In vitro induction of tumor-specific HLA class I-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes from patients with locally advanced breast cancer by tumor antigen-pulsed autologous dendritic cells

Investigating tumor immunogenicity in breast cancer: deciphering the tumor immune response to enhance therapeutic approaches

The interplay between immune cells and malignant cells represents an essential chapter in the eradication of breast cancer. This widely distributed and diverse form of cancer represents a major threat to women worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer is related to several risk factors, notably genetic predisposition and family antecedents. Despite progress in treatment modalities varying from surgery and chemotherapy to radiotherapy and targeted therapies, persistently high rates of recurrence, metastasis, and treatment resistance underscore the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Immunotherapy has gained considerable ground in the treatment of breast cancer, as it takes advantage of the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment. This dynamic interplay between immune and tumor cells has become a key point of focus in immunological research. This study investigates the role of various cancer markers, such as neoantigens and immune regulatory genes, in the diagnosis and treatment of breast tumors. Moreover, it explores the future potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors as therapeutically effective agents, as well as the challenges that prevent their efficacy, in particular tumor-induced immunosuppression and the difficulty of achieving tumor specificity.

Immunostimulatory Properties of Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: From Immunogenic Modulation Mechanisms to Clinical Practice

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among females. Chemotherapy drugs remain the cornerstone of treatment of BC and undergo significant shifts over the past 100 years. The advent of immunotherapy presents promising opportunities and constitutes a significant complementary to existing therapeutic strategies for BC. Chemotherapy as a cytotoxic treatment that targets proliferation malignant cells has recently been shown as an effective immune-stimulus in multiple ways. Chemotherapeutic drugs can cause the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying tumor cells, which result in long-lasting antitumor immunity by the key process of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, Off-target effects of chemotherapy on immune cell subsets mainly involve activation of immune effector cells including natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and cytotoxic T cells, and depletion of immunosuppressive cells including Treg cells, M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Current mini-review summarized recent large clinical trials regarding the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in BC and addressed the molecular mechanisms of immunostimulatory properties of chemotherapy in BC. The purpose of our work was to explore the immune-stimulating effects of chemotherapy at the molecular level based on the evidence from clinical trials, which might be a rationale for combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in BC.

Validation of analytical methods in compliance with good manufacturing practice: a practical approach

Background

The quality and safety of cell therapy products must be maintained throughout their production and quality control cycle, ensuring their final use in the patient. We validated the Lymulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test and immunophenotype according to International Conference on Harmonization Q2 Guidelines and the EU Pharmacopoeia, considering accuracy, precision, repeatability, linearity and range.

Methods

For the endotoxin test we used a kinetic chromogenic LAL test. As this is a limit test for the control of impurities, in compliance with International Conference on Harmonization Q2 Guidelines and the EU Pharmacopoeia, we evaluated the specificity and detection limit.

For the immunophenotype test, an identity test, we evaluated specificity through the Fluorescence Minus One method and we repeated all experiments thrice to verify precision. The immunophenotype validation required a performance qualification of the flow cytometer using two types of standard beads which have to be used daily to check cytometer reproducibly set up. The results were compared together.

Collected data were statistically analyzed calculating mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation percentage (CV%).

Results

The LAL test is repeatable and specific. The spike recovery value of each sample was between 0.25 EU/ml and 1 EU/ml with a CV% < 10%. The correlation coefficient (≥ 0.980) and CV% (< 10%) of the standard curve tested in duplicate showed the test's linearity and a minimum detectable concentration value of 0.005 EU/ml.

The immunophenotype method performed thrice on our cell therapy products is specific and repeatable as showed by CV% inter -experiment < 10%.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that validated analytical procedures are suitable as quality controls for the batch release of cell therapy products.

Our paper could offer an important contribution for the scientific community in the field of CTPs, above all to small Cell Factories such as ours, where it is not always possible to have CFR21 compliant software.

