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Zha C, Song J, Wan M, Lin X, He X, Wu M, Huang R. Recent advances in CAR-T therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Ther Adv Hematol 2024; 15:20406207241263489. [PMID: 39050113 PMCID: PMC11268017 DOI: 10.1177/20406207241263489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which has demonstrated notable efficacy against B-cell malignancies and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for clinical use in this context, represents a significant milestone in cancer immunotherapy. However, the efficacy of CAR-T therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is poor. The challenges associated with the application of CAR-T therapy for the clinical treatment of AML include, but are not limited to, nonspecific distribution of AML therapeutic targets, difficulties in the production of CAR-T cells, AML blast cell heterogeneity, the immunosuppressive microenvironment in AML, and treatment-related adverse events. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding various therapeutic targets for AML (CD33, CD123, CLL1, CD7, etc.) and the results of the latest clinical studies on these targets. Thereafter, we also discuss the challenges related to CAR-T therapy for AML and some promising strategies for overcoming these challenges, including novel approaches such as gene editing and advances in CAR design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zha
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jialu Song
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Wan
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongyedadaozhong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaolin He
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Wu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongyedadaozhong Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, China
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2
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Xue S. Recent progress in chimeric antigen receptor therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:1843-1857. [PMID: 38381173 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05601-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Although CAR-T cell therapy has been particularly successful as a treatment for B cell malignancies, effectively treating acute myeloid leukemia with CAR remains a greater challenge. Multiple preclinical studies and clinical trials are underway, including on AML-related surface markers that CAR-T cells can target, such as CD123, CD33, NKG2D, CLL1, CD7, FLT3, Lewis Y and CD70, all of which provide opportunities for developing CAR-T therapies with improved specificity and efficacy. We also explored specific strategies for CAR-T cell treatment of AML, including immune checkpoints, suicide genes, dual targeting, genomic tools and the potential for universal CAR. In addition, CAR-T cell therapy for AML still has certain risks and challenges, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and haematotoxicity. Despite these challenges, as a new targeting method for AML treatment, CAR-T cell therapy still has great prospects. Ongoing research aims to further optimize this treatment mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Hematology, Huai'an Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, Huai'an, 223002, China
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Huai'an Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, Huai'an, 223002, China.
| | - Shengli Xue
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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3
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Damiani D, Tiribelli M. CAR-T Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Where Do We Stand? Biomedicines 2024; 12:1194. [PMID: 38927401 PMCID: PMC11200794 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061194] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances, the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unsatisfactory due to disease recurrence and the development of resistance to both conventional and novel therapies. Engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their cellular surface represent one of the most promising anticancer agents. CAR-T cells are increasingly used in patients with B cell malignancies, with remarkable clinical results despite some immune-related toxicities. However, at present, the role of CAR-T cells in myeloid neoplasms, including AML, is extremely limited, as specific molecular targets for immune cells are generally lacking on AML blasts. Besides the paucity of dispensable targets, as myeloid antigens are often co-expressed on normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with potentially intolerable myeloablation, the AML microenvironment is hostile to T cell proliferation due to inhibitory soluble factors. In addition, the rapidly progressive nature of the disease further complicates the use of CAR-T in AML. This review discusses the current state of CAR-T cell therapy in AML, including the still scanty clinical evidence and the potential approaches to overcome its limitations, including genetic modifications and combinatorial strategies, to make CAR-T cell therapy an effective option for AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Damiani
- Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy;
- Department of Medicine (DMED), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Mario Tiribelli
- Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy;
- Department of Medicine (DMED), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
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4
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Morsy MM, Azzam AY, Elamin O, Elswedy A, Nashwan AJ. Safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia: A subgroup based meta-analysis. Leuk Res 2024; 140:107498. [PMID: 38582045 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2024.107498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a significant hematological malignancy in the United States, with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. CAR T-cell therapy, a new and promising treatment, is being investigated for its efficacy and safety in AML. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in AML, considering various subgroups such as study location, study design, prior transplantation status, conditioning regimen, and CAR T-cell source. