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O'Connell RP, Liaw K, Wellhausen N, Chuckran CA, Bhojnagarwala PS, Bordoloi D, Park D, Shupin N, Kulp D, June CH, Weiner D. Format-tuning of in vivo-launched bispecific T cell engager enhances efficacy against renal cell carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008733. [PMID: 38834201 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008733] [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] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a prevalent kidney cancer for which long-term survival rates are abysmal, though immunotherapies are showing potential. Not yet clinically vetted are bispecific T cell engagers (BTEs) that activate T cell-mediated cancer killing through intercellular synapsing. Multiple BTE formats exist, however, with limited cross-characterizations to help optimize new drug design. Here, we developed BTEs to treat ccRCC by targeting carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) while characterizing the persistent BTE (PBTE) format and comparing it to a new format, the persistent multivalent T cell engager (PMTE). These antibody therapies against ccRCC are developed as both recombinant and synthetic DNA (synDNA) medicines. METHODS Antibody formatting effects on binding kinetics were assessed by flow cytometry and intercellular synaptic strength assays while potency was tested using T-cell activation and cytotoxicity assays. Mouse models were used to study antibody plasma and tumor pharmacokinetics, as well as antitumor efficacy as both recombinant and synDNA medicines. Specifically, three models using ccRCC cell line xenografts and human donor T cells in immunodeficient mice were used to support this study. RESULTS Compared with a first-generation BTE, we show that the PBTE reduced avidity, intercellular synaptic strength, cytotoxic potency by as much as 33-fold, and ultimately efficacy against ccRCC tumors in vivo. However, compared with the PBTE, we demonstrate that the PMTE improved cell avidity, restored intercellular synapses, augmented cytotoxic potency by 40-fold, improved tumor distribution pharmacokinetics by 2-fold, and recovered synDNA efficacy in mouse tumor models by 20-fold. All the while, the PMTE displayed a desirable half-life of 4 days in mice compared with the conventional BTE's 2 hours. CONCLUSIONS With impressive efficacy, the CA9-targeted PMTE is a promising new therapy for advanced ccRCC, which can be effectively delivered through synDNA. The highly potent PMTE format itself is a promising new tool for future applications in the multispecific antibody space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P O'Connell
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kevin Liaw
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nils Wellhausen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Devivasha Bordoloi
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Park
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicholas Shupin
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Kulp
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Weiner
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Ronca R, Supuran CT. Carbonic anhydrase IX: An atypical target for innovative therapies in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189120. [PMID: 38801961 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189120] [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: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrases (CAs), are metallo-enzymes implicated in several pathophysiological processes where tissue pH regulation is required. CA IX is a tumor-associated CA isoform induced by hypoxia and involved in the adaptation of tumor cells to acidosis. Indeed, several tumor-driving pathways can induce CA IX expression, and this in turn has been associated to cancer cells invasion and metastatic features as well as to induction of stem-like features, drug resistance and recurrence. After its functional and structural characterization CA IX targeting approaches have been developed to inhibit its activity in neoplastic tissues, and to date this field has seen an incredible acceleration in terms of therapeutic options and biological readouts. Small molecules inhibitors, hybrid/dual targeting drugs, targeting antibodies and adoptive (CAR-T based) cell therapy have been developed at preclinical level, whereas a sulfonamide CA IX inhibitor and an antibody entered Phase Ib/II clinical trials for the treatment and imaging of different solid tumors. Here recent advances on CA IX biology and pharmacology in cancer, and its therapeutic targeting will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Biotecnologie (CIB), Italy.
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, University of Florence, Florence 50019, Italy.
