Enumeration of major peripheral blood leukocyte populations for multicenter clinical trials using a whole blood phenotyping assay

Process development and validation of expanded regulatory T cells for prospective applications: an example of manufacturing a personalized advanced therapy medicinal product

BACKGROUND

A growing number of clinical trials have shown that regulatory T (Treg) cell transfer may have a favorable effect on the maintenance of self-tolerance and immune homeostasis in different conditions such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid organ transplantation, type 1 diabetes, and others. In this context, the availability of a robust manufacturing protocol that is able to produce a sufficient number of functional Treg cells represents a fundamental prerequisite for the success of a cell therapy clinical protocol. However, extended workflow guidelines for nonprofit manufacturers are currently lacking. Despite the fact that different successful manufacturing procedures and cell products with excellent safety profiles have been reported from early clinical trials, the selection and expansion protocols for Treg cells vary a lot. The objective of this study was to validate a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant protocol for the production of Treg cells that approaches the whole process with a risk-management methodology, from process design to completion of final product development. High emphasis was given to the description of the quality control (QC) methodologies used for the in-process and release tests (sterility, endotoxin test, mycoplasma, and immunophenotype).

RESULTS

The GMP-compliant protocol defined in this work allows at least 4.11 × 109 Treg cells to be obtained with an average purity of 95.75 ± 4.38% and can be used in different clinical settings to exploit Treg cell immunomodulatory function.

CONCLUSIONS

These results could be of great use for facilities implementing GMP-compliant cell therapy protocols of these cells for different conditions aimed at restoring the Treg cell number and function, which may slow the progression of certain diseases.

Integrated analysis of multimodal single-cell data

The simultaneous measurement of multiple modalities represents an exciting frontier for single-cell genomics and necessitates computational methods that can define cellular states based on multimodal data. Here, we introduce "weighted-nearest neighbor" analysis, an unsupervised framework to learn the relative utility of each data type in each cell, enabling an integrative analysis of multiple modalities. We apply our procedure to a CITE-seq dataset of 211,000 human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with panels extending to 228 antibodies to construct a multimodal reference atlas of the circulating immune system. Multimodal analysis substantially improves our ability to resolve cell states, allowing us to identify and validate previously unreported lymphoid subpopulations. Moreover, we demonstrate how to leverage this reference to rapidly map new datasets and to interpret immune responses to vaccination and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our approach represents a broadly applicable strategy to analyze single-cell multimodal datasets and to look beyond the transcriptome toward a unified and multimodal definition of cellular identity.

Safety and tolerability of HIV-1 multiantigen pDNA vaccine given with IL-12 plasmid DNA via electroporation, boosted with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus HIV Gag vaccine in healthy volunteers in a randomized, controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The addition of plasmid cytokine adjuvants, electroporation, and live attenuated viral vectors may further optimize immune responses to DNA vaccines in heterologous prime-boost combinations. The objective of this study was to test the safety and tolerability of a novel prime-boost vaccine regimen incorporating these strategies with different doses of IL-12 plasmid DNA adjuvant.

METHODS

In a phase 1 study, 88 participants received an HIV-1 multiantigen (gag/pol, env, nef/tat/vif) DNA vaccine (HIV-MAG, 3000 μg) co-administered with IL-12 plasmid DNA adjuvant at 0, 250, 1000, or 1500 μg (N = 22/group) given intramuscularly with electroporation (Ichor TriGrid™ Delivery System device) at 0, 1 and 3 months; followed by attenuated recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus, serotype Indiana, expressing HIV-1 Gag (VSV-Gag), 3.4 ⊆ 107 plaque-forming units (PFU), at 6 months; 12 others received placebo. Injections were in both deltoids at each timepoint. Participants were monitored for safety and tolerability for 15 months.

