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Galli E, Viscovo M, Fosso F, Pansini I, Di Cesare G, Iacovelli C, Maiolo E, Sorà F, Hohaus S, Sica S, Bellesi S, Chiusolo P. Unlocking Predictive Power: Quantitative Assessment of CAR-T Expansion with Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2673. [PMID: 38473919 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052673] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Flow cytometry (FCM) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) are conventional methods for assessing CAR-T expansion, while digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) is emerging as a promising alternative. We monitored CAR-T transcript expansion in 40 B-NHL patients post-infusion of CAR-T products (axi-cel; tisa-cel; and brexu-cel) with both His-Tag FCM and ddPCR techniques. Sensitivity and predictive capacity for efficacy and safety outcomes of ddPCR were analyzed and compared with FCM. A significant correlation between CAR-T counts determined by FCM and CAR transcripts assessed by ddPCR (p < 0.001) was observed. FCM revealed median CD3+CAR+ cell counts at 7, 14, and 30 days post-infusion with no significant differences. In contrast, ddPCR-measured median copies of CAR-T transcripts demonstrated significant lower copy numbers in tisa-cel recipients compared to the other products at day 7 and day 14. Patients with a peak of CAR transcripts at day 7 exceeding 5000 copies/microg gDNA, termed "good CAR-T expanders", were more likely to achieve a favorable response at 3 months (HR 10.79, 95% CI 1.16-100.42, p = 0.036). Good CAR-T expanders showed superior progression-free survival at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to poor CAR-T expanders (p = 0.088). Those reaching a peak higher than 5000 copies/microg gDNA were more likely to experience severe CRS and ICANS. DdPCR proves to be a practical method for monitoring CAR-T expansion, providing quantitative information that better predicts both treatment outcomes and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Galli
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Viscovo
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Fosso
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pansini
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Di Cesare
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Iacovelli
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Maiolo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Sorà
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefan Hohaus
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Sica
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellesi
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Chiusolo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Minson A, Hamad N, Cheah CY, Tam C, Blombery P, Westerman D, Ritchie D, Morgan H, Holzwart N, Lade S, Anderson MA, Khot A, Seymour JF, Robertson M, Caldwell I, Ryland G, Saghebi J, Sabahi Z, Xie J, Koldej R, Dickinson M. CAR T cells and time-limited ibrutinib as treatment for relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma: the phase 2 TARMAC study. Blood 2024; 143:673-684. [PMID: 37883795 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) achieve high response rates in patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, their use is associated with significant toxicity, relapse concern, and unclear broad tractability. Preclinical and clinical data support a beneficial synergistic effect of ibrutinib on apheresis product fitness, CAR-T expansion, and toxicity. We evaluated the combination of time-limited ibrutinib and CTL019 CAR-T in 20 patients with MCL in the phase 2 TARMAC study. Ibrutinib commenced before leukapheresis and continued through CAR-T manufacture for a minimum of 6 months after CAR-T administration. The median prior lines of therapy was 2; 50% of patients were previously exposed to a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi). The primary end point was 4-month postinfusion complete response (CR) rate, and secondary end points included safety and subgroup analysis based on TP53 aberrancy. The primary end point was met; 80% of patients demonstrated CR, with 70% and 40% demonstrating measurable residual disease negativity by flow cytometry and molecular methods, respectively. At 13-month median follow-up, the estimated 12-month progression-free survival was 75% and overall survival 100%. Fifteen patients (75%) developed cytokine release syndrome; 12 (55%) with grade 1 to 2 and 3 (20%) with grade 3. Reversible grade 1 to 2 neurotoxicity was observed in 2 patients (10%). Efficacy was preserved irrespective of prior BTKi exposure or TP53 mutation. Deep responses correlated with robust CAR-T expansion and a less exhausted baseline T-cell phenotype. Overall, the safety and efficacy of the combination of BTKi and T-cell redirecting immunotherapy appears promising and merits further exploration. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT04234061.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Minson
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nada Hamad
- Department of Haematology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chan Y Cheah
- Department of Haematology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | | | - Piers Blombery
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Westerman
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Ritchie
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Huw Morgan
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas Holzwart
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Lade
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mary Ann Anderson
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Amit Khot
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John F Seymour
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Molly Robertson
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Imogen Caldwell
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Georgina Ryland
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Javad Saghebi
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zahra Sabahi
- Department of Haematology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jing Xie
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachel Koldej
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Dickinson
- Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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3
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Zhang W, Cui L, Wang Y, Xie Z, Wei Y, Zhu S, Nawaz M, Mak WC, Ho HP, Gu D, Zeng S. An Integrated ddPCR Lab-on-a-Disc Device for Rapid Screening of Infectious Diseases. BIOSENSORS 2023; 14:2. [PMID: 38275303 PMCID: PMC10813669 DOI: 10.3390/bios14010002] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) is a powerful amplification technique for absolute quantification of viral nucleic acids. Although commercial ddPCR devices are effective in the lab bench tests, they cannot meet current urgent requirements for on-site and rapid screening for patients. Here, we have developed a portable and fully integrated lab-on-a-disc (LOAD) device for quantitively screening infectious disease agents. Our designed LOAD device has integrated (i) microfluidics chips, (ii) a transparent circulating oil-based heat exchanger, and (iii) an on-disc transmitted-light fluorescent imaging system into one compact and portable box. Thus, droplet generation, PCR thermocycling, and analysis can be achieved in a single LOAD device. This feature is a significant attribute for the current clinical application of disease screening. For this custom-built ddPCR setup, we have first demonstrated the loading and ddPCR amplification ability by using influenza A virus-specific DNA fragments with different concentrations (diluted from the original concentration to 107 times), followed by analyzing the droplets with an external fluorescence microscope as a standard calibration test. The measured DNA concentration is linearly related to the gradient-dilution factor, which validated the precise quantification for the samples. In addition to the calibration tests using DNA fragments, we also employed this ddPCR-LOAD device for clinical samples with different viruses. Infectious samples containing five different viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and adenovirus (ADV), were injected into the device, followed by analyzing the droplets with an external fluorescence microscope with the lowest detected concentration of 20.24 copies/µL. Finally, we demonstrated the proof-of-concept detection of clinical samples of IAV using the on-disc fluorescence imaging system in our fully integrated device, which proves the capability of this device in clinical sample detection. We anticipate that this integrated ddPCR-LOAD device will become a flexible tool for on-site disease detection.
