Monoclonal antibody TGN1412 trial failure explained by species differences in CD28 expression on CD4+ effector memory T-cells

CD19-CD28: an affinity-optimized CD28 agonist for combination with glofitamab (CD20-TCB) as off-the-shelf immunotherapy

ABSTRACT

Effective T-cell responses not only require the engagement of T-cell receptors (TCRs; "signal 1"), but also the availability of costimulatory signals ("signal 2"). T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCBs) deliver a robust signal 1 by engaging the TCR signaling component CD3ε, while simultaneously binding to tumor antigens. The CD20-TCB glofitamab redirects T cells to CD20-expressing malignant B cells. Although glofitamab exhibits strong single-agent efficacy, adding costimulatory signaling may enhance the depth and durability of T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing. We developed a bispecific CD19-targeted CD28 agonist (CD19-CD28), RG6333, to enhance the efficacy of glofitamab and similar TCBs by delivering signal 2 to tumor-infiltrating T cells. CD19-CD28 distinguishes itself from the superagonistic antibody TGN1412, because its activity requires the simultaneous presence of a TCR signal and CD19 target binding. This is achieved through its engineered format incorporating a mutated Fc region with abolished FcγR and C1q binding, CD28 monovalency, and a moderate CD28 binding affinity. In combination with glofitamab, CD19-CD28 strongly increased T-cell effector functions in ex vivo assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells and spleen samples derived from patients with lymphoma and enhanced glofitamab-mediated regression of aggressive lymphomas in humanized mice. Notably, the triple combination of glofitamab with CD19-CD28 with the costimulatory 4-1BB agonist, CD19-4-1BBL, offered substantially improved long-term tumor control over glofitamab monotherapy and respective duplet combinations. Our findings highlight CD19-CD28 as a safe and highly efficacious off-the-shelf combination partner for glofitamab, similar TCBs, and other costimulatory agonists. CD19-CD28 is currently in a phase 1 clinical trial in combination with glofitamab. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT05219513.

CD8+ T cells are necessary for improved sepsis survival induced by CD28 agonism in immunologically experienced mice

Introduction

A hallmark of T cell dysregulation during sepsis is the downregulation of costimulatory molecules. CD28 is one of T cell costimulatory molecules significantly altered on memory T cells during sepsis. We recently showed that treatment with a αCD28 agonist in septic immunologically experienced mice led to improved survival. Therefore, here we aimed to identify the cell subset(s) necessary for the survival benefit observed in the context of CD28 agonism, and to further investigate the mechanism by which CD28 agonism improves sepsis survival in immunologically experienced mice. Methods: Mice received specific pathogen inoculation to generate memory T cell populations similar in frequency to that of adult humans. Once these infections were cleared and the T cell response had transitioned to the memory phase, animals were rendered septic via cecal ligation and puncture in the presence or absence of an agonistic anti-CD28 mAb.

Results

Results demonstrated that CD8+ T cells, and not bulk CD4+ T cells or CD25+ regulatory T cells, were necessary for the survival benefit observed in CD28 agonist-treated septic immunologically experienced mice. Upon examination of these CD8+ T cells, we found that CD28 agonism in septic immunologically experienced mice was associated with an increase in Foxp3+ CD8+ T cells as compared to vehicle-treated controls. When CD8+ T cells were depleted in septic immunologically experienced mice in the setting of CD28 agonism, a significant increase in levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood was observed.

Discussion

Taken together, these results indicate that CD28 agonism in immunologically experienced mice effectively suppresses inflammation via a CD8+-dependent mechanism to decrease mortality during sepsis.

A trispecific antibody induces potent tumor-directed T-cell activation and antitumor activity by CD3/CD28 co-engagement

Aim: A novel CD19xCD3xCD28 trispecific antibody with a tandem single-chain variable fragments (scFv) structure was developed for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Methods: The trispecific antibody in inducing tumor-directed T-cell activation and cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo and compared with its bispecific counterpart BiTE-CD19xCD3 lacking a CD28-targeting domain. Results: The trispecific antibody with a co-stimulatory domain exhibited augmented T-cell activation and memory T-cell differentiation capability and it induced faster tumor cell lysis than the bispecific antibody. RNAseq analysis revealed that the trispecific antibody modulates CD3/TCR complex-derived signal and upregulates antiapoptotic factors to influence the survival of T cells. Conclusion: By CD3/CD28 co-engagement, the trispecific antibody demonstrated its advantages in T-cell immunity and potential use as a more powerful and long-lasting T-cell engager.

Phase I Studies: Innovations and Issues

INTRODUCTION

Emeritus Editor-in-Chief, Richard Shader, published 2 editorials in 2014 to state that Clinical Therapeutics' would no longer consider simple innovator vs generic bioequivalence studies for publication and would require a rationale for the choice of agents when submitting drug-drug interaction studies for consideration. The intervening decade of developments in this field provides an opportunity to comment on these trends. Lewis Scheiner anchors the subsequent discussion in a "Learn and Confirm" super-structure of thinking about the goals of early development of pharmaceutical agents. Subsequent experience with newer agents that are focused on immunological targets has led to a shift from the simple No Observable Effect Level (NOEL) model to the Minimal Anticipated Biological Effect Level (MABEL) model for biologically focused effects to assess pre-clinical data in guiding the selection of a starting dose for First-in-Human studies.

ELEMENTS OF PHASE I STUDIES

The primary tasks of Phase I activities are to describe the pharmacokinetics (determination of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and essential pharmacodynamics (the dose correlation with the physiological responses, plus any untoward effects, including idiosyncratic responses) keeping in mind reporting requirements. Other Phase I activities usually conducted later in the development cycle include evaluation of drug interactions with food and other pharmaceutical agents and thorough QT studies.

INNOVATIONS

Phase I studies have been evolving in response to the unrelenting pressures to improve access and efficiencies in time, cost, and effort. Changes have been occurring in the characteristics of the participating populations, the starting dose, and shifts in the enrollment schedule to a more flexible, data-driven, adaptive design.

ISSUES

Additional issues have gained attention in the recent past, including Phase 0/microdosing, use of Phase I studies explicitly for treatment in the case of oncological products, involvement of Data Safety Monitoring Committees especially for first-in-class molecules, and improved means of optimizing selection of candidate agents for advancement to subsequent stages of development. Of final importance is the need for greater transparency of the presently inaccessible, early development study data maintained in commercial corporate legacy databases. Taken together, these developments and innovations by a broad range of stakeholders point to continuing opportunities for clinical investigators to explore the potential of Phase I studies to contribute to their own specialties.

Modeling human immune responses to vaccination in vitro

The human immune system is a complex network of coordinated components that are crucial for health and disease. Animal models, commonly used to study immunomodulatory agents, are limited by species-specific differences, low throughput, and ethical concerns. In contrast, in vitro modeling of human immune responses can enable species- and population-specific mechanistic studies and translational development within the same study participant. Translational accuracy of in vitro models is enhanced by accounting for genetic, epigenetic, and demographic features such as age, sex, and comorbidity. This review explores various human in vitro immune models, considers evidence that they may resemble human in vivo responses, and assesses their potential to accelerate and de-risk vaccine discovery and development.

