1
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Liu Z, Lei W, Wang H, Liu X, Fu R. Challenges and strategies associated with CAR-T cell therapy in blood malignancies. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:22. [PMID: 38402232 PMCID: PMC10893672 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T cells, has shown potential in the improvement of outcomes in patients with refractory and recurrent malignancies of the blood. However, achieving sustainable long-term complete remission for blood cancer remains a challenge, with resistance and relapse being expected outcomes for many patients. Although many studies have attempted to clarify the mechanisms of CAR-T cell therapy failure, the mechanism remains unclear. In this article, we discuss and describe the current state of knowledge regarding these factors, which include elements that influence the CAR-T cell, cancer cells as a whole, and the microenvironment surrounding the tumor. In addition, we propose prospective approaches to overcome these obstacles in an effort to decrease recurrence rates and extend patient survival subsequent to CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China.
| | - Wenhui Lei
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
- Department of Nephrology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China.
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2
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Zoine JT, Immadisetty K, Ibanez-Vega J, Moore SE, Nevitt C, Thanekar U, Tian L, Karouni A, Chockley PJ, Arthur B, Sheppard H, Klco JM, Langfitt DM, Krenciute G, Gottschalk S, Babu MM, Velasquez MP. Peptide-scFv antigen recognition domains effectively confer CAR T cell multiantigen specificity. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101422. [PMID: 38350450 PMCID: PMC10897625 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of immune escape is a significant roadblock to developing effective chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies against hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we demonstrate feasibility of targeting two antigens simultaneously by combining a GRP78-specific peptide antigen recognition domain with a CD123-specific scFv to generate a peptide-scFv bispecific antigen recognition domain (78.123). To achieve this, we test linkers with varying length and flexibility and perform immunophenotypic and functional characterization. We demonstrate that bispecific CAR T cells successfully recognize and kill tumor cells that express GRP78, CD123, or both antigens and have improved antitumor activity compared to their monospecific counterparts when both antigens are expressed. Protein structure prediction suggests that linker length and compactness influence the functionality of the generated bispecific CARs. Thus, we present a bispecific CAR design strategy to prevent immune escape in AML that can be extended to other peptide-scFv combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaquelyn T Zoine
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kalyan Immadisetty
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jorge Ibanez-Vega
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sarah E Moore
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Chris Nevitt
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Unmesha Thanekar
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Liqing Tian
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Abbas Karouni
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Peter J Chockley
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Bright Arthur
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Heather Sheppard
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jeffery M Klco
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Deanna M Langfitt
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Giedre Krenciute
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - M Madan Babu
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - M Paulina Velasquez
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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3
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Marchais M, Simula L, Phayanouvong M, Mami-Chouaib F, Bismuth G, Decroocq J, Bouscary D, Dutrieux J, Mangeney M. FOXO1 Inhibition Generates Potent Nonactivated CAR T Cells against Solid Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1508-1523. [PMID: 37649096 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown promising results in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Despite the successes, challenges remain. One of them directly involves the CAR T-cell manufacturing process and especially the ex vivo activation phase. While this is required to allow infection and expansion, ex vivo activation dampens the antitumor potential of CAR T cells. Optimizing the nature of the T cells harboring the CAR is a strategy to address this obstacle and has the potential to improve CAR T-cell therapy, including for solid tumors. Here, we describe a protocol to create CAR T cells without ex vivo preactivation by inhibiting the transcription factor FOXO1 (CAR TAS cells). This approach made T cells directly permissive to lentiviral infection, allowing CAR expression, with enhanced antitumor functions. FOXO1 inhibition in primary T cells (TAS cells) correlated with acquisition of a stem cell memory phenotype, high levels of granzyme B, and increased production of TNFα. TAS cells displayed enhanced proliferative and cytotoxic capacities as well as improved migratory properties. In vivo experiments showed that CAR TAS cells were more efficient at controlling solid tumor growth than classical CAR T cells. The production of CAR TAS from patients' cells confirmed the feasibility of the protocol in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maude Marchais
- CNRS UMR9196, Physiologie et Pathologie Moléculaires des Rétrovirus Endogènes et Infectieux, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
| | - Luca Simula
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Phayanouvong
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Fathia Mami-Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Georges Bismuth
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
| | - Justine Decroocq
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris, Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Didier Bouscary
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris, Service d'Hématologie Clinique, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Dutrieux
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Viral DNA Integration and Chromatin Dynamics Network (DyNAVir), Paris, France
| | - Marianne Mangeney
- CNRS UMR9196, Physiologie et Pathologie Moléculaires des Rétrovirus Endogènes et Infectieux, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
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4
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Moreno-Cortes E, Franco-Fuquen P, Garcia-Robledo JE, Forero J, Booth N, Castro JE. ICOS and OX40 tandem co-stimulation enhances CAR T-cell cytotoxicity and promotes T-cell persistence phenotype. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1200914. [PMID: 37719008 PMCID: PMC10502212 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1200914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have emerged as an effective and potentially curative immunotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies. Treatment with CD19 CAR T-cells has shown unprecedented results in hematological malignancies, including heavily refractory leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cases. Despite these encouraging results, CAR T-cell therapy faces limitations, including the lack of long-term responses in nearly 50-70% of the treated patients and low efficacy in solid tumors. Among other reasons, these restrictions are related to the lack of targetable tumor-associated antigens, limitations on the CAR design and interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as short-term CAR T-cell persistence. Because of these reasons, we developed and tested a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct with an anti-ROR1 single-chain variable-fragment cassette connected to CD3ζ by second and third-generation intracellular signaling domains including 4-1BB, CD28/4-1BB, ICOS/4-1BB or ICOS/OX40. We observed that after several successive tumor-cell in vitro challenges, ROR1.ICOS.OX40ζ continued to proliferate, produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induce cytotoxicity against ROR1+ cell lines in vitro with enhanced potency. Additionally, in vivo ROR1.ICOS.OX40ζ T-cells showed anti-lymphoma activity, a long-lasting central memory phenotype, improved overall survival, and evidence of long-term CAR T-cell persistence. We conclude that anti-ROR1 CAR T-cells that are activated by ICOS.OX40 tandem co-stimulation show in vitro and in vivo enhanced targeted cytotoxicity associated with a phenotype that promotes T-cell persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eider Moreno-Cortes