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Grants
- GRF14204621, GRF14207920, GRF14207419, GRF14207121, N_CUHK407/16 Hong Kong Research Grants Council
- No.2021A1515220084, No. 2022B1111020001 the National Key Research and Development Program of China
- ZDSYS20210623092001003, GJHZ20200731095604013, JSGG20220301090003004, No. 201906133000069, No. SGLH20180625171602058, and JCYJ20200109120205924 Shenzhen Science and Technology Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
| | - Lili Cui
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China;
- Laboratory Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Medical Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostics, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China;
| | - Yuye Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
| | - Zhenming Xie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
| | - Yuanyuan Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
| | - Shaodi Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
- Light, Nanomaterials & Nanotechnologies (L2n), CNRS-EMR 7004, Université de Technologie de Troyes, 10000 Troyes, France
| | - Mehmood Nawaz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
| | - Wing-Cheung Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
| | - Ho-Pui Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (W.Z.); (Z.X.); (Y.W.); (S.Z.); (M.N.); (W.-C.M.)
| | - Dayong Gu
- Laboratory Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Medical Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostics, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China;
| | - Shuwen Zeng
- Light, Nanomaterials & Nanotechnologies (L2n), CNRS-EMR 7004, Université de Technologie de Troyes, 10000 Troyes, France
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4
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Arcila ME, Patel U, Momeni-Boroujeni A, Yao J, Chan R, Chan J, Rijo I, Yu W, Chaves N, Patel H, Kakadiya S, Lachhander S, Senechal B, Riviere IC, Wang X, Sadelain M, Nafa K, Salazar P, Palomba L, Curran KJ, Park JH, Daniyan A, Borsu L. Validation of a High-Sensitivity Assay for Detection of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Vectors Using Low-Partition Digital PCR Technology. J Mol Diagn 2023; 25:634-645. [PMID: 37330049 PMCID: PMC10488325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.06.002] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Although in vivo engraftment, expansion, and persistence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are pivotal components of treatment efficacy, quantitative monitoring has not been implemented in routine clinical practice. We describe the development and analytical validation of a digital PCR assay for ultrasensitive detection of CAR constructs after treatment, circumventing known technical limitations of low-partitioning platforms. Primers and probes, designed for detection of axicabtagene, brexucabtagene, and Memorial Sloan Kettering CAR constructs, were employed to validate testing on the Bio-Rad digital PCR low-partitioning platform; results were compared with Raindrop, a high-partitioning system, as reference method. Bio-Rad protocols were modified to enable testing of DNA inputs as high as 500 ng. Using dual-input reactions (20 and 500 ng) and a combined analysis approach, the assay demonstrated consistent target detection around 1 × 10-5 (0.001%) with excellent specificity and reproducibility and 100% accuracy compared with the reference method. Dedicated analysis of 53 clinical samples received during validation/implementation phases showed the assay effectively enabled monitoring across multiple time points of early expansion (day 6 to 28) and long-term persistence (up to 479 days). CAR vectors were detected at levels ranging from 0.005% to 74% (vector versus reference gene copies). The highest levels observed in our cohort correlated strongly with the temporal diagnosis of grade 2 and 3 cytokine release syndrome diagnosis (P < 0.005). Only three patients with undetectable constructs had disease progression at the time of sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Arcila
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Utsav Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Amir Momeni-Boroujeni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - JinJuan Yao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Roger Chan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Joe Chan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ivelise Rijo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Wayne Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nelio Chaves
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Hina Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Srushti Kakadiya
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sean Lachhander
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brigitte Senechal
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Isabelle C Riviere
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Xiuyan Wang
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Khedoudja Nafa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paulo Salazar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lia Palomba
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kevin J Curran
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jae H Park
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Anthony Daniyan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Laetitia Borsu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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5
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CAR T-Cell Persistence Correlates with Improved Outcome in Patients with B-Cell Lymphoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065688. [PMID: 36982764 PMCID: PMC10056741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has led to profound and durable tumor responses in a relevant subset of patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell lymphomas. Still, some patients show insufficient benefit or relapse after CAR T-cell therapy. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the correlation between CAR T-cell persistence in the peripheral blood (PB) at 6 months, assessed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), with CAR T-cell treatment outcome. 92 patients with r/r B-cell lymphomas were treated with CD19-targeting CAR T-cell therapies at our institution between 01/2019–08/2022. Six months post-treatment, 15 (16%) patients had no detectable circulating CAR-T constructs by ddPCR. Patients with CAR T-cell persistence had a significantly higher CAR T-cell peak (5432 vs. 620 copies/ug cfDNA, p = 0.0096), as well as higher incidence of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (37% vs. 7%, p = 0.0182). After a median follow-up of 8.5 months, 31 (34%) patients relapsed. Lymphoma relapses were less frequent among patients with CAR T-cell persistence (29% vs. 60%, p = 0.0336), and CAR T-cell persistence in the PB at 6 months was associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 2.79, 95% CI: 1.09–7.11, p = 0.0319). Moreover, we observed a trend towards improved overall survival (OS) (HR 1.99, 95% CI: 0.68–5.82, p = 0.2092) for these patients. In our cohort of 92 B-cell lymphomas, CAR T-cell persistence at 6 months was associated with lower relapse rates and longer PFS. Moreover, our data confirm that 4-1BB-CAR T-cells have a longer persistence as compared to CD-28-based CAR T-cells.