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Dreyzin A, Rankin AW, Luciani K, Gavrilova T, Shah NN. Overcoming the challenges of primary resistance and relapse after CAR-T cell therapy. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38739466 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2349738] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While CAR T-cell therapy has led to remarkable responses in relapsed B-cell hematologic malignancies, only 50% of patients ultimately have a complete, sustained response. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance and relapse after CAR T-cell therapy is crucial to future development and improving outcomes. AREAS COVERED We review reasons for both primary resistance and relapse after CAR T-cell therapies. Reasons for primary failure include CAR T-cell manufacturing problems, suboptimal fitness of autologous T-cells themselves, and intrinsic features of the underlying cancer and tumor microenvironment. Relapse after initial response to CAR T-cell therapy may be antigen-positive, due to CAR T-cell exhaustion or limited persistence, or antigen-negative, due to antigen-modulation on the target cells. Finally, we discuss ongoing efforts to overcome resistance to CAR T-cell therapy with enhanced CAR constructs, manufacturing methods, alternate cell types, combinatorial strategies, and optimization of both pre-infusion conditioning regimens and post-infusion consolidative strategies. EXPERT OPINION There is a continued need for novel approaches to CAR T-cell therapy for both hematologic and solid malignancies to obtain sustained remissions. Opportunities for improvement include development of new targets, optimally combining existing CAR T-cell therapies, and defining the role for adjunctive immune modulators and stem cell transplant in enhancing long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Dreyzin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center of Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Alexander W Rankin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center of Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katia Luciani
- School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | | | - Nirali N Shah
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center of Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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4
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Tang J, Ming L, Qin F, Qin Y, Wang D, Huang L, Cao Y, Huang Z, Yin Y. The heterogeneity of tumour-associated macrophages contributes to the clinical outcomes and indications for immune checkpoint blockade in colorectal cancer patients. Immunobiology 2024; 229:152805. [PMID: 38669865 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2024.152805] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the major immune cell types in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment (TME), play indispensable roles in immune responses against tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to know whether the extensive inter and intra heterogeneity of TAMs contributes to the clinical outcomes and indications for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in CRC. We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data from 60 CRC patients and charactrized TAMs based on anatomic locations, tumor regions, stages, grades, metastatic status, MSS/MSI classification and pseudotemporal differentiation status. We then defined a catalog of 21 gene modules that determine macrophage status, and identified 7 of them as relevant to clinical outcomes and 11 as indications for ICB therapy. On this basis, we constructed a unique TAM subgroup profile, aiming to find features that may be highly responsive to immunotherapy for the CRC with poor prognosis under conventional treatment. This TAM subpopulation is enriched in tumors and is associated with poor prognosis, but exhibits a high immunotherapy response signature (HIM TAM). Further spatial transcriptome analysis and ligand-receptor interaction analysis confirmed that HIM TAM is involved in shaping TIME, especially the regulation of T cells. Our study provides insights into different TAM subtypes, highlights the importance of TAM heterogeneity in relation to patient prognosis and immunotherapy response, and reveals potential immunotherapy strategies based on TAM characteristics for CRC that does not respond well to conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Tang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Liang Ming
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Feiyu Qin
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yan Qin
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062 China
| | - Duo Wang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Liuying Huang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yulin Cao
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Zhaohui Huang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yuan Yin
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
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Blüm P, Kayser S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy in Hematologic Malignancies: Clinical Implications and Limitations. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1599. [PMID: 38672680 PMCID: PMC11049267 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081599] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has become a powerful treatment option in B-cell and plasma cell malignancies, and many patients have benefited from its use. To date, six CAR T-cell products have been approved by the FDA and EMA, and many more are being developed and investigated in clinical trials. The whole field of adoptive cell transfer has experienced an unbelievable development process, and we are now at the edge of a new era of immune therapies that will have its impact beyond hematologic malignancies. Areas of interest are, e.g., solid oncology, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and others. Although much has been achieved so far, there is still a huge effort needed to overcome significant challenges and difficulties. We are witnessing a rapid expansion of knowledge, induced by new biomedical technologies and CAR designs. The era of CAR T-cell therapy has just begun, and new products will widen the therapeutic landscape in the future. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical applications of CAR T-cells, focusing on the approved products and emphasizing their benefits but also indicating limitations and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Blüm
