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Kegler A, Drewitz L, Arndt C, Daglar C, Rodrigues Loureiro L, Mitwasi N, Neuber C, González Soto KE, Bartsch T, Baraban L, Ziehr H, Heine M, Nieter A, Moreira-Soto A, Kühne A, Drexler JF, Seliger B, Laube M, Máthé D, Pályi B, Hajdrik P, Forgách L, Kis Z, Szigeti K, Bergmann R, Feldmann A, Bachmann M. A novel ACE2 decoy for both neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants and killing of infected cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204543. [PMID: 37383226 PMCID: PMC10293748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204543] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to millions of infections and deaths worldwide. As this virus evolves rapidly, there is a high need for treatment options that can win the race against new emerging variants of concern. Here, we describe a novel immunotherapeutic drug based on the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 and provide experimental evidence that it cannot only be used for (i) neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in SARS-CoV-2-infected animal models but also for (ii) clearance of virus-infected cells. For the latter purpose, we equipped the ACE2 decoy with an epitope tag. Thereby, we converted it to an adapter molecule, which we successfully applied in the modular platforms UniMAB and UniCAR for retargeting of either unmodified or universal chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune effector cells. Our results pave the way for a clinical application of this novel ACE2 decoy, which will clearly improve COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Drewitz
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cansu Daglar
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Karla Elizabeth González Soto
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Larysa Baraban
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Ziehr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Heine
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Annabel Nieter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andres Moreira-Soto
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arne Kühne
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical High School, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Markus Laube
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Szeged, Hungary
- CROmed Translational Research Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Pályi
- National Biosafety Laboratory, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Polett Hajdrik
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Forgách
- Semmelweis University School of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kis
- National Biosafety Laboratory, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Arndt C, Tunger A, Wehner R, Rothe R, Kourtellari E, Luttosch S, Hannemann K, Koristka S, Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Tonn T, Link T, Kuhlmann JD, Wimberger P, Bachmann MP, Schmitz M. Palbociclib impairs the proliferative capacity of activated T cells while retaining their cytotoxic efficacy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:970457. [PMID: 36817127 PMCID: PMC9935825 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.970457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor palbociclib is an emerging cancer therapeutic that just recently gained Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her)2-negative breast cancer in combination with the ER degrader fulvestrant. However, CDK4/6 inhibitors are not cancer-specific and may affect also other proliferating cells. Given the importance of T cells in antitumor defense, we studied the influence of palbociclib/fulvestrant on human CD3+ T cells and novel emerging T cell-based cancer immunotherapies. Palbociclib considerably inhibited the proliferation of activated T cells by mediating G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. However, after stopping the drug supply this suppression was fully reversible. In light of combination approaches, we further investigated the effect of palbociclib/fulvestrant on T cell-based immunotherapies by using a CD3-PSCA bispecific antibody or universal chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) T cells. Thereby, we observed that palbociclib clearly impaired T cell expansion. This effect resulted in a lower total concentration of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor, while palbociclib did not inhibit the average cytokine release per cell. In addition, the cytotoxic potential of the redirected T cells was unaffected by palbociclib and fulvestrant. Overall, these novel findings may have implications for the design of treatment modalities combining CDK4/6 inhibition and T cell-based cancer immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,*Correspondence: Claudia Arndt, ; Marc Schmitz,
| | - Antje Tunger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Rothe
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Eleni Kourtellari
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephanie Luttosch
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Hannemann
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana R. Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Dresden, Germany,Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Theresa Link
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Dominik Kuhlmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Philipp Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Claudia Arndt, ; Marc Schmitz,
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McCue AC, Yao Z, Kuhlman B. Advances in modular control of CAR-T therapy with adapter-mediated CARs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114358. [PMID: 35618140 PMCID: PMC9939278 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Protein engineering has contributed to successes in the field of T cell-based immunotherapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. CAR T cell therapy has become a pillar of cancer immunotherapy, demonstrating clinical effectiveness against B cell malignancies by targeting the B cell antigen CD19. Current gene editing techniques have limited safety controls over CAR T cell activity, which presents a hurdle for control of CAR T cells in patients. Alternatively, CAR T cell activity can be controlled by engineering CARs to bind soluble adapter molecules that direct the interaction between the CAR T cell and target cell. The flexibility in this adapter-mediated approach overcomes the rigid specificity of traditional CAR T cells to allow targeting of multiple cell types. Here we describe adapter CAR T technologies and how these methods emphasize the growing role of protein engineering in the design of programmable tools for T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia C McCue
