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Ade CM, Sporn MJ, Das S, Yu Z, Hanada KI, Qi YA, Maity T, Zhang X, Guha U, Andresson T, Yang JC. Identification of neoepitope reactive T-cell receptors guided by HLA-A*03:01 and HLA-A*11:01 immunopeptidomics. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007097. [PMID: 37758652 PMCID: PMC10537849 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-specific mutated proteins can create immunogenic non-self, mutation-containing 'neoepitopes' that are attractive targets for adoptive T-cell therapies. To avoid the complexity of defining patient-specific, private neoepitopes, there has been major interest in targeting common shared mutations in driver genes using off-the-shelf T-cell receptors (TCRs) engineered into autologous lymphocytes. However, identifying the precise naturally processed neoepitopes to pursue is a complex and challenging process. One method to definitively demonstrate whether an epitope is presented at the cell surface is to elute peptides bound to a specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele and analyze them by mass spectrometry (MS). These MS data can then be prospectively applied to isolate TCRs specific to the neoepitope. METHODS We created mono-allelic cell lines expressing one class I HLA allele and one common mutated oncogene in order to eliminate HLA deconvolution requirements and increase the signal of recovered peptides. MHC-bound peptides on the surface of these cell lines were immunoprecipitated, purified, and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, producing a list of mutation-containing minimal epitopes. To validate the immunogenicity of these neoepitopes, HLA-transgenic mice were vaccinated using the minimal peptides identified by MS in order to generate neoepitope-reactive TCRs. Specificity of these candidate TCRs was confirmed by peptide titration and recognition of transduced targets. RESULTS We identified precise neoepitopes derived from mutated isoforms of KRAS, EGFR, BRAF, and PIK3CA presented by HLA-A*03:01 and/or HLA-A*11:01 across multiple biological replicates. From our MS data, we were able to successfully isolate murine TCRs that specifically recognize four HLA-A*11:01 restricted neoepitopes (KRAS G13D, PIK3CA E545K, EGFR L858R and BRAF V600E) and three HLA-A*03:01 restricted neoepitopes (KRAS G12V, EGFR L858R and BRAF V600E). CONCLUSIONS Our data show that an MS approach can be used to demonstrate which shared oncogene-derived neoepitopes are processed and presented by common HLA alleles, and those MS data can rapidly be used to develop TCRs against these common tumor-specific antigens. Although further characterization of these neoepitope-specific murine TCRs is required, ultimately, they have the potential to be used clinically for adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Ade
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew J Sporn
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sudipto Das
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhiya Yu
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ken-Ichi Hanada
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yue A Qi
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tapan Maity
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Udayan Guha
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- NextCure Inc, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - James C Yang
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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2
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Neo SY, Xu S, Chong J, Lam KP, Wu J. Harnessing novel strategies and cell types to overcome immune tolerance during adoptive cell therapy in cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006434. [PMID: 37100458 PMCID: PMC10151952 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy encompasses an expanding spectrum of cell-based regimes for the treatment of human ailments, such as the use of immune cells, in particular T cells, for combating tumors and the modulation of inflammatory immune responses. In this review, we focus on cell therapy in the immuno-oncology space, which is largely driven by interests and demands from the clinics for better solutions to target various hard-to-treat cancers. We discuss recent advances in various types of cell therapies, including T cell receptor-T cells, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Particularly, the present review focuses on the strategies to improve therapeutic responses by either enhancing tumor recognition or the resilience of infused immune cells within tumor microenvironment. Finally, we discuss the potential of other innate or innate-like immune cell types currently being explored as promising CAR-cell alternatives that seek to address the limitations of conventional adoptive cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yong Neo
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shengli Xu
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Joni Chong
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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3
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Amitrano AM, Kim M. Metabolic Challenges in Anticancer CD8 T Cell Functions. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e9. [PMID: 36911801 PMCID: PMC9995993 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies continue to face numerous obstacles in the successful treatment of solid malignancies. While immunotherapy has emerged as an extremely effective treatment option for hematologic malignancies, it is largely ineffective against solid tumors due in part to metabolic challenges present in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells face fierce competition with cancer cells for limited nutrients. The strong metabolic suppression in the TME often leads to impaired T-cell recruitment to the tumor site and hyporesponsive effector functions via T-cell exhaustion. Growing evidence suggests that mitochondria play a key role in CD8+ T-cell activation, migration, effector functions, and persistence in tumors. Therefore, targeting the mitochondrial metabolism of adoptively transferred T cells has the potential to greatly improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies in treating solid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Amitrano
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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4
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Adoptive Cell Therapy for T-Cell Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010094. [PMID: 36612092 PMCID: PMC9817702 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell malignancies are often aggressive and associated with poor prognoses. Adoptive cell therapy has recently shown promise as a new line of therapy for patients with hematological malignancies. However, there are currently challenges in applying adoptive cell therapy to T-cell malignancies. Various approaches have been examined in preclinical and clinical studies to overcome these obstacles. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent progress on adoptive cell therapy for T-cell malignancies. The benefits and drawbacks of different types of adoptive cell therapy are discussed. The potential advantages and current applications of innate immune cell-based adoptive cell therapy for T cell malignancies are emphasized.
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5
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Giotta Lucifero A, Luzzi S. Emerging immune-based technologies for high-grade gliomas. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:957-980. [PMID: 35924820 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2110072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The selection of a tailored and successful strategy for high-grade gliomas (HGGs) treatment is still a concern. The abundance of aberrant mutations within the heterogenic genetic landscape of glioblastoma strongly influences cell expansion, proliferation, and therapeutic resistance. Identification of immune evasion pathways opens the way to novel immune-based strategies. This review intends to explore the emerging immunotherapies for HGGs. The immunosuppressive mechanisms related to the tumor microenvironment and future perspectives to overcome glioma immunity barriers are also debated. AREAS COVERED An extensive literature review was performed on the PubMed/Medline and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Only highly relevant articles in English and published in the last 20 years were selected. Data about immunotherapies coming from preclinical and clinical trials were summarized. EXPERT OPINION The overall level of evidence about the efficacy and safety of immunotherapies for HGGs is noteworthy. Monoclonal antibodies have been approved as second-line treatment, while peptide vaccines, viral gene strategies, and adoptive technologies proved to boost a vivid antitumor immunization. Malignant brain tumor-treating fields are ever-changing in the upcoming years. Constant refinements and development of new routes of drug administration will permit to design of novel immune-based treatment algorithms thus improving the overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Giotta Lucifero
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sabino Luzzi
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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6
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Duhen T, Gough MJ, Leidner RS, Stanton SE. Development and therapeutic manipulation of the head and neck cancer tumor environment to improve clinical outcomes. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 3:902160. [PMID: 35937775 PMCID: PMC9354490 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.902160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical response to cancer therapies involves the complex interplay between the systemic, tumoral, and stromal immune response as well as the direct impact of treatments on cancer cells. Each individual's immunological and cancer histories are different, and their carcinogen exposures may differ. This means that even though two patients with oral tumors may carry an identical mutation in TP53, they are likely to have different pre-existing immune responses to their tumors. These differences may arise due to their distinct accessory mutations, genetic backgrounds, and may relate to clinical factors including previous chemotherapy exposure and concurrent medical comorbidities. In isolation, their cancer cells may respond similarly to cancer therapy, but due to their baseline variability in pre-existing immune responses, patients can have different responses to identical therapies. In this review we discuss how the immune environment of tumors develops, the critical immune cell populations in advanced cancers, and how immune interventions can manipulate the immune environment of patients with pre-malignancies or advanced cancers to improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael J. Gough
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, United States
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Zur RT, Adler G, Shamalov K, Tal Y, Ankri C, Cohen CJ. Adoptive T-cell Immunotherapy: Perfecting Self-Defenses. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:253-294. [PMID: 35165867 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As an important part of the immune system, T lymphocytes exhibit undoubtedly an important role in targeting and eradicating cancer. However, despite these characteristics, their natural antitumor response may be insufficient. Numerous clinical trials in terminally ill cancer patients testing the design of novel and efficient immunotherapeutic approaches based on the adoptive transfer of autologous tumor-specific T lymphocytes have shown encouraging results. Moreover, this also led to the approval of engineered T-cell therapies in patients. Herein, we will expand on the development and the use of such strategies using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or genetically engineered T-cells. We will also comment on the requirements and potential hurdles encountered when elaborating and implementing such treatments as well as the exciting prospects for this kind of emerging personalized medicine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaëlle Toledano Zur
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Galit Adler
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Katerina Shamalov
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yair Tal
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Chen Ankri
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Cyrille J Cohen
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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8