Cancer Models on Chip: Paving the Way to Large-Scale Trial Applications

Cancer kills millions of individuals every year all over the world (Global Cancer Observatory). The physiological and biomechanical processes underlying the tumor are still poorly understood, hindering researchers from creating new, effective therapies. Inconsistent results of preclinical research, in vivo testing, and clinical trials decrease drug approval rates. 3D tumor-on-a-chip (ToC) models integrate biomaterials, tissue engineering, fabrication of microarchitectures, and sensory and actuation systems in a single device, enabling reliable studies in fundamental oncology and pharmacology. This review includes a critical discussion about their ability to reproduce the tumor microenvironment (TME), the advantages and drawbacks of existing tumor models and architectures, major components and fabrication techniques. The focus is on current materials and micro/nanofabrication techniques used to manufacture reliable and reproducible microfluidic ToC models for large-scale trial applications.

Collagen-Anchored Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-12 Safely Reprogram the Tumor Microenvironment in Canine Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

PURPOSE

Cytokine therapies such as IL2 and IL12 suffer from impractically small therapeutic windows driven by their on-target, off-tumor activity, limiting their clinical potential despite potent antitumor effects. We previously engineered cytokines that bind and anchor to tumor collagen following intratumoral injection, and sought to test their safety and biomarker activity in spontaneous canine soft-tissue sarcomas (STS).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Collagen-binding cytokines were canine-ized to minimize immunogenicity and were used in a rapid dose-escalation study in healthy beagles to identify a maximum tolerated dose. Ten client-owned pet dogs with STS were then enrolled into trial, receiving cytokines at different intervals prior to surgical tumor excision. Tumor tissue was analyzed through IHC and NanoString RNA profiling for dynamic changes within treated tumors. Archived, untreated STS samples were analyzed in parallel as controls.

RESULTS

Intratumorally administered collagen-binding IL2 and IL12 were well tolerated by STS-bearing dogs, with only Grade 1/2 adverse events observed (mild fever, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia). IHC revealed enhanced T-cell infiltrates, corroborated by an enhancement in gene expression associated with cytotoxic immune function. We found concordant increases in expression of counter-regulatory genes that we hypothesize would contribute to a transient antitumor effect, and confirmed in mouse models that combination therapy to inhibit this counter-regulation can improve responses to cytokine therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the safety and activity of intratumorally delivered, collagen-anchoring cytokines for inflammatory polarization of the canine STS tumor microenvironment. We are further evaluating the efficacy of this approach in additional canine cancers, including oral malignant melanoma.

Cytokine release syndrome and cancer immunotherapies - historical challenges and promising futures

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy involves reinvigorating the patient's own immune system to fight against cancer. While novel approaches like Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, bispecific T cell engagers, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising efficacy, Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) is a serious adverse effect and remains a major concern. CRS is a phenomenon of immune hyperactivation that results in excessive cytokine secretion, and if left unchecked, it may lead to multi-organ failure and death. Here we review the pathophysiology of CRS, its occurrence and management in the context of cancer immunotherapy, and the screening approaches that can be used to assess CRS and de-risk drug discovery earlier in the clinical setting with more predictive pre-clinical data. Furthermore, the review also sheds light on the potential immunotherapeutic approaches that can be used to overcome CRS associated with T cell activation.

Anti-human-TIGIT agonistic antibody ameliorates autoimmune diseases by inhibiting Tfh and Tph cells and enhancing Treg cells

T cells play important roles in autoimmune diseases, but it remains unclear how to optimally manipulate them. We focused on the T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), a coinhibitory molecule that regulates and is expressed in T cells. In autoimmune diseases, the association between TIGIT-expressing cells and pathogenesis and the function of human-TIGIT (hu-TIGIT) signalling modification have not been fully elucidated. Here we generated anti-hu-TIGIT agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and generated hu-TIGIT knock-in mice to accurately evaluate the efficacy of mAb function. Our mAb suppressed the activation of CD4⁺ T cells, especially follicular helper T and peripheral helper T cells that highly expressed TIGIT, and enhanced the suppressive function of naïve regulatory T cells. These results indicate that our mAb has advantages in restoring the imbalance of T cells that are activated in autoimmune diseases and suggest potential clinical applications for anti-hu-TIGIT agonistic mAbs as therapeutic agents.

Current nonclinical approaches for immune assessments of immuno-oncology biotherapeutics

Harnessing the immune system to kill tumors has been revolutionary and, as a result, has had an enormous benefit for patients in extending life and resulting in effective cures in some. However, activation of the immune system can come at the cost of undesirable adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome, immune-related adverse events, on-target/off-tumor toxicity, neurotoxicity and tumor lysis syndrome, which are safety risks that can be challenging to assess non-clinically. This article provides a review of the biology and mechanisms that can result in immune-mediated adverse effects and describes industry approaches using in vitro and in vivo models to aid in the nonclinical safety risk assessments for immune-oncology modalities. Challenges and limitations of knowledge and models are also discussed.

Cancer Immunotherapy: The Checkpoint between Chronic Colitis and Colorectal Cancer

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of diseases that cause intestinal inflammation and lesions because of an abnormal immune response to host gut microflora. Corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics are often used to reduce non-specific inflammation and relapse rates; however, such treatments are ineffective over time. Patients with chronic colitis are more susceptible to developing colorectal cancer, especially those with a longer duration of colitis. There is often a limit in using chemotherapy due to side effects, leading to reduced efficacy, leaving an urgent need to improve treatments and identify new therapeutic targets. Cancer immunotherapy has made significant advances in recent years and is mainly categorized as cancer vaccines, adoptive cellular immunotherapy, or immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Checkpoint markers are expressed on cancer cells to evade the immune system, and as a result checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer treatment in the last 5-10 years. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have produced long-lasting clinical responses in both single and combination therapies. Winnie mice are a viable model of spontaneous chronic colitis with immune responses like human IBD. Determining the expression levels of checkpoint markers in tissues from these mice will provide insights into disease initiation, progression, and cancer. Such information will lead to identification of novel checkpoint markers and the development of treatments with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors or vaccines to slow or stop disease progression.

An adaptable in vitro cytokine release assay (CRA): Susceptibility to cytokine storm in COVID-19 as a model

Translational in vitro models such as cytokine release assay (CRA) are essential to assess the susceptibility to cytokine storm or CRS in a non-interventional manner in a human in vitro laboratory setting. Such models are also helpful to unravel disease mechanisms, to study the effects of new therapeutics and vaccines thereon and to diagnose or monitor diseases. Such assay will be important in predicting, planning and preparing for hospital intensive care units that are needed during the course of a pandemic. We present a CRA that can be adapted for assessing acute cytokine release risk against viral antigens, and potentially be used for cytokine storm simulation in viral infection outbreaks. We have used SARS-CoV-2 antigens and COVID-19 as a model. The assay can be challenged by changed or mutated forms of a virus in follow on waves of the epidemic and it can easily be modified for other future pandemics. We show that the membrane protein of SARS-CoV-2 is playing a major role in cytokine release (CR), mainly that of IL-6, IFNγ, TNFα and IL-8, that may be associated with COVID-19. These results are in agreement with recent clinical findings and new vaccine designs.

Analysis of gene expression levels and their impact on survival in 31 cancer-types patients identifies novel prognostic markers and suggests unexplored immunotherapy treatment options in a wide range of malignancies

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has dramatically improved cancer treatment by inhibiting or activating specific cell receptors, thus unleashing the host anti-tumor response. However, the engagement of the three main immune checkpoints so far identified, CTLA4, PD-1 and PD-L1, is effective in a fraction of patients, therefore novel targets must be identified and tested.