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Zhiyuan Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Brian Kuhlman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
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4
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Lindner D, Arndt C, Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Kegler A, Koristka S, Berndt N, Mitwasi N, Bergmann R, Frenz M, Bachmann MP. Combining Radiation- with Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer: Influence of Radiation on T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147922. [PMID: 35887271 PMCID: PMC9324763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation of tumor cells can lead to the selection and outgrowth of tumor escape variants. As radioresistant tumor cells are still sensitive to retargeting of T cells, it appears promising to combine radio- with immunotherapy keeping in mind that the radiation of tumors favors the local conditions for immunotherapy. However, radiation of solid tumors will not only hit the tumor cells but also the infiltrated immune cells. Therefore, we wanted to learn how radiation influences the functionality of T cells with respect to retargeting to tumor cells via a conventional bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) and our previously described modular BiTE format UNImAb. T cells were irradiated between 2 and 50 Gy. Low dose radiation of T cells up to about 20 Gy caused an increased release of the cytokines IL-2, TNF and interferon-γ and an improved capability to kill target cells. Although radiation with 50 Gy strongly reduced the function of the T cells, it did not completely abrogate the functionality of the T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lindner
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
- Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, University Cancer Center (UCC), Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marcus Frenz
- Faculty Informatik and Wirtschaftsinformatik, Provadis School of International Management and Technology AG, 65926 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Michael P. Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-351-260-3170
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Development and Functional Characterization of a Versatile Radio-/Immunotheranostic Tool for Prostate Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081996. [PMID: 35454902 PMCID: PMC9027777 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In previous studies, we described a modular Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell platform which we termed UniCAR. In contrast to conventional CARs, the interaction of UniCAR T cells does not occur directly between the CAR T cell and the tumor cell but is mediated via bispecific adaptor molecules so-called target modules (TMs). Here we present the development and functional characterization of a novel IgG4-based TM, directed to the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa). We show that this anti-PSCA IgG4-TM cannot only be used for (i) redirection of UniCAR T cells to PCa cells but also for (ii) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and (iii) alpha particle-based endoradiotherapy. For radiolabeling, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was conjugated with the chelator DOTAGA. PET imaging was performed using the 64Cu-labeled anti-PSCA IgG4-TM. According to PET imaging, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM accumulates with high contrast in the PSCA-positive tumors of experimental mice without visible uptake in other organs. For endoradiotherapy the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM-DOTAGA conjugate was labeled with 225Ac3+. Targeted alpha therapy resulted in tumor control over 60 days after a single injection of the 225Ac-labeled TM. The favorable pharmacological profile of the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM, and its usage for (i) imaging, (ii) targeted alpha therapy, and (iii) UniCAR T cell immunotherapy underlines the promising radio-/immunotheranostic capabilities for the diagnostic imaging and treatment of PCa. Abstract Due to its overexpression on the surface of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a potential target for PCa diagnosis and therapy. Here we describe the development and functional characterization of a novel IgG4-based anti-PSCA antibody (Ab) derivative (anti-PSCA IgG4-TM) that is conjugated with the chelator DOTAGA. The anti-PSCA IgG4-TM represents a multimodal immunotheranostic compound that can be used (i) as a target module (TM) for UniCAR T cell-based immunotherapy, (ii) for diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and (iii) targeted alpha therapy. Cross-linkage of UniCAR T cells and PSCA-positive tumor cells via the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM results in efficient tumor cell lysis both in vitro and in vivo. After radiolabeling with 64Cu2+, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was successfully applied for high contrast PET imaging. In a PCa mouse model, it showed specific accumulation in PSCA-expressing tumors, while no uptake in other organs was observed. Additionally, the DOTAGA-conjugated anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was radiolabeled with 225Ac3+ and applied for targeted alpha therapy. A single injection of the 225Ac-labeled anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was able to significantly control tumor growth in experimental mice. Overall, the novel anti-PSCA IgG4-TM represents an attractive first member of a novel group of radio-/immunotheranostics that allows diagnostic imaging, endoradiotherapy, and CAR T cell immunotherapy.