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive literature review across multiple databases, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and focusing on studies concerning CAR T-cell therapy in AML. We included original articles in English and excluded non-original reviews, abstracts, and non-English studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROBINS-I tool. Statistical analysis involved meta-analysis with Cochrane's Q-test and I² statistic, using both fixed-effect and random-effects models, and assessed for publication bias. RESULTS Our search yielded studies encompassing 57 AML patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy. The meta-analysis revealed a 48% incidence of complete remission with CAR T-cell therapy, varying significantly across subgroups based on study design, location, prior transplantation, conditioning regimen, and CAR T-cell source. The highest complete remission rates were observed in patients from China, those who had undergone prior hematopoietic cell transplantation, and those treated with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide conditioning regimen. Adverse events included graft-versus-host disease (7%) and cytokine release syndrome (53%). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis highlights the potential of CAR T-cell therapy in AML treatment, especially when integrated with certain prior treatments and conditioning regimens. The findings suggest a higher efficacy in patients with previous hematopoietic cell transplantation and specific conditioning regimens. Further large-scale, randomized trials are essential to confirm these findings and establish CAR T-cell therapy as a standard treatment for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed Y Azzam
- Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Osman Elamin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jordan Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Adam Elswedy
- Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Abdulqadir J Nashwan
- Nursing & Midwifery Research Department (NMRD), Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
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Guijarro-Albaladejo B, Marrero-Cepeda C, Rodríguez-Arbolí E, Sierro-Martínez B, Pérez-Simón JA, García-Guerrero E. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T Cells in acute myeloid leukemia: limitations and expectations. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1376554. [PMID: 38694825 PMCID: PMC11061469 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1376554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis despite the advent of novel therapies. Consequently, a major need exists for new therapeutic options, particularly for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. In recent years, it has been possible to individualize the treatment of a subgroup of patients, particularly with the emergence of multiple targeted therapies. Nonetheless, a considerable number of patients remain without therapeutic options, and overall prognosis remains poor because of a high rate of disease relapse. In this sense, cellular therapies, especially chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, have dramatically shifted the therapeutic options for other hematologic malignancies, such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In contrast, effectively treating AML with CAR-based immunotherapy poses major biological and clinical challenges, most of them derived from the unmet need to identify target antigens with expression restricted to the AML blast without compromising the viability of the normal hematopoietic stem cell counterpart. Although those limitations have hampered CAR-T cell therapy translation to the clinic, there are several clinical trials where target antigens, such as CD123, CLL-1 or CD33 are being used to treat AML patients showing promising results. Moreover, there are continuing efforts to enhance the specificity and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy in AML. These endeavors encompass the exploration of novel avenues, including the development of dual CAR-T cells and next-generation CAR-T cells, as well as the utilization of gene editing tools to mitigate off-tumor toxicities. In this review, we will summarize the ongoing clinical studies and the early clinical results reported with CAR-T cells in AML, as well as highlight CAR-T cell limitations and the most recent approaches to overcome these barriers. We will also discuss how and when CAR-T cells should be used in the context of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Guijarro-Albaladejo
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Cristina Marrero-Cepeda
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Hematología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Eduardo Rodríguez-Arbolí
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Hematología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Belén Sierro-Martínez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - José Antonio Pérez-Simón
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Hematología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Estefanía García-Guerrero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
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Canichella M, Molica M, Mazzone C, de Fabritiis P. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: State of the Art and Recent Advances. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:42. [PMID: 38201469 PMCID: PMC10777995 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010042] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-T-cell therapy represents the most important innovation in onco-hematology in recent years. The progress achieved in the management of complications and the latest generations of CAR-T-cells have made it possible to anticipate in second-line the indication of this type of treatment in large B-cell lymphoma. While some types of B-cell lymphomas and B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia have shown extremely promising results, the same cannot be said for myeloid leukemias-in particular, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which would require innovative therapies more than any other blood disease. The heterogeneities of AML cells and the immunological complexity of the interactions between the bone marrow microenvironment and leukemia cells have been found to be major obstacles to the clinical development of CAR-T in AML. In this review, we report on the main results obtained in AML clinical trials, the preclinical studies testing potential CAR-T constructs, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Canichella
- Hematology, St. Eugenio Hospital, ASL Roma2, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (P.d.F.)
| | - Matteo Molica
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Pugliese-Ciaccio, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Carla Mazzone
- Hematology, St. Eugenio Hospital, ASL Roma2, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (P.d.F.)
| | - Paolo de Fabritiis
- Hematology, St. Eugenio Hospital, ASL Roma2, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (P.d.F.)
