more efficient process compared to flow while achieving highly comparable results between the two technology platforms. This data shows that the Cellaca PLX Image Cytometer may provide a rapid alternative or orthogonal method for PBMC immunophenotyping experiments, as well as potentially streamline the workflow to quickly move precious patient samples downstream within the development processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Franco Nitta
- Department of Consumables and Reagent Development, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA.
| | - Mackenzie Pierce
- Department of Consumables and Reagent Development, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
| | - Jeanne Elia
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Jen Ruiz
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Art-Danniel Hipol
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Nicholas Fong
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Henry Qazi
- Department of Consumables and Reagent Development, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
| | - Sarah Kessel
- Department of Consumables and Reagent Development, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
| | - Dmitry Kuksin
- Department of Consumables and Reagent Development, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
| | - Eunice Mejia
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
| | - Timothy Smith
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
| | - Josh Croteau
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Nicolas Schrantz
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Xifeng Yang
- Department of Cell Analysis, BioLegend, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Leo Li-Ying Chan
- Department of Consumables and Reagent Development, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA; Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Revvity Health Sciences, Inc., Lawrence, MA 01843, USA
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47
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Sivonen M, Sirviö KA, Wojciechowski S, Kailaanmäki A, Kaipainen S, Bailey A, Villalba M, Kekarainen T. Cytokines impact natural killer cell phenotype and functionality against glioblastoma in vitro. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227064. [PMID: 37841273 PMCID: PMC10569479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227064] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Natural killer (NK) cells are a part of the innate immune system and first-line defense against cancer. Since they possess natural mechanisms to recognize and kill tumor cells, NK cells are considered as a potential option for an off-the-shelf allogeneic cell-based immunotherapy. Here, our objective was to identify the optimal cytokine-based, feeder-free, activation and expansion protocol for cytotoxic NK cells against glioblastoma in vitro. Methods NK cells were enriched from human peripheral blood and expanded for 16 days with different activation and cytokine combinations. The expansion conditions were evaluated based on NK cell viability, functionality, expansion rate and purity. The cytotoxicity and degranulation of the expanded NK cells were measured in vitro from co‑cultures with the glioma cell lines U‑87 MG, U‑87 MG EGFR vIII, LN-229, U-118 and DK-MG. The best expansion protocols were selected from ultimately 39 different conditions: three magnetic cell‑selection steps (Depletion of CD3+ cells, enrichment of CD56+ cells, and depletion of CD3+ cells followed by enrichment of CD56+ cells); four activation protocols (continuous, pre-activation, re-activation, and boost); and four cytokine combinations (IL-2/15, IL‑21/15, IL‑27/18/15 and IL-12/18/15). Results The expansion rates varied between 2-50-fold, depending on the donor and the expansion conditions. The best expansion rate and purity were gained with sequential selection (Depletion of CD3+ cells and enrichment of CD56+ cells) from the starting material and pre-activation with IL‑12/18/15 cytokines, which are known to produce cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells. The cytotoxicity of these memory-like NK cells was enhanced with re-activation, diminishing the donor variation. The most cytotoxic NK cells were produced when cells were boosted at the end of the expansion with IL-12/18/15 or IL-21/15. Conclusion According to our findings the ex vivo proliferation capacity and functionality of NK cells is affected by multiple factors, such as the donor, composition of starting material, cytokine combination and the activation protocol. The cytokines modified the NK cells' phenotype and functionality, which was evident in their reactivity against the glioma cell lines. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive comparative study performed to this extent, and these findings could be used for upscaling clinical NK cell manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Sivonen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Satu Kaipainen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Aubrey Bailey
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Villalba
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Chikileva IO, Bruter AV, Persiyantseva NA, Zamkova MA, Vlasenko RY, Dolzhikova YI, Shubina IZ, Donenko FV, Lebedinskaya OV, Sokolova DV, Pokrovsky VS, Fedorova PO, Ustyuzhanina NE, Anisimova NY, Nifantiev NE, Kiselevskiy MV. Anti-Cancer Potential of Transiently Transfected HER2-Specific Human Mixed CAR-T and NK Cell Populations in Experimental Models: Initial Studies on Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate Usage for Safer Treatment. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2563. [PMID: 37761005 PMCID: PMC10526813 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092563] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in numerous cancer cell types. Therapeutic antibodies and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) against HER2 were developed to treat human tumors. The major limitation of anti-HER2 CAR-T lymphocyte therapy is attributable to the low HER2 expression in a wide range of normal tissues. Thus, side effects are caused by CAR lymphocyte "on-target off-tumor" reactions. We aimed to develop safer HER2-targeting CAR-based therapy. CAR constructs against HER2 tumor-associated antigen (TAA) for transient expression were delivered into target T and natural killer (NK) cells by an effective and safe non-viral transfection method via nucleofection, excluding the risk of mutations associated with viral transduction. Different in vitro end-point and real-time assays of the CAR lymphocyte antitumor cytotoxicity and in vivo human HER2-positive tumor xenograft mice model proved potent cytotoxic activity of the generated CAR-T-NK cells. Our data suggest transient expression of anti-HER2 CARs in plasmid vectors by human lymphocytes as a safer treatment for HER2-positive human cancers. We also conducted preliminary investigations to elucidate if fucosylated chondroitin sulfate may be used as a possible agent to decrease excessive cytokine production without negative impact on the CAR lymphocyte antitumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina O. Chikileva
