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Dash CP, Sonowal D, Dhaka P, Yadav R, Chettri D, Satapathy BP, Sheoran P, Uttam V, Jain M, Jain A. Antitumor activity of genetically engineered NK-cells in non-hematological solid tumor: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1390498. [PMID: 38694508 PMCID: PMC11061440 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1390498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in genetic engineering have made it possible to modify Natural Killer (NK) cells to enhance their ability to fight against various cancers, including solid tumors. This comprehensive overview discusses the current status of genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor NK-cell therapies and their potential for treating solid tumors. We explore the inherent characteristics of NK cells and their role in immune regulation and tumor surveillance. Moreover, we examine the strategies used to genetically engineer NK cells in terms of efficacy, safety profile, and potential clinical applications. Our investigation suggests CAR-NK cells can effectively target and regress non-hematological malignancies, demonstrating enhanced antitumor efficacy. This implies excellent promise for treating tumors using genetically modified NK cells. Notably, NK cells exhibit low graft versus host disease (GvHD) potential and rarely induce significant toxicities, making them an ideal platform for CAR engineering. The adoptive transfer of allogeneic NK cells into patients further emphasizes the versatility of NK cells for various applications. We also address challenges and limitations associated with the clinical translation of genetically engineered NK-cell therapies, such as off-target effects, immune escape mechanisms, and manufacturing scalability. We provide strategies to overcome these obstacles through combination therapies and delivery optimization. Overall, we believe this review contributes to advancing NK-cell-based immunotherapy as a promising approach for cancer treatment by elucidating the underlying mechanisms, evaluating preclinical and clinical evidence, and addressing remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmayee Priyadarsini Dash
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dhruba Sonowal
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Prachi Dhaka
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Rohit Yadav
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Dewan Chettri
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Bibhu Prasad Satapathy
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Pooja Sheoran
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Vivek Uttam
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Manju Jain
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Aklank Jain
- Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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Page A, Chuvin N, Valladeau-Guilemond J, Depil S. Development of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies through receptor engineering. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:315-331. [PMID: 38443448 PMCID: PMC10978891 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are attracting increasing interest in the field of cancer treatment. Early clinical trials have shown promising outcomes, alongside satisfactory product efficacy and safety. Recent developments have greatly increased the therapeutic potential of NK cells by endowing them with enhanced recognition and cytotoxic capacities. This review focuses on surface receptor engineering in NK cell therapy and discusses its impact, challenges, and future directions.Most approaches are based on engineering with chimeric antigen receptors to allow NK cells to target specific tumor antigens independent of human leukocyte antigen restriction. This approach has increased the precision and potency of NK-mediated recognition and elimination of cancer cells. In addition, engineering NK cells with T-cell receptors also mediates the recognition of intracellular epitopes, which broadens the range of target peptides. Indirect tumor peptide recognition by NK cells has also been improved by optimizing immunoglobulin constant fragment receptor expression and signaling. Indeed, engineered NK cells have an improved ability to recognize and destroy target cells coated with specific antibodies, thereby increasing their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The ability of NK cell receptor engineering to promote the expansion, persistence, and infiltration of transferred cells in the tumor microenvironment has also been explored. Receptor-based strategies for sustained NK cell functionality within the tumor environment have also been discussed, and these strategies providing perspectives to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression.Overall, receptor engineering has led to significant advances in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies. As technical challenges are addressed, these innovative treatments will likely reshape cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Page
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Depil
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- ErVimmune, Lyon, France.