- Department of Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy
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7
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Patel SA, Bello E, Wilks A, Gerber JM, Sadagopan N, Cerny J. Harnessing autologous immune effector mechanisms in acute myeloid leukemia: 2023 update of trials and tribulations. Leuk Res 2023; 134:107388. [PMID: 37729719 PMCID: PMC10947503 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2023.107388] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Numerous recent advances have been made in therapeutic approaches toward acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Since 2017, we have seen eleven novel Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for AML, all of which extend beyond the classical cytarabine-based cytostatic chemotherapy. In the recent two decades, the role of immune surveillance in AML has been intensively investigated. The power of one's own innate and adaptive immunity has been harnessed pharmacologically toward the goal of clearance of AML cells. Specifically, pre-clinical studies have shown great promise for antibodies that disinhibit T cells and macrophages by blocking checkpoint receptors within the immunologic synapse, thereby resulting in the elimination of AML cells. Anti-CD33 CAR-T therapies and anti-CD3/CD123 bispecific antibodies have also exhibited encouraging results in pre-clinical and early clinical studies. However, despite these translational efforts, we currently have no immune-based therapies for AML on the market, with the exception of gemtuzumab ozogamicin. In this focused review, we discuss molecular target validation and the most relevant clinical updates for immune-based experimental therapeutics including anti-CD47 monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T therapies, and bispecific T cell engagers. We highlight barriers to the clinical translation of these therapies in AML, and we propose solutions to optimize the manufacturing and delivery of the most novel immune-based therapies in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam A Patel
- Dept. of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Center for Clinical and Translational Science, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Elisa Bello
- UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Wilks
- Dept. of Medicine - Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan M Gerber
- Dept. of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Center for Clinical and Translational Science, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Narayanan Sadagopan
- MedStar Health - Georgetown/Washington Hospital Center Hematology and Medical Oncology, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jan Cerny
- Dept. of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Center for Clinical and Translational Science, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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8
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Cao H, Wu T, Zhou X, Xie S, Sun H, Sun Y, Li Y. Progress of research on PD-1/PD-L1 in leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1265299. [PMID: 37822924 PMCID: PMC10562551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1265299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia cells prevent immune system from clearing tumor cells by inducing the immunosuppression of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. In recent years, further understanding of the BM microenvironment and immune landscape of leukemia has resulted in the introduction of several immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell engager, antibody drug conjugates, and cellular therapies in clinical trials. Among them, the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis is a significant checkpoint for controlling immune responses, the PD-1 receptor on tumor-infiltrating T cells is bound by PD-L1 on leukemia cells. Consequently, the activation of tumor reactive T cells is inhibited and their apoptosis is promoted, preventing the rejection of the tumor by immune system and thus resulting in the occurrence of immune tolerance. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis serves as a significant mechanism by which tumor cells evade immune surveillance, and PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of lymphomas and varieties of solid tumors. However, the development of drugs targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in leukemia remains in the clinical-trial stage. In this review, we tally up the basic research and clinical trials on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in leukemia, as well as discuss the relevant toxicity and impacts of PD-1/PD-L1 on other immunotherapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, bi-specific T-cell engager, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhen Cao
- Department of Pediatrics, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Shuyang Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Hongfang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Yunxiao Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Youjie Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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9
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Vanhooren J, Dobbelaere R, Derpoorter C, Deneweth L, Van Camp L, Uyttebroeck A, De Moerloose B, Lammens T. CAR-T in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Barriers and How to Overcome Them. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e937. [PMID: 37674860 PMCID: PMC10479376 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are characterized by high rates of relapse, severe toxicities, and poor overall survival rates. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies is crucial for improving the survival and quality of life of AML patients. CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy has been extremely successful in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia and several mature B-cell lymphomas. However, the use of CAR T-cell therapy for AML is currently prevented due to the lack of a myeloid equivalent to CD19, as currently known cell surface targets on leukemic blasts are also expressed on healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells as well as their progeny. In addition, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment has a dampening effect on the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells. Here, we review the therapeutic challenges limiting the use of CAR T-cell therapy for AML and discuss promising novel strategies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Vanhooren