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Alexandra V. Bruter
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nadezhda A. Persiyantseva
- Research Institute of Carcinogenesis, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.P.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Maria A. Zamkova
- Research Institute of Carcinogenesis, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.P.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Raimonda Ya. Vlasenko
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Yuliya I. Dolzhikova
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Irina Zh. Shubina
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Fedor V. Donenko
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Olga V. Lebedinskaya
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Cytology, EA Vagner Perm State Medical University, 614000 Perm, Russia;
| | - Darina V. Sokolova
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
- Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim S. Pokrovsky
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
- Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina O. Fedorova
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
- Microbiology, Virology and Immunology Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
- II Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums, 105064 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Natalia Yu. Anisimova
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Nikolay E. Nifantiev
- ND Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Mikhail V. Kiselevskiy
- Research Institute of Experimental Therapy and Diagnostics of Tumor, NN Blokhin National Medical Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (R.Y.V.); (Y.I.D.); (I.Z.S.); (F.V.D.); (D.V.S.); (V.S.P.); (P.O.F.); (N.Y.A.); (M.V.K.)
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49
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Ge C, Selvaganapathy PR, Geng F. Advancing our understanding of bioreactors for industrial-sized cell culture: health care and cellular agriculture implications. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C580-C591. [PMID: 37486066 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00408.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Bioreactors are advanced biomanufacturing tools that have been widely used to develop various applications in the fields of health care and cellular agriculture. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of bioreactors to enhance the efficiency and scalability of these technologies. In cell therapy, bioreactors have been used to expand and differentiate cells into specialized cell types that can be used for transplantation or tissue regeneration. In cultured meat production, bioreactors offer a controlled and efficient means of producing meat without the need for animal farming. Bioreactors can support the growth of muscle cells by providing the necessary conditions for cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation, including the provision of oxygen and nutrients. This review article aims to provide an overview of the current state of bioreactor technology in both cell therapy and cultured meat production. It will examine the various bioreactor types and their applications in these fields, highlighting their advantages and limitations. In addition, it will explore the future prospects and challenges of bioreactor technology in these emerging fields. Overall, this review will provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners interested in using bioreactor technology to develop innovative solutions in the biomanufacturing of therapeutic cells and cultured meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Ge
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Fei Geng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Reina-Ortiz C, Mozas MP, Ovelleiro D, Gao F, Villalba M, Anel A. Dynamic Changes in miRNA Expression during the Generation of Expanded and Activated NK Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13556. [PMID: 37686362 PMCID: PMC10488243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapies based on allogenic Natural Killer (NK) cells are becoming increasingly relevant, and our laboratory has produced expanded and activated NK (eNK) cells that are highly cytotoxic against several hematological cancers when used alone or in combination with currently approved therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. In order to produce eNK cells, healthy human donor NK cells undergo a 20-day expansion protocol with IL-2, IL-15 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid feeder cells. In order to produce an even more potent eNK-based therapy, we must elucidate the changes our protocol produces within healthy NK cells. To understand the post-transcriptional changes responsible for the increased cytolytic abilities of eNK cells, we performed microRNA (miRNA) expression analysis on purified NK cells from day 0 and day 20 of the protocol using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Of the 384 miRNAs profiled, we observed changes in the expression of 64 miRNAs, with especially significant changes in 7 of them. The up-regulated miRNAs of note were miRs-146a, -124, -34a, and -10a, which are key in the regulation of cell survival through the modulation of pro-apoptotic genes such as PUMA. The down-regulation of miRs-199a, -223, and -340 was also detected and is associated with the promotion of NK cell cytotoxicity. We validated our analysis using immunoblot and flow cytometry studies on specific downstream targets of both up- and down-regulated miRNAs such as PUMA and Granzyme B. These results corroborate the functional importance of the described miRNA expression patterns and show the wide variety of changes that occur in eNK cells at day 20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Reina-Ortiz
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Department Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.R.-O.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Mª Pilar Mozas
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Department Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.R.-O.); (M.P.M.)
| | - David Ovelleiro
- Peripheral Nervous System, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Fei Gao
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Center Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (F.G.); (M.V.)
- Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410017, China
| | - Martín Villalba
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Center Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (F.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Alberto Anel
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Department Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.R.-O.); (M.P.M.)
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