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Assanto GM, Del Giudice I, Della Starza I, Soscia R, Cavalli M, Cola M, Bellomarino V, Di Trani M, Guarini A, Foà R. Research Topic: Measurable Residual Disease in Hematologic Malignancies. Can digital droplet PCR improve measurable residual disease monitoring in chronic lymphoid malignancies? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1152467. [PMID: 36998457 PMCID: PMC10043164 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1152467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring is progressively changing the management of hematologic malignancies. The possibility of detecting the persistence/reappearance of disease in patients in apparent clinical remission offers a refined risk stratification and a treatment decision making tool. Several molecular techniques are employed to monitor MRD, from conventional real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) to next generation sequencing and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), in different tissues or compartments through the detection of fusion genes, immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements or disease-specific mutations. RQ-PCR is still the gold standard for MRD analysis despite some limitations. ddPCR, considered the third-generation PCR, yields a direct, absolute, and accurate detection and quantification of low-abundance nucleic acids. In the setting of MRD monitoring it carries the major advantage of not requiring a reference standard curve built with the diagnostic sample dilution and of allowing to reduce the number of samples below the quantitative range. At present, the broad use of ddPCR to monitor MRD in the clinical practice is limited by the lack of international guidelines. Its application within clinical trials is nonetheless progressively growing both in acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The aim of this review is to summarize the accumulating data on the use of ddPCR for MRD monitoring in chronic lymphoid malignancies and to highlight how this new technique is likely to enter into the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilaria Del Giudice
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ilaria Del Giudice, ; Robin Foà,
| | - Irene Della Starza
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell'Adulto (GIMEMA), Fondazione GIMEMA Franco Mandelli Onlus, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Soscia
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Cavalli
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Cola
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Bellomarino
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Di Trani
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Guarini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Robin Foà
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ilaria Del Giudice, ; Robin Foà,
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7
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Murphy LA, Marians RC, Miller K, Brenton MD, Mallo RLV, Kohler ME, Fry TJ, Winters AC. Digital polymerase chain reaction strategies for accurate and precise detection of vector copy number in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell products. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:94-102. [PMID: 36253252 PMCID: PMC10123956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Vector copy number (VCN), an average quantification of transgene copies unique to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell product, is a characteristic that must be reported prior to patient administration, as high VCN increases the risk of insertional mutagenesis. Historically, VCN assessment in CAR T-cell products has been performed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). qPCR is reliable along a broad range of concentrations, but quantification requires use of a standard curve and precision is limited. Digital PCR (dPCR) methods were developed for absolute quantification of target sequences by counting nucleic acid molecules encapsulated in discrete, volumetrically defined partitions. Advantages of dPCR compared with qPCR include simplicity, reproducibility, sensitivity and lack of dependency on a standard curve for definitive quantification. In the present study, the authors describe a dPCR assay developed for analysis of the novel bicistronic CD19 × CD22 CAR T-cell construct. METHODS The authors compared the performance of the dPCR assay with qPCR on both the QX200 droplet dPCR (ddPCR) system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc, Hercules, CA, USA) and the QIAcuity nanoplate-based dPCR (ndPCR) system (QIAGEN Sciences, Inc, Germantown, MD, USA). The primer-probe assay was validated with qPCR, ndPCR and ddPCR using patient samples from pre-clinical CAR T-cell manufacturing production runs as well as Jurkat cell subclones, which stably express this bicistronic CAR construct. RESULTS ddPCR confirmed the specificity of this assay to detect only the bicistronic CAR product. Additionally, the authors' assay gave accurate, precise and reproducible CAR T-cell VCN measurements across qPCR, ndPCR and ddPCR modalities. CONCLUSIONS The authors demonstrate that dPCR strategies can be utilized for absolute quantification of CAR transgenes and VCN measurements, with improved test-retest reliability, and that specific assays can be developed for detection of unique constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Murphy
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado and Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Russell C Marians
- Charles C. Gates Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kristen Miller