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Lv Y, Luo X, Xie Z, Qiu J, Yang J, Deng Y, Long R, Tang G, Zhang C, Zuo J. Prospects and challenges of CAR-T cell therapy combined with ICIs. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1368732. [PMID: 38571495 PMCID: PMC10989075 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1368732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules are a group of molecules expressed on the surface of immune cells that primarily regulate their immune homeostasis. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an immunotherapeutic technology that realizes tumor-targeted killing by constructing synthetic T cells expressing specific antigens through biotechnology. Currently, CAR-T cell therapy has achieved good efficacy in non-solid tumors, but its treatment of solid tumors has not yielded the desired results. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with CAR-T cell therapy is a novel combination therapy with high expectations to defeat solid tumors. This review addresses the challenges and expectations of this combination therapy in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Lv
- The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xinyu Luo
- The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhuoyi Xie
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jieya Qiu
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jinsai Yang
- Computer Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuqi Deng
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Rou Long
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyang Tang
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Chaohui Zhang
- The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jianhong Zuo
- The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Computer Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Kowalczyk A, Zarychta J, Marszołek A, Zawitkowska J, Lejman M. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell and Chimeric Antigen Receptor NK Cell Therapy in Pediatric and Adult High-Grade Glioma-Recent Advances. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:623. [PMID: 38339374 PMCID: PMC10854514 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
High-grade gliomas (HGG) account for approximately 10% of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in children and 25% of CNS tumors in adults. Despite their rare occurrence, HGG are a significant clinical problem. The standard therapeutic procedure in both pediatric and adult patients with HGG is the surgical resection of the tumor combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite intensive treatment, the 5-year overall survival in pediatric patients is below 20-30%. This rate is even lower for the most common HGG in adults (glioblastoma), at less than 5%. It is, therefore, essential to search for new therapeutic methods that can extend the survival rate. One of the therapeutic options is the use of immune cells (T lymphocytes/natural killer (NK) cells) expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The objective of the following review is to present the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of CAR-T and CAR-NK cells in HGG therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Kowalczyk
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (J.Z.)
| | - Julia Zarychta
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (J.Z.)
| | - Anna Marszołek
- Student Scientific Society of Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Zhang B, Yang M, Zhang W, Liu N, Wang D, Jing L, Xu N, Yang N, Ren T. Chimeric antigen receptor-based natural killer cell immunotherapy in cancer: from bench to bedside. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:50. [PMID: 38221520 PMCID: PMC10788349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has rapidly evolved in the past decades in the battle against cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have demonstrated significant success in certain hematologic malignancies, although they still face certain limitations, including high costs and toxic effects. Natural killer cells (NK cells), as a vital component of the immune system, serve as the "first responders" in the context of cancer development. In this literature review, we provide an updated understanding of NK cell development, functions, and their applications in disease therapy. Furthermore, we explore the rationale for utilizing engineered NK cell therapies, such as CAR-NK cells, and discuss the differences between CAR-T and CAR-NK cells. We also provide insights into the key elements and strategies involved in CAR design for engineered NK cells. In addition, we highlight the challenges currently encountered and discuss the future directions in NK cell research and utilization, including pre-clinical investigations and ongoing clinical trials. Based on the outstanding antitumor potential of NK cells, it is highly likely that they will lead to groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Mengzhe Yang
- Graduate School of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530199, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518052, China
| | - Daogang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Liangfang Jing
- Department of Neonatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, 650101, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China.