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Pedro Franco-Fuquen
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Juan E. Garcia-Robledo
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Jose Forero
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Division of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Natalie Booth
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Januario E. Castro
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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5
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Smith R, Shen R. Complexities in comparing the impact of costimulatory domains on approved CD19 CAR functionality. J Transl Med 2023; 21:515. [PMID: 37518011 PMCID: PMC10387212 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04372-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are engineered to target T cells specifically to tumor cells, resulting in the engineered T cell killing the tumor cell. This technology has been developed to target a range of cancers, with the most notable successes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies where four approved therapies, all targeting CD19, are on the market. These four products differ in the costimulation domains, with axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) and brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) both utilizing the CD28 costimulation domain whilst tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) and lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi) both utilizing the 4-1BB costimulation domain. There are clearly defined differences in how the CD28 and 4-1BB domains signal, yet it is difficult to ascertain which domain affords a superior mechanism of action given many other differences between these products, including overall CAR architecture and manufacturing methods. Additionally, while in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies have compared CARs with different costimulation domains, it remains a challenge to extrapolate differences observed in this biology across different experimental systems to the overall product performance. While there has been extensive preclinical and clinical work looking at CARs with a variety of targeting domains and architectures, this review will focus on the differences between the four marketed anti-CD19 CAR-Ts, with an additional focus on the impact of hinge and transmembrane domain on CAR activity and interaction with the target cell as well as other proteins on the surface of the T-cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhine Shen
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
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6
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Meringa AD, Hernández-López P, Cleven A, de Witte M, Straetemans T, Kuball J, Beringer DX, Sebestyen Z. Strategies to improve γδTCRs engineered T-cell therapies for the treatment of solid malignancies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1159337. [PMID: 37441064 PMCID: PMC10333927 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1159337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. D. Meringa
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - P. Hernández-López
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - A. Cleven
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M. de Witte
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - T. Straetemans
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - J. Kuball
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - D. X. Beringer
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Z. Sebestyen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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7
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Tang J, Sheng J, Zhang Q, Ji Y, Wang X, Zhang J, Wu J, Song J, Bai X, Liang T. Runx3-overexpression cooperates with ex vivo AKT inhibition to generate receptor-engineered T cells with better persistence, tumor-residency, and antitumor ability. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006119. [PMID: 36849200 PMCID: PMC9972435 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solid tumors pose unique roadblocks to treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, including limited T-cell persistence, inefficient tumor infiltration, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To date, attempts to overcome these roadblocks have been unsatisfactory. Herein, we reported a strategy of combining Runx3 (encoding RUNX family transcription factor 3)-overexpression with ex vivo protein kinase B (AKT) inhibition to generate CAR-T cells with both central memory and tissue-resident memory characteristics to overcome these roadblocks. METHODS We generated second-generation murine CAR-T cells expressing a CAR against human carbonic anhydrase 9 together with Runx3-overexpression and expanded them in the presence of AKTi-1/2, a selective and reversible inhibitor of AKT1/AKT2. We explored the influence of AKT inhibition (AKTi), Runx3-overexpression, and their combination on CAR-T cell phenotypes using flow cytometry, transcriptome profiling, and mass cytometry. The persistence, tumor-infiltration, and antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells were evaluated in subcutaneous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor models. RESULTS AKTi generated a CD62L+central memory-like CAR-T cell population with enhanced persistence, but promotable cytotoxic potential. Runx3-overexpression cooperated with AKTi to generate CAR-T cells with both central memory and tissue-resident memory characteristics. Runx3-overexpression enhanced the potential of CD4+CAR T cells and cooperated with AKTi to inhibit the terminal differentiation of CD8+CAR T cells induced by tonic signaling. While AKTi promoted CAR-T cell central memory phenotype with prominently enhanced expansion ability, Runx3-overexpression promoted the CAR-T cell tissue-resident memory phenotype and further enhanced persistence, effector function, and tumor-residency. These novel AKTi-generated Runx3-overexpressing CAR-T cells exhibited robust antitumor activity and responded well to programmed cell death 1 blockade in subcutaneous PDAC tumor models. CONCLUSIONS Runx3-overexpression cooperated with ex vivo AKTi to generate CAR-T cells with both tissue-resident and central memory characteristics, which equipped CAR-T cells with better persistence, cytotoxic potential, and tumor-residency ability to overcome roadblocks in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghui Tang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianpeng Sheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongtao Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xun Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junlei Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangchao Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinyuan Song
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China .,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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8