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Kirtane K, Elmariah H, Chung CH, Abate-Daga D. Adoptive cellular therapy in solid tumor malignancies: review of the literature and challenges ahead. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002723. [PMID: 34301811 PMCID: PMC8311333 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have ushered in major changes in standards of care for many solid tumor malignancies, primary and acquired resistance is common. Insufficient antitumor T cells, inadequate function of these cells, and impaired formation of memory T cells all contribute to resistance mechanisms to ICI. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) is a form of immunotherapy that is rapidly growing in clinical investigation and has the potential to overcome these limitations by its ability to augment the number, specificity, and reactivity of T cells against tumor tissue. ACT has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, though the use of ACT in solid tumor malignancies is still in its early stages. There are currently three major modalities of ACT: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), genetically engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. TIL therapy involves expansion of a heterogeneous population of endogenous T cells found in a harvested tumor, while TCRs and CAR T cells involve expansion of a genetically engineered T-cell directed toward specific antigen targets. In this review, we explore the potential of ACT as a treatment modality against solid tumors, discuss their advantages and limitations against solid tumor malignancies, discuss the promising therapies under active investigation, and examine future directions for this rapidly growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedar Kirtane
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Hany Elmariah
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Christine H Chung
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Abate-Daga
- Departments of Immunology, Cutaneous Oncology, and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
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9
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Giotta Lucifero A, Luzzi S. Against the Resilience of High-Grade Gliomas: The Immunotherapeutic Approach (Part I). Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030386. [PMID: 33803885 PMCID: PMC8003180 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The resilience of high-grade gliomas (HGGs) against conventional chemotherapies is due to their heterogeneous genetic landscape, adaptive phenotypic changes, and immune escape mechanisms. Innovative immunotherapies have been developed to counteract the immunosuppressive capability of gliomas. Nevertheless, further research is needed to assess the efficacy of the immuno-based approach. The aim of this study is to review the newest immunotherapeutic approaches for glioma, focusing on the drug types, mechanisms of action, clinical pieces of evidence, and future challenges. A PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis)-based literature search was performed on PubMed/Medline and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using the keywords “active/adoptive immunotherapy,” “monoclonal antibodies,” “vaccine,” and “engineered T cell.”, combined with “malignant brain tumor”, “high-grade glioma.” Only articles written in English published in the last 10 years were selected, filtered based on best relevance. Active immunotherapies include systemic temozolomide, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. In several preclinical and clinical trials, adoptive immunotherapies, including T, natural killer, and natural killer T engineered cells, have been shown to be potential treatment options for relapsing gliomas. Systemic temozolomide is considered the backbone for newly diagnosed HGGs. Bevacizumab and rindopepimut are promising second-line treatments. Adoptive immunotherapies have been proven for relapsing tumors, but further evidence is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Giotta Lucifero
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Sabino Luzzi
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence:
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10
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Stone JD, Aggen DH, Schietinger A, Schreiber H, Kranz DM. A sensitivity scale for targeting T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and bispecific T-cell Engagers (BiTEs). Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:863-873. [PMID: 23162754 PMCID: PMC3489742 DOI: 10.4161/onci.20592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although T cells can mediate potent antitumor responses, immune tolerance mechanisms often result in the deletion or inactivation of T cells that express T-cell receptors (TCRs) against potentially effective target epitopes. Various approaches have been devised to circumvent this problem. In one approach, the gene encoding an antibody against a cancer-associated antigen is linked, in the form of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), to genes that encode transmembrane and signaling domains. This chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is then introduced into T cells for adoptive T-cell therapy. In another approach, the anti-cancer scFv is fused to a scFv that binds to the CD3ε subunit of the TCR/CD3 complex. This fusion protein serves as a soluble, injectable product that has recently been termed bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE). Both strategies have now been tested in clinical trials with promising results, but the comparative efficacies are not known. Here, we performed a direct comparison of the in vitro sensitivity of each strategy, using the same anti-cancer scFv fragments, directed against a tumor-specific glycopeptide epitope on the sialomucin-like transmembrane glycoprotein OTS8, which results form a cancer-specific mutation of Cosmc. While both approaches showed specific responses to the epitope as revealed by T cell-mediated cytokine release and target cell lysis, CAR-targeted T cells were more sensitive than BiTE-targeted T cells to low numbers of antigens per cell. The sensitivity scale described here provides a guide to the potential use of these two different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Stone
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana, IL USA
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11
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Chen SY, Liu CJ, Zhang Q, Guo AY. An ultra-sensitive T-cell receptor detection method for TCR-Seq and RNA-Seq data. Bioinformatics 2021; 36:4255-4262. [PMID: 32399561 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION T-cell receptors (TCRs) function to recognize antigens and play vital roles in T-cell immunology. Surveying TCR repertoires by characterizing complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) is a key issue. Due to the high diversity of CDR3 and technological limitation, accurate characterization of CDR3 repertoires remains a great challenge. RESULTS We propose a computational method named CATT for ultra-sensitive and precise TCR CDR3 sequences detection. CATT can be applied on TCR sequencing, RNA-Seq and single-cell TCR(RNA)-Seq data to characterize CDR3 repertoires. CATT integrated de Bruijn graph-based micro-assembly algorithm, data-driven error correction model and Bayesian inference algorithm, to self-adaptively and ultra-sensitively characterize CDR3 repertoires with high performance. Benchmark results of datasets from in silico and experimental data demonstrated that CATT showed superior recall and precision compared with existing tools, especially for data with short read length and small size and single-cell sequencing data. Thus, CATT will be a useful tool for TCR analysis in researches of cancer and immunology. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION http://bioinfo.life.hust.edu.cn/CATT or https://github.com/GuoBioinfoLab/CATT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yi Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Chun-Jie Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.,Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - An-Yuan Guo
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
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12
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Carreira B, Acúrcio RC, Matos AI, Peres C, Pozzi S, Vaskovich‐Koubi D, Kleiner R, Bento M, Satchi‐Fainaro R, Florindo HF. Nanomedicines as Multifunctional Modulators of Melanoma Immune Microenvironment. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon Av. Prof. Gama Pinto Lisboa 1649‐003 Portugal
| | - Rita C. Acúrcio
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon Av. Prof. Gama Pinto Lisboa 1649‐003 Portugal
| | - Ana I. Matos
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon Av. Prof. Gama Pinto Lisboa 1649‐003 Portugal
| | - Carina Peres
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon Av. Prof. Gama Pinto Lisboa 1649‐003 Portugal
| | - Sabina Pozzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Daniella Vaskovich‐Koubi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Ron Kleiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Mariana Bento
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon Av. Prof. Gama Pinto Lisboa 1649‐003 Portugal
| | - Ronit Satchi‐Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Helena F. Florindo
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon Av. Prof. Gama Pinto Lisboa 1649‐003 Portugal
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Li L, Zhu X, Qian Y, Yuan X, Ding Y, Hu D, He X, Wu Y. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Glioblastoma: Current and Future. Front Immunol 2020; 11:594271. [PMID: 33224149 PMCID: PMC7669545 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive glioma with an extremely poor prognosis after conventional treatment. Recent advances in immunotherapy offer hope for these patients with incurable GBM. Our present review aimed to provide an overview of immunotherapy for GBM, especially chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy. CAR T-cell immunotherapy, which involves the engineering of T cells to kill tumors by targeting cell surface-specific antigens, has been successful in eliminating B-cell leukemia by targeting CD19. IL-13Rα2, EGFRvIII, and HER2-targeted CAR T cells have shown significant clinical efficacy and safety in phase 1 or 2 clinical trials conducted in patients with GBM; these findings support the need for further studies to examine if this therapy can ultimately benefit this patient group. However, local physical barriers, high tumor heterogeneity, and antigen escape make the use of CAR T therapy, as a treatment for GBM, challenging. The potential directions for improving the efficacy of CAR T in GBM are to combine the existing traditional therapies and the construction of multi-target CAR T cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Brain Neoplasms/etiology
- Brain Neoplasms/therapy
- Combined Modality Therapy/methods
- Genetic Engineering
- Glioblastoma/etiology
- Glioblastoma/therapy
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/trends
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiqun Zhu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangling Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Desheng Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin He
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Abstract
Advances in reading, writing, and editing DNA are providing unprecedented insights into the complexity of immunological systems. This combination of systems and synthetic biology methods is enabling the quantitative and precise understanding of molecular recognition in adaptive immunity, thus providing a framework for reprogramming immune responses for translational medicine. In this review, we will highlight state-of-the-art methods such as immune repertoire sequencing, immunoinformatics, and immunogenomic engineering and their application toward adaptive immunity. We showcase novel and interdisciplinary approaches that have the promise of transforming the design and breadth of molecular and cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Csepregi
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roy A. Ehling
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bastian Wagner
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sai T. Reddy
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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15
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A bicistronic vector backbone for rapid seamless cloning and chimerization of αβT-cell receptor sequences. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238875. [PMID: 32903281 PMCID: PMC7480877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To facilitate preclinical testing of T-cell receptors (TCRs) derived from tumor-reactive T-cell clones it is necessary to develop convenient and rapid cloning strategies for the generation of TCR expression constructs. Herein, we describe a pDONR™221 vector backbone allowing to generate Gateway™ compatible entry clones encoding optimized bicistronic αβTCR constructs. It harbors P2A-linked TCR constant regions and head-to-head-oriented recognition sites of the Type IIS restriction enzymes BsmBI and BsaI for seamless cloning of the TCRα and TCRβ V(D)J regions, respectively. Additional well-established TCR optimizations were incorporated to enhance TCR functionality. This included replacing of the human αβTCR constant regions with their codon-optimized murine counterparts for chimerization, addition of a second interchain disulfide bond and arrangement of the TCR chains in the order β-P2A-α. We exemplified the utility of our vector backbone by cloning and functional testing of three melanoma-reactive TCRs in primary human T cells.
