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Wang X, Tokarew NJA, Borgelt N, Siemer R, Melo CC, Langer C, Kasampalidis I, Ogusuku IEY, Cathomen T, Gessner I, Dose C, Fauerbach JA, Richter A, Evaristo C. Artificial Targets: a versatile cell-free platform to characterize CAR T cell function in vitro. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1254162. [PMID: 38433827 PMCID: PMC10906080 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1254162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have tremendous potential and proven clinical efficacy against a number of malignancies. Research and development are emerging to deepen the knowledge of CAR T cell efficacy and extend the therapeutic potential of this novel therapy. To this end, functional characterization of CAR T cells plays a central role in consecutive phases across fundamental research and therapeutic development, with increasing needs for standardization. The functional characterization of CAR T cells is typically achieved by assessing critical effector functions, following co-culture with cell lines expressing the target antigen. However, the use of target cell lines poses several limitations, including alterations in cell fitness, metabolic state or genetic drift due to handling and culturing of the cells, which would increase variabilities and could lead to inconsistent results. Moreover, the use of target cell lines can be work and time intensive, and introduce significant background due to the allogenic responses of T cells. To overcome these limitations, we developed a synthetic bead-based platform ("Artificial Targets") to characterize CAR T cell function in vitro. These synthetic microparticles could specifically induce CAR T cell activation, as measured by CD69 and CD137 (4-1BB) upregulation. In addition, engagement with Artificial Targets resulted in induction of multiple effector functions of CAR T cells mimicking the response triggered by target cell lines including cytotoxic activity, as assessed by exposure of CD107a (LAMP-1), expression and secretion of cytokines, as well as cell proliferation. Importantly, in contrast to target cells, stimulation with Artificial Targets showed limited unspecific CAR T cell proliferation. Finally, Artificial Targets demonstrated flexibility to engage multiple costimulatory molecules that can synergistically enhance the CAR T cell function and represented a powerful tool for modulating CAR T cell responses. Collectively, our results show that Artificial Targets can specifically activate CAR T cells for essential effector functions that could significantly advance standardization of functional assessment of CAR T cells, from early development to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Wang
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicholas J. A. Tokarew
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Nadine Borgelt
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Ramona Siemer
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Cristiane Casonato Melo
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christian Langer
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Ioannis Kasampalidis
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Isabella E. Y. Ogusuku
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Gessner
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Christian Dose
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Jonathan A. Fauerbach
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Anne Richter
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - César Evaristo
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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Landuzzi L, Ruzzi F, Pellegrini E, Lollini PL, Scotlandi K, Manara MC. IL-1 Family Members in Bone Sarcomas. Cells 2024; 13:233. [PMID: 38334625 PMCID: PMC10854900 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
IL-1 family members have multiple pleiotropic functions affecting various tissues and cells, including the regulation of the immune response, hematopoietic homeostasis, bone remodeling, neuronal physiology, and synaptic plasticity. Many of these activities are involved in various pathological processes and immunological disorders, including tumor initiation and progression. Indeed, IL-1 family members have been described to contribute to shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), determining immune evasion and drug resistance, and to sustain tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. This review addresses the role of IL-1 family members in bone sarcomas, particularly the highly metastatic osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing sarcoma (EWS), and discusses the IL-1-family-related mechanisms that play a role in bone metastasis development. We also consider the therapeutic implications of targeting IL-1 family members, which have been proposed as (i) relevant targets for anti-tumor and anti-metastatic drugs; (ii) immune checkpoints for immune suppression; and (iii) potential antigens for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Landuzzi
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.P.); (K.S.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Francesca Ruzzi
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Evelin Pellegrini
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.P.); (K.S.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.P.); (K.S.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Maria Cristina Manara
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.P.); (K.S.); (M.C.M.)
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Karsten H, Matrisch L, Cichutek S, Fiedler W, Alsdorf W, Block A. Broadening the horizon: potential applications of CAR-T cells beyond current indications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285406. [PMID: 38090582 PMCID: PMC10711079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering immune cells to treat hematological malignancies has been a major focus of research since the first resounding successes of CAR-T-cell therapies in B-ALL. Several diseases can now be treated in highly therapy-refractory or relapsed conditions. Currently, a number of CD19- or BCMA-specific CAR-T-cell therapies are approved for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and follicular lymphoma (FL). The implementation of these therapies has significantly improved patient outcome and survival even in cases with previously very poor prognosis. In this comprehensive review, we present the current state of research, recent innovations, and the applications of CAR-T-cell therapy in a selected group of hematologic malignancies. We focus on B- and T-cell malignancies, including the entities of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (T-ALL, PTCL, CTCL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), classical Hodgkin-Lymphoma (HL), Burkitt-Lymphoma (BL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). While these diseases are highly heterogenous, we highlight several similarly used approaches (combination with established therapeutics, target depletion on healthy cells), targets used in multiple diseases (CD30, CD38, TRBC1/2), and unique features that require individualized approaches. Furthermore, we focus on current limitations of CAR-T-cell therapy in individual diseases and entities such as immunocompromising tumor microenvironment (TME), risk of on-target-off-tumor effects, and differences in the occurrence of adverse events. Finally, we present an outlook into novel innovations in CAR-T-cell engineering like the use of artificial intelligence and the future role of CAR-T cells in therapy regimens in everyday clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Karsten
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ludwig Matrisch
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sophia Cichutek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Walter Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Alsdorf
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Block
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Bouquet L, Bôle-Richard E, Warda W, Neto Da Rocha M, Trad R, Nicod C, Haderbache R, Genin D, Ferrand C, Deschamps M. RapaCaspase-9-based suicide gene applied to the safety of IL-1RAP CAR-T cells. Gene Ther 2023; 30:706-713. [PMID: 37173386 PMCID: PMC10506905 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00404-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Even if adoptive cell transfer (ACT) has already shown great clinical efficiency in different types of disease, such as cancer, some adverse events consistently occur, and suicide genes are an interesting system to manage these events. Our team developed a new medical drug candidate, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAP), which needs to be evaluated in clinical trials with a clinically applicable suicide gene system. To prevent side effects and ensure the safety of our candidate, we devised two constructs carrying an inducible suicide gene, RapaCasp9-G or RapaCasp9-A, containing a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs1052576) affecting the efficiency of endogenous caspase 9. These suicide genes are activated by rapamycin and based on the fusion of human caspase 9 with a modified human FK-binding protein, allowing conditional dimerization. RapaCasp9-G- and RapaCasp9-A-expressing gene-modified T cells (GMTCs) were produced from healthy donors (HDs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) donors. The RapaCasp9-G suicide gene demonstrated better efficiency, and we showed its in vitro functionality in different clinically relevant culture conditions. Moreover, as rapamycin is not pharmacologically inert, we also demonstrated its safe use as part of our therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Bouquet
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Elodie Bôle-Richard
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Walid Warda
- CanCell Therapeutics, 25 000, Besançon, France
| | | | - Rim Trad
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Clémentine Nicod
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Rafik Haderbache
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Delphine Genin
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Christophe Ferrand
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France
- CanCell Therapeutics, 25 000, Besançon, France
| | - Marina Deschamps
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, F-25 000, Besançon, France.
- CanCell Therapeutics, 25 000, Besançon, France.
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