1
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Hull CM, Larcombe-Young D, Mazza R, George M, Davies DM, Schurich A, Maher J. Granzyme B-activated IL18 potentiates αβ and γδ CAR T cell immunotherapy in a tumor-dependent manner. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00315-0. [PMID: 38745414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)18 is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that is activated upon caspase 1 cleavage of the latent precursor, pro-IL18. Therapeutic T cell armoring with IL18 promotes autocrine stimulation and positive modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, existing strategies are imperfect since they involve constitutive/poorly regulated activity or fail to modify the TME. Here, we have substituted the caspase 1 cleavage site within pro-IL18 with that preferred by granzyme B, yielding GzB-IL18. We demonstrate that GzB-IL18 is constitutively released but remains functionally latent unless chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are activated, owing to concomitant granzyme B release. Armoring with GzB-IL18 enhances cytolytic activity, proliferation, interferon (IFN)-γ release, and anti-tumor efficacy by a similar magnitude to constitutively active IL18. We also demonstrate that GzB-IL18 provides a highly effective armoring strategy for γδ CAR T cells, leading to enhanced metabolic fitness and significant potentiation of therapeutic activity. Finally, we show that constitutively active IL18 can unmask CAR T cell-mediated cytokine release syndrome in immunocompetent mice. By contrast, GzB-IL18 promotes anti-tumor activity and myeloid cell re-programming without inducing such toxicity. Using this stringent system, we have tightly coupled the biological activity of IL18 to the activation state of the host CAR T cell, favoring safer clinical implementation of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Hull
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Daniel Larcombe-Young
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Roberta Mazza
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Molly George
- King's College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - David M Davies
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Anna Schurich
- King's College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 2UD, UK.
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2
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Dong S, Wang P, Zhang L, Zhang X, Li X, Wang J, Cui X, Lan T, Gao C, Shi Y, Wang W, Wang J, Jiang M. The Qi Yin San Liang San decoction enhances anti-CD19 CAR-T cell function in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117109. [PMID: 37657771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Adoptive T-cell therapy with anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells is a new approach for treating advanced B-cell malignancies. However, CAR-Tcell therapies for tumors are challenging due to tumor heterogeneity, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and CAR-T cell exhaustion. The Qi Yin San Liang San (SLS) decoction has a significant curative effect in treating tumors and can improve clinical efficacy when combined with tumor immunotherapy. However, there has been no in vitro or in vivo pharmacodynamic evaluation of SLS in combination with immunotherapy, and the underlying immunological mechanism remains unclear. AIM OF THE REVIEW The study objective was to determine the auxiliary effect and potential mechanism of SLS as an adjuvant treatment with anti-CD19 CAR-T cells for B-cell lymphomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Network pharmacology analyses, in vitro and in vivo studies, and transcriptome sequencing analyses were performed. RESULTS Forty-two components were detected in SLS by HPLC. Sixteen pharmacologically active ingredients were analyzed by searching the TCMSP database. The predicted targets included IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, CASP7, and CASP9. In vitro studies revealed that SLS can dose-dependently promote the killing effect of unmodified T and anti-CD19 CAR-T cells against Raji cell lines. Meanwhile, SLS inhibited unmodified T and anti-CD19 CAR-T cell exhaustion, promoted anti-CD19 CAR-T cell proliferation, reduced the levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, and increased granzyme B levels. In vivo studies, SLS effectively improved the anti-tumor function of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells, prolonged the survival of the mice, and reduced the levels of IL-6, GM-CSF, and IL-17. Subsequently, the transcriptomic analysis showed that SLS inhibited the IL-17 signaling pathway and the apoptosis signaling pathway of T cells. In addition, SLS downregulated the expression of IL-17A, IL-6, TNF-α, GM-CSF, S100A8, CASP 7, CASP 9, and CASP 10 in anti-CD19 CAR-T cells. SLS regulated the IL-17 signaling pathway and apoptosis signaling pathway in anti-CD19 CAR-T cells. CONCLUSION SLS plays a potential auxiliary role in enhancing the function of anti-CD19 CAR T cells in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma, improving the killing ability of these cells, reducing the potential risk associated with inflammation, and providing synergistic and attenuating effects. The mechanism of SLS is partially mediated by the apoptosis and IL-17 signaling pathways (such as IL-17A, IL-6, TNF-α, GM-CSF, and Granzyme B).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China; Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 101121, China
| | - Peipei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Liubo Zhang
- China-Japan Friendship Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Xiaorui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Xinming Cui
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Ting Lan
- Department of Lab Medicine, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, 528403, China
| | - Can Gao
- Department of Lab Medicine, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, 528403, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518172, China; Shenzhen Cell Valley Biomedical Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Weijia Wang
- Department of Lab Medicine, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, 528403, China.
| | - Jianxun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102401, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518172, China; Shenzhen Cell Valley Biomedical Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Miao Jiang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 101121, China.
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3
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Zeng K, Huang M, Lyu MA, Khoury JD, Ahmed S, Patel KK, Dropulić B, Reese-Koc J, Caimi PF, Sadeghi T, Lima MD, Flowers CR, Parmar S. Adjunct Therapy with T Regulatory Cells Decreases Inflammation and Preserves the Anti-Tumor Activity of CAR T Cells. Cells 2023; 12:1880. [PMID: 37508543 PMCID: PMC10377823 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
With greater accessibility and an increased number of patients being treated with CAR T cell therapy, real-world toxicity continues to remain a significant challenge to its widespread adoption. We have previously shown that allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived (UCB) regulatory T cells (Tregs) can resolve inflammation and treat acute and immune-mediated lung injuries. Allogeneic, cryopreserved UCB Tregs have shown a clinical benefit in patients suffering from COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. The unique properties of UCB Treg cells include a lack of plasticity under inflammatory micro-environments, no requirement for HLA matching, a long shelf life of cryopreserved cells, and immediate product availability, which makes them attractive for treating acute inflammatory syndromes. Therefore, we hypothesized that adjunct therapy with UCB Tregs may resolve the undesirable inflammation responsible for CAR T cell therapy-associated toxicity. In in vitro analysis, no interference from the addition of UCB Tregs was observed on CD19 CAR T cells' ability to kill CD19 Raji cells at different CAR T: Raji cell ratios of 8:1 (80.4% vs. 81.5%); 4:1 (62.0% vs. 66.2%); 2:1 (50.1% vs. 54.7%); and 1:1 (35.4% vs. 44.1%). In the xenogeneic B-cell lymphoma model, multiple injections of UCB Tregs were administered 3 days after CD19 CAR T cell injection, and no detrimental effect of add-on Tregs was noted on the circulating CD8+ T effector cells. The distribution of CAR T cells in multiple organs remained unaffected by the addition of the UCB Tregs. Specifically, no difference in the overall tumor burden was detected between the UCB Treg + CAR T vs. CAR T alone recipients. No tumor was detected in the liver or bone marrow in CAR T cells + UCB Tregs recipients, with a notable corresponding decrease in multiple circulating inflammatory cytokines when compared to CART alone recipients. Here we show the proof of concept for adjunct therapy with UCB Tregs to mitigate the hyper-inflammatory state induced by CAR T cells without any interference in their on-target anti-tumor activity. Administration of UCB Tregs after CAR T cells allows sufficient time for their synapse formation with tumor cells and exerts cytotoxicity, such that the UCB Tregs are diverted to interact with the antigen-presenting cells at the site of inflammation. Such a differential distribution of cells would allow for a two-pronged strategy of a UCB Treg "cooling blanket" effect and lay the groundwork for clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zeng
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Meixian Huang
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mi-Ae Lyu
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sairah Ahmed
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Krina K Patel
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Jane Reese-Koc
- Department of Cellular Therapy, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Paolo F Caimi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | | | - Marcos de Lima
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher R Flowers
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Simrit Parmar
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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4
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Papa S, Adami A, Metoudi M, Beatson R, George MS, Achkova D, Williams E, Arif S, Reid F, Elstad M, Beckley-Hoelscher N, Douri A, Delord M, Lyne M, Shivapatham D, Fisher C, Hope A, Gooljar S, Mitra A, Gomm L, Morton C, Henley-Smith R, Thavaraj S, Santambrogio A, Andoniadou C, Allen S, Gibson V, Cook GJR, Parente-Pereira AC, Davies DM, Farzaneh F, Schurich A, Guerrero-Urbano T, Jeannon JP, Spicer J, Maher J. Intratumoral pan-ErbB targeted CAR-T for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: interim analysis of the T4 immunotherapy study. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007162. [PMID: 37321663 PMCID: PMC10277526 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Locally advanced/recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To target upregulated ErbB dimer expression in this cancer, we developed an autologous CD28-based chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) approach named T4 immunotherapy. Patient-derived T-cells are engineered by retroviral transduction to coexpress a panErbB-specific CAR called T1E28ζ and an IL-4-responsive chimeric cytokine receptor, 4αβ, which allows IL-4-mediated enrichment of transduced cells during manufacture. These cells elicit preclinical antitumor activity against HNSCC and other carcinomas. In this trial, we used intratumoral delivery to mitigate significant clinical risk of on-target off-tumor toxicity owing to low-level ErbB expression in healthy tissues. METHODS We undertook a phase 1 dose-escalation 3+3 trial of intratumoral T4 immunotherapy in HNSCC (NCT01818323). CAR T-cell batches were manufactured from 40 to 130 mL of whole blood using a 2-week semiclosed process. A single CAR T-cell treatment, formulated as a fresh product in 1-4 mL of medium, was injected into one or more target lesions. Dose of CAR T-cells was escalated in 5 cohorts from 1×107-1×109 T4+ T-cells, administered without prior lymphodepletion. RESULTS Despite baseline lymphopenia in most enrolled subjects, the target cell dose was successfully manufactured in all cases, yielding up to 7.5 billion T-cells (67.5±11.8% transduced), without any batch failures. Treatment-related adverse events were all grade 2 or less, with no dose-limiting toxicities (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events V.4.0). Frequent treatment-related adverse events were tumor swelling, pain, pyrexias, chills, and fatigue. There was no evidence of leakage of T4+ T-cells into the circulation following intratumoral delivery, and injection of radiolabeled cells demonstrated intratumoral persistence. Despite rapid progression at trial entry, stabilization of disease (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors V.1.1) was observed in 9 of 15 subjects (60%) at 6 weeks post-CAR T-cell administration. Subsequent treatment with pembrolizumab and T-VEC oncolytic virus achieved a rapid complete clinical response in one subject, which was durable for over 3 years. Median overall survival was greater than for historical controls. Disease stabilization was associated with the administration of an immunophenotypically fitter, less exhausted, T4 CAR T-cell product. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the safe intratumoral administration of T4 immunotherapy in advanced HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Papa