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Yan T, Zhu L, Chen J. Current advances and challenges in CAR T-Cell therapy for solid tumors: tumor-associated antigens and the tumor microenvironment. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 36707873 PMCID: PMC9883880 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed ongoing progress in immune therapy to ameliorate human health. As an emerging technique, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has the advantages of specific killing of cancer cells, a high remission rate of cancer-induced symptoms, rapid tumor eradication, and long-lasting tumor immunity, opening a new window for tumor treatment. However, challenges remain in CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors due to target diversity, tumor heterogeneity, and the complex microenvironment. In this review, we have outlined the development of the CAR T-cell technique, summarized the current advances in tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), and highlighted the importance of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) or neoantigens for solid tumors. We also addressed the challenge of the TAA binding domain in CARs to overcome off-tumor toxicity. Moreover, we illustrated the dominant tumor microenvironment (TME)-induced challenges and new strategies based on TME-associated antigens (TMAs) for solid tumor CAR T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yan
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China
| | - Lingfeng Zhu
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China
| | - Jin Chen
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China ,grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China
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9
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Nasiri F, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Rahbarizadeh F. T-cells engineered with a novel VHH-based chimeric antigen receptor against CD19 exhibit comparable tumoricidal efficacy to their FMC63-based counterparts. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1063838. [PMID: 36875091 PMCID: PMC9978144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1063838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has established itself as a potent therapeutic option for certain patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies. To date, four CD19-redirected CAR-T cell products have been granted the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for medical use. However, all of these products are equipped with a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) as their targeting domains. Camelid single-domain antibodies (VHH or nanobody) can also be used as alternatives to scFvs. In this study, we developed VHH-based CD19-redirected CAR-Ts, and compared them with their FMC63 scFv-based counterpart. Methods Human primary T cells were transduced to express a second-generation 4-1BB-CD3ζ-based CAR construct whose targeting domain was based on a CD19-specific VHH. The expansion rate, cytotoxicity, and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) of the developed CAR-Ts were assessed and compared with their FMC63 scFv-based counterpart as they were co-cultured with CD19-positive (Raji and Ramos) and CD19-negative (K562) cell lines. Results VHH-CAR-Ts showed an expansion rate comparable to that of the scFv-CAR-Ts. In terms of cytotoxicity, VHH-CAR-Ts mediated cytolytic reactions against CD19-positive cell lines, comparable to those of their scFv-based counterparts. Moreover, both VHH-CAR-Ts and scFv-CAR-Ts secreted remarkably higher and similar levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α upon co-cultivation with Ramos and Raji cell lines compared with while cultured alone or co-cultured with K562 cells. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that our VHH-CAR-Ts could mediate CD19-dependent tumoricidal reactions as potently as their scFv-based counterparts. Moreover, VHHs could be applied as the targeting domains of CAR constructs to overcome the issues associated with the use of scFvs in CAR-T therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Nasiri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Transgenic expression of IL-7 regulates CAR-T cell metabolism and enhances in vivo persistence against tumor cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12506. [PMID: 35869100 PMCID: PMC9307822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16616-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as a promising novel therapeutic approach. However, primary and secondary resistance to CAR-T cell therapy is commonly encountered in various clinical trials. Despite the comprehensive studies to elucidate the mechanisms of resistance, effective resolution in clinical practice is still elusive. Inadequate persistence and subsequent loss of infused CAR-T cells are proposed major resistance mechanism associated with CAR-T cell treatment failure. Thus, we generated CAR-T cells armored with IL-7 to prolong the persistence of infused T-cells, particularly CD4 + T cells, and enhanced anti-tumor response. IL-7 increased CAR-T-cell persistence in vivo and contributed to the distinct T-cell cytotoxicity profile. Using mass cytometry (CyTOF), we further assessed the phenotypic and metabolic profiles of IL-7-secreting CAR-T cells, along with conventional CAR-T cells at the single-cell level. With in-depth analysis, we found that IL-7 maintained CAR-T cells in a less differentiated T-cell state, regulated distinct metabolic activity, and prevented CAR-T-cell exhaustion, which could be essential for CAR-T cells to maintain their metabolic fitness and anti-tumor response. Our findings thus provided clinical rationale to exploit IL-7 signaling for modulation and metabolic reprogramming of T-cell function to enhance CAR-T cell persistence and induce durable remission upon CAR-T cell therapy.
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11
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Harari-Steinfeld R, Abhinav Ayyadevara VSS, Cuevas L, Marincola F, Roh KH. Standardized in-vitro evaluation of CAR-T cells using acellular artificial target particles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:994532. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.994532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The horizon of immunotherapy using CAR-T cells is continuously extending to treat solid tumors beyond the success in the treatment of liquid tumors. Precise in-vitro evaluations of CAR-T cells for their phenotypes, quantity and quality of activation in various tumor microenvironments including different antigen densities, and the resulting effector functions are critical for the successful development of CAR-T therapies and safe translation to clinics. Unfortunately, the development of methods and tools to accommodate these needs have been lagging behind. Here, we developed a novel biomaterial platform, acellular artificial target particles (aaTPs) against CAR-T cells, using magnetic microbeads that are already widely employed in the manufacturing of T cell products. By devising a simple and standardized procedure, we precisely controlled the antigen surface densities presented on the aaTPs for a wide range. By co-incubation of aaTPs with CAR-T cells followed by flow cytometry and cytokine assays, we quantitatively determined the antigen-specific and dose-dependent activation of anti-HER2 CAR-T cells. We also demonstrated that the aaTP can serve as a clean target cell in in-vitro assays to prove the proposed mechanism of action of a next-generation CAR-T product. Overall, the simple, inexpensive, modular and precisely controllable synthetic nature of aaTPs enables the development of clean and standardized in-vitro assays for CAR-T cells, which provides critical advantages over the conventional assays using target cell lines. The design of aaTPs can be extended to include other tumor antigens and relevant surface molecules of physiological target cells. Thus, the aaTP platform has great potential as a standardized tool for the development and evaluation of both conventional and new CAR-T products in the context of approval from regulatory agencies and clinical translation.
