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Lee S, Joo Y, Lee EJ, Byeon Y, Kim JH, Pyo KH, Kim YS, Lim SM, Kilbride P, Iyer RK, Li M, French MC, Lee JY, Kang J, Byun H, Cho BC. Successful expansion and cryopreservation of human natural killer cell line NK-92 for clinical manufacturing. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294857. [PMID: 38394177 PMCID: PMC10889882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have recently shown renewed promise as therapeutic cells for use in treating hematologic cancer indications. Despite this promise, NK cell manufacturing workflows remain largely manual, open, and disconnected, and depend on feeders, as well as outdated unit operations or processes, often utilizing research-grade reagents. Successful scale-up of NK cells critically depends on the availability and performance of nutrient-rich expansion media and cryopreservation conditions that are conducive to high cell viability and recovery post-thaw. In this paper we used Cytiva hardware and media to expand the NK92 cell line in a model process that is suitable for GMP and clinical manufacturing of NK cells. We tested a range of cryopreservation factors including cooling rate, a range of DMSO-containing and DMSO-free cryoprotectants, ice nucleation, and cell density. Higher post-thaw recovery was seen in cryobags over cryovials cooled in identical conditions, and cooling rates of 1°C/min or 2°C/min optimal for cryopreservation in DMSO-containing and DMSO-free cryoprotectants respectively. Higher cell densities of 5x107 cells/ml gave higher post-thaw viability than those cryopreserved at either 1x106 or 5x106 cells/ml. This enabled us to automate, close and connect unit operations within the workflow while demonstrating superior expansion and cryopreservation of NK92 cells. Cellular outputs and performance were conducive to clinical dosing regimens, serving as a proof-of-concept for future clinical and commercial manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunjoo Joo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngseon Byeon
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Peter Kilbride
- Global Life Sciences Solutions, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rohin K. Iyer
- Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC 100 Results Way, Marlborough, MA, United States of America
| | - Mingming Li
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., HarbourFront Center, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mandy C. French
- Global Life Sciences Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
| | - Jung-Yub Lee
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Limited 5F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeeheon Kang
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Limited 5F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyesin Byun
- Global Life Sciences Solutions Korea Limited 5F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Eresen A, Pang Y, Zhang Z, Hou Q, Chen Z, Yu G, Wang Y, Yaghmai V, Zhang Z. Sorafenib plus memory like natural killer cell combination therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:344-354. [PMID: 38323279 PMCID: PMC10839321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, FDA-approved therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leads to limited improvement in overall survival. However, it may indirectly impact the expansion and activity of natural killer (NK) cells. While NK cell-based immunotherapies generally exhibit favorable safety profiles, their effectiveness in controlling solid tumor growth is constrained, primarily due to the absence of antigen specificity and suboptimal expansion and persistence within the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we postulated that enhancing NK cell functionality via cytokine activation could bolster their viability and cytotoxic capabilities, leading to an improved therapeutic response when combined with sorafenib. Memory-like (ML)-NK cells were generated through the supplementation of optimal concentrations of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 cytokines. Following a single day of treatment, cytotoxicity against rat and human HCC cells was evaluated via flow cytometry analysis. A rat HCC model was developed in 30 animals via subcapsular implantation and assigned to control, NK, sorafenib, ML-NK, and combination groups. Sorafenib was administered orally, and NK cells were delivered via the intrahepatic artery. Tumor growth was measured one week after treatment evaluation. Therapeutic efficacy during in-vitro and in-vivo analysis was investigated through a one-way ANOVA test, followed by pairwise two-tailed Student t-tests, considering P < 0.05 statistically significant. The in-vitro experiment results demonstrated that sorafenib and conventional NK cell therapies induced more substantial cell death than the control group (P < 0.01). ML NK cells significantly improved cell death compared to conventional NK cell immunotherapy. Furthermore, sorafenib in combination with ML-NK cells significantly decreased the viability of HCC cells (P < 0.05) compared to sorafenib plus conventional NK cell combination therapy. In vivo experiments have shown that sorafenib and ML-NK cell immunotherapy reduced the growth rate of HCC tumors compared to conventional NK immunotherapy and control groups. Notably, a combination of sorafenib and ML-NK cell immunochemotherapy resulted in the most significant suppression of tumor growth when compared to other therapies. In conclusion, our experimental findings demonstrate that the concurrent administration of sorafenib and ML-NK immunotherapy enhances cytotoxicity against HCC by optimizing the therapeutic response through cytokine activation, resulting in a significant decrease in tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aydin Eresen