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Köseer AS, Loureiro LR, Jureczek J, Mitwasi N, González Soto KE, Aepler J, Bartsch T, Feldmann A, Kunz-Schughart LA, Linge A, Krause M, Bachmann M, Arndt C, Dubrovska A. Validation of CD98hc as a Therapeutic Target for a Combination of Radiation and Immunotherapies in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1677. [PMID: 35406454 PMCID: PMC8997111 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage and show heterogeneous treatment responses. Low SLC3A2 (solute carrier family 3 member 2) mRNA and protein (CD98hc) expression levels are associated with higher locoregional control in HNSCC patients treated with primary radiochemotherapy or postoperative radiochemotherapy, suggesting that CD98hc could be a target for HNSCC radiosensitization. One of the targeted strategies for tumor radiosensitization is precision immunotherapy, e.g., the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. This study aimed to define the potential clinical value of new treatment approaches combining conventional radiotherapy with CD98hc-targeted immunotherapy. To address this question, we analyzed the antitumor activity of the combination of fractionated irradiation and switchable universal CAR (UniCAR) system against radioresistant HNSCC cells in 3D culture. CD98hc-redirected UniCAR T cells showed the ability to destroy radioresistant HNSCC spheroids. Also, the infiltration rate of the UniCAR T cells was enhanced in the presence of the CD98hc target module. Furthermore, sequential treatment with fractionated irradiation followed by CD98hc-redirected UniCAR T treatment showed a synergistic effect. Taken together, our obtained data underline the improved antitumor effect of the combination of radiotherapy with CD98hc-targeted immunotherapy. Such a combination presents an attractive approach for the treatment of high-risk HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Sedef Köseer
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
| | - Liliana R. Loureiro
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Justyna Jureczek
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Karla Elizabeth González Soto
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Julia Aepler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Anja Feldmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Leoni A. Kunz-Schughart
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Annett Linge
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany; (J.J.); (N.M.); (K.E.G.S.); (J.A.); (T.B.)
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.K.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (L.A.K.-S.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (M.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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7
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Nguyen-Le TA, Bartsch T, Wodtke R, Brandt F, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Sandoval Bojorquez DI, Roig AP, Ibarlucea B, Lee S, Baek CK, Cuniberti G, Bergmann R, Puentes-Cala E, Soto JA, Kurien BT, Bachmann M, Baraban L. Nanosensors in clinical development of CAR-T cell immunotherapy. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 206:114124. [PMID: 35272215 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy using CAR-T cells is a new technological paradigm for cancer treatment. To avoid severe side effects and tumor escape variants observed for conventional CAR-T cells approach, adaptor CAR technologies are under development, where intermediate target modules redirect immune cells against cancer. In this work, silicon nanowire field-effect transistors are used to develop target modules for an optimized CAR-T cell operation. Focusing on a library of seven variants of E5B9 peptide that is used as CAR targeting epitope, we performed multiplexed binding tests using nanosensor chips. These peptides had been immobilized onto the sensor to compare the transistor signals upon titration with anti-La 5B9 antibodies. The correlation of binding affinities and sensor sensitivities enabled a selection of candidates for the interaction between CAR and target modules. An extremely low detection limit was observed for the sensor, down to femtomolar concentration, outperforming the current assay of the same purpose. Finally, the CAR T-cells redirection capability of selected peptides in target modules was proven successful in an in-vitro cytotoxicity assay. Our results open the perspective for the nanosensors to go beyond the early diagnostics in clinical cancer research towards developing and monitoring immunotherapeutic treatment, where the quantitative analysis with the standard techniques is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Anh Nguyen-Le
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robert Wodtke
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian Brandt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany; Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany; Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Diana Isabel Sandoval Bojorquez
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Arnau Perez Roig
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bergoi Ibarlucea
- Institute for Materials Science, Max Bergmann Center for Biomaterials, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Seungho Lee
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Ki Baek
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Gianaurelio Cuniberti
- Institute for Materials Science, Max Bergmann Center for Biomaterials, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany; Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edinson Puentes-Cala
- Corporación para la Investigación de la Corrosión (CIC), Piedecuesta, 681011, Colombia
| | | | - Biji T Kurien
- The Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany; Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany. Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.
| | - Larysa Baraban
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany.