Introduction of the CIITA gene into tumor cells produces exosomes with enhanced anti-tumor effects

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted from various types of cells. Tumor-derived exosomes contain MHC class I molecules and tumor-specific antigens, receiving attention as a potential cancer vaccine. For induction of efficient anti-tumor immunity, CD4+ helper T cells are required, which recognize appropriate MHC class II-peptide complexes. In this study, we have established an MHC class II molecule-expressing B16F1 murine melanoma cell line (B16F1- CIITA) by transduction of the CIITA (Class II transactivator) gene. Exosomes from B16-CII cells (CIITA- Exo) contained a high amount of MHC class II as well as a tumor antigen TRP2. When loaded on dendritic cells (DCs), CIITA-Exo induced the increased expression of MHC class II molecules and CD86 than the exosomes from the parental cells (Exo). In vitro assays using co-culture of immunized splenocytes and exosome-loaded DCs demonstrated that CIITA-Exo enhanced the splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion. Consistently, compared to B16-Exo, CIITA-Exo induced the increased mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, chemokine receptor CCR7 and the production of Th1-polarizing cytokine IL-12. A tumor preventive model showed that CIITA-Exo significantly inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Ex vivo assays using immunized mice demonstrated that CIITA-Exo induced a higher amount of Th1-polarized immune responses such as Th1-type IgG2a antibodies and IFN-γ cytokine as well as TRP2-specific CD8+ T cells. A tumor therapeutic model delayed effects of tumor growth by CIITA-Exo. These findings indicate that CIITA-Exo are more efficient as compared to parental Exo to induce anti-tumor immune responses, suggesting a potential role of MHC class II-containing tumor exosomes as an efficient cancer vaccine.

Dynamic regulation of functionally distinct virus-specific T cells

The functional capacities of CD8(+) T cells important for virus clearance are influenced by interactions with antigen presenting cells (APCs) and CD4(+) T cells during initial selection, subsequent expansion, and development of memory. Recently, investigators have shown that polyfunctional T cells correlate best with long-term protection, however, it is still unknown how to stimulate T cells to achieve these responses. To study this, we examined the phenotypes and functions of CD8(+) T cells specific for two different virus antigens stimulated ex vivo using either autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) or HLA-A2-Ig-based artificial APCs (aAPCs). Although similar numbers of influenza virus and measles virus tetramer-positive cells were generated by stimulation with peptide-loaded moDCs and aAPCs, T cell function, assessed by expression of IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, MIP1beta, and CD107a, showed that aAPC-generated CD8(+) T cells were multifunctional, whereas moDC-generated cells were mostly monofunctional. aAPC-generated cells also produced more of each cytokine per cell than CD8(+) T cells generated with moDCs. These phenotypes were not fixed, as changing the culture conditions of expanding T cells from aAPCs to moDCs, and moDCs to aAPCs, reversed the phenotypes. We conclude that CD8(+) T cells are heterogeneous in their functionality and that this is dependent, in a dynamic way, on the stimulating APC. These studies will lead to understanding the factors that influence induction of optimal CD8(+) T cell function.

Immunomodulatory activity of a plant extract containing human papillomavirus 16-E7 protein in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

This study reports the immunomodulatory activity on human monocyte derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) of a vaccine preparation shown to be effective against an HPV16-related tumour in an animal model. The vaccine is composed of extract from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves containing HPV16 E7 protein expressed by a potato virus X-derived vector (NbPVX-E7). The effect of the extract was evaluated on MDDC differentiation and maturation by monitoring the phenotypic expression of specific markers. The results show that NbPVX-E7 does not induce monocyte differentiation to dendritic cells, but does induce MDDC maturation. Plant extract does not influence MDDC-uptake of E7-FITC while it significantly improves the Ovalbumin-FITC uptake, considered as a model antigen. Importantly, NbPVX-E7-pulsed MDDCs/PBMCs are able to prime human blood-derived lymphocytes from healthy individuals to induce HPV16 E7-specific cytotoxic activity. This is a propaedeutic study for a possible use of E7-containing plant extract in human immunotherapy of HPV-related lesions.

Immunomodulation in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most frequent gynecological cancer and the fourth most common cancer in women in the developed world. Over the last decade, immunotherapy has been the focus of intense investigation as a form of cancer treatment whereby the treatment initiates a host immune response ultimately eradicating the tumor. It has been suggested that in endometrial cancer and many other forms of cancer, immunosuppression poses a significant obstacle at inducing antitumor immunity by immunotherapy. This review will look at the different studies that have identified immunomodulation of T cells, cytokines and macrophages, and regulation of apoptotic and angiogenic factors in endometrial cancer patients that may contribute to the inefficiency of immunotherapy.