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
| | - Yongsheng Pang
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
| | - Zigeng Zhang
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
| | - Qiaoming Hou
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
| | - Zhilin Chen
- Department of Human Biology and Business Administration, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guangbo Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
| | - Yining Wang
- Department of Radiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
| | - Vahid Yaghmai
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California IrvineIrvine, CA, USA
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Liu W, Zhao Y, Liu Z, Zhang G, Wu H, Zheng X, Tang X, Chen Z. Therapeutic effects against high-grade glioblastoma mediated by engineered induced neural stem cells combined with GD2-specific CAR-NK. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1747-1762. [PMID: 37420122 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00842-5] [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] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-grade glioblastoma is extremely challenging to treat because of its aggressiveness and resistance to conventional chemo- and radio-therapies. On the contrary, genetic and cellular immunotherapeutic strategies based on the stem and immune cells are emerging as promising treatments against glioblastoma (GBM). We aimed to developed a novel combined immunotherapeutic strategy to improve the treatment efficacy using genetically engineered PBMC-derived induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) expressing HSV-TK and second-generation CAR-NK cells against GBM. METHODS iNSCs cells expressing HSV-TK (iNSCsTK) and GD2-specific CAR-NK92 (GD2NK92) were generated from PBMC-derived iNSCs and NK92 cell lines, respectively. The anti-tumor effect of iNSCsTK and the combinational therapeutics of iNSCsTK and GD2NK92 were evaluated by GBM cell line using in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS PBMC-derived iNSCsTK possessed tumor-tropism migration ability in vitro and in vivo, which exhibited considerable anti-tumor activity via bystander effect in the presence of ganciclovir (GCV). iNSCsTK/GCV could slow GBM progression and prolong median survival in tumor-bearing mice. However, the anti-tumor effect was limited to single therapy. Therefore, the combinational therapeutic effect of iNSCsTK/GCV and GD2NK92 against GBM was investigated. This approach displayed a more significant anti-tumor effect in vitro and in xenograft tumor mice. CONCLUSIONS PBMC-derived iNSCsTK showed a significant tumor-tropic migration and an effective anti-tumor activity with GCV in vitro and in vivo. In addition, combined with GD2NK92, iNSCsTK therapeutic efficacy improved dramatically to prolong the tumor-bearing animal model's median survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhongfeng Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Guangji Zhang
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Huantong Wu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xihe Tang
- Neurosurgery Center of Aeronautical General Hospital, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China.
- , Beijing, China.
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Karahan ZS, Aras M, Sütlü T. TCR-NK Cells: A Novel Source for Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer. Turk J Haematol 2023; 40:1-10. [PMID: 36719099 PMCID: PMC9979742 DOI: 10.4274/tjh.galenos.2022.2022.0534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific retargeting of cytotoxic lymphocytes against tumor-associated antigens has thus far remained largely dependent on chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that can be constructed by the fusion of an extracellular targeting domain (classically a single-chain variable fragment from an antibody) fused with intracellular signaling domains to trigger activation of T or natural killer (NK) cells. A major limitation of CAR-based therapies is that this technology only allows for the targeting of antigens that would be located on the surface of target cells while non-surface antigens, which affect approximately three-fourths of all human genes, remain out of reach. The targeting of non-surface antigens is only possible using inherent T cell receptor (TCR) mechanisms. However, introducing a second TCR into T cells via genetic modification is problematic due to the heterodimeric nature of the TCR ligand-binding domain, which is composed of TCR α and β chains. It has been observed that the delivery of a second TCR α/β pair may lead to the mispairing of new TCR chains with the endogenously expressed ones and create mixed TCR dimers, and this has negatively affected the advancement of TCR-based T cell therapies. Recently, NK cells have been put forward as possible effectors for TCR gene therapy. Since NK cells do not endogenously express TCR chains, this seems to be an infallible approach to circumventing the problem of mispairing. Moreover, the similarity of intracellular signaling pathways and mechanisms of cytotoxicity between NK and T cells ensures that the triggering of antigen-specific responses by the TCR/CD3 complex can be used to induce antigen-specific cytotoxicity by TCR-modified NK (TCR-NK) cells. This review provides an overview of the initial studies of TCR-NK cells, identifies open questions in the field, and defines the place of this approach within the spectrum of adoptive immunotherapy techniques that rely on cytotoxic lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Sena Karahan