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Antonella Adami
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Metoudi
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Beatson
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Molly Sarah George
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniela Achkova
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Evangelia Williams
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sefina Arif
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Fiona Reid
- School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Elstad
- School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Beckley-Hoelscher
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Abdel Douri
- School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marc Delord
- School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mike Lyne
- Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dharshene Shivapatham
- Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Fisher
- Good Manufacturing Practice Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andrew Hope
- Good Manufacturing Practice Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sakina Gooljar
- Good Manufacturing Practice Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Arindam Mitra
- Good Manufacturing Practice Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Linda Gomm
- Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cienne Morton
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rhonda Henley-Smith
- Head and Neck Pathology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Selvam Thavaraj
- Head and Neck Pathology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Santambrogio
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cynthia Andoniadou
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Allen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Victoria Gibson
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gary J R Cook
- London School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - David M Davies
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Schurich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Teresa Guerrero-Urbano
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jean-Pierre Jeannon
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - James Spicer
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - John Maher
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Eastbourne, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd, London, London, UK
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5
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Shah D, Soper B, Shopland L. Cytokine release syndrome and cancer immunotherapies - historical challenges and promising futures. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190379. [PMID: 37304291 PMCID: PMC10248525 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy involves reinvigorating the patient's own immune system to fight against cancer. While novel approaches like Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, bispecific T cell engagers, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising efficacy, Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) is a serious adverse effect and remains a major concern. CRS is a phenomenon of immune hyperactivation that results in excessive cytokine secretion, and if left unchecked, it may lead to multi-organ failure and death. Here we review the pathophysiology of CRS, its occurrence and management in the context of cancer immunotherapy, and the screening approaches that can be used to assess CRS and de-risk drug discovery earlier in the clinical setting with more predictive pre-clinical data. Furthermore, the review also sheds light on the potential immunotherapeutic approaches that can be used to overcome CRS associated with T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep Shah
- In vivo Services, The Jackson Laboratory, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Brian Soper
- Technical Information Services, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | - Lindsay Shopland
- In vivo Services, The Jackson Laboratory, Sacramento, CA, United States
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6
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Wang HQ, Fu R, Man QW, Yang G, Liu B, Bu LL. Advances in CAR-T Cell Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062173. [PMID: 36983174 PMCID: PMC10052000 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Surgery with the assistance of conventional radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy is the basis for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. However, with these treatment modalities, the recurrence and metastasis of tumors remain at a high level. Increasingly, the evidence indicates an excellent anti-tumor effect of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells in hematological malignancy treatment, and this novel immunotherapy has attracted researchers’ attention in HNSCC treatment. Although several clinical trials have been conducted, the weak anti-tumor effect and the side effects of CAR-T cell therapy against HNSCC are barriers to clinical translation. The limited choices of targeting proteins, the barriers of CAR-T cell infiltration into targeted tumors and short survival time in vivo should be solved. In this review, we introduce barriers of CAR-T cell therapy in HNSCC. The limitations and current promising strategies to overcome barriers in solid tumors, as well as the applications for HNSCC treatment, are covered. The perspectives of CAR-T cell therapy in future HNSCC treatment are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Qi Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ruxing Fu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 92093, USA
| | - Qi-Wen Man
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bing Liu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (L.-L.B.)
| | - Lin-Lin Bu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (L.-L.B.)
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7
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Al Zaki A, McCurry D, Strati P. CAR T-cells and macrophages in large B-cell lymphoma: impact on toxicity and efficacy. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:808-815. [PMID: 36891619 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2185090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19 is the current standard of care for the treatment of relapsed refractory large B cell lymphoma, demonstrating impressive response rates in the second- and third-line setting. Despite these advances, this treatment strategy can result in significant toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome. While the exact mechanisms of these immune-mediated toxicities are not clearly understood, emerging pre-clinical and clinical studies have revealed the pivotal role of myeloid cells, particularly macrophages, as key contributors to the efficacy of treatments and as crucial mediators of toxicity. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of how macrophages mediate these effects, highlighting specific mechanisms of macrophage biology relevant to CAR T-cell therapy activity and side effects. These findings are resulting in novel treatment strategies that target macrophages, and able to mitigate toxicity while preserving CAR T-cell therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajlan Al Zaki
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dustin McCurry
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paolo Strati
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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8
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Srour SA, Akin S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: The Past and the Future. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY AND PRECISION ONCOLOGY 2023; 6:19-30. [PMID: 36751657 PMCID: PMC9888521 DOI: 10.36401/jipo-22-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the new standard treatment for various indications in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Despite the several preclinical and early phase clinical trials, the overall clinical experience has been disappointing when applying this innovative therapy in solid tumors. The failure of CAR T-cell therapy and its limited antitumor activity in solid tumors have been attributed to several mechanisms, including tumor antigen heterogeneity, the hostile tumor microenvironment and poor trafficking of CAR T cells into tumor sites, and the unacceptable toxicities in some settings, among others. However, remarkable improvements have been made in understanding many of these failure mechanisms for which several emerging novel approaches are being applied to overcome these challenges. In this review, after a brief historic background for immunotherapy in solid tumors, we highlight the recent developments achieved in CAR T-cell designs, summarize completed clinical trials, and discuss current challenges facing CAR T-cell therapy and the suggested strategies to overcome these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer A. Srour
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Serkan Akin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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9
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Daei Sorkhabi A, Mohamed Khosroshahi L, Sarkesh A, Mardi A, Aghebati-Maleki A, Aghebati-Maleki L, Baradaran B. The current landscape of CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors: Mechanisms, research progress, challenges, and counterstrategies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1113882. [PMID: 37020537 PMCID: PMC10067596 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1113882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The successful outcomes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating hematologic cancers have increased the previously unprecedented excitement to use this innovative approach in treating various forms of human cancers. Although researchers have put a lot of work into maximizing the effectiveness of these cells in the context of solid tumors, few studies have discussed challenges and potential strategies to overcome them. Restricted trafficking and infiltration into the tumor site, hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), antigen escape and heterogeneity, CAR T-cell exhaustion, and severe life-threatening toxicities are a few of the major obstacles facing CAR T-cells. CAR designs will need to go beyond the traditional architectures in order to get over these limitations and broaden their applicability to a larger range of malignancies. To enhance the safety, effectiveness, and applicability of this treatment modality, researchers are addressing the present challenges with a wide variety of engineering strategies as well as integrating several therapeutic tactics. In this study, we reviewed the antigens that CAR T-cells have been clinically trained to recognize, as well as counterstrategies to overcome the limitations of CAR T-cell therapy, such as recent advances in CAR T-cell engineering and the use of several therapies in combination to optimize their clinical efficacy in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Daei Sorkhabi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Aila Sarkesh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Mardi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Aghebati-Maleki
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- *Correspondence: Leili Aghebati-Maleki, ; Behzad Baradaran,
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- *Correspondence: Leili Aghebati-Maleki, ; Behzad Baradaran,
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10
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Chen X, Li P, Tian B, Kang X. Serious adverse events and coping strategies of CAR-T cells in the treatment of malignant tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1079181. [PMID: 36569917 PMCID: PMC9772271 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1079181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells technology has been successfully used in the treatment of B cell-derived hematological tumors and multiple myeloma. CAR-T cells are also being studied in a variety of solid tumors. Current clinical reports on CAR-T cells in the treatment of malignant tumors are abundant. The tumor-killing activity of CAR-T cells and the unique adverse effects of CAR-T cells have been confirmed by many studies. There is evidence that serious adverse events can be life-threatening. CAR-T cells therapy is increasingly used in clinical settings, so it is important to pay attention to its serious adverse events. In this review, we summarized the serious adverse events of CAR-T cells in the treatment of malignant tumors by reading literature and searching relevant clinical studies, and discussed the management and treatment of serious adverse events in an effort to provide theoretical support for clinicians who deal with such patients.