METHODS

We focused our attention on the following nine highly relevant immune checkpoint (ICR) receptors: CTLA4, PD1, PD-L1, LAG3, TIM3, OX40, GITR, 4-1BB and TIGIT. All of them are targets of existing drugs currently under clinical scrutiny in several malignancies. Their expression levels were evaluated in patient tissues of 31 different cancer types vs. proper controls, in a total of 15,038 individuals. This analysis was carried out by interrogating public databases available on GEPIA2 portal and UALCAN portal. By the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) their ability to effectively discriminate patients form controls was then investigated. Expression of the nine ICRs was also related to overall survival in 31 cancer types and expressed as Hazard Ratio, on the GEPIA2 portal and validated, for melanoma patients, in patients-datasets available on PROGgene V2 portal.

RESULTS

Significant differential expression was observed for each ICR molecule in many cancer types. A 7-molecules profile was found to specifically discriminate melanoma patients from controls, while two different 6-molecules profiles discriminate pancreatic cancer patients and Testicular Germ Cell Tumors from matched controls. Highly significant survival improvement was found to be related to the expression levels of all nine ICRs in a wide spectrum of malignancies. For melanoma analysis, the relation with survival observed in TCGA datasets was validated in independent GSE melanoma datasets.

CONCLUSION

Analysis the nine ICR molecules demonstrates that their expression patterns may be considered as markers of disease and strong survival predictors in a variety of malignancies frequently associated to poor prognosis. Thus, the present findings are strongly advocating that exploratory clinical trials are worth to be performed, using available drugs, targeting these molecules.

A coalition to heal-the impact of the cardiac microenvironment

Heart regenerative medicine has been gradually evolving from a view of the heart as a nonregenerative organ with terminally differentiated cardiac muscle cells. Understanding the biology of the heart during homeostasis and in response to injuries has led to the realization that cellular communication between all cardiac cell types holds great promise for treatments. Indeed, recent studies highlight new disease-reversion concepts in addition to cardiomyocyte renewal, such as matrix- and vascular-targeted therapies, and immunotherapy with a focus on inflammation and fibrosis. In this review, we will discuss the cross-talk within the cardiac microenvironment and how specific therapies aim to target the hostile cardiac milieu under pathological conditions.

The animal model of human disease as a core concept of medical research: Historical cases, failures, and some epistemological considerations

This article uses four historical case studies to address epistemological issues related to the animal model of human diseases and its use in medical research on human diseases. The knowledge derived from animal models is widely assumed to be highly valid and predictive of reactions by human organisms. In this contribution, I use three significant historical cases of failure (ca. 1890, 1960, 2006), and a closer look at the emergence of the concept around 1860/70, to elucidate core assumptions related to the specific practices of animal-human knowledge transfer, and to analyze the explanations provided by historical actors after each of the failures. Based on these examples, I argue that the epistemological status of the animal model changed from that of a helpful methodological tool for addressing specific questions, but with precarious validity, to an obligatory method for the production of strong knowledge on human diseases. As a result, there now exists a culture of biomedical research in human disease that, for more than a century, has taken the value of this methodological tool as self-evident, and more or less beyond question.

Ectopic Lymphoid Follicle Formation and Human Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Responses Recapitulated in an Organ-on-a-Chip

Lymphoid follicles (LFs) are responsible for generation of adaptive immune responses in secondary lymphoid organs and form ectopically during chronic inflammation. A human model of ectopic LF formation will provide a tool to understand LF development and an alternative to non-human primates for preclinical evaluation of vaccines. Here, it is shown that primary human blood B- and T-lymphocytes autonomously assemble into ectopic LFs when cultured in a 3D extracellular matrix gel within one channel of a two-channel organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device. Superfusion via a parallel channel separated by a microporous membrane is required for LF formation and prevents lymphocyte autoactivation. These germinal center-like LFs contain B cells expressing Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase and exhibit plasma cell differentiation upon activation. To explore their utility for seasonal vaccine testing, autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells are integrated into LF Chips. The human LF chips demonstrate improved antibody responses to split virion influenza vaccination compared to 2D cultures, which are enhanced by a squalene-in-water emulsion adjuvant, and this is accompanied by increases in LF size and number. When inoculated with commercial influenza vaccine, plasma cell formation and production of anti-hemagglutinin IgG are observed, as well as secretion of cytokines similar to vaccinated humans over clinically relevant timescales.

Selected Resources for Pathology Evaluation of Nonhuman Primates in Nonclinical Safety Assessment

Humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs) share numerous anatomical and physiological characteristics, thereby explaining the importance of NHPs as essential animal models for translational medicine and nonclinical toxicity testing. Researchers, toxicologic pathologists, toxicologists, and regulatory reviewers must be familiar with normal and abnormal NHP biological traits when designing, performing, and interpreting data sets from NHP studies. The current compilation presents a list of essential books, journal articles, and websites that provide context to safety assessment and research scientists working with NHP models. The resources used most frequently by the authors have been briefly annotated to permit readers to rapidly ascertain their applicability to particular research endeavors. The references are aimed primarily for toxicologic pathologists working with cynomolgus and rhesus macaques and common marmosets in efficacy and safety assessment studies.

Translating pharmacology models effectively to predict therapeutic benefit

Many in vitro and in vivo models are used in pharmacological research to evaluate the role of targeted proteins in a disease. Understanding the translational relevance and limitation of these models for analyzing the disposition, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile, mechanism, and efficacy of a drug, is essential when selecting the most appropriate model of the disease of interest and predicting clinically efficacious doses of the investigational drug. Here, we review selected animal models used in ophthalmology, infectious diseases, oncology, autoimmune diseases, and neuroscience. Each area has specific challenges around translatability and determination of an efficacious dose: new patient-specific dosing methods could help overcome these limitations.

A Comprehensive Atlas of Immunological Differences Between Humans, Mice, and Non-Human Primates

Animal models are an integral part of the drug development and evaluation process. However, they are unsurprisingly imperfect reflections of humans, and the extent and nature of many immunological differences are unknown. With the rise of targeted and biological therapeutics, it is increasingly important that we understand the molecular differences in the immunological behavior of humans and model organisms. However, very few antibodies are raised against non-human primate antigens, and databases of cross-reactivity between species are incomplete. Thus, we screened 332 antibodies in five immune cell populations in blood from humans and four non-human primate species generating a comprehensive cross-reactivity catalog that includes cell type-specificity. We used this catalog to create large mass cytometry universal cross-species phenotyping and signaling panels for humans, along with three of the model organisms most similar to humans: rhesus and cynomolgus macaques and African green monkeys; and one of the mammalian models most widely used in drug development: C57BL/6 mice. As a proof-of-principle, we measured immune cell signaling responses across all five species to an array of 15 stimuli using mass cytometry. We found numerous instances of different cellular phenotypes and immune signaling events occurring within and between species, and detailed three examples (double-positive T cell frequency and signaling; granulocyte response to Bacillus anthracis antigen; and B cell subsets). We also explore the correlation of herpes simian B virus serostatus on the immune profile. Antibody panels and the full dataset generated are available online as a resource to enable future studies comparing immune responses across species during the evaluation of therapeutics.