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rani Dobbelaere
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Derpoorter
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Larissa Deneweth
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laurens Van Camp
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anne Uyttebroeck
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Belgium
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10
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Zarychta J, Kowalczyk A, Krawczyk M, Lejman M, Zawitkowska J. CAR-T Cells Immunotherapies for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Recent Advances. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112944. [PMID: 37296906 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to increase the effectiveness of cancer therapies and extend the long-term survival of patients, more and more often, in addition to standard treatment, oncological patients receive also targeted therapy, i.e., CAR-T cells. These cells express a chimeric receptor (CAR) that specifically binds an antigen present on tumor cells, resulting in tumor cell lysis. The use of CAR-T cells in the therapy of relapsed and refractory B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) resulted in complete remission in many patients, which prompted researchers to conduct tests on the use of CAR-T cells in the treatment of other hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is associated with a poorer prognosis compared to ALL due to a higher risk of relapse caused by the development of resistance to standard treatment. The 5-year relative survival rate in AML patients was estimated at 31.7%. The objective of the following review is to present the mechanism of action of CAR-T cells, and discuss the latest findings on the results of anti-CD33, -CD123, -FLT3 and -CLL-1 CAR-T cell therapy, the emerging challenges as well as the prospects for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zarychta
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Adrian Kowalczyk
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Milena Krawczyk
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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11
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Alvanou M, Lysandrou M, Christophi P, Psatha N, Spyridonidis A, Papadopoulou A, Yannaki E. Empowering the Potential of CAR-T Cell Immunotherapies by Epigenetic Reprogramming. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071935. [PMID: 37046597 PMCID: PMC10093039 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell-based, personalized immunotherapy can nowadays be considered the mainstream treatment for certain blood cancers, with a high potential for expanding indications. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts), an ex vivo genetically modified T-cell therapy product redirected to target an antigen of interest, have achieved unforeseen successes in patients with B-cell hematologic malignancies. Frequently, however, CAR-T cell therapies fail to provide durable responses while they have met with only limited success in treating solid cancers because unique, unaddressed challenges, including poor persistence, impaired trafficking to the tumor, and site penetration through a hostile microenvironment, impede their efficacy. Increasing evidence suggests that CAR-Ts' in vivo performance is associated with T-cell intrinsic features that may be epigenetically altered or dysregulated. In this review, we focus on the impact of epigenetic regulation on T-cell differentiation, exhaustion, and tumor infiltration and discuss how epigenetic reprogramming may enhance CAR-Ts' memory phenotype, trafficking, and fitness, contributing to the development of a new generation of potent CAR-T immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alvanou
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Memnon Lysandrou
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Panayota Christophi
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Nikoleta Psatha
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
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12
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Chen Y, Wang J, Zhang F, Liu P. A perspective of immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia: Current advances and challenges. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1151032. [PMID: 37153761 PMCID: PMC10154606 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1151032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been the subject of extensive study which has considerably increased our understanding of the disease. However, both resistance to chemotherapy and disease relapse remain the principal obstacles to successful treatment. Because of acute and chronic undesirable effects frequently associated with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, consolidation chemotherapy is not feasible, especially for elderly patients, which has attracted a growing body of research to attempt to tackle this problem. Immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, together with T-cell therapy based on engineered antigen receptor have been developed recently. Our review presents the recent progress in immunotherapy for the treatment of AML and discusses effective therapies that have the most potential and major challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Province Institute of Hematology, Guizhou Province Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Centre, Guiyang, China
| | - Jishi Wang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Province Institute of Hematology, Guizhou Province Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Centre, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Jishi Wang,