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16
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Manfredi F, Cianciotti BC, Potenza A, Tassi E, Noviello M, Biondi A, Ciceri F, Bonini C, Ruggiero E. TCR Redirected T Cells for Cancer Treatment: Achievements, Hurdles, and Goals. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1689. [PMID: 33013822 PMCID: PMC7494743 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) is a rapidly evolving therapeutic approach designed to harness T cell specificity and function to fight diseases. Based on the evidence that T lymphocytes can mediate a potent anti-tumor response, initially ACT solely relied on the isolation, in vitro expansion, and infusion of tumor-infiltrating or circulating tumor-specific T cells. Although effective in a subset of cases, in the first ACT clinical trials several patients experienced disease progression, in some cases after temporary disease control. This evidence prompted researchers to improve ACT products by taking advantage of the continuously evolving gene engineering field and by improving manufacturing protocols, to enable the generation of effective and long-term persisting tumor-specific T cell products. Despite recent advances, several challenges, including prioritization of antigen targets, identification, and optimization of tumor-specific T cell receptors, in the development of tools enabling T cells to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, still need to be faced. This review aims at summarizing the major achievements, hurdles and possible solutions designed to improve the ACT efficacy and safety profile in the context of liquid and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Manfredi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Claudia Cianciotti
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione Centro San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano – Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Tassi
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maddalena Noviello
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Clinica Pediatrica Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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17
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Sillito F, Holler A, Stauss HJ. Engineering CD4+ T Cells to Enhance Cancer Immunity. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071721. [PMID: 32708397 PMCID: PMC7407306 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents key advances in combining T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer to redirect T-cell specificity with gene engineering in order to enhance cancer-protective immune function. We discuss how emerging insights might be applied to CD4+ T cells. Although much attention has been paid to the role of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in tumour protection, we provide convincing evidence that CD4+ helper T cells play a critical role in cancer immune responses in animal models and also in patients. We demonstrate that genetic engineering technologies provide exciting opportunities to extend the specificity range of CD4+ T cells from MHC class-II-presented epitopes to include peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. Functional enhancement of tumour immunity can improve the sensitivity of T cells to cancer antigens, promote survival in a hostile tumour microenvironment, boost cancer-protective effector mechanisms and enable the formation of T-cell memory. Engineered cancer-specific CD4+ T cells may contribute to protective immunity by a direct pathway involving cancer cell killing, and by an indirect pathway that boosts the function, persistence and memory formation of CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sillito
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2PF, UK
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (H.J.S.)
| | - Angelika Holler
- Cancer Institute, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK;
| | - Hans J. Stauss
- Cancer Institute, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK;
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (H.J.S.)
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18
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Luzzi S, Giotta Lucifero A, Brambilla I, Magistrali M, Mosconi M, Savasta S, Foiadelli T. Adoptive immunotherapies in neuro-oncology: classification, recent advances, and translational challenges. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:18-31. [PMID: 32608373 PMCID: PMC7975830 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i7-s.9952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Adoptive immunotherapies are among the pillars of ongoing biological breakthroughs in neuro-oncology, as their potential applications are tremendously wide. The present literature review comprehensively classified adoptive immunotherapies in neuro-oncology, provides an update, and overviews the main translational challenges of this approach. Methods: The PubMed/MEDLINE platform, Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) database, and ClinicalTrials.gov website were the sources. The MeSH terms “Immunotherapy, Adoptive,” “Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy,” “Tissue Engineering,” and “Cell Engineering” were combined with “Central Nervous System,” and “Brain.” “Brain tumors” and “adoptive immunotherapy” were used for a further unrestricted search. Only articles published in the last 5 years were selected and further sorted based on the best match and relevance. The search terms “Central Nervous System Tumor,” “Malignant Brain Tumor,” “Brain Cancer,” “Brain Neoplasms,” and “Brain Tumor” were used on the ClinicalTrials.gov website. Results: A total of 79 relevant articles and 16 trials were selected. T therapies include chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy and T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic therapy. Natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies are another approach; combinations are also possible. Trials in phase 1 and 2 comprised 69% and 31% of the studies, respectively, 8 of which were concluded. CAR T cell therapy targeting epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) was demonstrated to reduce the recurrence rate of glioblastoma after standard-of-care treatment. Conclusion: Adoptive immunotherapies can be classified as T, NK, and NKT cell-based. CAR T cell therapy redirected against EGFRvIII has been shown to be the most promising treatment for glioblastoma. Overcoming immune tolerance and immune escape are the main translational challenges in the near future of neuro-oncology. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabino Luzzi
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Alice Giotta Lucifero
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Brambilla
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Uni-versity of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Mariasole Magistrali
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Uni-versity of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Mario Mosconi
- Orthopaedic and Traumatology Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Savasta
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Uni-versity of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Thomas Foiadelli
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Uni-versity of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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19
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Abreu TR, Fonseca NA, Gonçalves N, Moreira JN. Current challenges and emerging opportunities of CAR-T cell therapies. J Control Release 2019; 319:246-261. [PMID: 31899268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Infusion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-genetically modified T cells (CAR-T cells) have led to remarkable clinical responses and cancer remission in patients suffering from relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. This is a new form of adoptive T cell therapy (ACT), whereby the artificial CAR enables the redirection of T cells endogenous antitumor activity towards a predefined tumor-associated antigen, leading to the elimination of a specific tumor. The early success in blood cancers has prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the first CAR-T cell therapies for the treatment of CD19-positive leukemias and lymphomas in 2017. Despite the emergence of CAR-T cells as one of the latest breakthroughs of cancer immunotherapies, their wider application has been hampered by specific life-threatening toxicities, and a substantial lack of efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors, owing to the strong immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the paucity of reliable tumor-specific targets. Herein, besides providing an overview of the emerging CAR-technologies and current clinical applications, the major hurdles of CAR-T cell therapies will be discussed, namely treatment-related life-threatening toxicities and the obstacles posed by the immunosupressive tumor-microenvironment of solid tumors, as well as the next-generation strategies currently designed to simultaneously improve safety and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapies in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R Abreu
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; FFUC - Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; TREAT U, SA, Parque Industrial de Taveiro, Lote 44, 3045-508 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Nélio Gonçalves
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - João Nuno Moreira
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; FFUC - Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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20
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He Q, Jiang X, Zhou X, Weng J. Targeting cancers through TCR-peptide/MHC interactions. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:139. [PMID: 31852498 PMCID: PMC6921533 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy has achieved dramatic success in a clinic, and the Food and Drug Administration approved two chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cell (CAR-T) therapies that target hematological cancers in 2018. A significant issue faced by CAR-T therapies is the lack of tumor-specific biomarkers on the surfaces of solid tumor cells, which hampers the application of CAR-T therapies to solid tumors. Intracellular tumor-related antigens can be presented as peptides in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the cell surface, which interact with the T cell receptors (TCR) on antigen-specific T cells to stimulate an anti-tumor response. Multiple immunotherapy strategies have been developed to eradicate tumor cells through targeting the TCR-peptide/MHC interactions. Here, we summarize the current status of TCR-based immunotherapy strategies, with particular focus on the TCR structure, activated signaling pathways, the effects and toxicity associated with TCR-based therapies in clinical trials, preclinical studies examining immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTACs), and TCR-fusion molecules. We propose several TCR-based therapeutic strategies to achieve optimal clinical responses without the induction of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua He
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 621 Gangwan Rd, Huangpu Qu, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Xianhan Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Xinke Zhou
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 621 Gangwan Rd, Huangpu Qu, Guangzhou, 510700, China. .,Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China.