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8
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Arndt C, Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Jureczek J, Bergmann R, Máthé D, Hegedüs N, Berndt N, Koristka S, Mitwasi N, Fasslrinner F, Lamprecht C, Kegler A, Hoffmann A, Bartsch T, Köseer AS, Egan G, Schmitz M, Hořejší V, Krause M, Dubrovska A, Bachmann M. UniCAR T cell immunotherapy enables efficient elimination of radioresistant cancer cells. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1743036. [PMID: 32426176 PMCID: PMC7219270 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1743036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction or selection of radioresistant cancer (stem) cells following standard radiotherapy is presumably one of the major causes for recurrence of metastatic disease. One possibility to prevent tumor relapse is the application of targeted immunotherapies including, e.g., chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. In light of long-term remissions, it is highly relevant to clarify whether radioresistant cancer cells are susceptible to CAR T cell-mediated killing. To answer this question, we evaluated the anti-tumor activity of the switchable universal chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) system against highly radioresistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Following specific UniCAR T cell engagement via EGFR or CD98 target modules, T cell effector mechanisms were induced including secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, up-regulation of granzyme B and perforin, as well as T cell proliferation. CD98- or EGFR-redirected UniCAR T cells further possess the capability to efficiently lyse radioresistant tumor cells. Observed anti-tumor effects were comparable to those against the radiosensitive parental cell lines. Finally, redirected UniCAR T cells significantly inhibited the growth of radioresistant cancer cells in immunodeficient mice. Taken together, our obtained data underline that the UniCAR system is able to overcome radioresistance. Thus, it represents an attractive technology for the development of combined radioimmunotherapeutic approaches that might improve the outcome of patients with metastatic radioresistant tumor diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana R Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Justyna Jureczek
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Semmelweis University, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Semmelweis University, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Budapest, Hungary.,CROmed Translational Research Centers, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Hegedüs
- Semmelweis University, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frederick Fasslrinner
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Chris Lamprecht
- Department of Neurology, Center of Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Hoffmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ayşe Sedef Köseer
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Gary Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, School of Psychological Sciences, and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vaclav Hořejší
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mechthild Krause
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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9
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Feldmann A, Arndt C, Koristka S, Berndt N, Bergmann R, Bachmann MP. Conventional CARs versus modular CARs. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1713-1719. [PMID: 31542798 PMCID: PMC6805801 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02399-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The clinical application of immune effector cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has shown impressive results including complete remissions of certain malignant hematological diseases. However, their application can also cause severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). One limitation of currently applied CAR T cells is their lack of regulation. Especially, an emergency shutdown of CAR T cells in case of life-threatening side effects is missing. Moreover, targeting of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that are not only expressed on tumor cells but also on vital tissues requires the possibility of a switch allowing to repeatedly turn the activity of CAR T cells on and off. Here we summarize the development of a modular CAR variant termed universal CAR (UniCAR) system that promises to overcome these limitations of conventional CARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- University Cancer Center (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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10
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Koristka S, Ziller-Walter P, Bergmann R, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Kegler A, Cartellieri M, Ehninger A, Ehninger G, Bornhäuser M, Bachmann MP. Anti-CAR-engineered T cells for epitope-based elimination of autologous CAR T cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1401-1415. [PMID: 31414180 PMCID: PMC6768917 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02376-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated tremendous clinical efficacy especially in hematological malignancies, severe treatment-associated toxicities still compromise the widespread application of this innovative technology. Therefore, developing novel approaches to abrogate CAR T-cell-mediated side effects is of great relevance. Several promising strategies pursue the selective antibody-based depletion of adoptively transferred T cells via elimination markers. However, given the limited half-life and tissue penetration, dependence on the patients’ immune system and on-target/off-side effects of proposed monoclonal antibodies, we sought to exploit αCAR-engineered T cells to efficiently eliminate CAR T cells. For comprehensive and specific recognition, a small peptide epitope (E-tag) was incorporated into the extracellular spacer region of CAR constructs. We provide first proof-of-concept for targeting this epitope by αE-tag CAR T cells, allowing an effective killing of autologous E-tagged CAR T cells both in vitro and in vivo whilst sparing cells lacking the E-tag. In addition to CAR T-cell cytotoxicity, the αE-tag-specific T cells can be empowered with cancer-fighting ability in case of relapse, hence, have versatile utility. Our proposed methodology can most probably be implemented in CAR T-cell therapies regardless of the targeted tumor antigen aiding in improving overall safety and survival control of highly potent gene-modified cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Autoantigens/immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Genetic Engineering