Development of a flow cytometry-based potency assay for prediction of cytokine storms induced by biosimilar monoclonal antibodies

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an undesired immune reaction that may cause dangerous side effects after the administration of novel biological therapies. In vitro cytokine release assays (CRA) are used for preclinical safety assessment prior to first-in-man dose administration of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A variety of CRA platforms has been developed where the analysis of secreted cytokines is performed. Analysis of T cell activation markers is not performed routinely in CRA platforms and few studies have described intracellular cytokine levels after stimulation with therapeutic mAbs. In the present study, we performed a CRA using intracellular cytokine staining and assessment of extracellular T cell activation markers by flow cytometry. We used commercially available reference mAbs for the stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We found that stimulation using solid phase (SP) dry coating with two different CD28 antibodies and muromonab-CD3 increased the percentage of IFN-ɣ + CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as of CD3-CD56+ NK cells compared to stimulation with antibodies in aqueous phase (AP). Expression of the T cell activation markers CD25 and CD69 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was also increased upon SP muromonab-CD3 stimulation. Using multiplex cytokine assessment, we showed that stimulation in AP using ANC28.1, CD28.2 and muromonab-CD3 led to an increase of IFN-ɣ, GM-CSF, TNF-α, and IL-2 secretion. Stimulation of PBMCs preincubated at high-density culture led to an increase in IFN-ɣ production but not in the expression of activation markers compared to low-density culture. Our findings demonstrated that flow cytometry analyses for assessing relevant T cell and NK cell markers may be used as a supplement to multiplex cytokine analysis in CRAs. The approach may be a valuable addition that enables a more precise description of the mechanisms leading to CRS.

Human-like Response of Pig T Cells to Superagonistic Anti-CD28 Monoclonal Antibodies

Because of its size, anatomical similarities, and now also accessibility to genetic manipulations, pigs are used as animal models for human diseases and immune system development. However, expression and function of CD28, the most important costimulatory receptor expressed by T cells, so far is poorly understood in this species. Using a newly generated mAb (mAb 3D11) with specificity for pig CD28, we detected CD28 on CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ αβ T cells. Among γδ T cells, CD28 expression was restricted to a small CD2⁺ subpopulation of phenotypically naive cells. Functionally, CD28 ligation with mAb 3D11-costimulated porcine T cells, enhanced proliferation and cytokine secretion in vitro. We used a second, likewise newly generated but superagonistic, anti-CD28 mAb (CD28-SA; mAb 4D12) to test the function of CD28 on porcine T cells in a pilot study in vivo. Injection of the CD28-SA into pigs in vivo showed a very similar dose-response relationship as in humans (i.e., 100 µg/kg body weight [BW]) of CD28-SA induced a cytokine release syndrome that was avoided at a dose of 10 µg/kg BW and below. The data further suggest that low-dose (10 µg/kg BW) CD28-SA infusion was sufficient to increase the proportion of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells among CD4⁺ T cells in vivo. The pig is thus a suitable animal model for testing novel immunotherapeutics. Moreover, data from our pilot study in pigs further suggest that low-dose CD28-SA infusion might allow for selective expansion of CD4⁺ regulatory T cells in humans.

Re-Expression of Poly/Oligo-Sialylated Adhesion Molecules on the Surface of Tumor Cells Disrupts Their Interaction with Immune-Effector Cells and Contributes to Pathophysiological Immune Escape

Glycans linked to surface proteins are the most complex biological macromolecules that play an active role in various cellular mechanisms. This diversity is the basis of cell-cell interaction and communication, cell growth, cell migration, as well as co-stimulatory or inhibitory signaling. Our review describes the importance of neuraminic acid and its derivatives as recognition elements, which are located at the outermost positions of carbohydrate chains linked to specific glycoproteins or glycolipids. Tumor cells, especially from solid tumors, mask themselves by re-expression of hypersialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), neuropilin-2 (NRP-2), or synaptic cell adhesion molecule 1 (SynCAM 1) in order to protect themselves against the cytotoxic attack of the also highly sialylated immune effector cells. More particularly, we focus on α-2,8-linked polysialic acid chains, which characterize carrier glycoproteins such as NCAM, NRP-2, or SynCam-1. This characteristic property correlates with an aggressive clinical phenotype and endows them with multiple roles in biological processes that underlie all steps of cancer progression, including regulation of cell-cell and/or cell-extracellular matrix interactions, as well as increased proliferation, migration, reduced apoptosis rate of tumor cells, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Specifically, re-expression of poly/oligo-sialylated adhesion molecules on the surface of tumor cells disrupts their interaction with immune-effector cells and contributes to pathophysiological immune escape. Further, sialylated glycoproteins induce immunoregulatory cytokines and growth factors through interactions with sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins. We describe the processes, which modulate the interaction between sialylated carrier glycoproteins and their ligands, and illustrate that sialic acids could be targets of novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of cancer and immune diseases.

Highly sensitive in vitro cytokine release assay incorporating high-density preculture

Immunostimulatory effects of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) through binding to F_cγ receptors (F_cγR) on immune cells are a likely cause of cytokine release syndrome. However, it is difficult to detect the potential risk of F_cγR-dependent cytokine release associated with mAb in the current standard cytokine release assays (CRA), including the air-drying solid-phase method using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). To increase the sensitivity to detect F_cγR-dependent cytokine release due to mAb, a high-density preculture (HDC) method was incorporated into the air-drying solid-phase CRA. Here, PBMC were exposed to panitumumab, trastuzumab, rituximab, or alemtuzumab at 0.1, 0.3, 1, and 3 μg/well for 24 or 48 hr under both non-HDC and HDC conditions. T-cell agonists (anti-CD3 mAb, anti-CD28 super-agonist [SA] mAb) were used as reference mAb. Panitumumab, trastuzumab, rituximab, or alemtuzumab induced cytokine release under both non-HDC and HDC conditions, and cytokine release caused by alemtuzumab was more pronounced under HDC conditions. To investigate F_cγR involvement in cytokine release associated with panitumumab, trastuzumab, rituximab, and alemtuzumab, CRA of these four mAb were conducted with anti-F_cγRI, -F_cγRII, or -F_cγRIII F(ab')₂ fragments. The results showed cytokine release caused by trastuzumab, rituximab, and alemtuzumab was significantly suppressed by anti-F_cγRIII F(ab')₂ pretreatment, and slightly reduced by anti-F_cγRI or anti-F_cγRII pretreatment, indicating these mAb induced F_cγR (especially F_cγRIII)-dependent cytokine release from PBMC. Cytokine release caused by panitumumab was slightly suppressed by anti-F_cγRIII F(ab')₂ pretreatment. Anti-CD3 mAb and anti-CD28 SA mAb also induced significant release of cytokines under HDC conditions compared with that under non-HDC conditions. In conclusion, CRA incorporating HDC into the air-drying solid-phase method using human PBMC could sensitively capture the F_cγR-dependent cytokine release potential of mAb.

The development of biologics to target SARS-CoV2: Treatment potential of antibodies in patient groups with poor immune response

Development of novel antibodies to combat the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is ongoing. Importantly, particular subgroups are more prone to severe disease, namely patients with poor immune responses. This includes cancer patients with solid and haematological disease, solid organ transplant (SOT) patients and those with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. Outcomes for patients with poor immune responses receiving antibody therapy for underlying disease and SARS-CoV-2 severe infection are undergoing investigation. The objective of this study was to perform a search on patients with poor immune responses with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, to assess if antibody therapy is beneficial in such populations. We performed searches using PubMED and medrXiv up to May 2021 of patients with solid and hematologic malignancy, SOT patients and acquired or congenital immunodeficiency. The primary outcome was to assess if antibody therapy was included during SARS-CoV-2 infection and the clinical outcomes of such treatment in this population. Here we find that there is a repurposing of monoclonal antibodies to target cytokine release syndrome, along with the use of convalescent plasma (CP). Despite CP demonstrating promising results, we reiterate evidence that CP forces mutational escape and subsequent variant development. Repurposing of antibody therapies (such as Tocilizumab) proved effective, especially in SOT patients. This also potentially opens an avenue for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein neutralizing monoclonal antibodies; however, studies have yet to focus on patients with poor immune responses as a subpopulation.