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12
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GU T, ZHU M, HUANG H, HU Y. Relapse after CAR-T cell therapy in B-cell malignancies: challenges and future approaches. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:793-811. [PMID: 36226535 PMCID: PMC9561408 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2200256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy, as a novel cellular immunotherapy, has dramatically reshaped the landscape of cancer treatment, especially in hematological malignancies. However, relapse is still one of the most troublesome obstacles to achieving broad clinical application. The intrinsic factors and superior adaptability of tumor cells mark a fundamental aspect of relapse. The unique biological function of CAR-T cells governed by their special CAR construction also affects treatment efficacy. Moreover, complex cross-interactions among CAR-T cells, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) profoundly influence clinical outcomes concerning CAR-T cell function and persistence. Therefore, in this review, based on the most recent discoveries, we focus on the challenges of relapse after CAR-T cell therapy in B-cell malignancies from the perspective of tumor cells, CAR-T cells, and the TME. We also discuss the corresponding basic and clinical approaches that may overcome the problem in the future. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding for scientists and physicians that will help improve research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianning GU
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310003, China,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou311121, China,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Meng ZHU
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310003, China,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou311121, China,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - He HUANG
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310003, China,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou311121, China,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou310058, China,He HUANG,
| | - Yongxian HU
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310003, China,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou311121, China,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou310058, China,Yongxian HU,
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13
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Mazinani M, Rahbarizadeh F. CAR-T cell potency: from structural elements to vector backbone components. Biomark Res 2022; 10:70. [PMID: 36123710 PMCID: PMC9487061 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which a patient’s own T lymphocytes are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, has achieved remarkable success in some hematological malignancies in preclinical and clinical trials, resulting in six FDA-approved CAR-T products currently available in the market. Once equipped with a CAR construct, T cells act as living drugs and recognize and eliminate the target tumor cells in an MHC-independent manner. In this review, we first described all structural modular of CAR in detail, focusing on more recent findings. We then pointed out behind-the-scene elements contributing to CAR expression and reviewed how CAR expression can be drastically affected by the elements embedded in the viral vector backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mazinani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran. .,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Prabakaran DS, Ganesan R, Renu K, Dey A, Vellingiri B, Kandasamy S, Ramesh T, Gopalakrishnan AV. The Cellular and Molecular Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081370. [PMID: 36016257 PMCID: PMC9416492 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent history, immunotherapy has become a viable cancer therapeutic option. However, over many years, its tenets have changed, and it now comprises a range of cancer-focused immunotherapies. Clinical trials are currently looking into monotherapies or combinations of medicines that include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), CART cells, DNA vaccines targeting viruses, and adoptive cellular therapy. According to ongoing studies, the discipline should progress by incorporating patient-tailored immunotherapy, immune checkpoint blockers, other immunotherapeutic medications, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Despite significantly increasing morbidity, immunotherapy can intensify the therapeutic effect and enhance immune responses. The findings for the immunotherapy treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) are compiled in this study, showing that is possible to investigate the current state of immunotherapy, covering new findings, PCa treatment techniques, and research perspectives in the field’s unceasing evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - D. S. Prabakaran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungdae-ro 1, Seowon-gu, Cheongju 28644, Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College (Autonomous), Srivilliputhur Main Road, Sivakasi 626124, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
| | - Kaviyarasi Renu
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sabariswaran Kandasamy
- Water-Energy Nexus Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea
| | - Thiyagarajan Ramesh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
- Correspondence:
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15
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Sun Y, Dong Y, Sun R, Liu Y, Wang Y, Luo H, Shi B, Jiang H, Li Z. Chimeric anti-GPC3 sFv-CD3ε receptor-modified T cells with IL7 co-expression for the treatment of solid tumors. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:160-173. [PMID: 35572194 PMCID: PMC9065615 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting glypican-3 (GPC3) demonstrated early signs of therapeutic efficacy to hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Several adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) with T cells using the natural T cell receptor (TCR) signaling induced more efficient antitumor function and reduced cytokine production relative to CARs in solid tumors. To improve the efficacy and safety of GPC3-targeted ACTs, T cells were modified with anti-GPC3 single-chain fragment variable(sFv) linked to CD3ε, which could be incorporated into the entire TCR/CD3 complex to form chimeric sFv-CD3ε receptor (sFv-ε). sFv-ε T cells showed competitive antitumor activity and lower cytokine release compared to 28ζ or BBζ CAR T cells, which may be ascribed to moderately less activated Ca2+-calcineurin-NFAT signaling pathway. We further generated murine sFv-ε T cells with interleukin-7 co-expression (7sFv-ε) to promote T cell survival and to mobilize the endogenous immune system. In immunocompetent mouse models, 7sFv-ε T cells showed superior persistence, antitumor efficacy, and immunological memory while preserving the low production of cytokines associated with CRS compared to conventional sFv-ε T cells. These results indicate that GPC3-specific 7sFv-ε T cells could serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansha Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ruixin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi Wang
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bizhi Shi
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.,CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zonghai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.,CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
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16
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Kouro T, Himuro H, Sasada T. Exhaustion of CAR T cells: potential causes and solutions. J Transl Med 2022; 20:239. [PMID: 35606821 PMCID: PMC9125881 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03442-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has attracted attention for its promising therapeutic effects on hematological malignancies. However, there are problems such as relapse during long-term follow-up and limited effect on solid tumors with this therapy. Exhaustion, which impairs in vivo persistence and killing activity of CAR T cells, is one of the causes of these issues. Depending on their structure of extracellular portion, some CARs induce tonic signals in the absence of ligand stimulation and induce exhaustion phenotype in CAR T cells. Analysis of these self-activating CARs is expected to provide key information for understanding and resolving CAR T cell exhaustion. In this review, we introduced examples of self-activating CARs and summarized their phenotypes to figure out how CAR T cell exhaustion occurs. Further, we aimed to review promising solutions to the CAR T cell exhaustion that hampers generalized application of CAR T cell therapy.