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Male
- Mice
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- PC-3 Cells
- Peptide Fragments/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Koristka
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Ziller-Walter
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Cartellieri
- Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Armin Ehninger
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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11
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Kegler A, Koristka S, Bergmann R, Berndt N, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Hoffmann A, Bornhäuser M, Schmitz M, Bachmann MP. T cells engrafted with a UniCAR 28/z outperform UniCAR BB/z-transduced T cells in the face of regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1621676. [PMID: 31428518 PMCID: PMC6685520 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1621676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-equipped T cells have demonstrated astonishing clinical efficacy in hematological malignancies recently culminating in the approval of two CAR T cell products. Despite this tremendous success, CAR T cell approaches have still achieved only moderate efficacy against solid tumors. As a major obstacle, engineered conventional T cells (Tconvs) face an anti-inflammatory, hostile tumor microenvironment often infiltrated by highly suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Thus, potent CAR T cell treatment of solid tumors requires efficient activation of Tconvs via their engrafted CAR to overcome Treg-mediated immunosuppression. In that regard, selecting an optimal intracellular signaling domain might represent a crucial step to achieve best clinical efficiency. To shed light on this issue and to investigate responsiveness to Treg inhibition, we engrafted Tconvs with switchable universal CARs (UniCARs) harboring intracellularly the CD3ζ domain alone or in combination with costimulatory CD28 or 4-1BB. Our studies reveal that UniCAR ζ-, and UniCAR BB/ζ-engineered Tconvs are strongly impaired by activated Tregs, whereas UniCARs providing CD28 costimulation overcome Treg-mediated suppression both in vitro and in vivo. Compared to UniCAR ζ- and UniCAR BB/ζ-modified cells, UniCAR 28/ζ-armed Tconvs secrete significantly higher amounts of Th1-related cytokines and, furthermore, levels of these cytokines are elevated even upon exposure to Tregs. Thus, in contrast to 4-1BB costimulation, CD28 signaling in UniCAR-transduced Tconvs seems to foster a pro-inflammatory milieu, which contributes to enhanced resistance to Treg suppression. Overall, our results may have significant implications for CAR T cell-based immunotherapies of solid tumors strongly invaded by Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kegler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Hoffmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus’ Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany and Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases, Partner site Dresden (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany and Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases, Partner site Dresden (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty `Carl Gustav Carus’ Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P. Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany and Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases, Partner site Dresden (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Tumor Immunology, UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) `Carl Gustav Carus’ Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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12
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Arndt C, Bachmann M, Bergmann R, Berndt N, Feldmann A, Koristka S. Theranostic CAR T cell targeting: A brief review. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2019; 62:533-540. [PMID: 30889625 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
More than hundred years ago, Paul Ehrlich postulated that our immune system should be able to recognize tumor cells. Just recently, the development of check point inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) underlines the true power of our immune system. T cells genetically modified with CARs can lead to complete remission of malignant hematologic diseases. However, they can also cause life-threatening side effects. In case of cytokine release syndrome, tumor lysis syndrome, or deadly side effects on the central nervous system, an emergency shut down of CAR T cells is needed. Targeting of tumor-associated antigens that are also expressed on vital tissues require a possibility to repeatedly switch the activity of CAR T cells on and off on demand and to follow the treatment by imaging. Theranostic, modular CARs such as the UniCAR system may help to overcome these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
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13
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The UniCAR system: A modular CAR T cell approach to improve the safety of CAR T cells. Immunol Lett 2019; 211:13-22. [PMID: 31091431 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The idea to eliminate tumor cells via our own immune system is more than a hundred years old. However, a real break through came first with the development of check point inhibitors, bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) and T cells genetically modified to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Eventhough the clinical application of T cells equipped with CARs can lead to a complete remission, unfortunately, their application can also cause severe or even life threatening side effects as their activity can no more be adjusted once given to the patient. For targeting of tumor cells expressing tumor associated antigens (TAAs) which are not limited to tumor cells but also accessible on healthy tissues CAR T cells should not be permanently in a killing mode but be equipped with some kind of a switch whereby the activity of CAR T cells can reversely be turned "on and off ". Moreover, in case of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), or other deadly side effects the possibility of an emergency shut down of the CAR T cell activity should exist. Modular CAR variants such as the UniCAR system may fulfill these requirements.