RESULTS

The dose of IL-12 pDNA did not increase pain scores, reactogenicity, or adverse events with the co-administered DNA vaccine, or following the VSV-Gag boost. Injection site pain and reactogenicity were common with intramuscular injections with electroporation, but acceptable to most participants. VSV-Gag vaccine often caused systemic reactogenicity symptoms, including a viral syndrome (in 41%) of fever, chills, malaise/fatigue, myalgia, and headache; and decreased lymphocyte counts 1 day after vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-MAG DNA vaccine given by intramuscular injection with electroporation was safe at all doses of IL-12 pDNA. The VSV-Gag vaccine at this dose was associated with fever and viral symptoms in some participants, but the vaccine regimens were safe and generally well-tolerated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials.gov NCT01578889.

Phase I Trial of ALT-803, A Novel Recombinant IL15 Complex, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose: IL15 induces the activation and proliferation of natural killer (NK) and memory CD8⁺ T cells and has preclinical antitumor activity. Given the superior activity and favorable kinetics of ALT-803 (IL15N72D:IL15RαSu/IgG1 Fc complex) over recombinant human IL15 (rhIL15) in animal models, we performed this first-in-human phase I trial of ALT-803 in patients with advanced solid tumors.Patients and Methods: Patients with incurable advanced melanoma, renal cell, non-small cell lung, and head and neck cancer were treated with ALT-803 0.3 to 6 μg/kg weekly intravenously or 6 to 20 μg/kg weekly subcutaneously for 4 consecutive weeks, every 6 weeks. Immune correlates included pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and lymphocyte expansion and function. Clinical endpoints were toxicity and antitumor activity.Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled; 11 received intravenous and 13 received subcutaneous ALT-803. Of these patients, nine had melanoma, six renal, three head and neck, and six lung cancer. Although total lymphocyte and CD8⁺ T-cell expansion were modest, NK cell numbers rose significantly. Neither anti-ALT-803 antibodies nor clinical activity were observed. Overall, ALT-803 was well tolerated, with adverse effects including fatigue and nausea most commonly with intravenous administration, whereas painful injection site wheal was reported most commonly with subcutaneous ALT-803.Conclusions: Subcutaneous ALT-803 produced the expected NK cell expansion and was well tolerated with minimal cytokine toxicities and a strong local inflammatory reaction at injection sites in patients with advanced cancer. These data, together with compelling evidence of synergy in preclinical and clinical studies, provide the rationale for combining ALT-803 with other anticancer agents. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5552-61. ©2018 AACR.

Influence of physical activity on the immune system in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Physical activity can impact the immune system in different ways, e.g. by alteration of the humoral and cellular immune response. Physical activity at medium intensity enhances numbers of cytotoxic T cells, NK cells and macrophages in healthy people. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of endurance and resistance training on the immune system in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

In a prospective, controlled and randomized intervention exploratory trial, 12-week supervised endurance or resistance training were compared with usual care twice a week. Endpoints were the absolute numbers of the immune cells such as CD3⁺ T lymphocytes including CD4⁺- and CD8⁺, αβ T cells, γδT cells, CD3^-/CD16⁺/56⁺ NK cells and CD19⁺ B cells, before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Cell numbers were analyzed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

RESULTS

Despite different physical interventions in all groups immune cell count decreased in CD3 T cells including TCR αβ and CD4 T cells, NK cells and CD19 B cells 12 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy and start of the physical intervention program, while the reduction of γδ T cells and CD8 T cells is less prominent in the RT and UC group.

CONCLUSION

Chemotherapy led to a decrease in nearly all measured immune cells. In this study, physical intervention with endurance or resistance training did not suppress cellular immunity any further. Larger multicenter trials are needed to evaluate the exact impact of sports intervention on immune cell subpopulations.