- Boğaziçi University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mertkaya Aras
- Boğaziçi University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye,Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Tolga Sütlü
- Boğaziçi University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye,* Address for Correspondence: Boğaziçi University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye E-mail:
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Ghaedrahmati F, Esmaeil N, Abbaspour M. Targeting immune checkpoints: how to use natural killer cells for fighting against solid tumors. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 43:177-213. [PMID: 36585761 PMCID: PMC9926962 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate immune cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. Thus, they might hold great potential for cancer immunotherapy. NK cell adoptive immunotherapy in humans has shown modest efficacy. In particular, it has failed to demonstrate therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of solid tumors, possibly due in part to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which reduces NK cell immunotherapy's efficiencies. It is known that immune checkpoints play a prominent role in creating an immunosuppressive TME, leading to NK cell exhaustion and tumor immune escape. Therefore, NK cells must be reversed from their dysfunctional status and increased in their effector roles in order to improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Blockade of immune checkpoints can not only rescue NK cells from exhaustion but also augment their robust anti-tumor activity. In this review, we discussed immune checkpoint blockade strategies with a focus on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells to redirect NK cells to cancer cells in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeil
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran,Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‐Communicable DiseaseIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Maryam Abbaspour
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyFaculty of PharmacyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
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Fu Y, Chen Y, Xie Z, Huang H, Tan WS, Cai H. Vitamin combination promotes ex vivo expansion of NK-92 cells by reprogramming glucose metabolism. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:87. [PMID: 38647839 PMCID: PMC10991583 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-022-00578-4] [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: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Robust ex vivo expansion of NK-92 cells is essential for clinical immunotherapy. The vitamin B group is critical for the expansion and function of immune cells. This study optimized a vitamin combination by response surface methodology based on an in-house designed chemically defined serum-free medium EM. The serum-free medium EM-V4 with an optimal vitamin combination favoured ex vivo expansion of NK-92 cells. The characteristics of glucose metabolism of NK-92 cells in EM-V4 and the relationships between cell expansion and metabolism were investigated. NK-92 cells in EM-V4 underwent metabolic reprogramming. An elevated ratio of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase/phosphofructokinase (G6PDH/PFK) indicated that NK-92 cells shifted towards the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). An increase in the ratio of pyruvate dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase (PDH/LDH) suggested that the cells shifted towards the Krebs (TCA) cycle, i.e., from glycolysis to aerobic metabolism. The enhanced ratio of oxygen consumption rate/extracellular acidification rate (OCR/ECAR) indicated that NK-92 cells were more reliant on mitochondrial respiration than on glycolysis. This shift provided more intermediate metabolites and energy for biosynthesis. Thus, EM-V4 accelerated biomass accumulation and energy production to promote NK-92 cell expansion by regulating the metabolic distribution. Our results provide valuable insight for the large-scale ex vivo expansion of clinically available NK-92 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, P. O. Box 309#, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, P. O. Box 309#, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhepei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, P. O. Box 309#, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, P. O. Box 309#, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Song Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, P. O. Box 309#, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibo Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, P. O. Box 309#, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China.