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado and Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Matthew D Brenton
- Charles C. Gates Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rebecca L V Mallo
- Charles C. Gates Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - M Eric Kohler
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado and Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Terry J Fry
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado and Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amanda C Winters
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado and Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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8
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García-Calderón CB, Sierro-Martínez B, García-Guerrero E, Sanoja-Flores L, Muñoz-García R, Ruiz-Maldonado V, Jimenez-Leon MR, Delgado-Serrano J, Molinos-Quintana Á, Guijarro-Albaladejo B, Carrasco-Brocal I, Lucena JM, García-Lozano JR, Blázquez-Goñi C, Reguera-Ortega JL, González-Escribano MF, Reinoso-Segura M, Briones J, Pérez-Simón JA, Caballero-Velázquez T. Monitoring of kinetics and exhaustion markers of circulating CAR-T cells as early predictive factors in patients with B-cell malignancies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152498. [PMID: 37122702 PMCID: PMC10140355 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose CAR-T cell therapy has proven to be a disruptive treatment in the hematology field, however, less than 50% of patients maintain long-term response and early predictors of outcome are still inconsistently defined. Here, we aimed to optimize the detection of CD19 CAR-T cells in blood and to identify phenotypic features as early biomarkers associated with toxicity and outcomes. Experimental design In this study, monitoring by flow cytometry and digital PCR (dPCR), and immunophenotypic characterization of circulating CAR-T cells from 48 patients treated with Tisa-cel or Axi-cel was performed. Results Validation of the flow cytometry reagent for the detection of CAR-T cells in blood revealed CD19 protein conjugated with streptavidin as the optimal detection method. Kinetics of CAR-T cell expansion in blood confirmed median day of peak expansion at seven days post-infusion by both flow cytometry and digital PCR. Circulating CAR-T cells showed an activated, proliferative, and exhausted phenotype at the time of peak expansion. Patients with increased expansion showed more severe CRS and ICANs. Immunophenotypic characterization of CAR-T cells at the peak expansion identified the increased expression of co-inhibitory molecules PD1 and LAG3 and reduced levels of the cytotoxicity marker CD107a as predictors of a better long-term disease control. Conclusions These data show the importance of CAR-T cells in vivo monitoring and identify the expression of PD1LAG3 and CD107a as early biomarkers of long-term disease control after CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Beatriz García-Calderón
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Belén Sierro-Martínez
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Estefanía García-Guerrero
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- *Correspondence: Estefanía García-Guerrero,
| | - Luzalba Sanoja-Flores
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Raquel Muñoz-García
- Servicio de Inmunología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Victoria Ruiz-Maldonado
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - María Reyes Jimenez-Leon
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Delgado-Serrano
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Águeda Molinos-Quintana
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Beatriz Guijarro-Albaladejo
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Carrasco-Brocal
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José-Manuel Lucena
- Servicio de Inmunología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José-Raúl García-Lozano
- Servicio de Inmunología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Cristina Blázquez-Goñi
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Reguera-Ortega
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - María-Francisca González-Escribano
- Servicio de Inmunología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Marta Reinoso-Segura
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Briones
- Hematology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Antonio Pérez-Simón
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Teresa Caballero-Velázquez
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, (IBIS/CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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9
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Bister A, Ibach T, Haist C, Gerhorst G, Smorra D, Soldierer M, Roellecke K, Wagenmann M, Scheckenbach K, Gattermann N, Wiek C, Hanenberg H. Optimized NGFR-derived hinges for rapid and efficient enrichment and detection of CAR T cells in vitro and in vivo. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 26:120-134. [PMID: 35795096 PMCID: PMC9240717 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated unprecedented success with high remission rates for heavily pretreated patients with hematological malignancies. The hinge connecting the extracellular antigen recognition unit to the transmembrane domain provides the length and flexibility of the CAR constructs and ensures that the CAR can reach the target antigen and mediate recognition and killing of target cells. The hinge can also include specific amino acid sequences to improve CAR expression, influence T cell proliferation, and facilitate CAR T cell detection, enrichment, and even elimination. Here, we report the generation of two novel hinge domains derived from the low-affinity p75 chain of the human nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), termed N3 and N4, which, when incorporated into the CAR backbone, allow detection as well as high-grade enrichment of CAR T cells with GMP-compatible immunomagnetic reagents. After optimizing the MACS protocol for excellent CAR T cell purity and yield, we demonstrated that N3- and N4-hinged CAR T cells are as efficacious as their CD8-hinged counterparts in vitro against hematological blasts and also in vivo in the control of acute monocytic leukemia in an immunodeficient mouse xenograft model. Thus, both hinges could potentially be an integral part of future CAR designs and universally applicable in clinical applications.