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17
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Shafer P, Kelly LM, Hoyos V. Cancer Therapy With TCR-Engineered T Cells: Current Strategies, Challenges, and Prospects. Front Immunol 2022; 13:835762. [PMID: 35309357 PMCID: PMC8928448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.835762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To redirect T cells against tumor cells, T cells can be engineered ex vivo to express cancer-antigen specific T cell receptors (TCRs), generating products known as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR T). Unlike chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), TCRs recognize HLA-presented peptides derived from proteins of all cellular compartments. The use of TCR T cells for adoptive cellular therapies (ACT) has gained increased attention, especially as efforts to treat solid cancers with ACTs have intensified. In this review, we describe the differing mechanisms of T cell antigen recognition and signal transduction mediated through CARs and TCRs. We describe the classes of cancer antigens recognized by current TCR T therapies and discuss both classical and emerging pre-clinical strategies for antigen-specific TCR discovery, enhancement, and validation. Finally, we review the current landscape of clinical trials for TCR T therapy and discuss what these current results indicate for the development of future engineered TCR approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Shafer
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Program in Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lauren M Kelly
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Program in Cancer & Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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18
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Guedan S, Luu M, Ammar D, Barbao P, Bonini C, Bousso P, Buchholz CJ, Casucci M, De Angelis B, Donnadieu E, Espie D, Greco B, Groen R, Huppa JB, Kantari-Mimoun C, Laugel B, Mantock M, Markman JL, Morris E, Quintarelli C, Rade M, Reiche K, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Rodriguez-Madoz JR, Ruggiero E, Themeli M, Hudecek M, Marchiq I. Time 2EVOLVE: predicting efficacy of engineered T-cells - how far is the bench from the bedside? J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003487. [PMID: 35577501 PMCID: PMC9115015 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with gene engineered CAR and TCR transgenic T-cells is a transformative treatment in cancer medicine. There is a rich pipeline with target antigens and sophisticated technologies that will enable establishing this novel treatment not only in rare hematological malignancies, but also in common solid tumors. The T2EVOLVE consortium is a public private partnership directed at accelerating the preclinical development of and increasing access to engineered T-cell immunotherapies for cancer patients. A key ambition in T2EVOLVE is to assess the currently available preclinical models for evaluating safety and efficacy of engineered T cell therapy and developing new models and test parameters with higher predictive value for clinical safety and efficacy in order to improve and accelerate the selection of lead T-cell products for clinical translation. Here, we review existing and emerging preclinical models that permit assessing CAR and TCR signaling and antigen binding, the access and function of engineered T-cells to primary and metastatic tumor ligands, as well as the impact of endogenous factors such as the host immune system and microbiome. Collectively, this review article presents a perspective on an accelerated translational development path that is based on innovative standardized preclinical test systems for CAR and TCR transgenic T-cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Guedan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maik Luu
- 19 Lehrstuhl für Zelluläre Immuntherapie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | | | - Paula Barbao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Philippe Bousso
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Inserm U1223, Paris, France
| | | | - Monica Casucci
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuel Donnadieu
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - David Espie
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France.,CAR-T Cells Department, Invectys, Paris, France
| | - Beatrice Greco
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Richard Groen
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers at Vrije Universiteit, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunolgy, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Bruno Laugel
- Institut de Recherches internationales Servier (IRIS), Suresnes, France
| | | | - Janet L Markman
- Takeda Development Centers Americas, Inc. Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emma Morris
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School - Royal Free Campus, London, UK
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department Onco-Haematology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Rade
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristin Reiche
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Themeli
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers at Vrije Universiteit, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Hudecek
- 19 Lehrstuhl für Zelluläre Immuntherapie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Ibtissam Marchiq
- Institut de Recherches internationales Servier (IRIS), Suresnes, France
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19
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Huang Y, Si X, Shao M, Teng X, Xiao G, Huang H. Rewiring mitochondrial metabolism to counteract exhaustion of CAR-T cells. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:38. [PMID: 35346311 PMCID: PMC8960222 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01255-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Short persistence and early exhaustion of T cells are major limits to the efficacy and broad application of immunotherapy. Exhausted T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells upregulate expression of genes associated with terminated T cell differentiation, aerobic glycolysis and apoptosis. Among cell exhaustion characteristics, impaired mitochondrial function and dynamics are considered hallmarks. Here, we review the mitochondrial characteristics of exhausted T cells and particularly discuss different aspects of mitochondrial metabolism and plasticity. Furthermore, we propose a novel strategy of rewiring mitochondrial metabolism to emancipate T cells from exhaustion and of targeting mitochondrial plasticity to boost CAR-T cell therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Si
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mi Shao
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Teng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Immunology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China. .,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China.