Application of immune checkpoint targets in the anti-tumor novel drugs and traditional Chinese medicine development

Immune checkpoints are the crucial regulators of immune system and play essential roles in maintaining self-tolerance, preventing autoimmune responses, and minimizing tissue damage by regulating the duration and intensity of the immune response. Furthermore, immune checkpoints are usually overexpressed in cancer cells or noninvasive cells in tumor tissues and are capable of suppressing the antitumor response. Based on substantial physiological analyses as well as preclinical and clinical studies, checkpoint molecules have been evaluated as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple types of cancers. In the last few years, extensive evidence has supported the immunoregulatory effects of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). The main advantage of TCMs and natural medicine is that they usually contain multiple active components, which can act on multiple targets at the same time, resulting in additive or synergistic effects. The strong immune regulation function of traditional Chinese medicine on immune checkpoints has also been of great interest. For example, Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides can induce anti-PD-1 antibody responses in animals, and these antibodies can overcome the exhaustion of immune cells under tumor immune evasion. Furthermore, many other TCM molecules could also be novel and effective drug candidates for the treatment of cancers. Therefore, it is essential to assess the application of immune checkpoints in the development of new drugs and TCMs. In this review, we focus on research progress in the field of immune checkpoints based on three topics: (1) immune checkpoint targets and pathways, (2) development of novel immune checkpoint-based drugs, and (3) application of immune checkpoints in the development of TCMs.

The road (not) taken - Placental transfer and interspecies differences

Species differences are among the main reasons for the high failure rate of preclinical studies. A better awareness and understanding of these differences might help to improve the outcome of preclinical research. In reproduction, the placenta is the central organ regulating fetal exposure to a substance circulating in the maternal organism. Exact information about placental transfer can help to better estimate the toxic potential of a substance. From an evolutionary point of view, the chorioallantoic placenta is the organ with the highest anatomical diversity among species. Moreover, frequently used animal models in reproduction belong to rodents and lagomorphs, two groups that are characterized by the generation of an additional type of placenta, which is crucial for fetal development, but absent from humans: the inverted yolk sac placenta. Taken together, the translatability of placental transfer studies from laboratory animals to humans is challenging, which is supported by the fact that numerous species-dependent toxic effects are described in literature. Thus, reliable human-relevant data are frequently lacking and the toxic potential of chemicals and pharmaceuticals for humans can hardly be estimated, often resulting in recommendations that medical treatments or exposure to chemicals should be avoided for safety reasons. Although species differences of placental anatomy have been described frequently and the need for human-relevant research models has been emphasized, analyses of substances with species-dependent placental transfer have been performed only sporadically. Here, we present examples for species-specific placental transfer, including that of nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals, and discuss potential underlying mechanisms. With respect to the COVID 19-pandemic it might be of interest that some antiviral drugs are reported to feature species-specific placental transfer. Further, differences in placental structure and antibody transfer may affect placental transfer of ZIKA virus.

Can preclinical drug development help to predict adverse events in clinical trials?

The development of novel therapeutics is associated with high rates of attrition, with unexpected adverse events being a major cause of failure. Serious adverse events have led to organ failure, cancer development and deaths that were not expected outcomes in clinical trials. These life-threatening events were not identified during therapeutic development due to the lack of preclinical safety tests that faithfully represented human physiology. We highlight the successful application of several novel technologies, including high-throughput screening, organs-on-chips, microbiome-containing drug-testing platforms and humanised mouse models, for mechanistic studies and prediction of toxicity. We propose the incorporation of similar preclinical tests into future drug development to reduce the likelihood of hazardous therapeutics entering later-stage clinical trials.

Developing and validating model systems for immuno-oncology

Owing to clinical success of immune-checkpoint blockade, immunotherapy is becoming a cornerstone of modern oncology, and immuno-oncology is at the forefront of basic cancer research. This commentary outlines future opportunities for immuno-oncology modeling.

The 'cytokine storm': molecular mechanisms and therapeutic prospects

Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) has generally been described as a collection of clinical manifestations resulting from an overactivated immune system. Cytokine storms (CSs) are associated with various pathologies, as observed in infectious diseases, certain acquired or inherited immunodeficiencies and autoinflammatory diseases, or following therapeutic interventions. Despite the role of CS in tissue damage and multiorgan failure, a systematic understanding of its underlying molecular mechanisms is lacking. Recent studies demonstrate a positive feedback loop between cytokine release and cell death pathways; certain cytokines, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), can activate inflammatory cell death, leading to further cytokine secretion. Here, we discuss recent progress in innate immunity and inflammatory cell death, providing insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of CSs and therapeutics that might quell ensuing life-threatening effects.

Tumor-targeted CD28 bispecific antibodies enhance the antitumor efficacy of PD-1 immunotherapy

Monoclonal antibodies that block the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) checkpoint have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. However, many major tumor types remain unresponsive to anti-PD-1 therapy, and even among responsive tumor types, most of the patients do not develop durable antitumor immunity. It has been shown that bispecific antibodies activate T cells by cross-linking the TCR/CD3 complex with a tumor-specific antigen (TSA). The class of TSAxCD3 bispecific antibodies have generated exciting results in early clinical trials. We have recently described another class of "costimulatory bispecifics" that cross-link a TSA to CD28 (TSAxCD28) and cooperate with TSAxCD3 bispecifics. Here, we demonstrate that these TSAxCD28 bispecifics (one specific for prostate cancer and the other for epithelial tumors) can also synergize with the broader anti-PD-1 approach and endow responsiveness-as well as long-term immune memory-against tumors that otherwise do not respond to anti-PD-1 alone. Unlike CD28 superagonists, which broadly activate T cells and induce cytokine storm, TSAxCD28 bispecifics display little or no toxicity when used alone or in combination with a PD-1 blocker in genetically humanized immunocompetent mouse models or in primates and thus may provide a well-tolerated and "off the shelf" combination approach with PD-1 immunotherapy that can markedly enhance antitumor efficacy.

Microfluidics Integration into Low-Noise Multi-Electrode Arrays

Organ-on-Chip technology is commonly used as a tool to replace animal testing in drug development. Cells or tissues are cultured on a microchip to replicate organ-level functions, where measurements of the electrical activity can be taken to understand how the cell populations react to different drugs. Microfluidic structures are integrated in these devices to replicate more closely an in vivo microenvironment. Research has provided proof of principle that more accurate replications of the microenvironment result in better micro-physiological behaviour, which in turn results in a higher predictive power. This work shows a transition from a no-flow (static) multi-electrode array (MEA) to a continuous-flow (dynamic) MEA, assuring a continuous and homogeneous transfer of an electrolyte solution across the measurement chamber. The process through which the microfluidic system was designed, simulated, and fabricated is described, and electrical characterisation of the whole structure under static solution and a continuous flow rate of 80 µL/min was performed. The latter reveals minimal background disturbance, with a background noise below 30 µVpp for all flow rates and areas. This microfluidic MEA, therefore, opens new avenues for more accurate and long-term recordings in Organ-on-Chip systems.