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11
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Rao P, Furst L, Meyran D, Mayoh C, Neeson PJ, Terry R, Khuong-Quang DA, Mantamadiotis T, Ekert PG. Advances in CAR T cell immunotherapy for paediatric brain tumours. Front Oncol 2022; 12:873722. [PMID: 36505819 PMCID: PMC9727400 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.873722] [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: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumours are the most common solid tumour in children and the leading cause of cancer related death in children. Current treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The need for aggressive treatment means many survivors are left with permanent severe disability, physical, intellectual and social. Recent progress in immunotherapy, including genetically engineered T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for treating cancer, may provide new avenues to improved outcomes for patients with paediatric brain cancer. In this review we discuss advances in CAR T cell immunotherapy, the major CAR T cell targets that are in clinical and pre-clinical development with a focus on paediatric brain tumours, the paediatric brain tumour microenvironment and strategies used to improve CAR T cell therapy for paediatric tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmashree Rao
- Translational Tumour Biology, Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Liam Furst
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, VIC, Australia,Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Deborah Meyran
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Université de Paris, Inserm, U976 Human Immunology Pathophysiology Immunotherapy (HIPI) Unit, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Paris, France,Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Translational Tumour Biology, Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia,School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul J. Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rachael Terry
- Translational Tumour Biology, Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia,School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Dong-Anh Khuong-Quang
- Translational Tumour Biology, Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia,Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Theo Mantamadiotis
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, VIC, Australia,Department of Surgery Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Theo Mantamadiotis, ; Paul G. Ekert,
| | - Paul G. Ekert
- Translational Tumour Biology, Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia,Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Theo Mantamadiotis, ; Paul G. Ekert,
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12
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Advances and Hurdles in CAR T Cell Immune Therapy for Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205108. [PMID: 36291891 PMCID: PMC9600451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205108] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are genetically engineered T cells that recognize markers present on tumor cells and drive the degradation of the tumor itself. CAR T immunotherapy has obtained remarkable success in targeting a number of blood malignancies; however, its outcome is typically modest when applied to solid tumors, because of specific structural, biological, and metabolic aspects of the solid tumor environment. This article offers an overview of the interactions between CAR T cells and the solid tumor microenvironment, highlighting the main strategies that have been attempted to overcome CAR T suppression, both in preclinical models and in clinical trials. Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in solid tumors have so far yielded limited results, in terms of therapeutic effects, as compared to the dramatic results observed for hematological malignancies. Many factors involve both the tumor cells and the microenvironment. The lack of specific target antigens and severe, potentially fatal, toxicities caused by on-target off-tumor toxicities constitute major hurdles. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment is usually characterized by chronic inflammation, the presence of immunosuppressive molecules, and immune cells that can reduce CAR T cell efficacy and facilitate antigen escape. Nonetheless, solid tumors are under investigation as possible targets despite their complexity, which represents a significant challenge. In preclinical mouse models, CAR T cells are able to efficiently recognize and kill several tumor xenografts. Overall, in the next few years, there will be intensive research into optimizing novel cell therapies to improve their effector functions and keep untoward effects in check. In this review, we provide an update on the state-of-the-art CAR T cell therapies in solid tumors, focusing on the preclinical studies and preliminary clinical findings aimed at developing optimal strategies to reduce toxicity and improve efficacy.
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Ramírez-Chacón A, Betriu-Méndez S, Bartoló-Ibars A, González A, Martí M, Juan M. Ligand-based CAR-T cell: Different strategies to drive T cells in future new treatments. Front Immunol 2022; 13:932559. [PMID: 36172370 PMCID: PMC9511026 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapies are presented as innovative treatments for multiple malignancies. Despite their clinical success, there is scientific evidence of the limitations of these therapies mainly due to immunogenicity issues, toxicities associated with the infusion of the product, and relapses of the tumor. As a result, novel approaches are appearing aiming to solve and/or mitigate the harmful effects of CAR-T therapies. These include strategies based on the use of ligands as binding moieties or ligand-based CAR-T cells. Several proposals are currently under development, with some undergoing clinical trials to assess their potential benefits. In addition to these, therapies such as chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR), B-cell receptor antigen for reverse targeting (BAR), and even chimeric human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody receptor (CHAR) have emerged, benefiting from the advantages of antigenic ligands as antibody-binding motifs. This review focuses on the potential role that ligands can play in current and future antitumor treatments and in other types of diseases, such as autoimmune diseases or problems associated with transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ramírez-Chacón
- Immunology Unit, Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sergi Betriu-Méndez
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic (CDB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) – Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB) Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Bartoló-Ibars
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic (CDB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) – Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB) Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Azucena González
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic (CDB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) – Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB) Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Martí
- Immunology Unit, Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Manel Juan
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic (CDB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) – Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB) Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Manel Juan,
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14
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Duncan BB, Dunbar CE, Ishii K. Applying a Clinical Lens to Animal Models of CAR-T Cell Therapies. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 27:17-31. [PMID: 36156878 PMCID: PMC9478925 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have emerged as a promising treatment modality for various hematologic and solid malignancies over the past decade. Animal models remain the cornerstone of pre-clinical evaluation of human CAR-T cell products and are generally required by regulatory agencies prior to clinical translation. However, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of adoptively transferred T cells are dependent on various recipient factors, posing challenges for accurately predicting human engineered T cell behavior in non-human animal models. For example, murine xenograft models did not forecast now well-established cytokine-driven systemic toxicities of CAR-T cells seen in humans, highlighting the limitations of animal models that do not perfectly recapitulate complex human immune systems. Understanding the concordance as well as discrepancies between existing pre-clinical animal data and human clinical experiences, along with established advantages and limitations of each model, will facilitate investigators’ ability to appropriately select and design animal models for optimal evaluation of future CAR-T cell products. We summarize the current state of animal models in this field, and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach depending on the pre-clinical questions being asked.
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15
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Development of minimal physiologically-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models for characterizing cellular kinetics of CAR T cells following local deliveries in mice. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 2022; 49:525-538. [PMID: 35869348 PMCID: PMC9508025 DOI: 10.1007/s10928-022-09818-8] [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: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies and have potentials for solid tumor treatment. To overcome limited CAR T cell infiltration to solid tumors, local delivery of CAR T cells is a practical strategy that has shown promising therapeutic outcome and safety profile in the clinic. It is of great interest to understand the impact of dosing routes on CAR T cell distribution, subsequent proliferation and tumor killing in a quantitative manner to identify key factors that contribute to CAR T efficacy and safety. In this study, we established mouse minimal physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (mPBPK) models combined with pharmacodynamic (PD) components to delineate CAR T cell distribution, proliferation, tumor growth, and tumor cell killing in the cases of pleural and liver tumors. The pleural tumor model reasonably captured published CAR T cellular kinetic and tumor growth profiles in mice. The mPBPK-PD simulation of a liver tumor mouse model showed a substantial increase in initial tumor infiltration and earlier CAR T cell proliferation with local hepatic artery delivery compared to portal vein and intravenous (i.v.) injections whereas portal vein injection showed little difference from i.v. administration, suggesting the importance of having the injection site close to tumor for maximal effect of non-systemic administration. Blood flow rate in the liver tumor was found to be a sensitive parameter for cellular kinetics and efficacy, indicating a potential role of tumor vascularization in the efficacy of CAR T cell therapies.