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20
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Li H, Zhou X, Wang G, Hua D, Li S, Xu T, Dong M, Cui X, Yang X, Wu Y, Cai M, Liao X, Zhang T, Yang Z, Du Y, Li X. CAR-T Cells Targeting TSHR Demonstrate Safety and Potent Preclinical Activity Against Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1110-1126. [PMID: 34751400 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in hematological cancers but have not yet translated in treating solid tumors. The significant hurdles limiting CAR-T therapy were from a paucity of differentially expressed cell surface molecules on solid tumors that can be safely targeted. Here, we present TSH receptor (TSHR) as a putative target for CAR-T therapy of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). METHODS We undertook a large-scale screen on thyroid cancer tissues and multiple internal organs through bioinformatical analysis and immunohistochemistry to date TSHR expression. Using 3 previously described monoclonal antibodies, we generated 3 third-generation CAR-Ts. We tested anti-TSHR CAR-T in vitro activity by T-cell function and killing assay. Then we tested preclinical therapeutical efficacy in a xenograft mouse model of DTC and analyzed mice's physical conditions and histological abnormalities to evaluate anti-TSHR CAR-T's safety. RESULTS TSHR is highly and homogeneously expressed on 90.8% (138/152) of papillary thyroid cancer, 89.2% (33/37) of follicular thyroid cancer, 78.2% (18/23) of cervical lymph node metastases, and 86.7% of radioactive iodine resistance diseases. We developed 3 novel anti-TSHR CAR-Ts from monoclonal antibodies M22, K1-18, and K1-70; all 3 CAR-Ts mediate significant antitumor activity in vitro. Among these, we demonstrate that K1-70 CAR-T can have therapeutical efficacy in vivo, and no apparent toxicity has been observed. CONCLUSION TSHR is a latent target antigen of CAR-T therapy for DTC. Anti-TSHR CAR-T could represent a therapeutic option for patients with locoregional relapsed or distant metastases of thyroid cancer and should be tested in carefully designed clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanning Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Ge Wang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongyu Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuyu Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology research center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Menglu Dong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Cui
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonglin Wu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaomiao Cai
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinghua Liao
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- College of Life Science and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhifang Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaying Du
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingrui Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
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Waibl Polania J, Lerner EC, Wilkinson DS, Hoyt-Miggelbrink A, Fecci PE. Pushing Past the Blockade: Advancements in T Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:777073. [PMID: 34868044 PMCID: PMC8636733 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.777073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful cancer immunotherapies rely on a replete and functional immune compartment. Within the immune compartment, T cells are often the effector arm of immune-based strategies due to their potent cytotoxic capabilities. However, many tumors have evolved a variety of mechanisms to evade T cell-mediated killing. Thus, while many T cell-based immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, have achieved considerable success in some solid cancers and hematological malignancies, these therapies often fail in solid tumors due to tumor-imposed T cell dysfunctions. These dysfunctional mechanisms broadly include reduced T cell access into and identification of tumors, as well as an overall immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that elicits T cell exhaustion. Therefore, novel, rational approaches are necessary to overcome the barriers to T cell function elicited by solid tumors. In this review, we will provide an overview of conventional immunotherapeutic strategies and the various barriers to T cell anti-tumor function encountered in solid tumors that lead to resistance. We will also explore a sampling of emerging strategies specifically aimed to bypass these tumor-imposed boundaries to T cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily C Lerner
- Duke Medical School, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Daniel S Wilkinson
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Peter E Fecci
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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22
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Payload Delivery: Engineering Immune Cells to Disrupt the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236000. [PMID: 34885108 PMCID: PMC8657158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown impressive clinical success against haematological malignancies such as B cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, their efficacy against non-haematological solid malignancies has been largely disappointing. Solid tumours pose many additional challenges for CAR T cells that have severely blunted their potency, including homing to the sites of disease, survival and persistence within the adverse conditions of the tumour microenvironment, and above all, the highly immunosuppressive nature of the tumour milieu. Gene engineering approaches for generating immune cells capable of overcoming these hurdles remain an unmet therapeutic need and ongoing area of research. Recent advances have involved gene constructs for membrane-bound and/or secretable proteins that provide added effector cell function over and above the benefits of classical CAR-mediated cytotoxicity, rendering immune cells not only as direct cytotoxic effectors against tumours, but also as vessels for payload delivery capable of both modulating the tumour microenvironment and orchestrating innate and adaptive anti-tumour immunity. We discuss here the novel concept of engineered immune cells as vessels for payload delivery into the tumour microenvironment, how these cells are better adapted to overcome the challenges faced in a solid tumour, and importantly, the novel gene engineering approaches required to deliver these more complex polycistronic gene constructs.