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Burger MC, Forster MT, Romanski A, Straßheimer F, Macas J, Zeiner PS, Steidl E, Herkt S, Weber KJ, Schupp J, Lun JH, Strecker MI, Wlotzka K, Cakmak P, Opitz C, George R, Mildenberger IC, Nowakowska P, Zhang C, Röder J, Müller E, Ihrig K, Langen KJ, Rieger MA, Herrmann E, Bonig H, Harter PN, Reiss Y, Hattingen E, Rödel F, Plate KH, Tonn T, Senft C, Steinbach JP, Wels WS. Intracranial injection of natural killer cells engineered with a HER2-targeted chimeric antigen receptor in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:2058-2071. [PMID: 37148198 PMCID: PMC10628939 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GB) is incurable at present without established treatment options for recurrent disease. In this phase I first-in-human clinical trial we investigated safety and feasibility of adoptive transfer of clonal chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells (NK-92/5.28.z) targeting HER2, which is expressed at elevated levels by a subset of glioblastomas. METHODS Nine patients with recurrent HER2-positive GB were treated with single doses of 1 × 107, 3 × 107, or 1 × 108 irradiated CAR-NK cells injected into the margins of the surgical cavity during relapse surgery. Imaging at baseline and follow-up, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping and analyses of the immune architecture by multiplex immunohistochemistry and spatial digital profiling were performed. RESULTS There were no dose-limiting toxicities, and none of the patients developed a cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Five patients showed stable disease after relapse surgery and CAR-NK injection that lasted 7 to 37 weeks. Four patients had progressive disease. Pseudoprogression was found at injection sites in 2 patients, suggestive of a treatment-induced immune response. For all patients, median progression-free survival was 7 weeks, and median overall survival was 31 weeks. Furthermore, the level of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in recurrent tumor tissue prior to CAR-NK cell injection positively correlated with time to progression. CONCLUSIONS Intracranial injection of HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells is feasible and safe in patients with recurrent GB. 1 × 108 NK-92/5.28.z cells was determined as the maximum feasible dose for a subsequent expansion cohort with repetitive local injections of CAR-NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Burger
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Annette Romanski
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Straßheimer
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jadranka Macas
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pia S Zeiner
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eike Steidl
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Herkt
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katharina J Weber
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jonathan Schupp
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer H Lun
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maja I Strecker
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karolin Wlotzka
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pinar Cakmak
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Corinna Opitz
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rosemol George
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Iris C Mildenberger
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paulina Nowakowska
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Congcong Zhang
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Elvira Müller
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kristina Ihrig
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Research Center Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael A Rieger
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eva Herrmann
- Institute for Biostatistics and Mathematical Modelling, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Halvard Bonig
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Patrick N Harter
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Reiss
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elke Hattingen
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Franz Rödel
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karl H Plate
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Senft
- Department of Neurosurgery, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Joachim P Steinbach
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
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David TI, Pestov NB, Korneenko TV, Barlev NA. Non-Immunoglobulin Synthetic Binding Proteins for Oncology. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1232-1247. [PMID: 37770391 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923090043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Extensive application of technologies like phage display in screening peptide and protein combinatorial libraries has not only facilitated creation of new recombinant antibodies but has also significantly enriched repertoire of the protein binders that have polypeptide scaffolds without homology to immunoglobulins. These innovative synthetic binding protein (SBP) platforms have grown in number and now encompass monobodies/adnectins, DARPins, lipocalins/anticalins, and a variety of miniproteins such as affibodies and knottins, among others. They serve as versatile modules for developing complex affinity tools that hold promise in both diagnostic and therapeutic settings. An optimal scaffold typically has low molecular weight, minimal immunogenicity, and demonstrates resistance against various challenging conditions, including proteolysis - making it potentially suitable for peroral administration. Retaining functionality under reducing intracellular milieu is also advantageous. However, paramount to its functionality is the scaffold's ability to tolerate mutations across numerous positions, allowing for the formation of a sufficiently large target binding region. This is achieved through the library construction, screening, and subsequent expression in an appropriate system. Scaffolds that exhibit high thermodynamic stability are especially coveted by the developers of new SBPs. These are steadily making their way into clinical settings, notably as antagonists of oncoproteins in signaling pathways. This review surveys the diverse landscape of SBPs, placing particular emphasis on the inhibitors targeting the oncoprotein KRAS, and highlights groundbreaking opportunities for SBPs in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope I David
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, 119121, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Nikolay B Pestov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, 119121, Russia.