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16
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Halim L, Das KK, Larcombe-Young D, Ajina A, Candelli A, Benjamin R, Dillon R, Davies DM, Maher J. Engineering of an Avidity-Optimized CD19-Specific Parallel Chimeric Antigen Receptor That Delivers Dual CD28 and 4-1BB Co-Stimulation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:836549. [PMID: 35222427 PMCID: PMC8863855 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.836549] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-stimulation is critical to the function of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells. Previously, we demonstrated that dual co-stimulation can be effectively harnessed by a parallel (p)CAR architecture in which a CD28-containing second generation CAR is co-expressed with a 4-1BB containing chimeric co-stimulatory receptor (CCR). When compared to linear CARs, pCAR-engineered T-cells elicit superior anti-tumor activity in a range of pre-clinical models. Since CD19 is the best validated clinical target for cellular immunotherapy, we evaluated a panel of CD19-specific CAR and pCAR T-cells in this study. First, we generated a panel of single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) by alanine scanning mutagenesis of the CD19-specific FMC63 scFv (VH domain) and these were incorporated into second generation CD28+CD3ζ CARs. The resulting panel of CAR T-cells demonstrated a broad range of CD19 binding ability and avidity for CD19-expressing tumor cells. Each scFv-modified CAR was then converted into a pCAR by co-expression of an FMC63 scFv-targeted CCR with a 4-1BB endodomain. When compared to second generation CARs that contained an unmodified or mutated FMC63 scFv, each pCAR demonstrated a significant enhancement of tumor re-stimulation potential and IL-2 release, reduced exhaustion marker expression and enhanced therapeutic efficacy in mice with established Nalm-6 leukemic xenografts. These data reinforce the evidence that the pCAR platform delivers enhanced anti-tumor activity through effective provision of dual co-stimulation. Greatest anti-tumor activity was noted for intermediate avidity CAR T-cells and derived pCARs, raising the possibility that effector to target cell avidity is an important determinant of efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Halim
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Mechanics Laboratory, Guy's Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniel Larcombe-Young
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Mechanics Laboratory, Guy's Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Ajina
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Mechanics Laboratory, Guy's Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Reuben Benjamin
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Haematology, King's College Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Dillon
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David M Davies
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Mechanics Laboratory, Guy's Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Maher
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Mechanics Laboratory, Guy's Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Leucid Bio, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Eastbourne, United Kingdom
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17
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Kishimoto T, Kang S. IL-6 Revisited: From Rheumatoid Arthritis to CAR T Cell Therapy and COVID-19. Annu Rev Immunol 2022; 40:323-348. [PMID: 35113729 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-101220-023458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The diverse biological activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis. Emergent infection or tissue injury induces rapid production of IL-6 and activates host defense through augmentation of acute-phase proteins and immune responses. However, excessive IL-6 production and uncontrolled IL-6 receptor signaling are critical to pathogenesis. Over the years, therapeutic agents targeting IL-6 signaling, such as tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, have shown remarkable efficacy for rheumatoid arthritis, Castleman disease, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and their efficacy in other diseases is continually being reported. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the benefit of tocilizumab for several types of acute inflammatory diseases, including cytokine storms induced by chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we refocus attention on the biology of IL-6 and summarize the distinct pathological roles of IL-6 signaling in several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Immunology, Volume 40 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadamitsu Kishimoto
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; ,
| | - Sujin Kang
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; ,
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18
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Bulter SE, Brog RA, Chang CH, Sentman CL, Huang YH, Ackerman ME. Engineering a natural ligand-based CAR: directed evolution of the stress-receptor NKp30. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:165-176. [PMID: 34046711 PMCID: PMC8626535 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02971-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
B7H6, a stress-induced ligand which binds to the NK cell receptor NKp30, has recently emerged as a promising candidate for immunotherapy due to its tumor-specific expression on a broad array of human tumors. NKp30 can function as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) extracellular domain but exhibits weak binding with a fast on and off rate to B7H6 compared to the TZ47 anti-B7H6 single-chain variable fragment (scFv). Here, directed evolution using yeast display was employed to isolate novel NKp30 variants that bind to B7H6 with higher affinity compared to the native receptor but retain its fast association and dissociation profile. Two variants, CC3 and CC5, were selected for further characterization and were expressed as soluble Fc-fusion proteins and CARs containing CD28 and CD3ς intracellular domains. We observed that Fc-fusion protein forms of NKp30 and its variants were better able to bind tumor cells expressing low levels of B7H6 than TZ47, and that the novel variants generally exhibited improved in vitro tumor cell killing relative to NKp30. Interestingly, CAR T cells expressing the engineered variants produced unique cytokine signatures in response to multiple tumor types expressing B7H6 compared to both NKp30 and TZ47. These findings suggest that natural CAR receptors can be fine-tuned to produce more desirable signaling outputs while maintaining evolutionary advantages in ligand recognition relative to scFvs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah E. Bulter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Rachel A. Brog
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Cheryl H. Chang
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Charles L. Sentman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Yina H. Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret E. Ackerman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA,Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA,Corresponding author: Margaret E. Ackerman, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 14 Engineering Dr, Hanover, NH 03755 USA, (ph) 603 646 9922,
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19
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Muliaditan T, Halim L, Whilding LM, Draper B, Achkova DY, Kausar F, Glover M, Bechman N, Arulappu A, Sanchez J, Flaherty KR, Obajdin J, Grigoriadis K, Antoine P, Larcombe-Young D, Hull CM, Buus R, Gordon P, Grigoriadis A, Davies DM, Schurich A, Maher J. Synergistic T cell signaling by 41BB and CD28 is optimally achieved by membrane proximal positioning within parallel chimeric antigen receptors. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100457. [PMID: 35028604 PMCID: PMC8714859 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Second generation (2G) chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) contain a CD28 or 41BB co-stimulatory endodomain and elicit remarkable efficacy in hematological malignancies. Third generation (3G) CARs extend this linear blueprint by fusing both co-stimulatory units in series. However, clinical impact has been muted despite compelling evidence that co-signaling by CD28 and 41BB can powerfully amplify natural immune responses. We postulate that effective dual co-stimulation requires juxta-membrane positioning of endodomain components within separate synthetic receptors. Consequently, we designed parallel (p)CARs in which a 2G (CD28+CD3ζ) CAR is co-expressed with a 41BB-containing chimeric co-stimulatory receptor. We demonstrate that the pCAR platform optimally harnesses synergistic and tumor-dependent co-stimulation to resist T cell exhaustion and senescence, sustaining proliferation, cytokine release, cytokine signaling, and metabolic fitness upon repeated stimulation. When engineered using targeting moieties of diverse composition, affinity, and specificity, pCAR T cells consistently elicit superior anti-tumor activity compared with T cells that express traditional linear CARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Muliaditan
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Leena Halim
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Lynsey M. Whilding
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Benjamin Draper
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Daniela Y. Achkova
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Fahima Kausar
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Maya Glover
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Natasha Bechman
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Appitha Arulappu
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jenifer Sanchez
- King’s College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Katie R. Flaherty
- King’s College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jana Obajdin
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Kristiana Grigoriadis
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cancer Bioinformatics, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Pierre Antoine
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Daniel Larcombe-Young
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Caroline M. Hull
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Richard Buus
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
- Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Peter Gordon
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Anita Grigoriadis
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cancer Bioinformatics, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - David M. Davies
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Anna Schurich
- King’s College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 2UD, UK
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20
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Liao F, Gu W, Fu X, Yuan B, Zhang Y. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus provoked cytokine storm causing severe infection on BALB/c mice. Mol Immunol 2021; 140:167-174. [PMID: 34717146 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become the most important pathogen of hospital-acquired (HA) or community-acquired (CA) infections. However, it is unclear of the cytokines responsible for pathological hyper-inflammation in sepsis related cytokine storm for MRSA infection. In this study, we selected typical HA-MRSA strain (YNSA163: ST239-t030-SCCmecⅢ) and two CA-MRSA isolates (YNSA7: ST59-t439-SCCmecⅣa and YNSA53: ST59-t437-SCCmecⅤb) from our previous research, infected on BALB/c mice, and analyzed the cytokine storm patterns during infection process. The animal experiments revealed the most serious lethal effect on BALB/c mice caused by YNSA7 strain infection, followed by YNSA53, and no BALB/c mice died for YNSA163 infection. Histopathological analyses revealed that lung was the most seriously damaged organs, followed by spleen and kidney, especially for CA-MRSA infection. The severe inflammatory reactions, tissue destruction, and massive exudation of inflammatory mediators and cells could be identified in CA-MRSA strains infected mice. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 were both highly expressed in spleen and lung of YNSA7 and YNSA53 dead cases compared with YNSA53 survived and YNSA163 cases, which demonstrated cytokine storm pattern for CA-MRSA strains infection. The results of IL-6 intervention experiment verified that the enhanced IL-6 secretion was responsible for the host lethality of YNSA7 infection. RNA-sequencing results among three MRSA isolates indicated most of the differentially expressed genes referred to cellular process, metabolism and genetic information processing of bacteria. Specifically, clpP, chp chemotaxis inhibit, fnbB, pathogencity island protein and virulence associated protein E were highly expressed in YNSA7 strain. In general, CA-MRSA strains provoked cytokine storm on BALB/c mice led to severe infection and lethality, the up-regulated of some virulence genes might play important role in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, 650022, Kunming, PR China; Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, PR China; The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Wenpeng Gu
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 650022, Kunming, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Fu
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 650022, Kunming, PR China
| | - Bin Yuan
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, PR China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, 650022, Kunming, PR China; The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, PR China.