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23
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Rennert PD, Dufort FJ, Su L, Sanford T, Birt A, Wu L, Lobb RR, Ambrose C. Anti-CD19 CAR T Cells That Secrete a Biparatopic Anti-CLEC12A Bridging Protein Have Potent Activity Against Highly Aggressive Acute Myeloid Leukemia In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2071-2081. [PMID: 34253594 PMCID: PMC9398100 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-1030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains an incurable malignancy despite the clinical use of novel targeted therapies, new antibody-based therapies, and cellular therapeutics. Here, we describe the preclinical development of a novel cell therapy that targets the antigen CLEC12A with a biparatopic bridging protein. Bridging proteins are designed as "CAR-T cell engagers," with a CAR-targeted protein fused to antigen binding domains derived from antibodies. Here, we created a CD19-anti-CLEC12A bridging protein that binds to CAR19 T cells and to the antigen CLEC12A. Biparatopic targeting increases the potency of bridging protein-mediated cytotoxicity by CAR19 T cells. Using CAR19 T cells that secrete the bridging protein we demonstrate potent activity against aggressive leukemic cell lines in vivo This CAR-engager platform is facile and modular, as illustrated by activity of a dual-antigen bridging protein targeting CLEC12A and CD33, designed to counter tumor heterogeneity and antigen escape, and created without the need for extensive CAR T-cell genetic engineering. CAR19 T cells provide an optimal cell therapy platform with well-understood inherent persistence and fitness characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Rennert
- Corresponding Author: Paul D. Rennert, Research & Development, Aleta Biotherapeutics Inc., Natick, MA 01760. Phone: 508-282-6370; E-mail:
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Watanabe K, Nishikawa H. Engineering strategies for broad application of TCR-T and CAR-T cell therapies. Int Immunol 2021; 33:551-562. [PMID: 34374779 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy, including the transfer of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes after in vitro expansion or T cells redirected to tumor antigens using antigen-specific transgenic T cell receptor T cells (TCR-T cells) or chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), has shown a significant clinical impact. Particularly, several types of CAR-T cell therapies have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The striking success of CAR-T cell therapies in hematological malignancies motivates their further expansion to a wide range of solid tumors, yet multiple obstacles, including the lack of proper target antigens exhibiting a tumor-specific expression pattern and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) impairing the effector functions of adoptively transferred T cells, have prevented clinical application. Gene engineering technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have enabled flexible reprograming of TCR/CAR-T cell signaling or loading genes that are targets of the tumor immunosuppression as a payload to overcome the difficulties. Here, we discuss recent advances in TCR/CAR-T cell engineering: various promising approaches to enhance the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells in the TME for maximizing the efficacy and the safety of adoptive cell therapy are now being tested in the clinic, especially targeting solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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Rubio MT, Varlet P, Allain V, Ballot C, Cuffel A, Deschamps M, Ferrand C, Foguenne J, Forcade E, Huynh A, Guihot A, Latouche JB, Lemarie C, Martinroche G, Morin F, Nguyen S, Schmit K, Servais S, Simonetta F, Yakoub-Agha I, Caillat Zucman S. [Immunomonitoring of patients treated with CAR-T cells for hematological malignancy: Guidelines from the CARTi group and the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)]. Bull Cancer 2021; 108:S53-S64. [PMID: 34253335 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
CAR-T cells represent a new anti-tumor immunotherapy which has shown its clinical efficacy in B-cell malignancies. The results of clinical trials carried out in this context have shown that certain immunological characteristics of patients before (at the time of apheresis) and after the administration of the treatment, or of the CAR-T cells themselves, are correlated with the response to the treatment or to its toxicity. However, to date, there are no recommendations on the immunological monitoring of patients treated in real life. The objectives of this workshop were to determine, based on data from the literature and the experience of the centers, the immunological analyses to be carried out in patients treated with CAR-T cells. The recommendations relate to the characterization of the patient's immune cells at the time of apheresis, the characterization of the injected CAR-T cells, as well as the monitoring of the CAR-T cells and other parameters of immune reconstitution in the patient after administration of the treatment. Harmonization of practices will allow clinical-biological correlation studies to be carried out in patients treated in real life with the aim of identifying factors predictive of response and toxicity. Such data could have a major medico-economic impact by making it possible to identify the patients who will optimally benefit from these expensive treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Thérèse Rubio
- CHRU Nancy, Hopital Brabois, Biopole de l'Université de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7563 IMoPa, Service d'hématologie, 54500 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
| | - Pauline Varlet
- Université de Lille, CHU de Lille, Laboratoire d'Immunologie, LIRIC, INSERM U995, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent Allain
- Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP Nord, Laboratoire d'Immunologie, France
| | - Caroline Ballot
- Établissement Français du Sang Hauts-de-France, Unité de Thérapie Cellulaire EFS site de Lille, Normandie, France
| | - Alexis Cuffel
- Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP Nord, Laboratoire d'Immunologie, France
| | - Marina Deschamps
- Ets Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1098, 25020 Besançon, France
| | | | - Jacques Foguenne
- CHU de Liège, domaine universitaire du Sart-Tilman B35, Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, Unilab Lg, 4000 Liège, Belgique
| | - Edouard Forcade
- CHU Bordeaux, service d'hématologie clinique et thérapie cellulaire, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Huynh
- IUCT Oncopole, service d'hématologie, Toulouse, France
| | - Amélie Guihot
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, département d'immunologie, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Latouche
- CHU de Rouen, UMR Université/Inserm U1234, Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Biothérapies, France
| | - Claude Lemarie
- Institut Paoli-Calmettes, and Inserm CBT 1409, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques en Biothérapie, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume Martinroche
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Immunogénétique, place Amélie Raba Léon, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Florence Morin
- Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP Nord, Laboratoire d'Immunologie, France
| | - Stéphanie Nguyen
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, service d'hématologie 75013, Paris, France
| | - Kathleen Schmit
- CHU de Liège, domaine universitaire du Sart-Tilman B35, Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, Unilab Lg, 4000 Liège, Belgique
| | - Sophie Servais
- Université de Liège, CHU de Liège, service d'hématologie, 4000 Liège, Belgique
| | - Federico Simonetta
- University of Geneva, Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine and Translational Research Center for Oncohematology, Department of Internal Medicine Specialties, Geneva, Suisse