Immune-checkpoint blockade of CTLA-4 (CD152) in antigen-specific human T-cell responses differs profoundly between neonates, children, and adults

The monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4, Ipilimumab, is a first-in-class immune-checkpoint inhibitor approved for treatment of advanced melanoma in adults but not extensively studied in children. In light of the fact that the immune response early in life differs from that of adults, we have applied a human in vitro model stimulating CD4⁺ T-cells from neonates, children (1–5 years), and adults antigen-specifically with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for assessment of CTLA-4 blockade early in life. We show that T-cell proliferation as well as frequencies of antigen-specific T-cells (CD40L⁺CD4⁺) were enhanced in neonatal T-cells upon CTLA-4 blockade showing a larger variance within the group (F-test p < .0001). Using machine learning algorithm Random Forest, adult and neonatal T-cell responses can be unambiguously categorized (F1 score-0.75) on the basis of their cytokine (co-)expression. Blockade of CTLA-4 enhanced frequencies of IL-8, IFNγ, and IL-10 producers among CD40L⁺ T-cells. Of note, antigen-specific T-cells from neonates displayed higher cytokine coproduction at baseline, while T-cells from children caught up to neonates, and adults to baseline of children upon CTLA-4 blockade. These findings reveal that in neonatal T-cells blockade of CTLA-4 mainly unleashes the antigen-specific capacity by increasing the numbers of responding T-cells, whereas in children and adults it promotes the coexpression of cytokines by individual T-cells. Thus, CTLA-4 blockade boosts antitumor immunity through different mechanisms depending on the patients’ age. These data implicate a strong impact of the developmental stage of the T-cell compartment on the effects of immune-checkpoint therapy.

Immunocompetent cancer-on-chip models to assess immuno-oncology therapy

The advances in cancer immunotherapy come with several obstacles, limiting its widespread use and benefits so far only to a small subset of patients. One of the underlying challenges remains to be the lack of representative nonclinical models that translate to human immunity and are able to predict clinical efficacy and safety outcomes. In recent years, immunocompetent Cancer-on-Chip models emerge as an alternative human-based platform that enables the integration and manipulation of complex tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss novel opportunities offered by Cancer-on-Chip models to advance (mechanistic) immuno-oncology research, ranging from design flexibility to multimodal analysis approaches. We then exemplify their (potential) applications for the research and development of adoptive cell therapy, immune checkpoint therapy, cytokine therapy, oncolytic virus, and cancer vaccines.

Immune and metabolic checkpoints blockade: Dual wielding against tumors

Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have raised hopes for treating cancers that are resistant to conventional therapies. Among the various immunotherapy methods, the immune checkpoint (IC) blockers were more promising and have paved their way to the clinic. Tumor cells induce the expression of ICs on the immune cells and derive them to a hyporesponsive exhausted phenotype. IC blockers could hinder immune exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment and reinvigorate immune cells for an efficient antitumor response. Despite the primary success of IC blockers in the clinic, the growing numbers of refractory cases require an in-depth study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying IC expression and function. Immunometabolism is recently found to be a key factor in the regulation of immune responses. Activated or exhausted immune cells exploit different metabolic pathways. Tumor cells can suppress antitumor responses via immunometabolism alteration. Therefore, it is expected that concurrent targeting of ICs and immunometabolism pathways can cause immune cells to restore their antitumor activity. In this review, we dissected the reciprocal interactions of immune cell metabolism with expression and signaling of ICs in the tumor microenvironment. Recent findings on dual targeting of ICs and metabolic checkpoints have also been discussed.

Immune checkpoints in sepsis: New hopes and challenges

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome with a high incidence and a weighty economic burden. The cytokines storm in the early stage and the state of immunosuppression in the late stage contribute to the mortality of sepsis. Immune checkpoints expressed on lymphocytes and APCs, including CD28, CTLA-4, CD80, CD86, PD-1 and PD-L1, CD40 and CD40L, OX40 and OX40L, 4-1BB and 4-1BBL, BTLA, TIM family, play significant roles in the pathogenesis of sepsis through regulating the immune disorder. The specific therapies targeting immune checkpoints exhibit great potentials in the animal and preclinical studies, and further clinical trials are planning to implement. Here, we review the current literature on the roles played by immune checkpoints in the pathogenesis and treatment of sepsis. We hope to provide further insights into this novel immunomodulatory strategy.

Functional differences and similarities in activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells by lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin stimulation between human and cynomolgus monkeys

Background

The monkey is a primary species used in toxicological research. However, the failures of preclinical studies to predict a life-threatening “cytokine storm”, which, for instance, rapidly occurred in six healthy volunteers with the CD28 superagonist monoclonal antibody (mAb) TGN1412 in the first-in-human phase I clinical trial, have emphasized a need to clarify the differences between human and monkey immune systems.

Methods

In the present study, we analyzed and compared the lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine secretion, and gene expression profiles after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from three healthy humans and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Results

The results derived from comparison with the corresponding control groups showed that PHA in humans induced a stronger proliferation and wider range of cytokine secretion, along with a greater number of differently expressed genes (DEGs), than when PHA was applied in cynomolgus monkeys. The significant upregulation of genes involved in the mitotic cell cycle, including cyclin B2, TOP2A, TYMS, and CEP55, was observed in human PBMCs with PHA stimulation, while only infrequent or slight upregulation occurred in cynomolgus monkey PBMCs, which may be one of the reasons for a stronger response to PHA in humans. In contrast to PHA, LPS in both species induced a similar proliferation ratio, cytokine profile, and DEG count, suggesting that human and cynomolgus monkeys have a similar response intensity for innate immune responses. Furthermore, 38 and 20 overlapped genes under PHA and LPS stimulation, respectively, were found in both species. These overlapped DEGs were associated with the same biological functions, including DNA replication, mitosis, immune response, chemotaxis, and inflammatory response. Thus, these results might reflect the highly conserved signatures of immune responses to PHA/LPS stimulation across the primates. Moreover, there were some differences in antigen processing and presentation, and the interferon gamma (INF-γ)–mediated signaling pathway in these species detected by gene expression profile study.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this is the first study to compare data on the responses of PBMCs to PHA and LPS in humans versus cynomolgus monkeys, and these findings may provide crucial insights into translating non-human primate (NHP) studies into human trials.

A class of costimulatory CD28-bispecific antibodies that enhance the antitumor activity of CD3-bispecific antibodies

T cell activation is initiated upon binding of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex to peptide-major histocompatibility complexes ("signal 1"); activation is enhanced by engagement of a second "costimulatory" receptor, such as the CD28 receptor on T cells binding to its cognate ligand(s) on the target cell ("signal 2"). CD3-based bispecific antibodies act by replacing conventional signal 1, linking T cells to tumor cells by binding a tumor-specific antigen (TSA) with one arm of the bispecific and bridging to TCR/CD3 with the other. Although some of these so-called TSAxCD3 bispecifics have demonstrated promising antitumor efficacy in patients with cancer, their activity remains to be optimized. Here, we introduce a class of bispecific antibodies that mimic signal 2 by bridging TSA to the costimulatory CD28 receptor on T cells. We term these TSAxCD28 bispecifics and describe two such bispecific antibodies: one specific for ovarian and the other for prostate cancer antigens. Unlike CD28 superagonists, which broadly activate T cells and resulted in profound toxicity in early clinical trials, these TSAxCD28 bispecifics show limited activity and no toxicity when used alone in genetically humanized immunocompetent mouse models or in primates. However, when combined with TSAxCD3 bispecifics, they enhance the artificial synapse between a T cell and its target cell, potentiate T cell activation, and markedly improve antitumor activity of CD3 bispecifics in a variety of xenogeneic and syngeneic tumor models. Combining this class of CD28-costimulatory bispecific antibodies with the emerging class of TSAxCD3 bispecifics may provide well-tolerated, off-the-shelf antibody therapies with robust antitumor efficacy.