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Sabine Kayser
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
- NCT Trial Center, National Center of Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Szulc A, Woźniak M. Targeting Pivotal Hallmarks of Cancer for Enhanced Therapeutic Strategies in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment-In Vitro, In Vivo and Clinical Trials Literature Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1483. [PMID: 38672570 PMCID: PMC11047913 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081483] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and explores innovative targeted therapies focused on specific hallmarks of cancer cells, aiming to revolutionize breast cancer treatment. TNBC, characterized by its lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), presents distinct features, categorizing these invasive breast tumors into various phenotypes delineated by key elements in molecular assays. This article delves into the latest advancements in therapeutic strategies targeting components of the tumor microenvironment and pivotal hallmarks of cancer: deregulating cellular metabolism and the Warburg effect, acidosis and hypoxia, the ability to metastasize and evade the immune system, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy while mitigating systemic toxicity. Insights from in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials underscore the promising effectiveness and elucidate the mechanisms of action of these novel therapeutic interventions for TNBC, particularly in cases refractory to conventional treatments. The integration of targeted therapies tailored to the molecular characteristics of TNBC holds significant potential for optimizing clinical outcomes and addressing the pressing need for more effective treatment options for this aggressive subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Woźniak
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Division of General and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
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7
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Strassl I, Podar K. The preclinical discovery and clinical development of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Cilta-cel) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:377-391. [PMID: 38369760 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2319672] [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: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite remarkable therapeutic advances over the last two decades, which have resulted in dramatic improvements in patient survival, multiple myeloma (MM) is still considered an incurable disease. Therefore, there is a high need for new treatment strategies. Genetically engineered/redirected chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells may represent the most compelling modality of immunotherapy for cancer treatment in general, and MM in particular. Indeed, unprecedented response rates have led to the recent approvals of the first two BCMA-targeted CAR T cell products idecabtagene-vicleucel ('Ide-cel') and ciltacabtagene-autoleucel ('Cilta-Cel') for the treatment of heavily pretreated MM patients. In addition, both are emerging as a new standard-of-care also in earlier lines of therapy. AREAS COVERED This article briefly reviews the history of the preclinical development of CAR T cells, with a particular focus on Cilta-cel. Moreover, it summarizes the newest clinical data on Cilta-cel and discusses strategies to further improve its activity and reduce its toxicity. EXPERT OPINION Modern next-generation immunotherapy is continuously transforming the MM treatment landscape. Despite several caveats of CAR T cell therapy, including its toxicity, costs, and limited access, prolonged disease-free survival and potential cure of MM are finally within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Strassl
- Division of Hematology with Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ordensklinikum Linz Hospital, Linz, Austria
- Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Klaus Podar
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Krems, Austria
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Department of General and Translational Oncology and Hematology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
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8
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Wang Y, Buck A, Piel B, Zerefa L, Murugan N, Coherd CD, Miklosi AG, Johal H, Bastos RN, Huang K, Ficial M, Laimon YN, Signoretti S, Zhong Z, Hoang SM, Kastrunes GM, Grimaud M, Fayed A, Yuan HC, Nguyen QD, Thai T, Ivanova EV, Paweletz CP, Wu MR, Choueiri TK, Wee JO, Freeman GJ, Barbie DA, Marasco WA. Affinity fine-tuning anti-CAIX CAR-T cells mitigate on-target off-tumor side effects. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:56. [PMID: 38491381 PMCID: PMC10943873 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01952-w] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the major hurdles that has hindered the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies against solid tumors is on-target off-tumor (OTOT) toxicity due to sharing of the same epitopes on normal tissues. To elevate the safety profile of CAR-T cells, an affinity/avidity fine-tuned CAR was designed enabling CAR-T cell activation only in the presence of a highly expressed tumor associated antigen (TAA) but not when recognizing the same antigen at a physiological level on healthy cells. Using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) which provides single-molecule resolution, and flow cytometry, we identified high carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) density on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patient samples and low-density expression on healthy bile duct tissues. A Tet-On doxycycline-inducible CAIX expressing cell line was established to mimic various CAIX densities, providing coverage from CAIX-high skrc-59 tumor cells to CAIX-low MMNK-1 cholangiocytes. Assessing the killing of CAR-T cells, we demonstrated that low-affinity/high-avidity fine-tuned G9 CAR-T has a wider therapeutic window compared to high-affinity/high-avidity G250 that was used in the first anti-CAIX CAR-T clinical trial but displayed serious OTOT effects. To assess the therapeutic effect of G9 on patient samples, we generated ccRCC patient derived organotypic tumor spheroid (PDOTS) ex vivo cultures and demonstrated that G9 CAR-T cells exhibited superior efficacy, migration and cytokine release in these miniature tumors. Moreover, in an RCC orthotopic mouse model, G9 CAR-T cells showed enhanced tumor control compared to G250. In summary, G9 has successfully mitigated OTOT side effects and in doing so has made CAIX a druggable immunotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alicia Buck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Brandon Piel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Luann Zerefa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nithyassree Murugan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Christian D Coherd
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kun Huang
- Molecular Imaging Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Miriam Ficial
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yasmin Nabil Laimon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sabina Signoretti
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | | | - Gabriella M Kastrunes
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marion Grimaud
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Atef Fayed
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Hsien-Chi Yuan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Quang-De Nguyen
- Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Tran Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Elena V Ivanova
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center of Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Cloud P Paweletz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center of Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Toni K Choueiri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jon O Wee
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Gordon J Freeman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - David A Barbie
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center of Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Wayne A Marasco
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Cho E, An MH, Lee YS, Ryu EJ, Lee YR, Park SY, Kim YJ, Lee CH, Oh D, Kim MS, Kim ND, Kim JJ, Hong YM, Cho M, Hwang TH. Development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting A56 viral protein implanted by oncolytic virus. iScience 2024; 27:109256. [PMID: 38455976 PMCID: PMC10918216 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
To address the challenge of solid tumor targeting in CAR-T therapy, we utilized the A56 antigen, which is uniquely expressed on a diverse range of cancer cells following the systemic administration of an oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV). Immunohistochemical assays precisely confirmed exclusive localization of A56 to tumor tissues. In vitro studies demonstrated a distinct superiority of A56-dependent CAR-T cytotoxicity across multiple cancer cell lines. Building on these in vitro observations, we strategically administered A56 CAR-T cells, OVV, and hydroxyurea (HU) combination in HCT-116 tumor-bearing non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice, leading to a significant reduction in tumor size and an extended time to progression. Consequently, A56-targeting combinatorial immunotherapy provides the benefit of reducing inadvertent CAR-T effects on normal cells while preserving its effectiveness against cancer cells. Furthermore, our approach of implanting A56 via OVV on tumors facilitates a wide therapeutic application of CAR-T cells across various solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euna Cho
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ho An
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Sle Lee
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jin Ryu
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - You Ra Lee
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - So Youn Park
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Ji Kim
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Hee Lee
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayoung Oh
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Seo Kim
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Deuk Kim
- Department of Pharmacy and Pusan Cancer Research Center, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Kim
- Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mi Hong
- Liver Center, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Mong Cho
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ho Hwang
- Research Center, Bionoxx Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13554, Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
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Knight E T, Oluwole O, Kitko C. The Implementation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy in Pediatric Patients: Where Did We Come From, Where Are We Now, and Where are We Going? Clin Hematol Int 2024; 6:96-115. [PMID: 38817691 PMCID: PMC11108586 DOI: 10.46989/001c.94386] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