| | | | - Sophie Caillat Zucman
- Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP Nord, Laboratoire d'Immunologie, France
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Fujiwara K, Kitaura M, Tsunei A, Kusabuka H, Ogaki E, Okada N. Structure of the Signal Transduction Domain in Second-Generation CAR Regulates the Input Efficiency of CAR Signals. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052476. [PMID: 33804441 PMCID: PMC7957710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells that are genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) have a strong potential to eliminate tumor cells, yet the CAR-T cells may also induce severe side effects due to an excessive immune response. Although optimization of the CAR structure is expected to improve the efficacy and toxicity of CAR-T cells, the relationship between CAR structure and CAR-T cell functions remains unclear. Here, we constructed second-generation CARs incorporating a signal transduction domain (STD) derived from CD3ζ and a 2nd STD derived from CD28, CD278, CD27, CD134, or CD137, and investigated the impact of the STD structure and signaling on CAR-T cell functions. Cytokine secretion of CAR-T cells was enhanced by 2nd STD signaling. T cells expressing CAR with CD278-STD or CD137-STD proliferated in an antigen-independent manner by their STD tonic signaling. CAR-T cells incorporating CD28-STD or CD278-STD between TMD and CD3ζ-STD showed higher cytotoxicity than first-generation CAR or second-generation CARs with other 2nd STDs. The potent cytotoxicity of these CAR-T cells was not affected by inhibiting the 2nd STD signals, but was eliminated by placing the STDs after the CD3ζ-STD. Our data highlighted that CAR activity was affected by STD structure as well as by 2nd STD signaling.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- CD28 Antigens/immunology
- CD28 Antigens/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Female
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/immunology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/chemistry
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Zhang H, Zhao P, Huang H. Engineering better chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2020; 9:34. [PMID: 33292660 PMCID: PMC7709221 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CD19-targeted CAR T cells therapy has shown remarkable efficacy in treatment of B cell malignancies. However, relapse of primary disease remains a major obstacle after CAR T cells therapy, and the majority of relapses present a tumor phenotype with retention of target antigen (antigen-positive relapse), which highly correlate with poor CAR T cells persistence. Therefore, study on factors and mechanisms that limit the in vivo persistence of CAR T cells is crucial for developing strategies to overcome these limitations. In this review, we summarize the rapidly developing knowledge regarding the factors that influence CAR T cells in vivo persistence and the underlying mechanisms. The factors involve the CAR constructs (extracellular structures, transmembrane and intracellular signaling domains, as well as the accessory structures), activation signaling (CAR signaling and TCR engagement), methods for in vitro culture (T cells collection, purification, activation, gene transduction and cells expansion), epigenetic regulations, tumor environment, CD4/CD8 subsets, CAR T cells differentiation and exhaustion. Of note, among these influence factors, CAR T cells differentiation and exhaustion are identified as the central part due to the fact that almost all factors eventually alter the state of cells differentiation and exhaustion. Moreover, we review the potential coping strategies aiming at these limitations throughout this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Pu Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China.
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Papavassiliou AG, Musti AM. The Multifaceted Output of c-Jun Biological Activity: Focus at the Junction of CD8 T Cell Activation and Exhaustion. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112470. [PMID: 33202877 PMCID: PMC7697663 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Jun is a major component of the dimeric transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1), a paradigm for transcriptional response to extracellular signaling, whose components are basic-Leucine Zipper (bZIP) transcription factors of the Jun, Fos, activating transcription factor (ATF), ATF-like (BATF) and Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) gene families. Extracellular signals regulate c-Jun/AP-1 activity at multiple levels, including transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of c-Jun expression and transactivity, in turn, establishing the magnitude and the duration of c-Jun/AP-1 activation. Another important level of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation is due to the capability of Jun family members to bind DNA as a heterodimer with every other member of the AP-1 family, and to interact with other classes of transcription factors, thereby acquiring the potential to integrate diverse extrinsic and intrinsic signals into combinatorial regulation of gene expression. Here, we review how these features of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation underlie the multifaceted output of c-Jun biological activity, eliciting quite distinct cellular responses, such as neoplastic transformation, differentiation and apoptosis, in different cell types. In particular, we focus on the current understanding of the role of c-Jun/AP-1 in the response of CD8 T cells to acute infection and cancer. We highlight the transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms through which c-Jun/AP-1 participates in the productive immune response of CD8 T cells, and how its downregulation may contribute to the dysfunctional state of tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells. Additionally, we discuss recent insights pointing at c-Jun as a suitable target for immunotherapy-based combination approaches to reinvigorate anti-tumor immune functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Anna Maria Musti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3337543732
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Rodriguez-Garcia A, Palazon A, Noguera-Ortega E, Powell DJ, Guedan S. CAR-T Cells Hit the Tumor Microenvironment: Strategies to Overcome Tumor Escape. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1109. [PMID: 32625204 PMCID: PMC7311654 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, in patients with solid tumors, objective responses to CAR-T cell therapy remain sporadic and transient. A major obstacle for CAR-T cells is the intrinsic ability of tumors to evade immune responses. Advanced solid tumors are largely composed of desmoplastic stroma and immunosuppressive modulators, and characterized by aberrant cell proliferation and vascularization, resulting in hypoxia and altered nutrient availability. To mount a curative response after infusion, CAR-T cells must infiltrate the tumor, recognize their cognate antigen and perform their effector function in this hostile tumor microenvironment, to then differentiate and persist as memory T cells that confer long-term protection. Fortunately, recent advances in synthetic biology provide a wide set of tools to genetically modify CAR-T cells to overcome some of these obstacles. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key tumor intrinsic mechanisms that prevent an effective CAR-T cell antitumor response and we discuss the most promising strategies to prevent tumor escape to CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Rodriguez-Garcia
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Asis Palazon
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Laboratory, Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Estela Noguera-Ortega
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel J. Powell
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
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