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Odak I, Bayir LM, Riemann L, Sikora R, Schneider J, Xiao Y, Möhn N, Skripuletz T, Beutel G, Eder M, Ganser A, Förster R, Schultze-Florey CR, Koenecke C. Brief research report: in-depth immunophenotyping reveals stability of CD19 CAR T-cells over time. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1298598. [PMID: 38318174 PMCID: PMC10839090 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1298598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Variability or stability might have an impact on treatment success and toxicity of CD19 CAR T-cells. We conducted a prospective observational study of 12 patients treated with Tisagenlecleucel for CD19+ B-cell malignancies. Using a 31-color spectral flow cytometry panel, we analyzed differentiation stages and exhaustion markers of CAR T-cell subsets prior to CAR T-cell infusion and longitudinally during 6 months of follow-up. The majority of activation markers on CAR T-cells showed stable expression patterns over time and were not associated with response to therapy or toxicity. Unsupervised cluster analysis revealed an immune signature of CAR T-cell products associated with the development of immune cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Warranting validation in an independent patient cohort, in-depth phenotyping of CAR T-cell products as well as longitudinal monitoring post cell transfer might become a valuable tool to increase efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Odak
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lâle M. Bayir
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lennart Riemann
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Sikora
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Schneider
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yankai Xiao
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nora Möhn
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Gernot Beutel
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Eder
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arnold Ganser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhold Förster
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian R. Schultze-Florey
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Koenecke
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Odak I, Sikora R, Riemann L, Bayir LM, Beck M, Drenker M, Xiao Y, Schneider J, Dammann E, Stadler M, Eder M, Ganser A, Förster R, Koenecke C, Schultze-Florey CR. Spectral flow cytometry cluster analysis of therapeutic donor lymphocyte infusions identifies T cell subsets associated with outcome in patients with AML relapse. Front Immunol 2022; 13:999163. [PMID: 36275657 PMCID: PMC9579313 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of immune phenotypes linked to durable graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) response following donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) is of high clinical relevance. In this prospective observational study of 13 AML relapse patients receiving therapeutic DLI, we longitudinally investigated changes in differentiation stages and exhaustion markers of T cell subsets using cluster analysis of 30-color spectral flow cytometry during 24 months follow-up. DLI cell products and patient samples after DLI were analyzed and correlated to the clinical outcome. Analysis of DLI cell products revealed heterogeneity in the proportions of naïve and antigen experienced T cells. Cell products containing lower levels of effector memory (eff/m) cells and higher amounts of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were associated with long-term remission. Furthermore, investigation of patient blood samples early after DLI showed that patients relapsing during the study period, had higher levels of CD4+ eff/m T cells and expressed a mosaic of surface molecules implying an exhausted functional state. Of note, this observation preceded the clinical diagnosis of relapse by five months. On the other hand, patients with continuous remission retained lower levels of exhausted CD4+ eff/m T cells more than four months post DLI. Moreover, lower frequencies of exhausted CD8+ eff/m T cells as well as higher amounts of CD4+temra CD45RO+ T cells were present in this group. These results imply the formation of functional long-term memory pool of T cells. Finally, unbiased sample analysis showed that DLI cell products with low levels of eff/m cells both in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations associate with a lower relapse incidence. Additionally, competing risk analysis of patient samples taken early after DLI revealed that patients with high amounts of exhausted CD4+ eff/m T cells in their blood exhibited significantly higher rates of relapse. In conclusion, differentially activated T cell clusters, both in the DLI product and in patients post infusion, were associated with AML relapse after DLI. Our study suggests that differences in DLI cell product composition might influence GVL. In-depth monitoring of T cell dynamics post DLI might increase safety and efficacy of this immunotherapy, while further studies are needed to assess the functionality of T cells found in the DLI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Odak
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christian R. Schultze-Florey, ; Ivan Odak,
| | - Ruth Sikora
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lennart Riemann
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lâle M. Bayir
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maleen Beck
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Drenker
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yankai Xiao
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Schneider
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elke Dammann
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Stadler
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Eder
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arnold Ganser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhold Förster
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Koenecke
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian R. Schultze-Florey
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christian R. Schultze-Florey, ; Ivan Odak,
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Odak I, Schultze-Florey CR, Hammerschmidt SI, Ritter C, Willenzon S, Friedrichsen M, Ravens I, Sikora R, Bayir LM, Gutierrez Jauregui R, Bernhardt G, Stankov MV, Cossmann A, Hansen G, Krey T, Cornberg M, Koenecke C, Behrens GMN, Bošnjak B, Förster R. Longitudinal Tracking of Immune Responses in COVID-19 Convalescents Reveals Absence of Neutralization Activity Against Omicron and Staggered Impairment to Other SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern. Front Immunol 2022; 13:863039. [PMID: 35359969 PMCID: PMC8964088 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.863039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluating long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in convalescing individuals is of high clinical relevance. In this prospective study of a cohort of 46 SARS-CoV-2 patients infected with the Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2 we longitudinally analyzed changes in humoral and cellular immunity upon early and late convalescence. Antibody neutralization capacity was measured by surrogate virus neutralization test and cellular responses were investigated with 31-colour spectral flow cytometry. Spike-specific, isotype-switched B cells developed already during the disease phase, showed a memory phenotype and did not decrease in numbers even during late convalescence. Otherwise, no long-lasting perturbations of the immune compartment following COVID-19 clearance were observed. During convalescence anti-Spike (S1) IgG antibodies strongly decreased in all patients. We detected neutralizing antibodies against the Wuhan strain as well as the Alpha and Delta but not against the Beta, Gamma or Omicron variants for up to 7 months post COVID-19. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a strong association between sera anti-S1 IgG titers and their neutralization capacity against the Wuhan strain as well as Alpha and Delta. Overall, our data suggest that even 7 month after the clearance of COVID-19 many patients possess a protective layer of immunity, indicated by the persistence of Spike-specific memory B cells and by the presence of neutralizing antibodies against the Alpha and Delta variants. However, lack of neutralizing antibodies against the Beta, Gamma and Omicron variants even during the peak response is of major concern as this indicates viral evasion of the humoral immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Odak
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian R Schultze-Florey
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Inga Ravens
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Sikora
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lâle M Bayir
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Günter Bernhardt
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Metodi V Stankov
- Clinic Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne Cossmann
- Clinic Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guido Hansen
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Thomas Krey
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Brunswick, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany.,Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Koenecke
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg M N Behrens
- Clinic Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany.,Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Berislav Bošnjak
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhold Förster
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
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