A First-in-Human Phase I Study of Subcutaneous Outpatient Recombinant Human IL15 (rhIL15) in Adults with Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose: Preclinical data established IL15 as a homeostatic factor and powerful stimulator of NK and CD8⁺ T-cell function, the basis for clinical testing.Experimental Design: A first-in-human outpatient phase I dose escalation trial of subcutaneous (SC) rhIL15 was conducted in refractory solid tumor cancer patients. Therapy consisted of daily (Monday-Friday) subcutaneous injections of rhIL15 for two consecutive weeks (10 total doses/cycle). Clinical response was assessed by RECIST. Pharmacokinetics of rhIL15 and immune biomarkers were evaluated.Results: Nineteen patients were treated with rhIL15 at dose levels of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mcg/kg/day. Fourteen patients completed ≥ 2 cycles of therapy that was well tolerated. One serious adverse event (SAE), grade 2 pancreatitis, required overnight hospitalization. Enrollment was halted after a patient receiving 3 mcg/kg/day developed a dose-limiting SAE of grade 3 cardiac chest pain associated with hypotension and increased troponin. No objective responses were observed; however, several patients had disease stabilization including a renal cell carcinoma patient who continued protocol treatment for 2 years. The treatment induced profound expansion of circulating NK cells, especially among the CD56^bright subset. A proportional but less dramatic increase was found among circulating CD8⁺ T cells with maximal 3-fold expansion for the 2 and 3 mcg/kg patients.Conclusions: SC rhIL15 treatment was well tolerated, producing substantial increases in circulating NK and CD8⁺ T cells. This protocol establishes a safe outpatient SC rhIL15 regimen of 2 mcg/kg/day dosing amenable to self-injection and with potential as a combination immunotherapeutic agent. Clin Cancer Res; 24(7); 1525-35. ©2017 AACR.

Initial Diagnostic Workup of Acute Leukemia: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Hematology

CONTEXT

- A complete diagnosis of acute leukemia requires knowledge of clinical information combined with morphologic evaluation, immunophenotyping and karyotype analysis, and often, molecular genetic testing. Although many aspects of the workup for acute leukemia are well accepted, few guidelines have addressed the different aspects of the diagnostic evaluation of samples from patients suspected to have acute leukemia.

OBJECTIVE

- To develop a guideline for treating physicians and pathologists involved in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of new acute leukemia samples, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage.

DESIGN

- The College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Hematology convened a panel of experts in hematology and hematopathology to develop recommendations. A systematic evidence review was conducted to address 6 key questions. Recommendations were derived from strength of evidence, feedback received during the public comment period, and expert panel consensus.

RESULTS

- Twenty-seven guideline statements were established, which ranged from recommendations on what clinical and laboratory information should be available as part of the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of acute leukemia samples to what types of testing should be performed routinely, with recommendations on where such testing should be performed and how the results should be reported.

CONCLUSIONS

- The guideline provides a framework for the multiple steps, including laboratory testing, in the evaluation of acute leukemia samples. Some aspects of the guideline, especially molecular genetic testing in acute leukemia, are rapidly changing with new supportive literature, which will require on-going updates for the guideline to remain relevant.

A Semi-automated Approach to Preparing Antibody Cocktails for Immunophenotypic Analysis of Human Peripheral Blood

Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood by flow cytometry determines changes in the frequency and activation status of peripheral leukocytes during disease and treatment. It has the potential to predict therapeutic efficacy and identify novel therapeutic targets. Whole blood staining utilizes unmanipulated blood, which minimizes artifacts that can occur during sample preparation. However, whole blood staining must also be done on freshly collected blood to ensure the integrity of the sample. Additionally, it is best to prepare antibody cocktails on the same day to avoid potential instability of tandem-dyes and prevent reagent interaction between brilliant violet dyes. Therefore, whole blood staining requires careful standardization to control for intra and inter-experimental variability.