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21
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Heard A, Chang J, Warrington JM, Singh N. Advances in CAR design. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34:101304. [PMID: 34625230 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2021.101304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have revolutionized the management of B cell malignancies. These synthetic molecules are composed of peptide fragments from several distinct immune cell proteins and link highly-specific antigen recognition with potent T cell activation. Despite impressive results in many, less than half of patients treated will achieve durable remission after CAR therapy. Recent studies have identified the central role that each structural component of the CAR molecule plays in regulating T cell function. Significant effort has been dedicated to exploring strategies to improve the design of CARs themselves or integrate their activity with other regulatory circuits to enable more precise function. In this review, we will summarize recent pre-clinical and clinical studies that have evaluated novel CAR design formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Heard
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jufang Chang
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John M Warrington
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nathan Singh
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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22
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van Schalkwyk MCI, van der Stegen SJC, Bosshard-Carter L, Graves H, Papa S, Parente-Pereira AC, Farzaneh F, Fisher CD, Hope A, Adami A, Maher J. Development and Validation of a Good Manufacturing Process for IL-4-Driven Expansion of Chimeric Cytokine Receptor-Expressing CAR T-Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071797. [PMID: 34359966 PMCID: PMC8307141 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cancer immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T-cells holds great promise, although several obstacles hinder the efficient generation of cell products under good manufacturing practice (GMP). Patients are often immune compromised, rendering it challenging to produce sufficient numbers of gene-modified cells. Manufacturing protocols are labour intensive and frequently involve one or more open processing steps, leading to increased risk of contamination. We set out to develop a simplified process to generate autologous gamma retrovirus-transduced T-cells for clinical evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer. T-cells were engineered to co-express a panErbB-specific CAR (T1E28z) and a chimeric cytokine receptor (4αβ) that permits their selective expansion in response to interleukin (IL)-4. Using peripheral blood as starting material, sterile culture procedures were conducted in gas-permeable bags under static conditions. Pre-aliquoted medium and cytokines, bespoke connector devices and sterile welding/sealing were used to maximise the use of closed manufacturing steps. Reproducible IL-4-dependent expansion and enrichment of CAR-engineered T-cells under GMP was achieved, both from patients and healthy donors. We also describe the development and approach taken to validate a panel of monitoring and critical release assays, which provide objective data on cell product quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- May C. I. van Schalkwyk
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Sjoukje J. C. van der Stegen
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Leticia Bosshard-Carter
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Helen Graves
- Immune Monitoring Laboratory, Clinical Research Facility, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Sophie Papa
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Medical Oncology, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ana C. Parente-Pereira
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- The Rayne Institute, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, UK;
| | - Christopher D. Fisher
- Good Manufacturing Practice Unit, Clinical Research Facility, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (C.D.F.); (A.H.)
| | - Andrew Hope
- Good Manufacturing Practice Unit, Clinical Research Facility, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (C.D.F.); (A.H.)
| | - Antonella Adami
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - John Maher
- Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; (M.C.I.v.S.); (S.J.C.v.d.S.); (L.B.-C.); (S.P.); (A.C.P.-P.); (A.A.)
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)207188-1468
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23
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Kang S, Kishimoto T. Interplay between interleukin-6 signaling and the vascular endothelium in cytokine storms. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1116-1123. [PMID: 34253862 PMCID: PMC8273570 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a crucial role in host defense against infection and tissue injuries and is a bioindicator of multiple distinct types of cytokine storms. In this review, we present the current understanding of the diverse roles of IL-6, its receptors, and its signaling during acute severe systemic inflammation. IL-6 directly affects vascular endothelial cells, which produce several types of cytokines and chemokines and activate the coagulation cascade. Endothelial cell dysregulation, characterized by abnormal coagulation and vascular leakage, is a common complication in cytokine storms. Emerging evidence indicates that a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, can effectively block IL-6 signaling and has beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile systemic idiopathic arthritis, and Castleman's disease. Recent work has also demonstrated the beneficial effect of tocilizumab in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy-induced cytokine storms as well as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we highlight the distinct contributions of IL-6 signaling to the pathogenesis of several types of cytokine storms and discuss potential therapeutic strategies for the management of cytokine storms, including those associated with sepsis and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Kang
- Laborabory of Immune Regulation, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Tadamitsu Kishimoto
- Laborabory of Immune Regulation, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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24
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Bell M, Gottschalk S. Engineered Cytokine Signaling to Improve CAR T Cell Effector Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684642. [PMID: 34177932 PMCID: PMC8220823 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a promising approach to improve outcomes for cancer patients. While CAR T cell therapy is effective for hematological malignancies, there is a need to improve the efficacy of this therapeutic approach for patients with solid tumors and brain tumors. At present, several approaches are being pursued to improve the antitumor activity of CAR T cells including i) targeting multiple antigens, ii) improving T cell expansion/persistence, iii) enhancing homing to tumor sites, and iv) rendering CAR T cells resistant to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Augmenting signal 3 of T cell activation by transgenic expression of cytokines or engineered cytokine receptors has emerged as a promising strategy since it not only improves CAR T cell expansion/persistence but also their ability to function in the immunosuppressive TME. In this review, we will provide an overview of cytokine biology and highlight genetic approaches that are actively being pursued to augment cytokine signaling in CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bell
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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25
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Abstract
A paradigm shift has recently occurred in the field of cancer therapeutics. Traditional anticancer agents, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and small-molecule drugs targeting specific signalling pathways, have been joined by cellular immunotherapies based on T cell engineering. The rapid adoption of novel, patient-specific cellular therapies builds on scientific developments in tumour immunology, genetic engineering and cell manufacturing, best illustrated by the curative potential of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting CD19-expressing malignancies. However, the clinical benefit observed in many patients may come at a cost. In up to one-third of patients, significant toxicities occur that are directly associated with the induction of powerful immune effector responses. The most frequently observed immune-mediated toxicities are cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. This Review discusses our current understanding of their pathophysiology and clinical features, as well as the development of novel therapeutics for their prevention and/or management. This Review discusses our current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome associated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies, and how this might be used for the prevention or management of these toxicities.
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26
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Hypoxia-sensing CAR T cells provide safety and efficacy in treating solid tumors. CELL REPORTS MEDICINE 2021; 2:100227. [PMID: 33948568 PMCID: PMC8080111 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Utilizing T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to identify and attack solid tumors has proven challenging, in large part because of the lack of tumor-specific targets to direct CAR binding. Tumor selectivity is crucial because on-target, off-tumor activation of CAR T cells can result in potentially lethal toxicities. This study presents a stringent hypoxia-sensing CAR T cell system that achieves selective expression of a pan-ErbB-targeted CAR within a solid tumor, a microenvironment characterized by inadequate oxygen supply. Using murine xenograft models, we demonstrate that, despite widespread expression of ErbB receptors in healthy organs, the approach provides anti-tumor efficacy without off-tumor toxicity. This dynamic on/off oxygen-sensing safety switch has the potential to facilitate unlimited expansion of the CAR T cell target repertoire for treating solid malignancies. A dual oxygen-sensing switch provides stringent hypoxia-dependent regulation of a CAR HypoxiCAR T cells deliver tumor-selective CAR expression and anti-tumor efficacy HypoxiCAR T cells prevent on-target, off-tumor activation and cytokine release syndrome HypoxiCAR provides a strategy to expand the CAR repertoire for solid malignancies
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27
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Gao YM, Xu G, Wang B, Liu BC. Cytokine storm syndrome in coronavirus disease 2019: A narrative review. J Intern Med 2021; 289:147-161. [PMID: 32696489 PMCID: PMC7404514 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) is a critical clinical condition induced by a cascade of cytokine activation, characterized by overwhelming systemic inflammation, hyperferritinaemia, haemodynamic instability and multiple organ failure (MOF). At the end of 2019, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, and rapidly developed into a global pandemic. More and more evidence shows that there is a dramatic increase of inflammatory cytokines in patients with COVID-19, suggesting the existence of cytokine storm in some critical illness patients. Here, we summarize the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation of CSS, and highlight the current understanding about the recognition and potential therapeutic options of CSS in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-M Gao
- From the, Institute of Nephrology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - G Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, University of HuaZhong Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - B Wang
- From the, Institute of Nephrology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - B-C Liu
- From the, Institute of Nephrology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
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28
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Bechman N, Maher J. Lymphodepletion strategies to potentiate adoptive T-cell immunotherapy - what are we doing; where are we going? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 21:627-637. [PMID: 33243003 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1857361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adoptive immunotherapy of cancer has evolved from the use of ex vivo expanded lymphokine-activated killer cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to an increasing array of approaches involving genetically engineered T-cells. A pivotal advance in the enablement of these therapies has been the conditioning of patients with lymphodepleting chemotherapy.A broad range of lymphodepleting regimens has been employed in an effort to improve response rates, without any single consistent approach having emerged. Only a limited number of studies involving small numbers of patients has directly compared two or more regimens, making it challenging to infer which are the preferred agents and dosing schedules. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that both response rate and toxicity appear to be disease-, patient- and T-cell product specific. EXPERT OPINION This article surveys clinical experience with lymphodepleting regimens that have been used in conjunction with adoptive T-cell immunotherapy, focussing in particular on studies where different approaches have been employed. Harnessing this limited and evolving clinical experience, we set out to provide potential insights into how an optimal balance may be achieved between efficacy and safety. Intermediate dose fludarabine-based regimens are emerging as an increasingly popular option in an attempt to achieve this goal, although further studies are required to provide definitive evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy's Hospital, London UK.,King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy's Cancer Centre, London UK.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London UK.,Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, East Sussex, UK
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29