| | - Jinsheng Weng
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1414 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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21
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Holstein SA, Lunning MA. CAR T‐Cell Therapy in Hematologic Malignancies: A Voyage in Progress. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2019; 107:112-122. [DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Holstein
- Division of Oncology and Hematology Department of Internal Medicine University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Nebraska USA
| | - Matthew A. Lunning
- Division of Oncology and Hematology Department of Internal Medicine University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Nebraska USA
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22
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Current Perspectives in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101472. [PMID: 31575023 PMCID: PMC6826426 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Different immunotherapeutic approaches have proved to be of significant clinical value to many patients with different types of advanced cancer. However, we need more precise immunotherapies and predictive biomarkers to increase the successful response rates. The advent of next generation sequencing technologies and their applications in immuno-oncology has helped us tremendously towards this aim. We are now moving towards the realization of personalized medicine, thus, significantly increasing our expectations for a more successful management of the disease. Here, we discuss the current immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer, including immune checkpoint blockade with an emphasis on anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies. We also analyze a growing list of other co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory markers and emphasize the mechanism of action of the principal pathway for each of these, as well as on drugs that either have been FDA-approved or are under clinical investigation. We further discuss recent advances in other immunotherapies, including cytokine therapy, adoptive cell transfer therapy and therapeutic vaccines. We finally discuss the modulation of gut microbiota composition and response to immunotherapy, as well as how tumor-intrinsic factors and immunological processes influence the mutational and epigenetic landscape of progressing tumors and response to immunotherapy but also how immunotherapeutic intervention influences the landscape of cancer neoepitopes and tumor immunoediting.
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23
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Fecci PE, Sampson JH. The current state of immunotherapy for gliomas: an eye toward the future. J Neurosurg 2019; 131:657-666. [PMID: 31473668 DOI: 10.3171/2019.5.jns181762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has seen a crescendo of FDA approvals for immunotherapies against solid tumors, yet glioblastoma remains a prominent holdout. Despite more than 4 decades of work with a wide range of immunotherapeutic modalities targeting glioblastoma, efficacy has been challenging to obtain. Earlier forms of immune-based platforms have now given way to more current approaches, including chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, personalized neoantigen vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and checkpoint blockade. The recent experiences with each, as well as the latest developments and anticipated challenges, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E Fecci
- 1Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, and
- 2The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - John H Sampson
- 1Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, and
- 2The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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24
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Bentzen AK, Hadrup SR. T-cell-receptor cross-recognition and strategies to select safe T-cell receptors for clinical translation. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY 2019; 2:1-10. [PMID: 35036898 PMCID: PMC8741623 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T-cell-receptor (TCR)-transduced T cells has shown promising results for cancer treatment, but has also produced severe immunotoxicities caused by on-target as well as off-target TCR recognition. Off-target toxicities are related to the ability of a single T cell to cross-recognize and respond to several different peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) antigens; a property that is essential for providing broad antigenic coverage despite a confined number of unique TCRs in the human body. However, this degeneracy makes it incredibly difficult to account for the range of targets that any TCR might recognize, which represents a major challenge for the clinical development of therapeutic TCRs. The prospect of using affinity-optimized TCRs has been impeded due to observations that affinity enhancement might alter the specificity of a TCR, thereby increasing the risk that it will cross-recognize endogenous tissue. Strategies for selecting safe TCRs for the clinic have included functional assessment after individual incubations with tissue-derived primary cells or with peptides substituted with single amino acids. However, these strategies have not been able to predict cross-recognition sufficiently, leading to fatal cross-reactivity in clinical trials. Novel technologies have emerged that enable extensive characterization of the exact interaction points of a TCR with pMHC, which provides a foundation from which to make predictions of the cross-recognition potential of individual TCRs. This review describes current advances in strategies for dissecting the molecular interaction points of TCRs, focusing on their potential as tools for predicting cross-recognition of TCRs in clinical development. T-cell-receptor (TCR) degeneracy plays a fundamental role in the capacity of our immune systems to recognize foreign antigens. TCR cross-reactivity provides an inherent risk in TCR–gene transfer cell therapies. Advances in description of TCR cross-recognition can guide the selection process for TCRs into clinical use.
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25
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Friedman KM, Garrett TE, Evans JW, Horton HM, Latimer HJ, Seidel SL, Horvath CJ, Morgan RA. Effective Targeting of Multiple B-Cell Maturation Antigen-Expressing Hematological Malignances by Anti-B-Cell Maturation Antigen Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 29:585-601. [PMID: 29641319 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) expression has been proposed as a marker for the identification of malignant plasma cells in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Nearly all MM tumor cells express BCMA, while normal tissue expression is restricted to plasma cells and a subset of mature B cells. Consistent BCMA expression was confirmed on MM biopsies (29/29 BCMA+), and it was further demonstrated that BCMA is expressed in a substantial number of lymphoma samples, as well as primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells. To target BCMA using redirected autologous T cells, lentiviral vectors (LVV) encoding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) were constructed with four unique anti-BCMA single-chain variable fragments, fused to the CD137 (4-1BB) co-stimulatory and CD3ζ signaling domains. One LVV, BB2121, was studied in detail, and BB2121 CAR-transduced T cells (bb2121) exhibited a high frequency of CAR + T cells and robust in vitro activity against MM cell lines, lymphoma cell lines, and primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia peripheral blood. Based on receptor quantification, bb2121 recognized tumor cells expressing as little as 222 BCMA molecules per cell. The in vivo pharmacology of anti-BCMA CAR T cells was studied in NSG mouse models of human MM, Burkitt lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma, where mice received a single intravenous administration of vehicle, control vector-transduced T cells, or anti-BCMA CAR-transduced T cells. In all models, the vehicle and control CAR T cells failed to inhibit tumor growth. In contrast, treatment with bb2121 resulted in rapid and sustained elimination of the tumors and 100% survival in all treatment models. Together, these data support the further development of anti-BCMA CAR T cells as a potential treatment for not only MM but also some lymphomas.