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Silva DN, Chrobok M, Rovesti G, Healy K, Wagner AK, Maravelia P, Gatto F, Mazza M, Mazzotti L, Lohmann V, Sällberg Chen M, Sällberg M, Buggert M, Pasetto A. Process Development for Adoptive Cell Therapy in Academia: A Pipeline for Clinical-Scale Manufacturing of Multiple TCR-T Cell Products. Front Immunol 2022; 13:896242. [PMID: 35784320 PMCID: PMC9243500 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.896242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapies based on T cell receptor (TCR) transfer are promising approaches for the treatment of cancer and chronic viral infections. The discovery of novel receptors is expanding considerably; however, the clinical development of TCR-T cell therapies still lags. Here we provide a pipeline for process development and clinical-scale manufacturing of TCR-T cells in academia. We utilized two TCRs specific for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as models because of their marked differences in avidity and functional profile in TCR-redirected cells. With our clinical-scale pipeline, we reproduced the functional profile associated with each TCR. Moreover, the two TCR-T cell products demonstrated similar yield, purity, transduction efficiency as well as phenotype. The TCR-T cell products had a highly reproducible yield of over 1.4 × 109 cells, with an average viability of 93%; 97.8–99% of cells were CD3+, of which 47.66 ± 2.02% were CD8+ T cells; the phenotype was markedly associated with central memory (CD62L+CD45RO+) for CD4+ (93.70 ± 5.23%) and CD8+ (94.26 ± 4.04%). The functional assessments in 2D and 3D cell culture assays showed that TCR-T cells mounted a polyfunctional response to the cognate HCV peptide target in tumor cell lines, including killing. Collectively, we report a solid strategy for the efficient large-scale manufacturing of TCR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giulia Rovesti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Oncology, Laboratory of Cellular Therapy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Katie Healy
- Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arnika Kathleen Wagner
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Francesca Gatto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Massimiliano Mazza
- Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and Biobank (ITCB), IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Lucia Mazzotti
- Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and Biobank (ITCB), IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Matti Sällberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Buggert
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Pasetto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Anna Pasetto,
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Kotzur R, Duev-Cohen A, Kol I, Reches A, Mandelboim O, Stein N. NK-92 cells retain vitality and functionality when grown in standard cell culture conditions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264897. [PMID: 35294457 PMCID: PMC8926178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NK-92 cells are an off-the-shelf, cell-based immunotherapy currently in clinical trials for a variety of cancer types. As the most 'NK-like' cell line available, it is also an important research tool. To date, NK-92 cells have been cultivated in a costly and time-consumingly prepared specialized medium, complicating research with these cells. Here we show that NK-92 cells grow in the comparatively user-friendly RPMI medium supplemented with IL-2. We demonstrate that their metabolic activity and replication rates are even improved in RPMI. Furthermore, they can be grown in cell culture dishes and do not need to be expanded in ventilated flasks. We show that in RPMI the cells retain functional characteristics relating to receptor expression, IFN-γ secretion, and killing. Our findings will enable more researchers to work with and manipulate this cell line, hopefully leading to further discoveries and improved therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kotzur
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexandra Duev-Cohen
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Inbal Kol
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adi Reches
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- * E-mail: (OM); (NS)
| | - Natan Stein
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- * E-mail: (OM); (NS)
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9
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Fang F, Xie S, Chen M, Li Y, Yue J, Ma J, Shu X, He Y, Xiao W, Tian Z. Advances in NK cell production. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:460-481. [PMID: 34983953 PMCID: PMC8975878 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00808-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on natural killer (NK) cells is a promising approach for treating a variety of cancers. Unlike T cells, NK cells recognize target cells via a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent mechanism and, without being sensitized, kill the cells directly. Several strategies for obtaining large quantities of NK cells with high purity and high cytotoxicity have been developed. These strategies include the use of cytokine-antibody fusions, feeder cells or membrane particles to stimulate the proliferation of NK cells and enhance their cytotoxicity. Various materials, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and NK cell lines, have been used as sources to generate NK cells for immunotherapy. Moreover, genetic modification technologies to improve the proliferation of NK cells have also been developed to enhance the functions of NK cells. Here, we summarize the recent advances in expansion strategies with or without genetic manipulation of NK cells derived from various cellular sources. We also discuss the closed, automated and GMP-controlled large-scale expansion systems used for NK cells and possible future NK cell-based immunotherapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Siqi Xie
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Minhua Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Xun Shu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yongge He
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Zhigang Tian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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10
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Roex G, Campillo-Davo D, Flumens D, Shaw PAG, Krekelbergh L, De Reu H, Berneman ZN, Lion E, Anguille S. Two for one: targeting BCMA and CD19 in B-cell malignancies with off-the-shelf dual-CAR NK-92 cells. J Transl Med 2022; 20:124. [PMID: 35287669 PMCID: PMC8919645 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03326-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has proven to be a valuable new treatment option for patients with B-cell malignancies. However, by applying selective pressure, outgrowth of antigen-negative tumor cells can occur, eventually resulting in relapse. Subsequent rescue by administration of CAR-T cells with different antigen-specificity indicates that those tumor cells are still sensitive to CAR-T treatment and points towards a multi-target strategy. Due to their natural tumor sensitivity and highly cytotoxic nature, natural killer (NK) cells are a compelling alternative to T cells, especially considering the availability of an off-the-shelf unlimited supply in the form of the clinically validated NK-92 cell line.