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10
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Berger SC, Fehse B, Akyüz N, Geffken M, Wolschke C, Janson D, Gagelmann N, Luther M, Wichmann D, Frenzel C, Thayssen G, Alegiani A, Badbaran A, Zeschke S, Dierlamm J, Kröger N, Ayuk FA. Molecular monitoring of T-cell kinetics and migration in severe neurotoxicity after real-world CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Haematologica 2022; 108:444-456. [PMID: 35950534 PMCID: PMC9890009 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.281110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CD19-CAR) T-cell therapies mediate durable responses in late-stage B-cell malignancies, but can be complicated by a potentially severe immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Despite broad efforts, the precise mechanisms of ICANS are not entirely known, and resistance to current ICANSdirected therapies (especially corticosteroids) has been observed. Recent data suggest that inflammatory cytokines and/or targeting of cerebral CD19-expressing pericytes can disrupt the blood-brain barrier and facilitate influx of immune cells, including CAR T cells. However, specific tools for CD19-CAR T-cell analysis within often minute samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are not broadly available. Here, we applied our recently developed digital polymerase chain reaction assays to monitor CD19-CAR T-cell kinetics in CSF and blood in real-world patients with neurotoxicity. Consistently, we observed a CAR T-cell enrichment within CSF in ICANS patients with further progressive accumulation despite intense corticosteroid- containing immuno-chemotherapies in a subset of patients with prolonged and therapy-resistant grade 3-4 neurotoxicity. We used next-generation T-cell receptor-b sequencing to assess the repertoire of treatment-refractory cells. Longitudinal analysis revealed a profound skewing of the T-cell receptor repertoire, which at least partly reflected selective expansion of infused T-cell clones. Interestingly, a major fraction of eventually dominating hyperexpanded T-cell clones were of non-CAR T-cell derivation. These findings hint to a role of therapy-refractory T-cell clones in severe ICANS development and prompt future systematic research to determine if CAR T cells may serve as 'door openers' and to further characterize both CAR-positive and non-CAR T cells to interrogate the transcriptional signature of these possibly pathologic T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Boris Fehse
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation,Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Guenther Thayssen
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Alegiani
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany,°Current address: Department of Neurology with Stroke Unit, Asklepios Clinic Altona, Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Monfrini C, Stella F, Aragona V, Magni M, Ljevar S, Vella C, Fardella E, Chiappella A, Nanetti F, Pennisi M, Dodero A, Guidetti A, Corradini P, Carniti C. Phenotypic Composition of Commercial Anti-CD19 CAR T Cells Affects In Vivo Expansion and Disease Response in Patients with Large B-cell Lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3378-3386. [PMID: 35583610 PMCID: PMC9662896 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In clinical trials, the expansion and persistence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells correlate with therapeutic efficacy. However, properties of CAR T cells that enable their in vivo proliferation have still to be consistently defined and the role of CAR T bag content has never been investigated in a real-life setting. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Residual cells obtained after washing 61 anti-CD19 CAR T product bags were analyzed to identify tisagenlecleucel/Tisa-cel and axicabtagene ciloleucel/Axi-cel phenotypic features associated with postinfusion CAR T-cell in vivo expansion and with response and survival. RESULTS While Tisa-cel was characterized by a significant enrichment in CAR+CD4+ T cells with central memory (P < 0.005) and effector (P < 0.005) phenotypes and lower rates of CAR+CD8+ with effector memory (P < 0.005) and naïve-like (P < 0.05) phenotypes as compared with Axi-cel, the two products displayed similar expansion kinetics. In vivo CAR T-cell expansion was influenced by the presence of CAR T with a CD8+ T central memory signature (P < 0.005) in both Tisa-cel and Axi-cel infusion products and was positively associated with response and progression-free survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that despite the great heterogeneity of Tisa-cel and Axi-cel products, the differentiation status of the infused cells mediates CAR T-cell in vivo proliferation that is necessary for antitumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Monfrini
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Vanessa Aragona
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Martina Magni
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Silva Ljevar
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Vella
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Chiappella
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Nanetti
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Martina Pennisi
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Dodero
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Guidetti
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Corradini
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Corresponding Author: Paolo Corradini, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori and University of Milano, Medical Oncology, Via Venezian 1, Milano 20133, Italy. Phone: 0039-02-2390-2950; E-mail:
| | - Cristiana Carniti
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
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12
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Clinically Applicable Assessment of Tisagenlecleucel CAR T Cell Treatment by Digital Droplet PCR for Copy Number Variant Assessment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147573. [PMID: 35886920 PMCID: PMC9322953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an innovative immunotherapy for treating cancers in both children and adults with proven utility in numerous clinical trials. Significantly, some CAR T cell therapies have now been approved by relevant national regulatory bodies across numerous countries for clinical therapeutic use outside of clinical trials. One such recently licensed product is tisagenlecleucel, a CAR T therapy approved for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) using autologous T cells from the patient. The genetically engineered T cells target a protein called CD19, common to B cells, through a CAR incorporating a 4-1BB costimulatory domain to improve response. Since tisagenlecleucel is now a standard of care treatment for B-ALL, it is clinically essential to be able to accurately monitor these CAR T cells in patients. Assessment of the copy number variant (CNV) of the CAR T cell products allows this within a clinically acceptable timeframe for optimal patient benefit. However, no standardized method with high reproducibility and efficiency has been described within a routine clinical laboratory setting. Here, we demonstrated a novel digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)-based methodology for the study of CNV (ddPCR-CNV) in 4-1BB CD19-specific CAR T cells with universal applicability across clinical diagnostic laboratories.