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26
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Eisenberg V, Hoogi S, Shamul A, Barliya T, Cohen CJ. T-cells "à la CAR-T(e)" - Genetically engineering T-cell response against cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:23-40. [PMID: 30653988 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The last decade will be remembered as the dawn of the immunotherapy era during which we have witnessed the approval by regulatory agencies of genetically engineered CAR T-cells and of checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment. Understandably, T-lymphocytes represent the essential player in these approaches. These cells can mediate impressive tumor regression in terminally-ill cancer patients. Moreover, they are amenable to genetic engineering to improve their function and specificity. In the present review, we will give an overview of the most recent developments in the field of T-cell genetic engineering including TCR-gene transfer and CAR T-cells strategies. We will also elaborate on the development of other types of genetic modifications to enhance their anti-tumor immune response such as the use of co-stimulatory chimeric receptors (CCRs) and unconventional CARs built on non-antibody molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in genome editing and synthetic biology applied to T-cell engineering and comment on the next challenges ahead.
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27
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Lee ES, Shin JM, Son S, Ko H, Um W, Song SH, Lee JA, Park JH. Recent Advances in Polymeric Nanomedicines for Cancer Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2019; 8:e1801320. [PMID: 30666822 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201801320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to treat cancer, since it facilitates eradication of cancer by enhancing innate and/or adaptive immunity without using cytotoxic drugs. Of the immunotherapeutic approaches, significant clinical potentials are shown in cancer vaccination, immune checkpoint therapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Nevertheless, conventional immunotherapies often involve immune-related adverse effects, such as liver dysfunction, hypophysitis, type I diabetes, and neuropathy. In an attempt to address these issues, polymeric nanomedicines are extensively investigated in recent years. In this review, recent advances in polymeric nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy are highlighted and thoroughly discussed in terms of 1) antigen presentation, 2) activation of antigen-presenting cells and T cells, and 3) promotion of effector cells. Also, the future perspectives to develop ideal nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Sook Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology; SAIHST; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Min Shin
- School of Chemical Engineering; College of Engineering; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Son
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology; SAIHST; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Ko
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology; SAIHST; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Wooram Um
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology; SAIHST; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Ho Song
- School of Chemical Engineering; College of Engineering; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ah Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering; College of Engineering; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyung Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology; SAIHST; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical Engineering; College of Engineering; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea
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28
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Riley TP, Baker BM. The intersection of affinity and specificity in the development and optimization of T cell receptor based therapeutics. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 84:30-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 10/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Echchannaoui H, Petschenka J, Ferreira EA, Hauptrock B, Lotz-Jenne C, Voss RH, Theobald M. A Potent Tumor-Reactive p53-Specific Single-Chain TCR without On- or Off-Target Autoimmunity In Vivo. Mol Ther 2018; 27:261-271. [PMID: 30528087 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering of T cells with a T cell receptor (TCR) targeting tumor antigen is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Inefficient expression of the introduced TCR due to TCR mispairing may limit the efficacy and adversely affect the safety of TCR gene therapy. Here, we evaluated the safety and therapeutic efficiency of an optimized single-chain TCR (scTCR) specific for an HLA-A2.1-restricted (non-mutated) p53(264-272) peptide in adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) models using our unique transgenic mice expressing human p53 and HLA-A2.1 that closely mimic the human setting. Specifically, we showed that adoptive transfer of optimized scTCR-redirected T cells does not induce on-target and off-target autoimmunity. Furthermore, ACT resulted in full tumor protection and led to a long-lived effective, antigen-specific memory T cell response in syngeneic and xenograft models. Taken together, the study demonstrated that our scTCR specific for the broadly expressed tumor-associated antigen p53(264-272) can eradicate p53+A2.1+ tumor cells without inducing off-target or self-directed toxicities in mouse models of ACT. These data strongly support the improved safety and therapeutic efficacy of high-affinity p53scTCR for TCR-based immunotherapy of p53-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakim Echchannaoui
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Frankfurt/Mainz, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Jutta Petschenka
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Edite Antunes Ferreira
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Beate Hauptrock
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Carina Lotz-Jenne
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ralf-Holger Voss
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Theobald
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Medical Center (UMC) and University Cancer Center (UCT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC), Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Frankfurt/Mainz, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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30
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Translational repression of pre-formed cytokine-encoding mRNA prevents chronic activation of memory T cells. Nat Immunol 2018; 19:828-837. [PMID: 29988089 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0155-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Memory T cells are critical for the immune response to recurring infections. Their instantaneous reactivity to pathogens is empowered by the persistent expression of cytokine-encoding mRNAs. How the translation of proteins from pre-formed cytokine-encoding mRNAs is prevented in the absence of infection has remained unclear. Here we found that protein production in memory T cells was blocked via a 3' untranslated region (3' UTR)-mediated process. Germline deletion of AU-rich elements (AREs) in the Ifng-3' UTR led to chronic cytokine production in memory T cells. This aberrant protein production did not result from increased expression and/or half-life of the mRNA. Instead, AREs blocked the recruitment of cytokine-encoding mRNA to ribosomes; this block depended on the ARE-binding protein ZFP36L2. Thus, AREs mediate repression of translation in mouse and human memory T cells by preventing undesirable protein production from pre-formed cytokine-encoding mRNAs in the absence of infection.
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31
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Gutting T, Burgermeister E, Härtel N, Ebert MP. Checkpoints and beyond - Immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 55:78-89. [PMID: 29716829 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is the latest revolution in cancer therapy. It continues to show impressive results in malignancies like melanoma and others. At least so far, effects are modest in colorectal cancer (CRC) and only a subset of patients benefits from already approved checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we discuss major hurdles of immunotherapy like the immunosuppressive niche and low immunogenicity of CRC next to current achievements of checkpoint inhibitors, interleukin treatment and adoptive cell transfer (dendritic cells/cytokine induced killer cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptor cells, T cell receptor transfer) in pre-clinical models and clinical trials. We intensively examine approaches to overcome low immunogenicity by combination of different therapies and address future strategies of therapy as well as the need of predictive factors in this emerging field of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gutting
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elke Burgermeister
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicolai Härtel
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; Heilig-Geist Hospital Bensheim, Rodensteinstraße 94, 64625 Bensheim, Germany
| | - Matthias P Ebert
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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32
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Wrangle JM, Patterson A, Johnson CB, Neitzke DJ, Mehrotra S, Denlinger CE, Paulos CM, Li Z, Cole DJ, Rubinstein MP. IL-2 and Beyond in Cancer Immunotherapy. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2018; 38:45-68. [PMID: 29443657 PMCID: PMC5815463 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2017.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the T- and natural killer (NK) cell growth factor IL-2 has been a sentinel force ushering in the era of immunotherapy in cancer. With the advent of clinical grade recombinant IL-2 in the mid-1980s, oncologists could for the first time directly manipulate lymphocyte populations with systemic therapy. By itself, recombinant IL-2 can induce clinical responses in up to 15% of patients with metastatic cancer or renal cell carcinoma. When administered with adoptively transferred tumor-reactive lymphocytes, IL-2 promotes T cell engraftment and response rates of up to 50% in metastatic melanoma patients. Importantly, these IL-2-driven responses can yield complete and durable responses in a subset of patients. However, the use of IL-2 is limited by toxicity and concern of the expansion of T regulatory cells. To overcome these limitations and improve response rates, other T cell growth factors, including IL-15 and modified forms of IL-2, are in clinical development. Administering T cell growth factors in combination with other agents, such as immune checkpoint pathway inhibitors, may also improve efficacy. In this study, we review the development of T- and NK cell growth factors and highlight current combinatorial approaches based on these reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Wrangle
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Alicia Patterson
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - C. Bryce Johnson
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Daniel J. Neitzke
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Chadrick E. Denlinger
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - David J. Cole
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Mark P. Rubinstein
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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33
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O’Hara MH, Stashwick C, Plesa G, Tanyi JL. Overcoming barriers of car T-cell therapy in patients with mesothelin-expressing cancers. Immunotherapy 2017; 9:767-780. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
One obstacle to the application of immunotherapy to solid malignancies is to overcome the existing tolerance to self-antigens. Vaccine strategies aimed at harnessing endogenous antitumor T cells are limited by the T-cell receptor repertoire, which can be detected within the thymus as central tolerance or rendered nonfunctional by post-thymic mechanisms of peripheral tolerance. Adoptive immunotherapy can overcome these obstacles, since therapeutically effective T cells can be engineered to recognize tumors. Continued advancements in novel treatments, including immunotherapy, in solid malignancies are imperative. While mesothelin is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy given its normal expression is limited to mesothelial cells, the breakthrough for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell treatment against this antigen is still forthcoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark H O’Hara