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Ma H, Pilvankar M, Wang J, Giragossian C, Popel AS. Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Modeling of PBMC-Humanized Mouse to Facilitate Preclinical Immuno-oncology Drug Development. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 4:213-225. [PMID: 33615174 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Progress in immunotherapy has resulted in explosively increased new therapeutic interventions and they have shown promising results in the treatment of cancer. Animal testing is performed to provide preliminary efficacy and safety data for drugs under development prior to clinical trials. However, translational challenges remain for preclinical studies such as study design and the relevance of animal models to humans. Hence, only a small fraction of cancer patients showed response. The explosion of drug candidates and therapies makes preclinical assessment of every plausible option impossible, but it can be easily tested using Quantitative System Pharmacology (QSP) models. Here, we developed a QSP model for humanized mice. Tumor growth dynamics, T cell dynamics, cytokine release, immune checkpoint expression, and drug administration were modeled and calibrated using experimental data. Tumor growth inhibition data were used for model validation. Pharmacokinetics of T cell engager (TCE), tumor growth profile, T cell expansion in the blood and infiltration into tumor, T cell dissemination from primary tumor, cytokine release profile, and expression of additional PD-L1 induced by IFN-γ were modeled and calibrated using a variety of experimental data and showed good consistency. Mouse-specific response to T cell engager monotherapy also showed the key features of in vivo efficacy of TCE. This novel QSP model, designed for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) engrafted xenograft mice, incorporating the most critical components of the mouse model with key cancer and immune cells, can become an integral part of preclinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Minu Pilvankar
- Biotherapeutics Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Biotherapeutics Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, United States
| | - Craig Giragossian
- Biotherapeutics Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, United States
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.,Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Fajgenbaum
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory (D.C.F.), and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (C.H.J.), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Carl H June
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory (D.C.F.), and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (C.H.J.), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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31
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Jiang Z, Liao R, Lv J, Li S, Zheng D, Qin L, Wu D, Chen S, Long Y, Wu Q, Wang S, Lin S, Huang X, Tang Z, Shi P, Zhou H, Liu Q, Zhao R, Li Y, Jie Y, Wei W, Lai P, Du X, Cui S, Weinkove R, Liu P, Pei D, Yao Y, Li P. IL-6 trans-signaling promotes the expansion and anti-tumor activity of CAR T cells. Leukemia 2020; 35:1380-1391. [PMID: 33168950 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01085-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies lead to high clinical response rates in B cell malignancies, and are under investigation for treatment of solid tumors. While high systemic interleukin- (IL-) 6 levels are associated with clinical cytokine release syndrome (CRS), the role of IL-6 trans-signaling within CAR T-cells has not been reported. We generated CAR T cells that constitutively express hyper IL-6 (HIL-6), a designer cytokine that activates the trans-signaling pathway. HIL-6-expressing CAR T-cells exhibited enhanced proliferation and antitumor efficacy in vitro and in xenograft models. However, HIL-6 CAR T cells caused severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Transcriptomic profiling revealed that HIL-6 stimulation of CAR T cells upregulated genes associated with T cell migration, early memory differentiation, and IL-6/GP130/STAT3 signaling. Since IL-6 trans-signaling acts via surface GP130, we generated CAR T cells expressing a constitutively-active form of GP130 and found these retained improved antitumor activity without signs of GVHD in preclinical models of B-cell leukemia and solid tumors. Taken together, these results show that IL-6 trans-signaling can enhance expansion and antitumor activity of CAR T cells via the GP130/STAT3 pathway, and suggest that expression of GP130 within CAR T cells could lead to improved antitumor efficacy without systemic IL-6 trans-signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Liao
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiang Lv
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shanglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Diwei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Le Qin
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Wu
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suimin Chen
- Huangpu Hospital of Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youguo Long
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiting Wu
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suna Wang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Simiao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoyang Tang
- Guangdong Zhaotai Invivo Biomedicine Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Shi
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongsheng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qifa Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruocong Zhao
- Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Jie
- Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, 521-523 Xing Nan Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Guangdong Cord Blood Bank, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peilong Lai
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuzhong Cui
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Robert Weinkove
- Cancer Immunotherapy Programme, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Centre, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Duanqing Pei
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Peng Li
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China. .,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China.
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32
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Schubert ML, Schmitt M, Wang L, Ramos CA, Jordan K, Müller-Tidow C, Dreger P. Side-effect management of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Ann Oncol 2020; 32:34-48. [PMID: 33098993 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.10.478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells directed against the B-cell marker CD19 are currently changing the landscape for treatment of patients with refractory and/or relapsed B-cell malignancies. Due to the nature of CAR T cells as living drugs, they display a unique toxicity profile. As CAR T-cell therapy is extending towards other diseases and being more broadly employed in hematology and oncology, optimal management strategies of side-effects associated with CAR T-cell therapy are of high relevance. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and cytopenias constitute challenges in the treatment of patients with CAR T cells. This review summarizes the current understanding of CAR T-cell toxicity and its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-L Schubert
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - M Schmitt
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; National Centre for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L Wang
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C A Ramos
- Center for Cell Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - K Jordan
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; National Centre for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Dreger
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; National Centre for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
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33
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Ishii K, Pouzolles M, Chien CD, Erwin-Cohen RA, Kohler ME, Qin H, Lei H, Kuhn S, Ombrello AK, Dulau-Florea A, Eckhaus MA, Shalabi H, Yates B, Lichtenstein DA, Zimmermann VS, Kondo T, Shern JF, Young HA, Taylor N, Shah NN, Fry TJ. Perforin-deficient CAR T cells recapitulate late-onset inflammatory toxicities observed in patients. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:5425-5443. [PMID: 32925169 PMCID: PMC7524496 DOI: 10.1172/jci130059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Late-onset inflammatory toxicities resembling hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) occur after chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T cell) infusion and represent a therapeutic challenge. Given the established link between perforin deficiency and primary HLH, we investigated the role of perforin in anti-CD19 CAR T cell efficacy and HLH-like toxicities in a syngeneic murine model. Perforin contributed to both CD8+ and CD4+ CAR T cell cytotoxicity but was not required for in vitro or in vivo leukemia clearance. Upon CAR-mediated in vitro activation, perforin-deficient CAR T cells produced higher amounts of proinflammatory cytokines compared with WT CAR T cells. Following in vivo clearance of leukemia, perforin-deficient CAR T cells reexpanded, resulting in splenomegaly with disruption of normal splenic architecture and the presence of hemophagocytes, which are findings reminiscent of HLH. Notably, a substantial fraction of patients who received anti-CD22 CAR T cells also experienced biphasic inflammation, with the second phase occurring after the resolution of cytokine release syndrome, resembling clinical manifestations of HLH. Elevated inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 and concurrent late CAR T cell expansion characterized the HLH-like syndromes occurring in the murine model and in humans. Thus, a murine model of perforin-deficient CAR T cells recapitulated late-onset inflammatory toxicities occurring in human CAR T cell recipients, providing therapeutically relevant mechanistic insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazusa Ishii
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH, and
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marie Pouzolles
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Christopher D. Chien
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Rebecca A. Erwin-Cohen
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - M. Eric Kohler
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Haiying Qin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Skyler Kuhn
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (CCBR), Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda K. Ombrello
- Inflammatory Disease Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH
| | | | - Michael A. Eckhaus
- Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Haneen Shalabi
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Bonnie Yates
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Daniel A. Lichtenstein
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Valérie S. Zimmermann
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
- Université de Montpellier, IGMM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Taisuke Kondo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Jack F. Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Howard A. Young
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
- Université de Montpellier, IGMM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Nirali N. Shah
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
| | - Terry J. Fry
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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34
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Chen GM, Azzam A, Ding YY, Barrett DM, Grupp SA, Tan K. Dissecting the Tumor-Immune Landscape in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy: Key Challenges and Opportunities for a Systems Immunology Approach. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3505-3513. [PMID: 32127393 PMCID: PMC7367708 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has opened a new frontier in cancer therapy. Unlike the paradigm of targeted therapies, the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy depends not only on the choice of target but also on a complex interplay of tumor, immune, and stromal cell communication. This presents both challenges and opportunities from a discovery standpoint. Whereas cancer consortia have traditionally focused on the genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic landscape of cancer cells, there is an increasing need to expand studies to analyze the interactions between tumor, immune, and stromal cell populations in their relevant anatomical and functional compartments. Here, we focus on the promising application of systems biology to address key challenges in CAR T-cell therapy, from understanding the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in hematologic and solid tumors to addressing important clinical challenges in biomarker discovery and therapeutic toxicity. We propose a systems biology view of key clinical objectives in CAR T-cell therapy and suggest a path forward for a biomedical discovery process that leverages modern technological approaches in systems biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Chen
- Division of Oncology, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew Azzam
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yang-Yang Ding
- Division of Oncology, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David M Barrett
- Division of Oncology, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephan A Grupp
- Division of Oncology, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Division of Oncology, Cancer Immunotherapy Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kai Tan
- Division of Oncology, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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35
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Analysis of IL-6 serum levels and CAR T cell-specific digital PCR in the context of cytokine release syndrome. Exp Hematol 2020; 88:7-14.e3. [PMID: 32673688 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies are increasingly used to treat relapsed B-cell lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Considering the frequency of cytokine release syndrome and CAR-T-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRS/CRES) after CAR-T administration, strategies enabling timely prediction of impending CRS/CRES are a clinical need. METHODS We evaluated the dynamics of serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels and CAR-T transgene copy numbers by digital droplet polymerase chain reaction in the peripheral blood of 11 consecutive patients with aggressive B-cell malignancies. RESULTS Four of 11 patients developed CRS, and 3 patients had CRES (33%), 2 of them had previous CRS. IL-6 levels increased on the day of clinical manifestation of CRS. All CRS patients had increased IL-6 peak levels (median IL-6 peak 606 pg/mL in CRS patients vs. 22 pg/mL in non-CRS patients, p = 0.0061). Different patterns emerged from the dynamics of CAR-T/µg genomic DNA: "rapid increase and rapid decrease with complete disappearance," "rapid increase and slow decrease with higher persistence," "rapid increase and rapid decrease with lower persistence," and "slow increase and rapid decrease with almost disappearance." Patients with the pattern "rapid increase and slow decrease with higher persistence" of CAR-T/µg genomic DNA concentration seemed to be at higher risk of developing CRS/CRES. CONCLUSION Thus, the dynamics of CAR-T transgene copy numbers merits further evaluation for a possible association with manifestation of CRS. Increased IL-6 serum levels at CRS manifestation may contribute to the interpretation of symptoms.