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13
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Peinelt A, Bremm M, Kreyenberg H, Cappel C, Banisharif-Dehkordi J, Erben S, Rettinger E, Jarisch A, Meisel R, Schlegel PG, Beck O, Bug G, Klusmann JH, Klingebiel T, Huenecke S, Bader P. Monitoring of Circulating CAR T Cells: Validation of a Flow Cytometric Assay, Cellular Kinetics, and Phenotype Analysis Following Tisagenlecleucel. Front Immunol 2022; 13:830773. [PMID: 35309367 PMCID: PMC8926389 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.830773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a potent new treatment option for relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. As the monitoring of CAR T cell kinetics can provide insights into the activity of the therapy, appropriate CAR T cell detection methods are essential. Here, we report on the comprehensive validation of a flow cytometric assay for peripheral blood CD19 CAR T cell detection. Further, a retrospective analysis (n = 30) of CAR T cell and B cell levels over time has been performed, and CAR T cell phenotypes have been characterized. Serial dilution experiments demonstrated precise and linear quantification down to 0.05% of T cells or 22 CAR T cell events. The calculated detection limit at 13 events was confirmed with CAR T cell negative control samples. Inter-method comparison with real-time PCR showed appreciable correlation. Stability testing revealed diminished CAR T cell values already one day after sample collection. While we found long-term CAR T cell detectability and B cell aplasia in most patients (12/17), some patients (5/17) experienced B cell recovery. In three of these patients the coexistence of CAR T cells and regenerating B cells was observed. Repeat CAR T cell infusions led to detectable but limited re-expansions. Comparison of CAR T cell subsets with their counterparts among all T cells showed a significantly higher percentage of effector memory T cells and a significantly lower percentage of naïve T cells and T EMRA cells among CAR T cells. In conclusion, flow cytometric CAR T cell detection is a reliable method to monitor CAR T cells if measurements start without delay and sufficient T cell counts are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Peinelt
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Melanie Bremm
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hermann Kreyenberg
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Claudia Cappel
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Banisharif-Dehkordi
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephanie Erben
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andrea Jarisch
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Roland Meisel
- Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Paul-Gerhardt Schlegel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Olaf Beck
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gesine Bug
- Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan-Henning Klusmann
- Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Huenecke
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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14
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Schubert ML, Berger C, Kunz A, Schmitt A, Badbaran A, Neuber B, Zeschke S, Wang L, Riecken K, Hückelhoven‑Krauss A, Müller I, Müller‑Tidow C, Dreger P, Kröger N, Ayuk F, Schmitt M, Fehse B. Comparison of single copy gene‑based duplex quantitative PCR and digital droplet PCR for monitoring of expansion of CD19‑directed CAR T cells in treated patients. Int J Oncol 2022; 60:48. [PMID: 35294040 PMCID: PMC8973917 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Luisa Schubert
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carolina Berger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Kunz
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anita Schmitt
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anita Badbaran
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Neuber
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Silke Zeschke
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Angela Hückelhoven‑Krauss
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ingo Müller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller‑Tidow
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Dreger
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Francis Ayuk
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schmitt
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology/Oncology/Rheumatology), University Hospital Heidelberg, D‑69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Alhomoud M, Martinet J, Sugita M, Gomez-Arteaga A, Guzman ML. Methods to monitor in vivo expansion and efficacy of CAR-T cells in preclinical models. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 167:185-201. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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16
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Bister A, Ibach T, Haist C, Smorra D, Roellecke K, Wagenmann M, Scheckenbach K, Gattermann N, Wiek C, Hanenberg H. A novel CD34-derived hinge for rapid and efficient detection and enrichment of CAR T cells. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 23:534-546. [PMID: 34901395 PMCID: PMC8640169 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized modern cancer therapy and has achieved remarkable remission and survival rates for several malignancies with historically dismal outcomes. The hinge of the CAR connects the antigen binding to the transmembrane domain and can be exploited to confer features to CAR T cells including additional stimulation, targeted elimination or detection and enrichment of the genetically modified cells. For establishing a novel hinge derived from human CD34, we systematically tested CD34 fragments of different lengths, all containing the binding site of the QBend-10 monoclonal antibody, in a FMC63-based CD19 CAR lentiviral construct. A final construct of 99 amino acids called C6 proved to be the best candidate for flow cytometry-based detection of CAR T cells and >95% enrichment of genetically modified T cells on MACS columns. The C6 hinge was functionally indistinguishable from the commonly used CD8α hinge in vitro as well as in in vivo experiments in NSG mice. We also showed that the C6 hinge can be used for a variety of different CARs and mediates high killing efficacy without unspecific activation by target antigen-negative cells, thus making C6 ideally suited as a universal hinge for CARs for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Bister
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tabea Ibach
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Corinna Haist