T cell costimulation, checkpoint inhibitors and anti-tumor therapy

The hallmarks of the adaptive immune response are specificity and memory. The cellular response is mediated by T cells which express cell surface T cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize peptide antigens in complex with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen presenting cells (APCs). However, binding of cognate TCRs with MHC-peptide complexes alone (signal 1) does not trigger optimal T cell activation. In addition to signal 1, the binding of positive and negative costimulatory receptors to their ligands modulates T cell activation. This complex signaling network prevents aberrant activation of T cells. CD28 is the main positive costimulatory receptor on naı¨ve T cells; upon activation, CTLA4 is induced but reduces T cell activation. Further studies led to the identification of additional negative costimulatory receptors known as checkpoints, e.g. PD1. This review chronicles the basic studies in T cell costimulation that led to the discovery of checkpoint inhibitors, i.e. antibodies to negative costimulatory receptors (e.g. CTLA4 and PD1) which reduce tumor growth. This discovery has been recognized with the award of the 2018 Nobel prize in Physiology/Medicine. This review highlights the structural and functional roles of costimulatory receptors, the mechanisms by which checkpoint inhibitors work, the challenges encountered and future prospects.

Profiling of donor-specific immune effector signatures in response to rituximab in a human whole blood loop assay using blood from CLL patients

Rituximab is widely used in the treatment of haematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the most common leukaemia in adults. However, some patients, especially those with high tumour burden, develop cytokine release syndrome (CRS). It is likely that more patients will develop therapy-linked CRS in the future due to the implementation of other immunotherapies, such as CAR T-cell, for many malignancies. Current methods for CRS risk assessment are limited, hence there is a need to develop new methods. To better recapitulate an in vivo setting, we implemented a unique human whole blood "loop" system to study patient-specific immune responses to rituximab in blood derived from CLL patients. Upon rituximab infusion, both complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) profiles were evident in CLL patient blood, coincident with CLL cell depletion. Whereas B cell depletion is induced in healthy persons in the blood loop, only patients display B cell depletion coupled with CRS. With the exception of one donor who lacked NK cells, all other five patients displayed variable B cell depletion along with CRS profile. Additionally, inhibition of CDC or ADCC via either inhibitors or antibody Fc modification resulted in skewing of the immune killing mechanism consistent with published literature. Herein we have shown that the human whole blood loop model can be applied using blood from a specific indication to build a disease-specific CRS and immune activation profiling ex vivo system. Other therapeutic antibodies used for other indications may benefit from antibody characterization in a similar setting.

The blood endothelial cell chamber - An innovative system to study immune responses in drug development

The risk for adverse immune-mediated reactions, associated with the administration of certain immunotherapeutic agents, should be mitigated early. Infusion reactions to monoclonal antibodies and other biopharmaceuticals, known as cytokine release syndrome, can arise from the release of cytokines via the drug target cell, as well as the recruitment of immune effector cells. While several in vitro cytokine release assays have been proposed up to date, many of them lack important blood components, required for this response to occur. The blood endothelial cell chamber model is an in vitro assay, composed of freshly drawn human whole blood and cultured human primary endothelial cells. Herein, its potential to study the compatibility of immunotherapeutics with the human immune system was studied by evaluating three commercially available monoclonal antibodies and bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. We demonstrate that the anti-CD28 antibody TGN1412 displayed an adaptive cytokine release profile and a distinct IL-2 response, accompanied with increased CD3⁺ cell recruitment. Alemtuzumab exhibited a clear cytokine response with a mixed adaptive/innate source (IFNγ, TNFα and IL-6). Its immunosuppressive nature is observed in depleted CD3⁺ cells. Cetuximab, associated with low infusion reactions, showed a very low or absent stimulatory effect on proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, bacterial endotoxin demonstrated a clear innate cytokine response, defined by TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β release, accompanied with a strong recruitment of CD14⁺CD16⁺ cells. Therefore, the blood endothelial cell chamber model is presented as a valuable in vitro tool to investigate therapeutic monoclonal antibodies with respect to cytokine release and vascular immune cell recruitment.

Genomic profiling of T-cell activation suggests increased sensitivity of memory T cells to CD28 costimulation

T-cell activation is a critical driver of immune responses. The CD28 costimulation is an essential regulator of CD4 T-cell responses, however, its relative importance in naive and memory T cells is not fully understood. Using different model systems, we observe that human memory T cells are more sensitive to CD28 costimulation than naive T cells. To deconvolute how the T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD28 orchestrate activation of human T cells, we stimulate cells using varying intensities of TCR and CD28 and profiled gene expression. We show that genes involved in cell cycle progression and division are CD28-driven in memory cells, but under TCR control in naive cells. We further demonstrate that T-helper differentiation and cytokine expression are controlled by CD28. Using chromatin accessibility profiling, we observe that AP1 transcriptional regulation is enriched when both TCR and CD28 are engaged, whereas open chromatin near CD28-sensitive genes is enriched for NF-kB motifs. Lastly, we show that CD28-sensitive genes are enriched in GWAS regions associated with immune diseases, implicating a role for CD28 in disease development. Our study provides important insights into the differential role of costimulation in naive and memory T-cell responses and disease susceptibility.

Development of the first reference antibody panel for qualification and validation of cytokine release assay platforms - Report of an international collaborative study

Immunomodulatory therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies (mAb) carry an inherent risk of undesired immune reactions. One such risk is cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a rapid systemic inflammatory response characterized by the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from immune cells. It is crucial for patient safety to correctly identify potential risk of CRS prior to first-in-human dose administration. For this purpose, a variety of in vitro cytokine release assays (CRA) are routinely used as part of the preclinical safety assessment of novel therapeutic mAbs. One of the challenges for the development and comparison of CRA performance is the lack of availability of standard positive and negative control mAbs for use in assay qualification. To address this issue, the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) developed a reference panel of lyophilised mAbs known to induce CRS in the clinic: human anti-CD52, mouse anti-CD3 and human superagonistic (SA) anti-CD28 mAb manufactured according to the respective published sequences of Campath-1H® (alemtuzumab, IgG1) , Orthoclone OKT-3® (muromonab, IgG2a) and TGN1412 (theralizumab, IgG4), as well as three isotype matched negative controls (human IgG1, mouse IgG2a and human IgG4, respectively). The relative capacity of these control mAbs to stimulate the release of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and IL-6 in vitro was evaluated in eleven laboratories in an international collaborative study mediated through the HESI Immuno-safety Technical Committee Cytokine Release Assay Working Group. Participants tested the NIBSC mAbs in a variety of CRA platforms established at each institution. This paper presents the results from the centralised cytokine quantification on all the plasma/supernatants corresponding to the stimulation of immune cells in the different CRA platforms by a single concentration of each mAb. Each positive control mAb induced significant cytokine release in most of the tested CRA platforms. There was a high inter-laboratory variability in the levels of cytokines produced, but similar patterns of response were observed across laboratories that replicated the cytokine release patterns previously published for the respective clinical therapeutic mAbs. Therefore, the positive and negative mAbs are suitable as a reference panel for the qualification and validation of CRAs, comparison of different CRA platforms (e.g. solid vs aqueous phase), and intra- and inter-laboratory comparison of CRA performance. Thus, the use of this panel of positive and negative control mAbs will increase the confidence in the robustness of a CRA platform to identify a potential CRS risk for novel immunomodulatory therapeutic candidates.