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36
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Larcombe-Young D, Papa S, Maher J. PanErbB-targeted CAR T-cell immunotherapy of head and neck cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:965-970. [PMID: 32567382 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1786531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Larcombe-Young
- King's College London , School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London, UK
| | - Sophie Papa
- King's College London , School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, ImmunoEngineering Group, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London, UK.,Depart of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond , London, UK
| | - John Maher
- King's College London , School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London, UK.,Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond , London, UK.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , London UK.,Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital , Eastbourne, UK
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37
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Knochelmann HM, Dwyer CJ, Smith AS, Bowers JS, Wyatt MM, Nelson MH, Rangel Rivera GO, Horton JD, Krieg C, Armeson K, Lesinski GB, Rubinstein MP, Li Z, Paulos CM. IL6 Fuels Durable Memory for Th17 Cell-Mediated Responses to Tumors. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3920-3932. [PMID: 32561531 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The accessibility of adoptive T-cell transfer therapies (ACT) is hindered by the cost and time required for product development. Here we describe a streamlined ACT protocol using Th17 cells expanded only 4 days ex vivo. While shortening expansion compromised cell yield, this method licensed Th17 cells to eradicate large tumors to a greater extent than cells expanded longer term. Day 4 Th17 cells engrafted, induced release of multiple cytokines including IL6, IL17, MCP-1, and GM-CSF in the tumor-bearing host, and persisted as memory cells. IL6 was a critical component for efficacy of these therapies via its promotion of long-term immunity and resistance to tumor relapse. Mechanistically, IL6 diminished engraftment of FoxP3+ donor T cells, corresponding with robust tumor infiltration by donor effector over regulatory cells for the Day 4 Th17 cell product relative to cell products expanded longer durations ex vivo. Collectively, this work describes a method to rapidly generate therapeutic T-cell products for ACT and implicates IL6 in promoting durable immunity of Th17 cells against large, established solid tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: An abbreviated, 4-day ex vivo expansion method licenses Th17 cells to confer long-lived immunity against solid malignancies via induction of systemic IL6 in the host.See related commentary by Fiering and Ho, p. 3795.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. .,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Connor J Dwyer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Joshua D Horton
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Carsten Krieg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Kent Armeson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Zihai Li
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. .,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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38
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Halim L, Maher J. CAR T-cell immunotherapy of B-cell malignancy: the story so far. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2020; 8:2515135520927164. [PMID: 32524070 PMCID: PMC7257863 DOI: 10.1177/2515135520927164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy has achieved unprecedented efficacy in the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant or refractory B-cell malignancies. Promising results from pivotal anti-CD19 CAR T-cell phase II trials have led to landmark approvals of two CD19-specific CAR T-cell products by the United States Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. However, several issues associated with CAR T-cell treatment remain unresolved, such as the management of severe toxicities and the frequent occurrence of both antigen-positive and antigen-negative relapse. Nonetheless, pre-clinical research is advancing at an unprecedented pace to develop innovative solutions to address these issues. Herein, we summarise recent clinical developments and outcomes of CD19-targeted CAR T-cell immunotherapy and discuss emerging strategies that may further improve the success, safety and broadened applicability of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Halim
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy’s Hospital, London, UK
| | - John Maher
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy’s Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex, UK
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39
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Hammill JA, Kwiecien JM, Dvorkin-Gheva A, Lau VW, Baker C, Wu Y, Bezverbnaya K, Aarts C, Heslen CW, Denisova GF, Derocher H, Milne K, Nelson BH, Bramson JL. A Cross-Reactive Small Protein Binding Domain Provides a Model to Study Off-Tumor CAR-T Cell Toxicity. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 17:278-292. [PMID: 32368616 PMCID: PMC7191649 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T lymphocytes (CAR-T cells) have demonstrated striking clinical success, but their use has been associated with a constellation of toxicities. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of these toxicities is required to improve the safety profile of CAR-T cells. Herein, we describe a xenograft model of off-tumor CAR-T cell-associated toxicity. Human CAR-T cells targeted against HER2 using a small-protein binding domain induced acute, dose-dependent toxicities in mice. The inclusion of a CD28 or 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain in the CAR was required to produce toxicity; however, co-stimulation through CD28 was most toxic on a per-cell basis. CAR-T cell activation in the lungs and heart was associated with a systemic cytokine storm. The severity of observed toxicities was dependent upon the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) donor used as a T cell source and paralleled the CD4+-to-CD8+ T cell ratio in the adoptive transfer product. CD4+ CAR-T cells were determined to be the primary contributors to CAR-T cell-associated toxicity. However, donor-specific differences persisted after infusion of a purified CD4+ CAR-T cell product, indicating a role for additional variables. This work highlights the contributions of CAR-T cell-intrinsic variables to the pathogenesis of off-tumor toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne A. Hammill
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jacek M. Kwiecien
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Anna Dvorkin-Gheva
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Vivian W.C. Lau
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Christopher Baker
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ksenia Bezverbnaya
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Craig Aarts
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Christopher W. Heslen
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Galina F. Denisova
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | | | - Katy Milne
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Brad H. Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Jonathan L. Bramson
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- Corresponding author Jonathan L. Bramson, Office of the Vice Dean, Health Sciences, Research, McMaster University, HSC 2E17, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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40
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Abstract
Administration of systemic antineoplastic agents can result in adverse neurologic events. We describe the clinicopathologic features and putative mechanisms underlying iatrogenic neuropathology of the central nervous system secondary to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Torre
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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41
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Pancreatic Cancer UK Grand Challenge: Developments and challenges for effective CAR T cell therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Pancreatology 2020; 20:394-408. [PMID: 32173257 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Death from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is rising across the world and PDAC is predicted to be the second most common cause of cancer death in the USA by 2030. Development of effective biotherapies for PDAC are hampered by late presentation, a low number of differentially expressed molecular targets and a tumor-promoting microenvironment that forms both a physical, collagen-rich barrier and is also immunosuppressive. In 2017 Pancreatic Cancer UK awarded its first Grand Challenge Programme award to tackle this problem. The team plan to combine the use of novel CAR T cells with strategies to overcome the barriers presented by the tumor microenvironment. In advance of publication of those data this review seeks to highlight the key problems in effective CAR T cell therapy of PDAC and to describe pre-clinical and clinical progress in CAR T bio-therapeutics.
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42
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Chimeric antigen receptor -T cell therapy: Applications and challenges in treatment of allergy and asthma. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 123:109685. [PMID: 31862474 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the current advancements, cancer treatment approaches have limitations restricting their cure rate. Immunotherapy techniques are among novel and promising cancer therapeutic approaches. Therapeutic antibodies and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) are the main branches of immunotherapy. T lymphocytes and genetically engineered cells are among important cells which can be used in ACT. This review has focused on recent advances in engineered cell-based immunotherapy based on T lymphocytes with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). CARs are recombinant receptors expressing T cell signaling domains with or without co-stimulatory molecules. CAR-T cells are expanded ex vivo and re-infused to patients in order to improve their therapeutic efficacy. Nowadays, the beneficial function of CAR-T cell therapy has been indicated in various diseases including hematological malignancies, solid tumors, autoimmune diseases, and allergic diseases such as asthma. Furthermore, antigen-specific T regulatory cells (Tregs) and gene-edited T cells seem to be beneficial in controlling inflammation in allergic asthma. In fact, dysregulated function of Tregs is responsible for dominance of T helper 2 immune response and progression of allergic asthma. CAR-Treg cells can also be designed and reproduced using iTreg population to manage asthma. In addition, universal CAR-T cells can be modified to selectively target multiple antigens. The fourth generation CAR-T cells (i.e. TRUCK cells) represent novel strategies to cure asthma and allergic diseases as well. Despite the advantages of CAR-T cells, their applications can be associated with some unwanted reactions such as cytokine storm, anaphylaxis, neurotoxicity, etc. For clinical application, there is a need to prevent and manage these complications by optimizing ACT protocols.