Here, we report deployment of an automated liquid handler equipped with a two-dimensional (2D) barcode reader into a standard process of making antibody cocktails for flow cytometry. Antibodies were transferred into 2D barcoded tubes arranged in a 96 well format and their contents compiled in a database. The liquid handler could then locate the source antibody vials by referencing antibody names within the database. Our method eliminated tedious coordination for positioning of source antibody tubes. It provided versatility allowing the user to easily change any number of details in the antibody dispensing process such as specific antibody to use, volume, and destination by modifying the database without rewriting the scripting in the software method for each assay.

A proof of concept experiment achieved outstanding inter and intra- assay precision, demonstrated by replicate preparation of an 11-color, 17-antibody flow cytometry assay. These methodologies increased overall throughput for flow cytometry assays and facilitated daily preparation of the complex antibody cocktails required for the detailed phenotypic characterization of freshly collected anticoagulated peripheral blood.

Monitoring Circulating γδ T Cells in Cancer Patients to Optimize γδ T Cell-Based Immunotherapy

The success of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy, where the cytotoxic activity of circulating γδ T lymphocytes is activated by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (n-BP), or possibly by bispecific antibodies or the combination of both, requires a profound knowledge of patients' γδ T cells. A possible influence of radio- or chemotherapy on γδ T cells as well as their reported exhaustion after repetitive treatment with n-BP or their lack of response to various cancers can be easily determined by the monitoring assays described in this perspective article. Monitoring the absolute cell numbers of circulating γδ T cell subpopulations in small volumes of whole blood from cancer patients and determining γδ T cell cytotoxicity using the Real-Time Cell Analyzer can give a more comprehensive assessment of a personalized tumor treatment. Possible future directions such as the combined usage of n-BP or phosphorylated antigens together with bispecific antibodies that selectively target γδ T cells to tumor-associated antigens, will be discussed. Such strategies induce expansion and enhance γδ T cell cytotoxicity and might possibly avoid their exhaustion and overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Optimization of a whole blood phenotyping assay for enumeration of peripheral blood leukocyte populations in multicenter clinical trials

Vaccination with viral vectors or adjuvants can induce early changes in circulating peripheral blood leukocytes that are predictive of a protective immune response. In this study, we define an 11-color whole blood antibody staining Trucount Panel (TP1) to enumerate and phenotype the major leukocyte populations in a human vaccine experimental medicine trial setting. TP1 can be prepared up to 8weeks prior to use, enabling bulk preparation at a central laboratory and distribution to clinical sites. Cells in whole blood must be stained within 4h of draw to accurately detect the major cell populations. Staining of cells with TP1 followed by storage and shipping at -80°C to a central laboratory has little to no effect on the cell concentrations observed. We also present data from an HIV vaccine multicenter clinical trial obtained using the optimized TP1 assay protocol and show that the data produced accurately correlates with complete blood count (CBC) data. Taken together, these data indicate the optimized TP1 panel assay can be used in a multicenter clinical trial setting to increase our understanding of systemic responses to vaccination or disease.

Human CD1a deficiency is common and genetically regulated

CD1 proteins evolved to present diverse lipid Ags to T cells. In comparison with MHC proteins, CD1 proteins exhibit minimal allelic diversity as a result of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, it is unknown if common SNPs in gene regulatory regions affect CD1 expression and function. We report surprising diversity in patterns of inducible CD1a expression on human dendritic cells (DCs), spanning the full range from undetectable to high density, a finding not seen with other CD1 isoforms. CD1a-deficient DCs failed to present mycobacterial lipopeptide to T cells but had no defects in endocytosis, cytokine secretion, or expression of costimulatory molecules after LPS treatment. We identified an SNP in the 5' untranslated region (rs366316) that was common and strongly associated with low CD1a surface expression and mRNA levels (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively). Using a CD1a promoter-luciferase system in combination with mutagenesis studies, we found that the polymorphic allele reduced luciferase expression by 44% compared with the wild-type variant (p < 0.001). Genetic regulation of lipid Ag presentation by varying expression on human DCs provides a mechanism for achieving population level differences in immune responses despite limited structural variation in CD1a proteins.