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Denise Smorra
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Roellecke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Wagenmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kathrin Scheckenbach
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Norbert Gattermann
- Department of Hematology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Constanze Wiek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Helmut Hanenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
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17
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Mika T, Thomson J, Nilius-Eliliwi V, Vangala D, Baraniskin A, Wulf G, Klein-Scory S, Schroers R. Quantification of cell-free DNA for the analysis of CD19-CAR-T cells during lymphoma treatment. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:539-550. [PMID: 34853800 PMCID: PMC8606297 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are increasingly used for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Treatment success relies highly upon sufficient expansion of CAR-T effector cells. Accordingly, longitudinal quantification of CAR-T cells during therapy is clinically important. Techniques to quantify CAR-T cells in patient blood samples are based on flow cytometry and PCR. However, cellular kinetics of CAR-T cells are very complex and under current investigation. In this study, feasibility of CAR-T cell quantification by cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was analyzed. cfDNA isolated from 74 blood samples of 12 patients during lymphoma treatment with the anti-CD19 CAR-T cell product axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) were analyzed. Concentrations of cfDNA specific for the CAR-T gene construct (cfCAR-DNA) and a reference gene were quantified by a newly designed digital-droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay. Detection and quantification of cfCAR-DNA was feasible and reliable for all patients included. Relative quantification of cfCAR-DNA compared to a reference gene, suitable for genomic DNA analysis, was heterogeneous in treatment responders and non-responders. In contrast, parallel analyses of cfCAR-DNA and reference cfDNA in a patient-specific approach gave insight into active lymphoma killing and treatment responses. In summary, plasma cfDNA determination in lymphoma patients is a promising tool for future clinical decision making.
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18
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Olmedillas-López S, Olivera-Salazar R, García-Arranz M, García-Olmo D. Current and Emerging Applications of Droplet Digital PCR in Oncology: An Updated Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 26:61-87. [PMID: 34773243 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the era of personalized medicine and targeted therapies for the management of patients with cancer, ultrasensitive detection methods for tumor genotyping, such as next-generation sequencing or droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), play a significant role. In the search for less invasive strategies for diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring, the number of publications regarding liquid biopsy approaches using ddPCR has increased substantially in recent years. There is a long list of malignancies in which ddPCR provides a reliable and accurate tool for detection of nucleic acid-based markers derived from cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles or exosomes when isolated from whole blood, plasma and serum, helping to anticipate tumor relapse or unveil intratumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in response to treatment. This updated review describes recent developments in ddPCR platforms and provides a general overview about the major applications of liquid biopsy in blood, including its utility for molecular response and minimal residual disease monitoring in hematological malignancies or the therapeutic management of patients with colorectal or lung cancer, particularly for the selection and monitoring of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Although plasma is the main source of genetic material for tumor genomic profiling, liquid biopsy by ddPCR is being investigated in a wide variety of biologic fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, urine, stool, ocular fluids, sputum, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural effusion, mucin, peritoneal fluid, fine needle aspirate, bile or pancreatic juice. The present review focuses on these "alternative" sources of genetic material and their analysis by ddPCR in different kinds of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Olmedillas-López
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rocío Olivera-Salazar
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano García-Arranz
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Damián García-Olmo
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (FJD), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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19
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Axicabtagene ciloleucel in vivo expansion and treatment outcome in aggressive B-cell lymphoma in a real-world setting. Blood Adv 2021; 5:2523-2527. [PMID: 34100900 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on the association between chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell kinetics and patient outcome in the nontrial setting are missing, mainly due to the lack of broadly available CAR-T-cell diagnostic quantification tools. We performed prospective quantification of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) in 21 patients treated for aggressive B-cell lymphoma at our clinic. Median peak CAR-T-cell count was 16.14 CAR-T cells/µL. Patients with 16.14/μL or higher peak CAR-T cells (strong expanders) had more day-30 objective responses (91% vs 40%, P = .02). In univariate analysis, peak CAR-T cell ≥ 16.14 (P < .001), normal platelet counts at start of lymphodepletion (P < .001), no prior stem cell transplant (P = .04), and peak CAR-T cells as continuous variable (P = .03) were associated with better progression-free survival (PFS). After adjusting for platelet counts and prior stem cell transplantation, peak CAR-T cells below median was still associated with shorter PFS (relative risk, 0.15, 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.59, P = .007). Low platelet counts also maintained significant impact on PFS. Our data demonstrate association of axi-cel levels and outcome in a nontrial setting and for the first time use a cutoff to segregate weak and strong expanders with respective outcomes.