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14
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Albert S, Arndt C, Koristka S, Berndt N, Bergmann R, Feldmann A, Schmitz M, Pietzsch J, Steinbach J, Bachmann M. From mono- to bivalent: improving theranostic properties of target modules for redirection of UniCAR T cells against EGFR-expressing tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25597-25616. [PMID: 29876011 PMCID: PMC5986651 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR-modified T cells show impressive results in clinical trials. However, cytokine release syndrome and "on-target, off-tumor" reactions represent most concerning side effects. To improve the safety of CAR-T cell therapy, we established a switchable CAR platform termed UniCAR system consisting of two components: UniCAR-modified T cells and tumor-specific target modules (TM). For treatment of EGFR+ epithelial tumors, we recently described a monovalent nanobody-based α-EGFR TM, either expressed in bacteria or eukaryotic cells. In spite of the identical primary sequence the eukaryotic TM showed a reduced killing capability and affinity. Here we describe a novel bivalent α-EGFR-EGFR TM. As expected, the avidity of the bivalent TM is higher than that of its monovalent counterpart. Binding of neither the monovalent α-EGFR TM nor the bivalent α-EGFR-EGFR TM to EGFR effected the EGF-mediated signaling. While the monovalent α-EGFR TM could only mediate the killing of tumor cells expressing high levels of EGFR, the bivalent α-EGFR-EGFR TM could redirect UniCAR T cells to tumor cells expressing low levels of EGFR. According to PET experiments in vivo, the increased avidity of the bivalent α-EGFR-EGFR TM improves the enrichment at the tumor site and its use for PET imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Albert
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, ‘Carl Gustav Carus’ Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), part\ner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), part\ner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, ‘Carl Gustav Carus’ Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, ‘Carl Gustav Carus’ Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), part\ner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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15
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Koristka S, Kegler A, Bergmann R, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Albert S, Cartellieri M, Ehninger A, Ehninger G, Middeke JM, Bornhäuser M, Schmitz M, Pietzsch J, Akgün K, Ziemssen T, Steinbach J, Bachmann MP. Engrafting human regulatory T cells with a flexible modular chimeric antigen receptor technology. J Autoimmun 2018; 90:116-131. [PMID: 29503042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
As regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a fundamental role in immune homeostasis their adoptive transfer emerged as a promising treatment strategy for inflammation-related diseases. Preclinical animal models underline the superiority of antigen-specific Tregs compared to polyclonal cells. Here, we applied a modular chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology called UniCAR for generation of antigen-specific human Tregs. In contrast to conventional CARs, UniCAR-endowed Tregs are indirectly linked to their target cells via a separate targeting module (TM). Thus, transduced Tregs can be applied universally as their antigen-specificity is easily adjusted by TM exchange. Activation of UniCAR-engrafted Tregs occurred in strict dependence on the TM, facilitating a precise control over Treg activity. In order to augment efficacy and safety, different intracellular signaling domains were tested. Both 4-1BB (CD137) and CD28 costimulation induced strong suppressive function of genetically modified Tregs. However, in light of safety issues, UniCARs comprising a CD137-CD3ζ signaling domain emerged as constructs of choice for a clinical application of redirected Tregs. In that regard, Tregs isolated from patients suffering from autoimmune or inflammatory diseases were, for the first time, successfully engineered with UniCAR 137/ζ and efficiently suppressed patient-derived effector cells. Overall, the UniCAR platform represents a promising approach to improve Treg-based immunotherapies for tolerance induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Koristka
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Albert
- Tumor Immunology, UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Cartellieri
- Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Armin Ehninger
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Moritz Middeke
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstr. 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Akgün
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstr. 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; Tumor Immunology, UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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16