| | - Fengqi Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Province Institute of Hematology, Guizhou Province Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Centre, Guiyang, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Province Institute of Hematology, Guizhou Province Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Centre, Guiyang, China
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13
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Shahzad M, Nguyen A, Hussain A, Ammad-Ud-Din M, Faisal MS, Tariq E, Ali F, Butt A, Anwar I, Chaudhary SG, Lutfi F, Ahmed N, Singh AK, Hematti P, McGuirk JP, Mushtaq MU. Outcomes with chimeric antigen receptor t-cell therapy in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152457. [PMID: 37168849 PMCID: PMC10164930 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes following chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (RR-AML). Methods We performed a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov. After screening 677 manuscripts, 13 studies were included. Data was extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package by Schwarzer et al. Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Results We analyzed 57 patients from 10 clinical trials and 3 case reports. The pooled complete and overall response rates were 49.5% (95% CI 0.18-0.81, I2 =65%) and 65.2% (95% CI 0.36-0.91, I2 =57%). The pooled incidence of cytokine release syndrome, immune-effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease was estimated as 54.4% (95% CI 0.17-0.90, I2 =77%), 3.9% (95% CI 0.00-0.19, I2 =22%), and 1.6% (95%CI 0.00-0.21, I2 =33%), respectively. Conclusion CAR-T therapy has demonstrated modest efficacy in RR-AML. Major challenges include heterogeneous disease biology, lack of a unique targetable antigen, and immune exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moazzam Shahzad
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Andrea Nguyen
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Ali Hussain
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | | | - Muhammad Salman Faisal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Ezza Tariq
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Fatima Ali
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Atif Butt
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Iqra Anwar
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Sibgha Gull Chaudhary
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Forat Lutfi
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Nausheen Ahmed
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Anurag K. Singh
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Peiman Hematti
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WL, United States
| | - Joseph P. McGuirk
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Muhammad Umair Mushtaq
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Umair Mushtaq,
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14
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Abstract
Although complete remission could be achieved in about 60%-70% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after conventional chemotherapy, relapse and the state of being refractory to treatment remain the main cause of death. In addition, there is a great need for less intensive regimens for all medically frail patients (both due to age/comorbidity and treatment-related). Immune therapy anticipates improved prognosis and reduced toxicities, which may offer novel therapeutic rationales. However, one of the major difficulties in developing immune therapies against AML is that the target antigens are also significantly expressed on healthy hematopoietic stem cells; B-cell malignancies are different because CD20/CD19/healthy B-cells are readily replaceable. Only the anti-CD33 antibody-drug conjugate gemtuzumab-ozogamicin is approved by the FDA for AML. Thus, drug development remains extremely active, although it is still in its infancy. This review summarizes the clinical results of immune therapeutic agents for AML, such as antibody-based drugs, chimeric antigen receptor therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines.
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15
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Wei W, Yang D, Chen X, Liang D, Zou L, Zhao X. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for T-ALL and AML. Front Oncol 2022; 12:967754. [PMID: 36523990 PMCID: PMC9745195 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.967754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-B-cell acute leukemia is a term that encompasses T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, the therapeutic effectiveness of existing treatments for refractory or relapsed (R/R) non-B-cell acute leukemia is limited. In such situations, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy may be a promising approach to treat non-B-cell acute leukemia, given its promising results in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Nevertheless, fratricide, malignant contamination, T cell aplasia for T-ALL, and specific antigen selection and complex microenvironment for AML remain significant challenges in the implementation of CAR-T therapy for T-ALL and AML patients in the clinic. Therefore, designs of CAR-T cells targeting CD5 and CD7 for T-ALL and CD123, CD33, and CLL1 for AML show promising efficacy and safety profiles in clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of non-B-cell acute leukemia, the development of CARs, the CAR targets, and their efficacy for treating non-B-cell acute leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Wei
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dandan Liang
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liqun Zou
- Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Cassioli C, Patrussi L, Valitutti S, Baldari CT. Learning from TCR Signaling and Immunological Synapse Assembly to Build New Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14255. [PMID: 36430728 PMCID: PMC9694822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy is a revolutionary pillar in cancer treatment. Clinical experience has shown remarkable successes in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies but only limited efficacy against B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other cancer types, especially solid tumors. A wide range of engineering strategies have been employed to overcome the limitations of CAR T cell therapy. However, it has become increasingly clear that CARs have unique, unexpected features; hence, a deep understanding of how CARs signal and trigger the formation of a non-conventional immunological synapse (IS), the signaling platform required for T cell activation and execution of effector functions, would lead a shift from empirical testing to the rational design of new CAR constructs. Here, we review current knowledge of CARs, focusing on their structure, signaling and role in CAR T cell IS assembly. We, moreover, discuss the molecular features accounting for poor responses in CLL patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR T cells and propose CLL as a paradigm for diseases connected to IS dysfunctions that could significantly benefit from the development of novel CARs to generate a productive anti-tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Patrussi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, 31037 Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - Cosima T. Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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17
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Huang J, Huang X, Huang J. CAR-T cell therapy for hematological malignancies: Limitations and optimization strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1019115. [PMID: 36248810 PMCID: PMC9557333 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1019115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, the emergence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has led to a cellular immunotherapy revolution against various cancers. Although CAR-T cell therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy for patients with certain B cell driven hematological malignancies, further studies are required to broaden the use of CAR-T cell therapy against other hematological malignancies. Moreover, treatment failure still occurs for a significant proportion of patients. CAR antigen loss on cancer cells is one of the most common reasons for cancer relapse. Additionally, immune evasion can arise due to the hostile immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the impaired CAR-T cells in vivo persistence. Other than direct antitumor activity, the adverse effects associated with CAR-T cell therapy are another major concern during treatment. As a newly emerged treatment approach, numerous novel preclinical studies have proposed different strategies to enhance the efficacy and attenuate CAR-T cell associated toxicity in recent years. The major obstacles that impede promising outcomes for patients with hematological malignancies during CAR-T cell therapy have been reviewed herein, along with recent advancements being made to surmount them.
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18
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Zhang X, Zhu L, Zhang H, Chen S, Xiao Y. CAR-T Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies: Current Opportunities and Challenges. Front Immunol 2022; 13:927153. [PMID: 35757715 PMCID: PMC9226391 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.927153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy represents a major breakthrough in cancer treatment, and it has achieved unprecedented success in hematological malignancies, especially in relapsed/refractory (R/R) B cell malignancies. At present, CD19 and BCMA are the most common targets in CAR-T cell therapy, and numerous novel therapeutic targets are being explored. However, the adverse events related to CAR-T cell therapy might be serious or even life-threatening, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), CAR-T-cell-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES), infections, cytopenia, and CRS-related coagulopathy. In addition, due to antigen escape, the limited CAR-T cell persistence, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, a considerable proportion of patients relapse after CAR-T cell therapy. Thus, in this review, we focus on the progress and challenges of CAR-T cell therapy in hematological malignancies, such as attractive therapeutic targets, CAR-T related toxicities, and resistance to CAR-T cell therapy, and provide some practical recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Clinical Medicine College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingling Zhu
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hematology, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Pilot Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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19
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Gumber D, Wang LD. Improving CAR-T immunotherapy: Overcoming the challenges of T cell exhaustion. EBioMedicine 2022; 77:103941. [PMID: 35301179 PMCID: PMC8927848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a cancer treatment with enormous potential, demonstrating impressive antitumor activity in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, CAR T cell exhaustion is a major limitation to their efficacy, particularly in the application of CAR T cells to solid tumors. CAR T cell exhaustion is thought to be due to persistent antigen stimulation, as well as an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and mitigating exhaustion to maintain CAR T cell effector function and persistence and achieve clinical potency remains a central challenge. Here, we review the underlying mechanisms of exhaustion and discuss emerging strategies to prevent or reverse exhaustion through modifications of the CAR receptor or CAR independent pathways. Additionally, we discuss the potential of these strategies for improving clinical outcomes of CAR T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gumber
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte CA, United States; Department of Immunooncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Leo D Wang
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte CA, United States; Department of Immunooncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States.