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20
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Blache U, Weiss R, Boldt A, Kapinsky M, Blaudszun AR, Quaiser A, Pohl A, Miloud T, Burgaud M, Vucinic V, Platzbecker U, Sack U, Fricke S, Koehl U. Advanced Flow Cytometry Assays for Immune Monitoring of CAR-T Cell Applications. Front Immunol 2021; 12:658314. [PMID: 34012442 PMCID: PMC8127837 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.658314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells has achieved successful remissions in refractory B-cell leukemia and B-cell lymphomas. In order to estimate both success and severe side effects of CAR-T cell therapies, longitudinal monitoring of the patient's immune system including CAR-T cells is desirable to accompany clinical staging. To conduct research on the fate and immunological impact of infused CAR-T cells, we established standardized 13-colour/15-parameter flow cytometry assays that are suitable to characterize immune cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood during CAR-T cell treatment. The respective staining technology is based on pre-formulated dry antibody panels in a uniform format. Additionally, further antibodies of choice can be added to address specific clinical or research questions. We designed panels for the anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy and, as a proof of concept, we assessed a healthy individual and three B-cell lymphoma patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR-T cells. We analyzed the presence of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells as well as residual CD19+ B cells, the activation status of the T-cell compartment, the expression of co-stimulatory signaling molecules and cytotoxic agents such as perforin and granzyme B. In summary, this work introduces standardized and modular flow cytometry assays for CAR-T cell clinical research, which could also be adapted in the future as quality controls during the CAR-T cell manufacturing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Blache
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronald Weiss
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Boldt
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Kapinsky
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences GmbH, Flow Cytometry Business Unit, Krefeld, Germany
| | | | - Andrea Quaiser
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annabelle Pohl
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tewfik Miloud
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Flow Cytometry R&D, Marseille, France
| | - Mégane Burgaud
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Flow Cytometry R&D, Marseille, France
| | - Vladan Vucinic
- Medical Faculty, Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Medical Faculty, Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sack
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Fricke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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21
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Morgan MA, Galla M, Grez M, Fehse B, Schambach A. Retroviral gene therapy in Germany with a view on previous experience and future perspectives. Gene Ther 2021; 28:494-512. [PMID: 33753908 PMCID: PMC8455336 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00237-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy can be used to restore cell function in monogenic disorders or to endow cells with new capabilities, such as improved killing of cancer cells, expression of suicide genes for controlled elimination of cell populations, or protection against chemotherapy or viral infection. While gene therapies were originally most often used to treat monogenic diseases and to improve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcome, the advent of genetically modified immune cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells, has contributed to the increased numbers of patients treated with gene and cell therapies. The advancement of gene therapy with integrating retroviral vectors continues to depend upon world-wide efforts. As the topic of this special issue is "Spotlight on Germany," the goal of this review is to provide an overview of contributions to this field made by German clinical and research institutions. Research groups in Germany made, and continue to make, important contributions to the development of gene therapy, including design of vectors and transduction protocols for improved cell modification, methods to assess gene therapy vector efficacy and safety (e.g., clonal imbalance, insertion sites), as well as in the design and conduction of clinical gene therapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Morgan
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Galla
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manuel Grez
- grid.418483.20000 0001 1088 7029Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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22
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Assessment of CAR T Cell Frequencies in Axicabtagene Ciloleucel and Tisagenlecleucel Patients Using Duplex Quantitative PCR. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102820. [PMID: 33007926 PMCID: PMC7601213 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell (CART) therapy has been established as a treatment option for patients with CD19-positive lymphoid malignancies in both the refractory and the relapsed setting. Displaying significant responses in clinical trials, two second-generation CART products directed against CD19, axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) and tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel), have been approved and integrated into the clinical routine. However, experimental assay for quantitative monitoring of both of these CART products in treated patients in the open domain are lacking. To address this issue, we established and validated a quantitative single copy gene (SCG)-based duplex (DP)-PCR assay (SCG-DP-PCR) to quantify CARTs based on the FMC63 single chain variable fragment (scFv), i.e., axi-cel and tisa-cel. This quantitative PCR (qPCR) approach operates without standard curves or calibrator samples, offers a tool to assess cellular kinetics of FMC63 CARTs and allows direct comparison of CART-copies in axi-cel versus tisa-cel patient samples. For treating physicians, SCG-DP-PCR is an important tool to monitor CARTs and guide clinical decisions regarding CART effects in respective patients.
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