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Low-frequency ultrasound-induced VEGF suppression and synergy with dendritic cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity in murine prostate cancer cells in vitro. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5778. [PMID: 28720900 PMCID: PMC5515892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06242-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High tumor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels are associated with poor treatment outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa), and immune deficiency in the PCa microenvironment, especially suppression of dendritic cell (DC) proliferation, has been confirmed. In this study, we (1) investigated whether VEGF participates in DC suppression in murine PCa cells (RM-1), (2) down-regulated VEGF expression using low-frequency ultrasound and microbubbles (UM), and (3) further explored any synergistic effect on immunological activation. DCs from the bone marrow of BALB/c mice were stimulated by the addition of cytokines (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4)), and we analyzed their proliferation status via flow cytometric recognition of the surface antigen markers CD11c and CD83. The results demonstrated that co-culture with RM-1 cells markedly inhibited expression of the general marker CD11c and the mature marker CD83; UM weakened this inhibition by down-regulating VEGF expression. T lymphocytes were extracted from murine spleens, and CD4 and CD8a were identified as the biomarkers of activated cells participating in the anti-tumor immune response. When DCs, T lymphocytes and RM-1 cells were co-cultured, cell migration and invasion assays and cytoactive detection showed that UM could not only directly suppress PCa cell evolution but also promote activation of anti-tumor immunocytes in the VEGF-inhibited microenvironment.
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17
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Pishali Bejestani E, Cartellieri M, Bergmann R, Ehninger A, Loff S, Kramer M, Spehr J, Dietrich A, Feldmann A, Albert S, Wermke M, Baumann M, Krause M, Bornhäuser M, Ehninger G, Bachmann M, von Bonin M. Characterization of a switchable chimeric antigen receptor platform in a pre-clinical solid tumor model. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1342909. [PMID: 29123951 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1342909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The universal modular chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) platform redirects CAR-T cells using a separated, soluble targeting module with a short half-life. This segregation allows precise controllability and flexibility. Herein we show that the UniCAR platform can be used to efficiently target solid cancers in vitro and in vivo using a pre-clinical prostate cancer model which overexpresses prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA). Short-term administration of the targeting module to tumor bearing immunocompromised mice engrafted with human UniCAR-T cells significantly delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival of recipient mice both in a low and high tumor burden model. In addition, we analyzed phenotypic and functional changes of cancer cells and UniCAR-T cells in association with the administration of the targeting module to reveal potential immunoevasive mechanisms. Most notably, UniCAR-T cell activation induced upregulation of immune-inhibitory molecules such as programmed death ligands. In conclusion, this work illustrates that the UniCAR platform mediates potent anti-tumor activity in a relevant in vitro and in vivo solid tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Pishali Bejestani
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Simon Loff
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Kramer
- Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Antje Dietrich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Albert
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Wermke
- Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Baumann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Malte von Bonin
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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Exploratory investigation of PSCA-protein expression in primary breast cancer patients reveals a link to HER2/neu overexpression. Oncotarget 2017; 8:54592-54603. [PMID: 28903367 PMCID: PMC5589606 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) has been suggested as biomarker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Recent advances showed that PSCA is up-regulated in other cancer entities, such as bladder or pancreatic cancer. However, the clinical relevance of PSCA-expression in breast cancer patients has not yet been established and is therefore addressed by the current study. METHODS PSCA-protein expression was assessed in 405 breast cancer patients, using immunohistochemistry (PSCA antibody MB1) and tissue microarrays. RESULTS PSCA-expression was detected in 94/405 patients (23%) and correlated with unfavorable histopathological grade (p=0.011) and increased Ki67 proliferation index (p=0.006). We observed a strong positive correlation between PSCA-protein expression and HER2/neu receptor status (p<0.001). PSCA did not provide prognostic information in the analyzed cohort. Interestingly, the distribution of PSCA-expression among triple negative patients was comparable to the total population. CONCLUSION We identified a subgroup of PSCA-positive breast cancer patients, which could be amenable for a PSCA-targeted therapy. Moreover, given that we found a strong positive correlation between PSCA- and HER/neu expression, targeting PSCA may provide an alternative therapeutic option in case of trastuzumab resistance.