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20
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Ma YJ, Dai HP, Cui QY, Cui W, Zhu WJ, Qu CJ, Kang LQ, Zhu MQ, Zhu XM, Liu DD, Feng YF, Shen HJ, Liu TH, Qiu HY, Yu L, Wu DP, Tang XW. Successful application of PD-1 knockdown CLL-1 CAR-T therapy in two AML patients with post-transplant relapse and failure of anti-CD38 CAR-T cell treatment. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:615-621. [PMID: 35261791 PMCID: PMC8899985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) often show resistance to chemotherapy and have dismal outcomes. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new treatment strategies to address this problem. With tremendous achievement of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy against B-cell malignancies, many efforts have been devoted to developing CAR-T therapy for R/R AML but with limited success, in part owing to a lack of specific targets. C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1) is highly expressed on AML blasts with no expression on normal hematopoietic stem cells, which makes it an ideal target of immunotherapy for AML. Here, we report 2 R/R AML patients who relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and failed multiline salvage therapies including anti-CD38 CAR-T therapy, but were successfully treated with PD-1 silenced anti-CLL-1 CAR-T therapy. Both patients achieved molecular complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery at 28 days of evaluation after CLL-1 CAR-T cell infusion. Cytokine release syndrome in cases 1 and 2 were grade 1 and 2, respectively. At the last follow-up, cases 1 and 2 had maintained continuous remission for 8 and 3 months, respectively. Our results demonstrated that CLL-1 CAR-T cells might be an effective and safe salvage therapy for AML patients with posttransplant relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ju Ma
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hai-Ping Dai
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing-Ya Cui
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Cui
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen-Juan Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chang-Ju Qu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Qing Kang
- Shanghai Unicar-Therapy Bio-medicine Technology Co, LtdShanghai, China
| | - Ming-Qing Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia-Ming Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan-Dan Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu-Feng Feng
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hong-Jie Shen
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tian-Hui Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui-Ying Qiu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Yu
- Shanghai Unicar-Therapy Bio-medicine Technology Co, LtdShanghai, China
| | - De-Pei Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow UniversitySuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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21
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The Implementation of TNFRSF Co-Stimulatory Domains in CAR-T Cells for Optimal Functional Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020299. [PMID: 35053463 PMCID: PMC8773791 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily (TNFRSF) is a large and important immunoregulatory family that provides crucial co-stimulatory signals to many if not all immune effector cells. Each co-stimulatory TNFRSF member has a distinct expression profile and a unique functional impact on various types of cells and at different stages of the immune response. Correspondingly, exploiting TNFRSF-mediated signaling for cancer immunotherapy has been a major field of interest, with various therapeutic TNFRSF-exploiting anti-cancer approaches such as 4-1BB and CD27 agonistic antibodies being evaluated (pre)clinically. A further application of TNFRSF signaling is the incorporation of the intracellular co-stimulatory domain of a TNFRSF into so-called Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) constructs for CAR-T cell therapy, the most prominent example of which is the 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain included in the clinically approved product Kymriah. In fact, CAR-T cell function can be clearly influenced by the unique co-stimulatory features of members of the TNFRSF. Here, we review a select group of TNFRSF members (4-1BB, OX40, CD27, CD40, HVEM, and GITR) that have gained prominence as co-stimulatory domains in CAR-T cell therapy and illustrate the unique features that each confers to CAR-T cells.
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22
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Aberrant expression of WDR4 affects the clinical significance of cancer immunity in pan-cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:18360-18375. [PMID: 34282052 PMCID: PMC8351698 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent publications have presented research showing that WD repeat domain 4 (WDR4) plays a significant role in various kinds of malignant tumours. However, the expression profile of WDR4 is still unspecified, as is its significance in the analysis of human pan-cancer. We conducted an in-depth analysis of three aspects of WDR4 expression patterns from 33 types of cancer and determined the value of WDR4 for prognostic prediction and carcinoma drug resistance prediction. WDR4 was expressed in different cancer cell lines at inconsistent levels. Aberrant expression of WDR4 has been observed in various malignant cancers and is significantly implicated in overall survival outcomes. The expression level of WDR4 is also strongly associated with tumour immunity, such as immune scores and tumour-infiltrating immune cells. The level of WDR4 is related to microsatellite instability and tumour mutation burden in several types of malignancy, and validation studies implied that WDR4-associated terms and pathways are involved in malignancy. We explored the expression level of WDR4 across 33 types of cancer and showed that WDR4 plays a significant role during cancer development. More crucially, WDR4 is associated with immune infiltration, which suggests that WDR4 could be an immunotherapy target in cancers. In summary, our research showed that WDR4 plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and has the potential for to be targeted with treatments.
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