- Department of Hematologic Oncology of the University of Pennsylvania, The University of Pennsylvania Health System, 3400 Spruce street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Caitlin Stashwick
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Lancaster General Hospital, 555 N Duke street, Lancaster, PA 17602, USA
| | - Gabriela Plesa
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine of The University of Pennsylvania, The University of Pennsylvania Health System, 3400 Spruce street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Janos L Tanyi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology of the University of Pennsylvania, The University of Pennsylvania Health System, 3400 Spruce street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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34
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Liu Z, Chen O, Wall JBJ, Zheng M, Zhou Y, Wang L, Vaseghi HR, Qian L, Liu J. Systematic comparison of 2A peptides for cloning multi-genes in a polycistronic vector. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2193. [PMID: 28526819 PMCID: PMC5438344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02460-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cloning of multiple genes in a single vector has greatly facilitated both basic and translational studies that require co-expression of multiple factors or multi-units of complex protein. Many strategies have been adopted, among which 2A “self-cleaving” peptides have garnered increased interest for their polycistronic nature, small size and high “cleavage” efficiency. However, broad application of 2 A peptides is limited by the lack of systematic comparison of different 2As alone or in combination. Here we characterized the effect of varying gene position and 2As on the expression of proteins encoded in bi-, tri-, or quad-cistronic constructs. Using direct cardiac reprogramming as an example, we further determined the effect of varied 2As on the efficiency of fluorescent cell labeling and cell fate conversion. We found that the expression of fluorophores decreased as it was moved towards the end of the construct while reprogramming was most efficient with the fluorophore at the second position. Moreover, quad-cistronic TPE2A constructs resulted in more efficient reprogramming than 3P2A or PTE2A constructs. We expect that the bi-, tri-, and quad-cistronic vectors constructed here and our results on protein expression ratios from different 2A constructs could serve to guide future utilization of 2A peptides in basic research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Olivia Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - J Blake Joseph Wall
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Michael Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Haley Ruth Vaseghi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Li Qian
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Jiandong Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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35
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Stevens S. Synthetic Biology in Cell and Organ Transplantation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a029561. [PMID: 28003184 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The transplantation of cells and organs has an extensive history, with blood transfusion and skin grafts described as some of the earliest medical interventions. The speed and efficiency of the human immune system evolved to rapidly recognize and remove pathogens; the human immune system also serves as a barrier against the transplant of cells and organs from even highly related donors. Although this shows the remarkable effectiveness of the immune system, the engineering of cells and organs that will survive in a host patient over the long term remains a steep challenge. Progress in the understanding of host immune responses to donor cells and organs, combined with the rapid advancement in synthetic biology applications, allows the rational engineering of more effective solutions for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Stevens
- Mammalian Synthetic Biology, Synthetic Genomics, Inc., La Jolla, California 92037
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36
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Ping Y, Liu C, Zhang Y. T-cell receptor-engineered T cells for cancer treatment: current status and future directions. Protein Cell 2017; 9:254-266. [PMID: 28108950 PMCID: PMC5829268 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-016-0367-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells are a novel option for adoptive cell therapy used for the treatment of several advanced forms of cancer. Work using TCR-engineered T cells began more than two decades ago, with numerous preclinical studies showing that such cells could mediate tumor lysis and eradication. The success of these trials provided the foundation for clinical trials, including recent clinical successes using TCR-engineered T cells to target New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (NY-ESO-1). These successes demonstrate the potential of this approach to treat cancer. In this review, we provide a perspective on the current and future applications of TCR-engineered T cells for the treatment of cancer. Our summary focuses on TCR activation and both pre-clinical and clinical applications of TCR-engineered T cells. We also discuss how to enhance the function of TCR-engineered T cells and prolong their longevity in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ping
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Chaojun Liu
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China. .,Engineering Key Laboratory for Cell Therapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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37
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Schröder M, Loos S, Naumann SK, Bachran C, Krötschel M, Umansky V, Helming L, Swee LK. Identification of inhibitors of myeloid-derived suppressor cells activity through phenotypic chemical screening. Oncoimmunology 2016; 6:e1258503. [PMID: 28197378 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1258503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors are infiltrated by cells of the immune system that interact through complex regulatory networks. Although tumor-specific CD8+ T cells can be found in peripheral blood and tumor samples from cancer patients, their function is inhibited by immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Recent clinical successes have demonstrated that alleviating immunosuppression and T cell exhaustion translates into long-term clinical benefits. Although tremendous progress has been achieved, tools that afford unbiased approaches and screenings to uncover new potential inhibitors or gene targets are lacking. In this study, we describe a system based on immortalized progenitors that allows straightforward investigation of myeloid cells. We show that bone marrow progenitors immortalized through the transduction of NUP98-HOXB4 transgene can be differentiated into CD11b+Gr-1+ MDSC that express Arginase-1 and PD-L1, produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and suppress T cell function in vitro. To uncover chemical probes that interfere with MDSC biology, we performed a chemical phenotypic screening and identified 3-deazaneplanocin A as a novel modulator of MDSC functions. We characterized and compared the effect of 3-deazaneplanocin-A and all-trans retinoic acid, a well-known modulator of MDSC activity, on the expression of effector molecules and immunosuppressive functions of MDSC. Altogether, this proof-of-principle opens new possibilities for the identification of drugs targeting myeloid cells with immunosuppressive activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone Loos
- BioMed X Innovation Center , Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Lee Kim Swee
- BioMed X Innovation Center , Heidelberg, Germany
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38
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Segal G, Prato S, Zehn D, Mintern JD, Villadangos JA. Target Density, Not Affinity or Avidity of Antigen Recognition, Determines Adoptive T Cell Therapy Outcomes in a Mouse Lymphoma Model. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:3935-42. [PMID: 27036915 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) with antitumor CTL is a promising and tailored treatment against cancer. We investigated the role played by the affinity and avidity of the interaction between the tumor and the CTL on the outcome of ACT against a mouse non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma that expresses OVA as a model neoantigen. ACT was assessed under conditions where antitumor CTL expressed TCR of varying affinity for OVA. We also assessed conditions where the avidity of Ag recognition varied because the lymphoma cells expressed high or low levels of OVA. Efficient eradication of small tumor burdens was achieved by high- or low-affinity CTL. Tumors expressing low levels of OVA could also be eliminated. However, ACT against large tumor burdens was unsuccessful, accompanied by CTL deletion and functional impairment. This negative outcome was not prevented by lowering the affinity of the CTL or the expression of OVA in the lymphoma. Thus, tumor burden, rather than CTL affinity or avidity, appears to be the main determinant of ACT outcomes in our lymphoma model. Insofar as our results can be extrapolated to the clinical setting, they imply that the range of CTL and tumor-associated Ag combinations that may be effectively harnessed in ACT against lymphoma may be wider than generally assumed. CTL expressing low-affinity TCR may be effective against lymphoma, and lowly expressed tumor-associated Ag should be considered as potential targets, but tumor reduction should always be implemented before infusion of the CTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Segal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Sandro Prato
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Dietmar Zehn
- Swiss Vaccine Research Institute, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; and
| | - Justine D Mintern
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jose A Villadangos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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39
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Karpanen T, Olweus J. T-cell receptor gene therapy--ready to go viral? Mol Oncol 2015; 9:2019-42. [PMID: 26548533 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes can be redirected to recognize a tumor target and harnessed to combat cancer by genetic introduction of T-cell receptors of a defined specificity. This approach has recently mediated encouraging clinical responses in patients with cancers previously regarded as incurable. However, despite the great promise, T-cell receptor gene therapy still faces a multitude of obstacles. Identification of epitopes that enable effective targeting of all the cells in a heterogeneous tumor while sparing normal tissues remains perhaps the most demanding challenge. Experience from clinical trials has revealed the dangers associated with T-cell receptor gene therapy and highlighted the need for reliable preclinical methods to identify potentially hazardous recognition of both intended and unintended epitopes in healthy tissues. Procedures for manufacturing large and highly potent T-cell populations can be optimized to enhance their antitumor efficacy. Here, we review the current knowledge gained from preclinical models and clinical trials using adoptive transfer of T-cell receptor-engineered T lymphocytes, discuss the major challenges involved and highlight potential strategies to increase the safety and efficacy to make T-cell receptor gene therapy a standard-of-care for large patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terhi Karpanen
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet and K.G. Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Oslo, Ullernchausseen 70, N-0379 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Johanna Olweus
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet and K.G. Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Oslo, Ullernchausseen 70, N-0379 Oslo, Norway.