Methods
Given our goal to develop a flexible system whereby the CAR expression repertoire of the effector cells can be rapidly adapted to the changing antigen expression profile of the target cells, electrotransfection with CD19-/BCMA-CAR mRNA was chosen as CAR loading method in this study. We evaluated the functionality of mRNA-engineered dual-CAR NK-92 against tumor B-cell lines and primary patient samples. In order to test the clinical applicability of the proposed cell therapy product, the effect of irradiation on the proliferative rate and functionality of dual-CAR NK-92 cells was investigated.
Results
Co-electroporation of CD19 and BMCA CAR mRNA was highly efficient, resulting in 88.1% dual-CAR NK-92 cells. In terms of CD107a degranulation, and secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ and granzyme B, dual-CAR NK-92 significantly outperformed single-CAR NK-92. More importantly, the killing capacity of dual-CAR NK-92 exceeded 60% of single and dual antigen-expressing cell lines, as well as primary tumor cells, in a 4h co-culture assay at low effector to target ratios, matching that of single-CAR counterparts. Furthermore, our results confirm that dual-CAR NK-92 irradiated with 10 Gy cease to proliferate and are gradually cleared while maintaining their killing capacity.
Conclusions
Here, using the clinically validated NK-92 cell line as a therapeutic cell source, we established a readily accessible and flexible platform for the generation of highly functional dual-targeted CAR-NK cells.
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11
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Balatsoukas A, Rossignoli F, Shah K. NK cells in the brain: implications for brain tumor development and therapy. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:194-209. [PMID: 35078713 PMCID: PMC8882142 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells with robust antitumor functions rendering them promising therapeutic tools against malignancies. Despite constituting a minor fraction of the immune cells infiltrating tumors in the brain, insights into their role in central nervous system (CNS) pathophysiology are emerging. The challenges posed by a profoundly immunosuppressive microenvironment as well as by tumor resistance mechanisms necessitate exploring avenues to enhance the therapeutic potential of NK cells in both primary and metastatic brain malignancies. In this review, we summarize the role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of tumors in the brain and discuss the avenues investigated to harness their anticancer effects against primary and metastatic CNS tumors, including sources of therapeutic NK cells, combinations with other treatments, and novel engineering approaches for augmenting their cytotoxicity. We also highlight relevant preclinical evidence and clinical trials of NK cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agisilaos Balatsoukas
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Filippo Rossignoli
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Khalid Shah
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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12
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Abomaray F, Wagner AK, Chrobok M, Ekblad-Nordberg Å, Gidlöf S, Alici E, Götherström C. The Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived From Endometriotic Lesions on Natural Killer Cell Function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:612714. [PMID: 34988070 PMCID: PMC8722454 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.612714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that presents with ectopic endometriotic lesions. Reduced immunosurveillance of these lesions has been proposed to be playing a role in the pathology of endometriosis. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are found in ectopic lesions and may decrease immunosurveillance. In the present study, we examined if MSC contribute to reduced immunosurveillance through their immunosuppressive effects on natural killer (NK) cells. Stromal cells from endometriotic ovarian cysts (ESCcyst) and eutopic endometrium (ESCendo) of women with endometriosis and their conditioned medium were used in co-cultures with allogeneic peripheral blood NK cells. Following culture, NK cells were examined phenotypically for their expression of activating, inhibitory, maturation, and adhesion receptors and co-receptors, as well as the degranulation (CD107a) marker and the immunostimulatory (interferon-γ) and immunosuppressive (transforming growth factor beta 1 and interleukin-10) cytokines. Moreover, NK cell cytotoxicity was examined using chromium 51 release killing assays. There were no differences between ESCcyst and ESCendo regarding their effects on NK cell cytotoxicity in both conditioned medium and direct co-culture experiments. Additionally, there were no differences between ESCcyst and ESCendo regarding their impact on NK cells’ phenotype and degranulation in both conditioned medium and direct co-culture experiments. Although there were no differences found for DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1) and NKp44, we found that the expression of the NK cell ligand CD155 that binds DNAM-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) that binds NKp44 was significantly less on ESCcyst than on ESCendo. These findings were not supported by the results that the expression of the known and unknown ligands on ESCcyst for DNAM-1 and NKp44 using chimeric proteins was not significantly different compared to ESCendo. In conclusion, the results suggest that ectopic MSC may not contribute to reduced immunosurveillance in endometriosis through their inhibitory effects on NK cells. This suggests that NK cell inhibition in the pelvic cavity of women with endometriosis develops due to other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawaz Abomaray
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Fawaz Abomaray, ,
| | - Arnika Kathleen Wagner
- Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Ekblad-Nordberg
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Gidlöf
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm South General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Evren Alici
- Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Götherström
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Understanding and improving cellular immunotherapies against cancer: From cell-manufacturing to tumor-immune models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:114003. [PMID: 34653533 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is shaped by dynamic metabolic and immune interactions between precancerous and cancerous tumor cells and stromal cells like epithelial cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and hematopoietically-derived immune cells. The metabolic states of the TME, including the hypoxic and acidic niches, influence the immunosuppressive phenotypes of the stromal and immune cells, which confers resistance to both host-mediated tumor killing and therapeutics. Numerous in vitro TME platforms for studying immunotherapies, including cell therapies, are being developed. However, we do not yet understand which immune and stromal components are most critical and how much model complexity is needed to answer specific questions. In addition, scalable sourcing and quality-control of appropriate TME cells for reproducibly manufacturing these platforms remain challenging. In this regard, lessons from the manufacturing of immunomodulatory cell therapies could provide helpful guidance. Although immune cell therapies have shown unprecedented results in hematological cancers and hold promise in solid tumors, their manufacture poses significant scale, cost, and quality control challenges. This review first provides an overview of the in vivo TME, discussing the most influential cell populations in the tumor-immune landscape. Next, we summarize current approaches for cell therapies against cancers and the relevant manufacturing platforms. We then evaluate current immune-tumor models of the TME and immunotherapies, highlighting the complexity, architecture, function, and cell sources. Finally, we present the technical and fundamental knowledge gaps in both cell manufacturing systems and immune-TME models that must be addressed to elucidate the interactions between endogenous tumor immunity and exogenous engineered immunity.