CD19-directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Somewhat uniquely among oncologic clinical trials, early clinical development occurred simultaneously in both children and adults. In subsequent years however, the larger number of adult patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) malignancies has led to accelerated development of multiple CAR T-cell products that target a variety of malignancies, resulting in six currently FDA-approved for adult patients. By comparison, only a single CAR-T cell therapy is approved by the FDA for pediatric patients: tisagenlecleucel, which is approved for patients ≤ 25 years with refractory B-cell precursor ALL, or B-cell ALL in second or later relapse. Tisagenlecleucel is also under evaluation in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but is not yet been approved for this indication. All the other FDA-approved CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies available for adult patients (axicabtagene ciloleucel, brexucabtagene autoleucel, and lisocabtagene maraleucel) are currently under investigations among children, with preliminary results available in some cases. As the volume and complexity of data continue to grow, so too does the necessity of rapid assimilation and implementation of those data. This is particularly true when considering "atypical" situations, e.g. those arising when patients do not precisely conform to the profile of those included in pivotal clinical trials, or when alternative treatment options (e.g. hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or bispecific T-cell engagers (BITEs)) are also available. We have therefore developed a relevant summary of the currently available literature pertaining to the use of CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies in pediatric patients, and sought to provide guidance for clinicians seeking additional data about specific clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olalekan Oluwole
- Medicine Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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11
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Zhu C, Wu Q, Sheng T, Shi J, Shen X, Yu J, Du Y, Sun J, Liang T, He K, Ding Y, Li H, Gu Z, Wang W. Rationally designed approaches to augment CAR-T therapy for solid tumor treatment. Bioact Mater 2024; 33:377-395. [PMID: 38059121 PMCID: PMC10696433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell denoted as CAR-T therapy has realized incredible therapeutic advancements for B cell malignancy treatment. However, its therapeutic validity has yet to be successfully achieved in solid tumors. Different from hematological cancers, solid tumors are characterized by dysregulated blood vessels, dense extracellular matrix, and filled with immunosuppressive signals, which together result in CAR-T cells' insufficient infiltration and rapid dysfunction. The insufficient recognition of tumor cells and tumor heterogeneity eventually causes cancer reoccurrences. In addition, CAR-T therapy also raises safety concerns, including potential cytokine release storm, on-target/off-tumor toxicities, and neuro-system side effects. Here we comprehensively review various targeting aspects, including CAR-T cell design, tumor modulation, and delivery strategy. We believe it is essential to rationally design a combinatory CAR-T therapy via constructing optimized CAR-T cells, directly manipulating tumor tissue microenvironments, and selecting the most suitable delivery strategy to achieve the optimal outcome in both safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Qing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Tao Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Xinyuan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Jicheng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yang Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Tingxizi Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kaixin He
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
- ZJU-Pujian Research & Development Center of Medical Artificial Intelligence for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, 321299, China
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
- ZJU-Pujian Research & Development Center of Medical Artificial Intelligence for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
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Dey S, Devender M, Rani S, Pandey RK. Recent advances in CAR T-cell engineering using synthetic biology: Paving the way for next-generation cancer treatment. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:91-156. [PMID: 38762281 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
This book chapter highlights a comprehensive exploration of the transformative innovations in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to treat cancer by reprogramming a patient immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This chapter underscores the critical role of synthetic biology in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies. It begins by emphasizing the growing importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment, emphasizing the shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to patient-specific solutions. Synthetic biology, a multidisciplinary field, has been instrumental in customizing CAR T-cell therapies, allowing for fine-tuned precision and minimizing unwanted side effects. The chapter highlights recent advances in gene editing, synthetic gene circuits, and molecular engineering, showcasing how these technologies are optimizing CAR T-cell function. In summary, this book chapter sheds light on the remarkable progress made in the development of CAR T-cell therapies using synthetic biology, providing hope for cancer patients and hinting at a future where highly personalized and effective cancer treatments are the norm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Dey
- CSO Department, Cellworks Research India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Moodu Devender
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Swati Rani
- ICAR, National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajan Kumar Pandey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden.