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40
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Vallazza B, Petri S, Poleganov MA, Eberle F, Kuhn AN, Sahin U. Recombinant messenger RNA technology and its application in cancer immunotherapy, transcript replacement therapies, pluripotent stem cell induction, and beyond. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2015; 6:471-99. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Mainz Germany
- TRON gGmbH; Mainz Germany
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41
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de Witte MA, Kierkels GJJ, Straetemans T, Britten CM, Kuball J. Orchestrating an immune response against cancer with engineered immune cells expressing αβTCRs, CARs, and innate immune receptors: an immunological and regulatory challenge. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:893-902. [PMID: 25990073 PMCID: PMC4481298 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Over half a century ago, the first allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) initiated cellular immunotherapy. For several decades, little progress was made, and toxicity of allo-SCT remained a major challenge. However, recent breakthroughs have opened new avenues to further develop this modality and to provide less toxic and equally efficient interventions for patients suffering from hematological or solid malignancies. Current novel cellular immune interventions include ex vivo expansion and adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating immune cells or administration of drugs which antagonize tolerizing mechanisms. Alternatively, transfer of immune cells engineered to express defined T cell receptors (TCRs) and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has shown its potential. A valuable addition to ‘engineered’ adaptive immunity has emerged recently through the improved understanding of how innate immune cells can attack cancer cells without substantial side effects. This has enabled the development of transplantation platforms with limited side effects allowing early immune interventions as well as the design of engineered immune cells expressing innate immune receptors. Here, we focus on innate immune interventions and their orchestration with TCR- and CAR-engineered immune cells. In addition, we discuss how the exploitation of the full potential of cellular immune interventions is influenced by regulatory frameworks. Finally, we highlight and discuss substantial differences in the current landscape of clinical trials in Europe as compared to the USA. The aim is to stimulate international efforts to support regulatory authorities and funding agencies, especially in Europe, to create an environment that will endorse the development of engineered immune cells for the benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moniek A de Witte
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Room Number Q05.4.301, PO Box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Jiang ZM, Luo W, Wen Q, Liu SD, Hao PP, Zhou CY, Zhou MQ, Ma L. Development of genetically engineered iNKT cells expressing TCRs specific for the M. tuberculosis 38-kDa antigen. J Transl Med 2015; 13:141. [PMID: 25943357 PMCID: PMC4428004 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0502-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell has been shown to play a central role in early stages immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, which become nonresponsive (anergic) and fails to control the growth of Mtb in patients with active tuberculosis. Enhancement of iNKT cell responses to Mtb antigens can help to resist infection. Study design and methods In the present study, an Mtb 38-kDa antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) was isolated from human CD8+ T cells stimulated by 38-kDa antigen in vitro, and then transduced into primary iNKT cells by retrovirus vector. Results The TCR gene-modified iNKT cells are endowed with new features to behave as a conventional MHC class I restricted CD8+ T lymphocyte by displaying specific antigen recognition and anti-Mtb antigen activity in vitro. At the same time, the engineered iNKT cells retaining its original capacity to be stimulated proliferation by non-protein antigens α-Gal-Cer. Conclusions This work is the first attempt to engineer iNKT cells by exogenous TCR genes and demonstrated that iNKT cell, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, can be genetically engineered to confer them a defined and alternative specificity, which provides new insights into TCR gene therapy for tuberculosis patients, especially those infected with drug-resistant Mtb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Min Jiang
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Wei Luo
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Qian Wen
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Su-Dong Liu
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Pei-Pei Hao
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Chao-Ying Zhou
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Ming-Qian Zhou
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Li Ma
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a highly personalized cancer therapy that involves administration to the cancer-bearing host of immune cells with direct anticancer activity. ACT using naturally occurring tumor-reactive lymphocytes has mediated durable, complete regressions in patients with melanoma, probably by targeting somatic mutations exclusive to each cancer. These results have expanded the reach of ACT to the treatment of common epithelial cancers. In addition, the ability to genetically engineer lymphocytes to express conventional T cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors has further extended the successful application of ACT for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Rosenberg
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, CRC Building, Room 3W-3940, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Nicholas P Restifo
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, CRC Building, Room 3W-3940, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Oren R, Hod-Marco M, Haus-Cohen M, Thomas S, Blat D, Duvshani N, Denkberg G, Elbaz Y, Benchetrit F, Eshhar Z, Stauss H, Reiter Y. Functional comparison of engineered T cells carrying a native TCR versus TCR-like antibody-based chimeric antigen receptors indicates affinity/avidity thresholds. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:5733-43. [PMID: 25362181 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of Ag-specific T lymphocytes is an attractive form of immunotherapy for cancers. However, acquiring sufficient numbers of host-derived tumor-specific T lymphocytes by selection and expansion is challenging, as these cells may be rare or anergic. Using engineered T cells can overcome this difficulty. Such engineered cells can be generated using a chimeric Ag receptor based on common formats composed from Ag-recognition elements such as αβ-TCR genes with the desired specificity, or Ab variable domain fragments fused with T cell-signaling moieties. Combining these recognition elements are Abs that recognize peptide-MHC. Such TCR-like Abs mimic the fine specificity of TCRs and exhibit both the binding properties and kinetics of high-affinity Abs. In this study, we compared the functional properties of engineered T cells expressing a native low affinity αβ-TCR chains or high affinity TCR-like Ab-based CAR targeting the same specificity. We isolated high-affinity TCR-like Abs recognizing HLA-A2-WT1Db126 complexes and constructed CAR that was transduced into T cells. Comparative analysis revealed major differences in function and specificity of such CAR-T cells or native TCR toward the same antigenic complex. Whereas the native low-affinity αβ-TCR maintained potent cytotoxic activity and specificity, the high-affinity TCR-like Ab CAR exhibited reduced activity and loss of specificity. These results suggest an upper affinity threshold for TCR-based recognition to mediate effective functional outcomes of engineered T cells. The rational design of TCRs and TCR-based constructs may need to be optimized up to a given affinity threshold to achieve optimal T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravit Oren
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Moran Hod-Marco
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Maya Haus-Cohen
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Sharyn Thomas
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Immunity, Infection and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Blat
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; and
| | - Nerri Duvshani
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | | | - Yael Elbaz
- Applied Immune Technologies, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | | | - Zelig Eshhar
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; and
| | - Hans Stauss
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Immunity, Infection and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Yoram Reiter
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel;
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Xue SA, Gao L, Ahmadi M, Ghorashian S, Barros RD, Pospori C, Holler A, Wright G, Thomas S, Topp M, Morris EC, Stauss HJ. Human MHC Class I-restricted high avidity CD4 + T cells generated by co-transfer of TCR and CD8 mediate efficient tumor rejection in vivo. Oncoimmunology 2014; 2:e22590. [PMID: 23483821 PMCID: PMC3583927 DOI: 10.4161/onci.22590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we generated human MHC Class I-restricted CD4+ T cells specific for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), two herpesviridae associated with lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and medulloblastoma, respectively. Retroviral transfer of virus-specific, HLA-A2-restricted TCR-coding genes generated CD4+ T cells that recognized HLA-A2/peptide multimers and produced cytokines when stimulated with MHC Class II-deficient cells presenting the relevant viral peptides in the context of HLA-A2. Peptide titration revealed that CD4+ T cells had a 10-fold lower avidity than CD8+ T cells expressing the same TCR. The impaired avidity of CD4+ T cells was corrected by simultaneously transferring TCR- and CD8-coding genes. The CD8 co-receptor did not alter the cytokine signature of CD4+ T cells, which remained distinct from that of CD8+ T cells. Using the xenogeneic NOD/SCID mouse model, we demonstrated that human CD4+ T cells expressing a specific TCR and CD8 can confer efficient protection against the growth of tumors expressing the EBV or CMV antigens recognized by the TCR. In summary, we describe a robust approach for generating therapeutic CD4+ T cells capable of providing MHC Class I-restricted immunity against MHC Class II-negative tumors in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-An Xue