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14
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Garcia-Aponte OF, Herwig C, Kozma B. Lymphocyte expansion in bioreactors: upgrading adoptive cell therapy. J Biol Eng 2021; 15:13. [PMID: 33849630 PMCID: PMC8042697 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-021-00264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioreactors are essential tools for the development of efficient and high-quality cell therapy products. However, their application is far from full potential, holding several challenges when reconciling the complex biology of the cells to be expanded with the need for a manufacturing process that is able to control cell growth and functionality towards therapy affordability and opportunity. In this review, we discuss and compare current bioreactor technologies by performing a systematic analysis of the published data on automated lymphocyte expansion for adoptive cell therapy. We propose a set of requirements for bioreactor design and identify trends on the applicability of these technologies, highlighting the specific challenges and major advancements for each one of the current approaches of expansion along with the opportunities that lie in process intensification. We conclude on the necessity to develop targeted solutions specially tailored for the specific stimulation, supplementation and micro-environmental needs of lymphocytes’ cultures, and the benefit of applying knowledge-based tools for process control and predictability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Fabian Garcia-Aponte
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Herwig
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bence Kozma
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstraße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
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15
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Taştan C, Kançağı DD, Turan RD, Yurtsever B, Çakırsoy D, Abanuz S, Yılancı M, Seyis U, Özer S, Mert S, Kayhan CK, Tokat F, Açıkel Elmas M, Birdoğan S, Arbak S, Yalçın K, Sezgin A, Kızılkılıç E, Hemşinlioğlu C, İnce Ü, Ratip S, Ovalı E. Preclinical Assessment of Efficacy and Safety Analysis of CAR-T Cells (ISIKOK-19) Targeting CD19-Expressing B-Cells for the First Turkish Academic Clinical Trial with Relapsed/Refractory ALL and NHL Patients. Turk J Haematol 2020; 37:234-247. [PMID: 32755128 PMCID: PMC7702660 DOI: 10.4274/tjh.galenos.2020.2020.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Relapsed and refractory CD19-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are the focus of studies on hematological cancers. Treatment of these malignancies has undergone recent transformation with the development of new gene therapy and molecular biology techniques, which are safer and well-tolerated therapeutic approaches. The CD19 antigen is the most studied therapeutic target in these hematological cancers. This study reports the results of clinical-grade production, quality control, and in vivo efficacy processes of ISIKOK-19 cells as the first academic clinical trial of CAR-T cells targeting CD19-expressing B cells in relapsed/refractory ALL and NHL patients in Turkey. Materials and Methods We used a lentiviral vector encoding the CD19 antigen-specific antibody head (FMC63) conjugated with the CD8-CD28-CD3ζ sequence as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) along with a truncated form of EGFR (EGFRt) on human T-lymphocytes (CAR-T). We preclinically assessed the efficacy and safety of the manufactured CAR-T cells, namely ISIKOK-19, from both healthy donors’ and ALL/NHL patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results We showed significant enhancement of CAR lentivirus transduction efficacy in T-cells using BX-795, an inhibitor of the signaling molecule TBK1/IKKƐ, in order to cut the cost of CAR-T cell production. In addition, ISIKOK-19 cells demonstrated a significantly high level of cytotoxicity specifically against a CD19+ B-lymphocyte cancer model, RAJI cells, in NOD/SCID mice. Conclusion This is the first report of preclinical assessment of efficacy and safety analysis of CAR-T cells (ISIKOK-19) targeting CD19-expressing B cells in relapsed/refractory ALL and NHL patients in Turkey.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, CD19/genetics
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lentivirus/genetics
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/etiology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/etiology
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Cihan Taştan