A Tissue Engineering Approach to Metastatic Colon Cancer

Colon cancer remains the third most common cause of cancer in the US, and the third most common cause of cancer death. Worldwide, colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer and cancer deaths. At least 25% of patients still present with metastatic disease, and at least 25-30% will develop metastatic colon cancer in the course of their disease. While chemotherapy and surgery remain the mainstay of treatment, understanding the fundamental cellular niche and mechanical properties that result in metastases would facilitate both prevention and cure. Advances in biomaterials, novel 3D primary human cells, modelling using microfluidics and the ability to alter the physical environment, now offers a unique opportunity to develop and test impactful treatment.

Use of human splenocytes in an innovative humanised mouse model for prediction of immunotherapy-induced cytokine release syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Humanised mice have emerged as valuable models for pre-clinical testing of the safety and efficacy of immunotherapies. Given the variety of models available, selection of the most appropriate humanised mouse model is critical in study design. Here, we aimed to develop a model for predicting cytokine release syndrome (CRS) while minimising graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).

METHODS

To overcome donor-induced variation, we directly compared the in vitro and in vivo immune phenotype of immunodeficient NSG mice reconstituted with human bone marrow (BM) CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or spleen mononuclear cells (SPMCs) from the same human donors. SPMC engraftment in NSG-dKO mice, which lack MHC class I and II, was also evaluated as a strategy to limit GvHD. Another group of mice was engrafted with umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD34+ HSCs. Induction of CRS in vivo was investigated upon administration of the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody OKT3.

RESULTS

PBMC- and SPMC-reconstituted NSG mice showed short-term survival, with engrafted human T cells exhibiting mostly an effector memory phenotype. Survival in SPMC-reconstituted NSG-dKO mice was significantly longer. Conversely, both BM and UCB-HSC models showed longer survival, without demonstrable GvHD and a more naïve T-cell phenotype. PBMC- and SPMC-reconstituted mice, but not BM-HSC or UCB-HSC mice, experienced severe clinical signs of CRS upon administration of OKT3.

CONCLUSION

PBMC- and SPMC-reconstituted NSG mice better predict OKT3-mediated CRS. The SPMC model allows generation of large experimental groups, and the use of NSG-dKO mice mitigates the limitation of early GvHD.

Humanized Mouse as a Tool to Predict Immunotoxicity of Human Biologics

Advancements in science enable researchers to constantly innovate and create novel biologics. However, the use of non-human animal models during the development of biologics impedes identification of precise in vivo interactions between the human immune system and treatments. Due to lack of this understanding, adverse effects are frequently observed in healthy volunteers and patients exposed to potential biologics during clinical trials. In this study, we evaluated and compared the effects of known immunotoxic biologics, Proleukin^®/IL-2 and OKT3 in humanized mice (reconstituted with human fetal cells) to published clinical outcomes. We demonstrated that humanized mice were able to recapitulate in vivo pathological changes and human-specific immune responses, such as elevated cytokine levels and modulated lymphocytes and myeloid subsets. Given the high similarities of immunological side effects observed between humanized mice and clinical studies, this model could be used to assess immunotoxicity of biologics at a pre-clinical stage, without placing research participants and/or patients at risk.

Targeting co-stimulatory molecules in autoimmune disease

Therapeutic targeting of immune checkpoints has garnered significant attention in the area of cancer immunotherapy, in which efforts have focused in particular on cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) and PD1, both of which are members of the CD28 family. In autoimmunity, these same pathways can be targeted to opposite effect: to curb the over-exuberant immune response. The CTLA4 checkpoint serves as an exemplar, whereby CTLA4 activity is blocked by antibodies in cancer immunotherapy and augmented by the provision of soluble CTLA4 in autoimmunity. Here, we review the targeting of co-stimulatory molecules in autoimmune diseases, focusing in particular on agents directed at members of the CD28 or tumour necrosis factor receptor families. We present the state of the art in co-stimulatory blockade approaches, including rational combinations of immune inhibitory agents, and discuss the future opportunities and challenges in this field.

A rapid, sensitive, and reproducible in vivo PBMC humanized murine model for determining therapeutic-related cytokine release syndrome

Immunotherapy is a powerful treatment strategy being applied to cancer, autoimmune diseases, allergies, and transplantation. Although therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have demonstrated significant clinical efficacy, there is also the potential for severe adverse events, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS). CRS is characterized by the rapid production of inflammatory cytokines following delivery of therapy, with symptoms ranging from mild fever to life‐threating pathology and multi‐organ failure. Overall there is a paucity of models to reliably and accurately predict the induction of CRS by immune therapeutics. Here, we describe the development of a humanized mouse model based on the NOD‐scid IL2rg^null (NSG) mouse to study CRS in vivo. PBMC‐engrafted NSG, NSG‐MHC‐DKO, and NSG‐SGM3 mice were used to study cytokine release in response to treatment with mAb immunotherapies. Our data show that therapeutic‐stimulated cytokine release in these PBMC‐based NSG models captures the variation in cytokine release between individual donors, is drug dependent, occurs in the absence of acute xeno‐GVHD, highlighting the specificity of the assay, and shows a robust response following treatment with a TGN1412 analog, a CD28 superagonist. Overall our results demonstrate that PBMC‐engrafted NSG models are rapid, sensitive, and reproducible platforms to screen novel therapeutics for CRS.

Strategies and Recommendations for Using a Data-Driven and Risk-Based Approach in the Selection of First-in-Human Starting Dose: An International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ) Assessment

Various approaches to first-in-human (FIH) starting dose selection for new molecular entities (NMEs) are designed to minimize risk to trial subjects. One approach uses the minimum anticipated biological effect level (MABEL), which is a conservative method intended to maximize subject safety and designed primarily for NMEs having high perceived safety risks. However, there is concern that the MABEL approach is being inappropriately used for lower risk molecules with negative impacts on drug development and time to patient access. In addition, ambiguity exists in how MABEL is defined and the methods used to determine it. The International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development convened a working group to understand current use of MABEL and its impact on FIH starting dose selection, and to make recommendations for FIH dose selection going forward. An industry-wide survey suggested the achieved or estimated maximum tolerated dose, efficacious dose, or recommended phase II dose was > 100-fold higher than the MABEL-based starting dose for approximately one third of NMEs, including trials in patients. A decision tree and key risk factor table were developed to provide a consistent, data driven-based, and risk-based approach for selecting FIH starting doses.

Costimulation Blockade in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Costimulation between T cells and antigen-presenting cells is essential for the regulation of an effective alloimmune response and is not targeted with the conventional immunosuppressive therapy after kidney transplantation. Costimulation blockade therapy with biologicals allows precise targeting of the immune response but without non-immune adverse events. Multiple costimulation blockade approaches have been developed that inhibit the alloimmune response in kidney transplant recipients with varying degrees of success. Belatacept, an immunosuppressive drug that selectively targets the CD28-CD80/CD86 pathway, is the only costimulation blockade therapy that is currently approved for kidney transplant recipients. In the last decade, belatacept therapy has been shown to be a promising therapy in subgroups of kidney transplant recipients; however, the widespread use of belatacept has been tempered by an increased risk of acute kidney transplant rejection. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the costimulation blockade therapies that are currently in use or being developed for kidney transplant indications.