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43
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Migliorini D, Mason NJ, Posey AD. Keeping the Engine Running: The Relevance and Predictive Value of Preclinical Models for CAR-T Cell Development. ILAR J 2019; 59:276-285. [PMID: 31095687 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular immunotherapy field has achieved important milestones in the last 30 years towards the treatment of a variety of cancers due to improvements in ex-vivo T cell manufacturing processes, the invention of synthetic T cell receptors, and advances in cellular engineering. Here, we discuss major preclinical models that have been useful for the validation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies and also promising new models that will fuel future investigations towards success. However, multiple unanswered questions in the CAR-T cell field remain to be addressed that will require innovative preclinical models. Key challenges facing the field include premature immune rejection of universal CAR-T cells and the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. Immune competent models that accurately recapitulate tumor heterogeneity, the hostile tumor microenvironment, and barriers to CAR-T cell homing, toxicity, and persistence are needed for further advancement of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Migliorini
- University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland; and Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
| | - Nicola J Mason
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Avery D Posey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy; and Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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44
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CAR exosomes derived from effector CAR-T cells have potent antitumour effects and low toxicity. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4355. [PMID: 31554797 PMCID: PMC6761190 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12321-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) are rapidly emerging a promising new treatment for haematological and non-haematological malignancies. CAR-T therapy can induce rapid and durable clinical responses but is associated with unique acute toxicities. Moreover, CAR-T cells are vulnerable to immunosuppressive mechanisms. Here, we report that CAR-T cells release extracellular vesicles, mostly in the form of exosomes that carry CAR on their surface. The CAR-containing exosomes express a high level of cytotoxic molecules and inhibit tumour growth. Compared with CAR-T cells, CAR exosomes do not express Programmed cell Death protein 1 (PD1), and their antitumour effect cannot be weakened by recombinant PD-L1 treatment. In a preclinical in vivo model of cytokine release syndrome, the administration of CAR exosomes is relatively safe compared with CAR-T therapy. This study supports the use of exosomes as biomimetic nanovesicles that may be useful in future therapeutic approaches against tumours. Genetically engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T cells) are a promising new treatment for cancer, but are associated with unique toxicities. Here, the authors test CAR-T-cell-derived exosomes as a surrogate for CAR-T cells and show that they can elicit a potent antitumour immune response in preclinical models of breast cancer with reduced signs of cytokine release syndrome compared with CAR-T therapy.
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45
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Khan JF, Khan AS, Brentjens RJ. Application of CAR T cells for the treatment of solid tumors. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:293-327. [PMID: 31383408 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CAR T cell therapy of cancers promises to revolutionize oncology by harnessing the powers of synthetic biology and immunotherapy in a single agent. CARs are synthetic receptors composed of an extracellular antigen binding domain and one or more intracellular signaling domains which act in concert to activate the T cell upon antigen recognition. CARs targeting B cell associated CD19 demonstrated robust in vivo cytolytic activity, expansion, and persistence upon antigen exposure paving the way for clinical application of this technology and ultimately FDA approval for pediatric and young adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. However, these successes have not yet been replicated in the arena of solid tumors. Unlike hematologic malignancies, solid tumors present numerous challenges in the form of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this chapter, we will highlight clinical application of CAR T cells in solid tumors, discuss hurdles that have impeded CAR T cell function in these malignancies, and propose methods to overcome these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abdul Salam Khan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Renier J Brentjens
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.
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46
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Trabolsi A, Arumov A, Schatz JH. T Cell–Activating Bispecific Antibodies in Cancer Therapy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:585-592. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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47
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Lee YG, Chu H, Lu Y, Leamon CP, Srinivasarao M, Putt KS, Low PS. Regulation of CAR T cell-mediated cytokine release syndrome-like toxicity using low molecular weight adapters. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2681. [PMID: 31213606 PMCID: PMC6581910 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10565-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have demonstrated considerable success in treating hematologic malignancies, they have simultaneously been plagued by a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) that can harm or even kill the cancer patient. We describe a CAR T cell strategy in which CAR T cell activation and cancer cell killing can be sensitively regulated by adjusting the dose of a low molecular weight adapter that must bridge between the CAR T cell and cancer cell to initiate tumor eradication. By controlling the concentration and dosing schedule of adapter administration, we document two methods that can rapidly terminate (<3 h) a pre-existing CRS-like toxicity and two unrelated methods that can pre-emptively prevent a CRS-like toxicity that would have otherwise occurred. Because all four methods concurrently enhance CAR T cell potency, we conclude that proper use of bispecific adapters could potentially avoid a life-threatening CRS while enhancing CAR T cell tumoricidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Gu Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Haiyan Chu
- Endocyte Inc., 3000 Kent Ave, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Yingjuan Lu
- Endocyte Inc., 3000 Kent Ave, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | | | - Madduri Srinivasarao
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Karson S Putt
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Philip S Low
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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48
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Zabel M, Tauber PA, Pickl WF. The making and function of CAR cells. Immunol Lett 2019; 212:53-69. [PMID: 31181279 PMCID: PMC7058416 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) present a new treatment option for patients with cancer. Recent clinical trials of B cell leukemia have demonstrated a response rate of up to 90%. However, CAR cell therapy is frequently accompanied by severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and the development of target cell resistance. Consequently, further optimization of CARs to obtain greater long-term efficacy and increased safety is urgently needed. Here we high-light the various efforts of adjusting the intracellular signaling domains of CARs to these major requirements to eventually obtain high-level target cell cytotoxicity paralleled by the establishment of longevity of the CAR expressing cell types to guarantee for extended tumor surveillance over prolonged periods of time. We are convinced that it will be crucial to identify the molecular pathways and signaling requirements utilized by such ‘efficient CARs’ in order to provide a rational basis for their further hypothesis-based improvement. Furthermore, we here discuss timely attempts of how to: i) control ‘on-tumor off-target’ effects; ii) introduce Signal 3 (cytokine responsiveness of CAR cells) as an important building-block into the CAR concept; iii) most efficiently eliminate CAR cells once full remission has been obtained. We also argue that universal systems for the variable and pharmacokinetically-controlled attachment of extracellular ligand recognition domains of choice along with the establishment of ‘off-the-shelf’ cell preparations with suitability for all patients in need of a highly-potent cellular therapy may become future mainstays of CAR cell therapy. Such therapies would have the attraction to work independent of the patients’ histo-compatibility make-up and the availability of functionally intact patient’s cells. Finally, we summarize the evidence that CAR cells may obtain a prominent place in the treatment of non-malignant and auto-reactive T and B lymphocyte expansions in the near future, e.g., for the alleviation of autoimmune diseases and allergies. After the introduction of red blood cell transfusions, which were made possible by the landmark discoveries of the ABO blood groups by Karl Landsteiner, and the establishment of bone marrow transplantation by E. Donnall Thomas to exchange the entire hematopoietic system of a patient suffering from leukemia, the introduction of patient-tailored cytotoxic cellular populations to eradicate malignant cell populations in vivo pioneered by Carl H. June, represents the third major and broadly applicable milestone in the development of human cellular therapies within the rapidly developing field of applied biomedical research of the last one hundred years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Zabel
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter A Tauber
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried F Pickl
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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49
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Behrens EM, Koretzky GA. Review: Cytokine Storm Syndrome: Looking Toward the Precision Medicine Era. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019; 69:1135-1143. [PMID: 28217930 DOI: 10.1002/art.40071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward M Behrens
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
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50
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Whilding LM, Halim L, Draper B, Parente-Pereira AC, Zabinski T, Davies DM, Maher J. CAR T-Cells Targeting the Integrin αvβ6 and Co-Expressing the Chemokine Receptor CXCR2 Demonstrate Enhanced Homing and Efficacy against Several Solid Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E674. [PMID: 31091832 PMCID: PMC6563120 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the unprecedented clinical success of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T-cells against haematological malignancy, solid tumors impose a far greater challenge to success. Largely, this stems from an inadequate capacity of CAR T-cells that can traffic and maintain function within a hostile microenvironment. To enhance tumor-directed T-cell trafficking, we have engineered CAR T-cells to acquire heightened responsiveness to interleukin (IL)-8. Circulating IL-8 levels correlate with disease burden and prognosis in multiple solid tumors in which it exerts diverse pathological functions including angiogenesis, support of cancer stem cell survival, and recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells. To harness tumor-derived IL-8 for therapeutic benefit, we have co-expressed either of its cognate receptors (CXCR1 or CXCR2) in CAR T-cells that target the tumor-associated αvβ6 integrin. We demonstrate here that CXCR2-expressing CAR T-cells migrate more efficiently towards IL-8 and towards tumor conditioned media that contains this cytokine. As a result, these CAR T-cells elicit superior anti-tumor activity against established αvβ6-expressing ovarian or pancreatic tumor xenografts, with a more favorable toxicity profile. These data support the further engineering of CAR T-cells to acquire responsiveness to cancer-derived chemokines in order to improve their therapeutic activity against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynsey M Whilding
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Leena Halim
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Benjamin Draper
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Ana C Parente-Pereira
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Tomasz Zabinski
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - David Marc Davies
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - John Maher
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, UK.
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex BN21 2UD, UK.
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