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | - Bulut Yurtsever
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Didem Çakırsoy
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selen Abanuz
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Utku Seyis
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Samed Özer
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Animal Application and Research Center, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selin Mert
- Boğaziçi University, Center of Life Sciences and Technologies, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Fatma Tokat
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Açıkel Elmas
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Birdoğan
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Arbak
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Koray Yalçın
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
- Medical Park Göztepe Hospital, Pediatric Hematopoetic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Ümit İnce
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Siret Ratip
- Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ercüment Ovalı
- Acıbadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, İstanbul, Turkey
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16
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Bendickova K, Fric J. Roles of IL-2 in bridging adaptive and innate immunity, and as a tool for cellular immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:427-437. [PMID: 32480431 PMCID: PMC7384134 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5mir0420-055r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IL-2 was initially characterized as a T cell growth factor in the 1970s, and has been studied intensively ever since. Decades of research have revealed multiple and diverse roles for this potent cytokine, indicating a unique linking role between adaptive and innate arms of the immune system. Here, we review the literature showing that IL-2 is expressed in a plethora of cell types across the immune system, where it has indispensable functions in orchestrating cellular interactions and shaping the nature and magnitude of immune responses. Emerging from the basic research that has revealed the molecular mechanisms and the complexity of the biologic actions of IL-2, several immunotherapeutic approaches have now focused on manipulating the levels of this cytokine in patients. These strategies range from inhibition of IL-2 to achieve immunosuppression, to the application of IL-2 as a vaccine adjuvant and in cancer therapies. This review will systematically summarize the major findings in the field and identify key areas requiring further research in order to realize the potential of IL-2 in the treatment of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Bendickova
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University Hospital BrnoBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Jan Fric
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University Hospital BrnoBrnoCzech Republic
- Institute of Hematology and Blood TransfusionPragueCzech Republic
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17
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Concise review on optimized methods in production and transduction of lentiviral vectors in order to facilitate immunotherapy and gene therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 128:110276. [PMID: 32502836 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) have provided an efficient way to integrate our gene of interest into eukaryote cells. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-derived LVs have been vastly studied to become an invaluable asset in gene delivery. This abled LVs to be used in both research laboratories and gene therapy. Pseudotyping HIV-1 based LVs, abled it to transduce different types of cells, especially hematopoietic stem cells. A wide range of tropism, plus to the ability to integrate genes into target cells, made LVs an armamentarium in gene therapy. The third and fourth generations of self-inactivating LVs are being used to achieve safe gene therapy. Not only advanced methods enabled the clinical-grade LV production on a large scale, but also considerably heightened transduction efficiency. One of which is microfluidic systems that revolutionized gene delivery approaches. Since gene therapy using LVs attracted lots of attention to itself, we provided a brief review of LV structure and life-cycle along with methods for improving both LV production and transduction. Also, we mentioned some of their utilization in immunotherapy and gene therapy.