- Laboratory of Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Other Viral Encephalitides, Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 108819, Russia
- Group of Cross-Linking Enzymes, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Tatyana V Korneenko
- Group of Cross-Linking Enzymes, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Nikolai A Barlev
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, 119121, Russia
- Laboratory of Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Other Viral Encephalitides, Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 108819, Russia
- Institute of Cytology Russian Academy of Sciences, St.-Petersburg, 194064, Russia
- School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
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Shin E, Bak SH, Park T, Kim JW, Yoon SR, Jung H, Noh JY. Understanding NK cell biology for harnessing NK cell therapies: targeting cancer and beyond. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1192907. [PMID: 37539051 PMCID: PMC10395517 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene-engineered immune cell therapies have partially transformed cancer treatment, as exemplified by the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells in certain hematologic malignancies. However, there are several limitations that need to be addressed to target more cancer types. Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of innate immune cells that represent a unique biology in cancer immune surveillance. In particular, NK cells obtained from heathy donors can serve as a source for genetically engineered immune cell therapies. Therefore, NK-based therapies, including NK cells, CAR-NK cells, and antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of NK cells, have emerged. With recent advances in genetic engineering and cell biology techniques, NK cell-based therapies have become promising approaches for a wide range of cancers, viral infections, and senescence. This review provides a brief overview of NK cell characteristics and summarizes diseases that could benefit from NK-based therapies. In addition, we discuss recent preclinical and clinical investigations on the use of adoptive NK cell transfer and agents that can modulate NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Shin
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Ho Bak
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeho Park
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Ran Yoon
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Haiyoung Jung
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yoon Noh
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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9
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Silva-Pilipich N, Covo-Vergara Á, Vanrell L, Smerdou C. Checkpoint blockade meets gene therapy: Opportunities to improve response and reduce toxicity. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 379:43-86. [PMID: 37541727 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on monoclonal antibodies represent a breakthrough for the treatment of cancer. However, their efficacy varies among tumor types and patients, and they can lead to adverse effects due to on-target/off-tumor activity, since they are administered systemically at high doses. An alternative and attractive approach for the delivery of ICIs is the use of gene therapy vectors able to express them in vivo. This review focuses on the most recent studies using viral vectors able to express ICIs locally or systemically in preclinical models of cancer. These vectors include non-replicating viruses, oncolytic viruses able to propagate specifically in tumor cells and destroy them, and self-amplifying RNA vectors, armed with different formats of antibodies against immune checkpoints. Non-replicating vectors usually lead to long-term ICI expression, potentially eliminating the need for repeated administration. Vectors with replication capacity, although they have a shorter window of expression, can induce inflammation which enhances the antitumor effect. Finally, these engineered vectors can be used in combination with other immunostimulatory molecules or with CAR-T cells, further boosting the antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), and CCUN, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Ángela Covo-Vergara
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), and CCUN, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lucía Vanrell
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay; Nanogrow Biotech, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), and CCUN, Pamplona, Spain.
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10
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Silva-Pilipich N, Covo-Vergara Á, Smerdou C. Local Delivery of Immunomodulatory Antibodies for Gastrointestinal Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082352. [PMID: 37190279 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy has experienced a breakthrough with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are able to unleash immune responses against tumors refractory to other therapies. Despite the great advancement that ICIs represent, most patients with gastrointestinal tumors have not benefited from this therapy. In addition, ICIs often induce adverse effects that are related to their systemic use. Local administration of ICIs in tumors could concentrate their effect in the malignant tissue and provide a higher safety profile. A new and attractive approach for local delivery of ICIs is the use of gene therapy vectors to express these blocking antibodies in tumor cells. Several vectors have been evaluated in preclinical models of gastrointestinal tumors to express ICIs against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, among other immune checkpoints, with promising results. Vectors used in these settings include oncolytic viruses, self-replicating RNA vectors, and non-replicative viral and non-viral vectors. The use of viral vectors, especially when they have replication capacity, provides an additional adjuvant effect that has been shown to enhance antitumor responses. This review covers the most recent studies involving the use of gene therapy vectors to deliver ICIs to gastrointestinal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ángela Covo-Vergara
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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