Adoptive transfer of pTRP2-specific CTLs expanding by bead-based artificial antigen-presenting cells mediates anti-melanoma response

Cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells are key effectors in the immunotherapy of malignant and viral diseases. However, the lack of efficient methods for their in vitro priming and expansion has become a bottleneck to the development of vaccines and adoptive transfer strategies. Synthetic artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) are now emerging as an attractive tool for eliciting and expanding CTL responses. This study reported a novel approach for targeting malignant melanoma with pTRP2-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) expanded from the C57BL/6 splenocytes by multiple stimulations with aAPCs made by coating H-2K(b)-Ig/pTRP2 dimeric complexes, anti-CD28 antibody, 4-1BBL molecules and CD83 molecules to cell-sized latex beads. The induced CTLs exhibited specific lysis against RMA-S cells pulsed with the peptide pTRP2 and H-2K(b+) melanoma cells expressing TRP2, while a murine Lewis lung carcinoma cell line 3LL could not be recognized by the CTLs. The peptide-specific activity was inhibited by anti-H-2K(b) monoclonal antibody Y3. Adoptive Transfer of CTLs specific for malignant melanoma expanding by the aAPCs can mediate effective anti-melanoma response. These results suggested the bead-based aAPCs coated with an MHC-Ig/peptide complex, anti-CD28 antibody, 4-1BBL and CD83 could provide a useful tool for the reproducible expansion of specific CTLs for adoptive immunotherapy.

Downregulation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells may underlie enhanced Th1 immunity caused by immunization with activated autologous T cells

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play important roles in immune system homeostasis, and may also be involved in tumor immunotolerance by suppressing Th1 immune response which is involved in anti-tumor immunity. We have previously reported that immunization with attenuated activated autologous T cells leads to enhanced anti-tumor immunity and upregulated Th1 responses in vivo. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that Treg function was significantly downregulated in mice that received immunization of attenuated activated autologous T cells. We found that Foxp3 expression decreased in CD4+CD25+ T cells from the immunized mice. Moreover, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg obtained from immunized mice exhibited diminished immunosuppression ability compared to those from naïve mice. Further analysis showed that the serum of immunized mice contains a high level of anti-CD25 antibody (about 30 ng/ml, p<0.01 vs controls). Consistent with a role of anti-CD25 response in the downregulation of Treg, adoptive transfer of serum from immunized mice to naïve mice led to a significant decrease in Treg population and function in recipient mice. The triggering of anti-CD25 response in immunized mice can be explained by the fact that CD25 was induced to a high level in the ConA activated autologous T cells used for immunization. Our results demonstrate for the first time that immunization with attenuated activated autologous T cells evokes anti-CD25 antibody production, which leads to impeded CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg expansion and function in vivo. We suggest that dampened Treg function likely contributes to enhanced Th1 response in immunized mice and is at least part of the mechanism underlying the boosted anti-tumor immunity.

Prolongation of the survival of breast cancer-bearing mice immunized with GM-CSF-secreting syngeneic/allogeneic fibroblasts transfected with a cDNA expression library from breast cancer cells

Breast cancer cells, like other types of neoplastic cells, form weakly immunogenic tumor-associated antigens. The antigenic properties of the tumor-associated antigens can be enhanced if they are expressed by highly immunogenic cells. In this study, a cancer vaccine was prepared by transfer of a cDNA expression library from SB5b breast carcinoma into mouse fibroblast cells of C3H/He mouse origin (H-2(k)), that had been previously modified to secrete GM-CSF and to express allogeneic class I-determinants (H-2(b)). The transfected syngeneic/allogeneic fibroblasts secreting GM-CSF were used as a vaccine in C3H/He mice. Robust cell-mediated immunity toward the breast cancer cells was generated in mice immunized with the cDNA-based vaccine. The immunity, mediated predominantly by CD8(+) T lymphocytes, was directed toward the breast cancer cells, but not against either of two other non-cross-reactive neoplasms of C3H/He mice. The immunity was sufficient to prolong the survival of mice with established breast cancer. Among other advantages, preparation of the vaccine by cDNA-transfer into a fibroblast cell line enabled the recipient cells to be modified in advance of DNA-transfer to augment their immunogenic properties. As the transferred DNA is replicated as the transfected cells divide, the vaccine could be prepared from microgram quantities of tumor tissue.