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18
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Evaluation of serum-free media formulations in feeder cell-stimulated expansion of natural killer cells. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:322-328. [PMID: 32278551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal expansion of therapeutic natural killer (NK) cell products has required media supplementation with human or fetal bovine serum, which raises safety and regulatory concerns for clinical manufacturing. Serum-free media (SFM) have been optimized for T-cell expansion, but few SFM systems have been developed for NK cells. Here, we compare six commercial clinical-grade SFM with our standard fetal bovine serum-containing medium for their ability to support NK cell expansion and function. METHODS Human peripheral blood NK cells were expanded in selected media by recursive weekly stimulation with K562-based feeder cells expressing membrane-bound interleukin-21 and CD137L. Expansion was the primary readout, and the best-performing SFM was then compared with standard medium for cytotoxicity, phenotype, degranulation and cytokine secretion. Multiple lots were compared for consistency, and media was analyzed throughout for nutrient consumption and metabolic byproducts. RESULTS TexMACS, OpTmizer, SCGM, ABS-001 and StemXVivo demonstrated equal or inferior NK cell expansion kinetics compared with standard medium, but expansion was markedly superior with AIM V + 5% Immune Cell Serum Replacement (ICSR; mean 5448 vs. 2621-fold expansion in 14 days). Surprisingly, NK cells expanded in AIM V + ICSR also showed increased cytotoxicity, tumor necrosis factor α secretion and DNAM-1, NKG2D, NKp30, FasL, granzyme B and perforin expression. Lot-to-lot variability was minimal. Glucose and glutamine consumption were inversely related to lactate and ammonia production. DISCUSSION The AIM V + ICSR SFM system supports excellent ex vivo expansion of clinical-grade NK cells with the phenotype and function needed for adoptive immunotherapy.
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19
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Natural Killer Cells as Allogeneic Effectors in Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060769. [PMID: 31163679 PMCID: PMC6628161 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive within adoptive transfer settings in cancer immunotherapy due to their potential for allogeneic use; their alloreactivity is enhanced under conditions of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) mismatch with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands on cancer cells. In addition to this, NK cells are platforms for genetic modification, and proliferate in vivo for a shorter time relative to T cells, limiting off-target activation. Current clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic NK cell adoptive transfer therapies as a means for treatment of hematologic malignancies and, to a lesser extent, solid tumors. However, challenges associated with sourcing allogeneic NK cells have given rise to controversy over the contribution of NK cells to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Specifically, blood-derived NK cell infusions contain contaminating T cells, whose activation with NK-stimulating cytokines has been known to lead to heightened release of proinflammatory cytokines and trigger the onset of GvHD in vivo. NK cells sourced from cell lines and stem cells lack contaminating T cells, but can also lack many phenotypic characteristics of mature NK cells. Here, we discuss the available published evidence for the varying roles of NK cells in GvHD and, more broadly, their use in allogeneic adoptive transfer settings to treat various cancers.
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