- Department of Immunology; University College London; Royal Free Hospital; London, United Kingdom
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Dörrie J, Krug C, Hofmann C, Müller I, Wellner V, Knippertz I, Schierer S, Thomas S, Zipperer E, Printz D, Fritsch G, Schuler G, Schaft N, Geyeregger R. Human adenovirus-specific γ/δ and CD8+ T cells generated by T-cell receptor transfection to treat adenovirus infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109944. [PMID: 25289687 PMCID: PMC4188623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Human adenovirus infection is life threatening after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Immunotherapy with donor-derived adenovirus-specific T cells is promising; however, 20% of all donors lack adenovirus-specific T cells. To overcome this, we transfected α/β T cells with mRNA encoding a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for the HLA-A*0101-restricted peptide LTDLGQNLLY from the adenovirus hexon protein. Furthermore, since allo-reactive endogenous TCR of donor T lymphocytes would induce graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in a mismatched patient, we transferred the TCR into γ/δ T cells, which are not allo-reactive. TCR-transfected γ/δ T cells secreted low quantities of cytokines after antigen-specific stimulation, which were increased dramatically after co-transfection of CD8α-encoding mRNA. In direct comparison with TCR-transfected α/β T cells, TCR-CD8α-co-transfected γ/δ T cells produced more tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and lysed peptide-loaded target cells as efficiently. Most importantly, TCR-transfected α/β T cells and TCR-CD8α-co-transfected γ/δ T cells efficiently lysed adenovirus-infected target cells. We show here, for the first time, that not only α/β T cells but also γ/δ T cells can be equipped with an adenovirus specificity by TCR-RNA electroporation. Thus, our strategy offers a new means for the immunotherapy of adenovirus infection after allogeneic HSCT.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoviridae Infections/etiology
- Adenoviridae Infections/immunology
- Adenoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Adenoviruses, Human/immunology
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- CD8 Antigens/chemistry
- CD8 Antigens/genetics
- CD8 Antigens/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Electroporation
- Gene Expression
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects
- Humans
- Jurkat Cells
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Peptides/pharmacology
- Primary Cell Culture
- RNA/genetics
- RNA/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Transfection
- Transplantation, Homologous
- Unrelated Donors
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Krug
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Hofmann
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ina Müller
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Wellner
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ilka Knippertz
- Department of Immune Modulation at the Dept. of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Schierer
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simone Thomas
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elke Zipperer
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Printz
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Fritsch
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Rene Geyeregger
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V., Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
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Beloki L, Ramírez N, Olavarría E, Samuel ER, Lowdell MW. Manufacturing of highly functional and specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy against virus from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized donors. Cytotherapy 2014; 16:1390-408. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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RNAi-mediated TCR knockdown prevents autoimmunity in mice caused by mixed TCR dimers following TCR gene transfer. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1983-91. [PMID: 25048215 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically modified T cells that express a transduced T cell receptor (TCR) α/β heterodimer in addition to their endogenous TCR are used in clinical studies to treat cancer. These cells express two TCR-α and two TCR-β chains that do not only compete for CD3 proteins but also form potentially self-reactive mixed TCR dimers, composed of endogenous and transferred chains. To overcome these deficits, we developed an RNAi-TCR replacement vector that simultaneously silences the endogenous TCR and expresses an RNAi-resistant TCR. Transduction of the virus-specific P14 TCR without RNAi resulted in unequal P14 TCR-α and -β chain surface levels, indicating heterodimerization with endogenous TCR chains. Such unequal expression was also observed following TCR gene optimization. Equal surface levels of the introduced TCR chains were however achieved by silencing the endogenous TCR. Importantly, all mice that received cells transduced with the native or optimized P14 TCR developed lethal TCR gene transfer-induced graft-versus-host-disease (TI-GVHD) due to formation of mixed TCR dimers. In contrast, TI-GVHD was almost completely prevented when using the RNAi-TCR replacement vector. Our data demonstrate that RNAi-assisted TCR replacement reduces the formation of mixed TCR dimers, and thereby significantly reduces the risk of TI-GVHD in TCR gene therapy.
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49
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Trujillo JA, Gras S, Twist KA, Croft NP, Channappanavar R, Rossjohn J, Purcell AW, Perlman S. Structural and functional correlates of enhanced antiviral immunity generated by heteroclitic CD8 T cell epitopes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:5245-56. [PMID: 24795457 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Peptides that bind poorly to MHC class I molecules often elicit low-functional avidity T cell responses. Peptide modification by altering the anchor residue facilitates increased binding affinity and may elicit T cells with increased functional avidity toward the native epitope ("heteroclitic"). This augmented MHC binding is likely to increase the half-life and surface density of the heteroclitic complex, but precisely how this enhanced T cell response occurs in vivo is not known. Furthermore, the ideal heteroclitic epitope will elicit T cell responses that completely cross-react with the native epitope, maximizing protection and minimizing undesirable off-target effects. Such epitopes have been difficult to identify. In this study, using mice infected with a murine coronavirus that encodes epitopes that elicit high (S510, CSLWNGPHL)- and low (S598, RCQIFANI)-functional avidity responses, we show that increased expression of peptide S598 but not S510 generated T cells with enhanced functional avidity. Thus, immune responses can be augmented toward T cell epitopes with low functional avidity by increasing Ag density. We also identified a heteroclitic epitope (RCVIFANI) that elicited a T cell response with nearly complete cross-reactivity with native epitope and demonstrated increased MHC/peptide abundance compared with native S598. Structural and thermal melt analyses indicated that the Q600V substitution enhanced stability of the peptide/MHC complex without greatly altering the antigenic surface, resulting in highly cross-reactive T cell responses. Our data highlight that increased peptide/MHC complex display contributes to heteroclitic epitope efficacy and describe parameters for maximizing immune responses that cross-react with the native epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Trujillo
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Kelly-Anne Twist
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Nathan P Croft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | | | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242; Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242;
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50
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Ramírez N, Beloki L, Ciaúrriz M, Rodríguez-Calvillo M, Escors D, Mansilla C, Bandrés E, Olavarría E. Impact of T cell selection methods in the success of clinical adoptive immunotherapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1211-24. [PMID: 24077876 PMCID: PMC11113470 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1463-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy regular regimens used for conditioning of recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) induce a period of transient profound immunosuppression. The onset of a competent immunological response, such as the appearance of viral-specific T cells, is associated with a lower incidence of viral infections after haematopoietic transplantation. The rapid development of immunodominant peptide virus screening together with advances in the design of genetic and non-genetic viral- and tumoural-specific cellular selection strategies have opened new strategies for cellular immunotherapy in oncologic recipients who are highly sensitive to viral infections. However, the rapid development of cellular immunotherapy in SCT has disclosed the role of the T cell selection method in the modulation of functional cell activity and of in vivo secondary effects triggered following immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ramírez
- Oncohematology Research Group, Navarrabiomed, Miguel Servet Foundation, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
| | - Lorea Beloki
- Oncohematology Research Group, Navarrabiomed, Miguel Servet Foundation, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
| | - Miriam Ciaúrriz
- Oncohematology Research Group, Navarrabiomed, Miguel Servet Foundation, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
| | - Mercedes Rodríguez-Calvillo
- Department of Haematology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Navarra Health Service, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
| | - David Escors
- Immunomodulation Research Group, Navarrabiomed, Miguel Servet Foundation, Pamplona, Navarre Spain
| | - Cristina Mansilla
- Oncohematology Research Group, Navarrabiomed, Miguel Servet Foundation, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
| | - Eva Bandrés
- Immunology Unit, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Navarra Health Service, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Olavarría
- Oncohematology Research Group, Navarrabiomed, Miguel Servet Foundation, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
- Department of Haematology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Navarra Health Service, Irunlarrea 3 Street, 31008 Pamplona, Navarre Spain
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