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Adamowicz J, Pakravan K, Bakhshinejad B, Drewa T, Babashah S. Prostate cancer stem cells: from theory to practice. Scand J Urol 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21681805.2017.1283360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Adamowicz
- Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Katayoon Pakravan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Bakhshinejad
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tomasz Drewa
- Chair of Urology, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Sadegh Babashah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Vlachostergios PJ, Galletti G, Palmer J, Lam L, Karir BS, Tagawa ST. Antibody therapeutics for treating prostate cancer: where are we now and what comes next? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 17:135-149. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2017.1258398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Galletti
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Palmer
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linda Lam
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Beerinder S. Karir
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott T. Tagawa
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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21
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Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy was selected as the Breakthrough of the Year 2013 by the editors of Science, in part because of the successful treatment of refractory hematological malignancies with adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells. Effective treatment of B cell leukemia may pave the road to future treatment of solid tumors, using similar approaches. The prostate expresses many unique proteins and, since the prostate gland is a dispensable organ, CAR T cells can potentially be used to target these tissue-specific antigens. However, the location and composition of prostate cancer metastases complicate the task of treating these tumors. It is therefore likely that more sophisticated CAR T cell approaches are going to be required for prostate metastasis than for B cell malignancies. Two main challenges that need to be resolved are how to increase the migration and infiltration of CAR T cells into prostate cancer bone metastases and how to counteract the immunosuppressive microenvironment found in bone lesions. Inclusion of homing (chemokine) receptors in CAR T cells may improve their recruitment to bone metastases, as may antibody-based combination therapies to normalize the tumor vasculature. Optimal activation of CAR T cells through the introduction of multiple costimulatory domains would help to overcome inhibitory signals from the tumor microenvironment. Likewise, combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors that can reduce tumor immunosuppression may help improve efficacy. Other elegant approaches such as induced expression of immune stimulatory cytokines upon target recognition may also help to recruit other effector immune cells to metastatic sites. Although toxicities are difficult to predict in prostate cancer, severe on-target/off-tumor toxicities have been observed in clinical trials with use of CAR T cells against hematological malignancies; therefore, the choice of the target antigen is going to be crucial. This review focuses on different means of accomplishing maximal effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy for prostate cancer bone metastases while minimizing side effects and CAR T cell-associated toxicities. CAR T cell-based therapies for prostate cancer have the potential to be a therapy model for other solid tumors.
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Arndt C, Feldmann A, Koristka S, Cartellieri M, Dimmel M, Ehninger A, Ehninger G, Bachmann M. Simultaneous targeting of prostate stem cell antigen and prostate-specific membrane antigen improves the killing of prostate cancer cells using a novel modular T cell-retargeting system. Prostate 2014; 74:1335-46. [PMID: 25053443 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, we described a novel modular platform technology in which T cell-recruitment and tumor-targeting domains of conventional bispecific antibodies are split to independent components, a universal effector module (EM) and replaceable monospecific/monovalent target modules (TMs) that form highly efficient T cell-retargeting complexes. Theoretically, our unique strategy should allow us to simultaneously retarget T cells to different tumor antigens by combining the EM with two or more different monovalent/monospecific TMs or even with bivalent/bispecific TMs, thereby overcoming limitations of a monospecific treatment such as the selection of target-negative tumor escape variants. METHODS In order to advance our recently introduced prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)-specific modular system for a dual-targeting of prostate cancer cells, two additional TMs were constructed: a monovalent/monospecific TM directed against the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and a bivalent/bispecific TM (bsTM) with specificity for PSMA and PSCA. The functionality of the novel dual-targeting strategies was analyzed by performing T cell activation and chromium release assays. RESULTS Similar to the PSCA-specific modular system, the novel PSMA-specific modular system mediates an efficient target-dependent and -specific tumor cell lysis at low E:T ratios and picomolar Ab concentrations. Moreover, by combination of the EM with either the bispecific TM directed to PSMA and PSCA or both monospecifc TMs directed to either PSCA or PSMA, dual-specific targeting complexes were formed which allowed us to kill potential escape variants expressing only one or the other target antigen. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the novel modular system represents a promising tool for multiple tumor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Medical Faculty 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Institute of Immunology, Dresden, Germany
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