Fusion of CpG-ODN-stimulating dendritic cells with Lewis lung cancer cells can enhance anti-tumor immune responses

Immunogenicity of tumor cells is generally weak. Therefore, dendritic cells (DCs) have been used to boost anti-tumor responses of DC-based vaccines. DC function is highly dependent on its subsets and the level of its maturation. Nowadays, DC/tumor cell fusion vaccines are already used in clinical trials, and there are numerous studies discussing the effects of cytidine-phosphate-guanosine-containing oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN) on various cell types including DC. CpG-ODN a powerful immuno-stimulant can drive DCs fully mature, thus improve the efficacy of vaccine therapy. There are two simple ways to help load tumor antigens onto DCs by direct contact with cells themselves: fusion or co-culture of DCs with whole tumor cells. In this study, we combined these two approaches to improve the efficacy of DC/tumor cell-based vaccine. Mature DCs are adept at presenting processed Ag to T cells with loss of its capacity to capture Ag, while immature DCs are on the contrary. Our results emphasize the necessity of considering the stage of DC maturation and corresponding choice of tumor antigen delivery when designing approaches for prophylaxis or therapy of tumors using DC-based immunization protocols. We used CpG-ODN-1826-stimulated mature DCs and non-CpG-ODN-stimulating DCs as sources of tumor antigen carriers to investigate the appropriate Ag-loading ways between fusion and co-culture. Our results displayed that DC/tumor vaccine using CpG-ODN-stimulating mature DCs fused, not co-cultured, with tumor cells can generate a consistent and highly effective anti-tumor immune responses in vivo.

Enhanced immunity to breast cancer in mice immunized with fibroblasts transfected with a complementary DNA expression library from breast cancer cells: Enrichment of the vaccine for immunotherapeutic cells

Breast cancer cells express an array of weakly immunogenic tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). Under appropriate circumstances, immunity to breast cancer can be induced, with potential benefits for patients with the disease. Here, we report a new cell-based vaccination strategy resulting in enhanced immunity to breast cancer in tumor-bearing mice. The strategy was designed to enrich the vaccine for highly immunogenic cells. The vaccine was prepared by transfer of unfractionated complementary DNA (cDNA) derived from a highly malignant breast neoplasm that arose spontaneously in a C3H/He mouse (SB5b) into an immunogenic fibroblast cell line. As the transferred cDNA spontaneously integrates into the genome of the recipient cells and is replicated as the cells divide, sufficient DNA to prepare the vaccine could be obtained from as few as 10(7) cells (4-mm tumor). Because only a small proportion of the transfected cell population was expected to have incorporated genes responsible for inducing immunity to the breast cancer, we devised a novel approach designed to enrich the transfected cell population for cells that induced immunity to the neoplasm. Aliquots of the transfected population were divided into small pools (initial inoculum = 4 x 10). Afterward, the cell number from each pool was allowed to expand in vitro. Pools containing greater numbers of immunogenic cells (identified by 2 independent assays) were subdivided for additional rounds of immune selection. Enhanced immunity to the neoplasm was detected in tumor-bearing mice treated solely by immunization with the enriched cell population. The immunity, mediated by CD8+ T cells, was sufficient to prolong the survival of mice with established breast cancer.

Immunity to breast cancer in mice immunized with fibroblasts transfected with a cDNA expression library derived from small numbers of breast cancer cells

Immunotherapy of breast cancer at an early stage of the disease increases the likelihood of success. Here, in a mouse model, we report a new strategy that enables vaccines to be prepared from microgram amounts of tumor tissue. The vaccine is prepared by transfer of a cDNA expression library from relatively small numbers of breast cancer cells into a highly immunogenic cell line, where genes specifying TAA are expressed. As the transferred DNA is integrated and replicated as the recipient cells divide, the number of vaccine cells can be conveniently expanded for repeated immunizations. A cDNA expression library prepared from a breast cancer that arose spontaneously in a C3H/He mouse (H-2(k)) was transferred into a mouse fibroblast cell line derived from C3H/He mice. To augment their nonspecific immunogenic properties, the fibroblasts were genetically modified before DNA transfer to secrete IL-2 and to express allogeneic MHC class I H-2K(b)-determinants. C3H/He mice, highly susceptible to growth of the breast cancer cells, were immunized with the cDNA-transfected cells. Robust breast cancer-specific CD8(+) T-cell-mediated immunity was generated in the mice, raising the possibility that an analogous treatment strategy could be used to treat breast cancer patients at an early stage of the disease.