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Lu L, Xie M, Yang B, Zhao WB, Cao J. Enhancing the safety of CAR-T cell therapy: Synthetic genetic switch for spatiotemporal control. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj6251. [PMID: 38394207 PMCID: PMC10889354 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a promising and precise targeted therapy for cancer that has demonstrated notable potential in clinical applications. However, severe adverse effects limit the clinical application of this therapy and are mainly caused by uncontrollable activation of CAR-T cells, including excessive immune response activation due to unregulated CAR-T cell action time, as well as toxicity resulting from improper spatial localization. Therefore, to enhance controllability and safety, a control module for CAR-T cells is proposed. Synthetic biology based on genetic engineering techniques is being used to construct artificial cells or organisms for specific purposes. This approach has been explored in recent years as a means of achieving controllability in CAR-T cell therapy. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in synthetic biology methods used to address the major adverse effects of CAR-T cell therapy in both the temporal and spatial dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-bin Zhao
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Cao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Zhu C, Ke L, Ao X, Chen Y, Cheng H, Xin H, Xu X, Loh XJ, Li Z, Lyu H, Wang Q, Zhang D, Ping Y, Wu C, Wu YL. Injectable Supramolecular Hydrogels for In Situ Programming of Car-T Cells toward Solid Tumor Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2310078. [PMID: 37947048 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy is approved in the treatment of hematological malignancies, but remains far from satisfactory in solid tumor treatment due to inadequate intra-tumor CAR-T cell infiltration. Herein, an injectable supramolecular hydrogel system, based on self-assembly between cationic polymer mPEG-PCL-PEI (PPP) conjugated with T cell targeting anti-CD3e f(ab')2 fragment and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), is designed to load plasmid CAR (pCAR) with a T cell specific CD2 promoter, which successfully achieves in situ fabrication and effective accumulation of CAR-T cells at the tumor site in humanized mice models. More importantly, due to this tumor microenvironment reprogramming, secretion of cellular inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) or tumor killer protein granzyme B is significantly promoted, which reverses the immunosuppressive microenvironment and significantly enhances the intra-tumor CAR-T cells and cytotoxic T cells infiltration. To the best of the current knowledge, this is a pioneer report of using injectable supramolecular hydrogel for in situ reprogramming CAR-T cells, which might be beneficial for solid tumor CAR-T immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Zhu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Lingjie Ke
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xiang Ao
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, and Department of Orthopedics, 953 Hospital of PLA Army, Shigatse Branch of Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics and Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Huhu Xin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, and Department of Orthopedics, 953 Hospital of PLA Army, Shigatse Branch of Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Xian-Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zibiao Li
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, Singapore, 627833, Republic of Singapore
| | - Haiyan Lyu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xiamen, 361012, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yuan Ping
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Caisheng Wu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yun-Long Wu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
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Wu J, Wu W, Zhou B, Li B. Chimeric antigen receptor therapy meets mRNA technology. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:228-240. [PMID: 37741706 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.08.005] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have emerged as a new game changer in cancer immunotherapy. The utility of CAR T cell therapy against hematological malignancies has been validated in clinical practice. Other CAR immune cells are currently under investigation to improve the potency of CAR therapy in solid tumors. As a new class of therapeutic modalities, mRNA-based therapeutics hold enormous potential beyond COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Arming immune cells with mRNA-encoded CARs represents a new frontier in cancer and beyond, enabling in vivo generation of CAR cells without causing transgene integration. In this review, we summarize recent advances in mRNA-based CAR immunotherapies and highlight their opportunities and challenges for the development of a new generation of living drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacai Wu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology and The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China; School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Weigang Wu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology and The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Boping Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology and The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China; School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology and The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China; School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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Wang Y, Suarez ER, Kastrunes G, de Campos NSP, Abbas R, Pivetta RS, Murugan N, Chalbatani GM, D'Andrea V, Marasco WA. Evolution of cell therapy for renal cell carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:8. [PMID: 38195534 PMCID: PMC10775455 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01911-x] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has improved dramatically over the last decade, shifting from high-dose cytokine therapy in combination with surgical resection of tumors to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and combination therapies. However, curative treatment, particularly for advanced-stage disease, remains rare. Cell therapy as a "living drug" has achieved hematological malignancy cures with a high response rate, and significant research efforts have been made to facilitate its translation to solid tumors. Herein, we overview the cellular therapies for RCC focusing on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, T cell receptor gene-modified T cells, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer (NK) cells, lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, γδ T cells, and dendritic cell vaccination. We have also included perspectives for using other recent approaches, such as CAR macrophages, dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cells and regulatory CAR-T cells to shed light on preclinical development of cell therapy and advancing cell therapy into clinic to achieve cures for RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Eloah Rabello Suarez
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, SP, 09210-580, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Kastrunes
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Najla Santos Pacheco de Campos
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, SP, 09210-580, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Rabia Abbas
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Renata Schmieder Pivetta
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, SP, 09210-580, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Nithyassree Murugan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Vincent D'Andrea
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Wayne A Marasco
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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Sauerer T, Albrecht L, Sievers NM, Gerer KF, Hoyer S, Dörrie J, Schaft N. Electroporation of mRNA as a Universal Technology Platform to Transfect a Variety of Primary Cells with Antigens and Functional Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2786:219-235. [PMID: 38814397 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3770-8_10] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Electroporation (EP) of mRNA into human cells is a broadly applicable method to transiently express proteins of choice in a variety of different cell types. We have spent more than two decades to optimize and adapt this method, first for antigen-loading of dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequently for T cells, B cells, bulk PBMCs, and several cell lines. In this regard, antigens were introduced, processed, and presented in context of MHC class I and II. Next to that, functional proteins like adhesion receptors, T-cell receptors (TCRs), chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), constitutively active signal transducers (i.e. caIKK), and others were successfully expressed. We have also established this protocol under full GMP compliance as part of a manufacturing license to produce mRNA-electroporated DCs and mRNA-electroporated T cells for therapeutic applications in clinical trials. Therefore, we here want to share our universal mRNA electroporation protocol and the experience we have gathered with this method. The advantages of the transfection method presented here are: (1) easy adaptation to different cell types; (2) scalability from 106 to approximately 108 cells per shot; (3) high transfection efficiency (80-99%); (4) homogenous protein expression; (5) GMP compliance if the EP is performed in a class A clean room; and (6) no transgene integration into the genome. The provided protocol involves: OptiMEM® as EP medium, a square-wave pulse with 500 V, and 4 mm cuvettes. To adapt the protocol to differently sized cells, simply the pulse time has to be altered. Thus, we share an overview of proven electroporation settings (including recovery media), which we have established for various cell types. Next to the basic protocol, we also provide an extensive list of hints and tricks, which, in our opinion, are of great value for everyone who intends to use this transfection technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Sauerer
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Leoni Albrecht
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nico M Sievers
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin F Gerer
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hoyer
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany.
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18
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Peters DT, Savoldo B, Grover NS. Building safety into CAR-T therapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2275457. [PMID: 37968136 PMCID: PMC10760383 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2275457] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an innovative immunotherapeutic approach that utilizes genetically modified T-cells to eliminate cancer cells using the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) coupled to the potent cytotoxicity of the T-lymphocyte. CAR-T therapy has yielded significant improvements in relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies. Given these successes, CAR-T has quickly spread to other hematologic malignancies and is being increasingly explored in solid tumors. From early clinical applications to present day, CAR-T cell therapy has been accompanied by significant toxicities, namely cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and on-target off-tumor (OTOT) effects. While medical management has improved for CRS and ICANS, the ongoing threat of refractory symptoms and unanticipated idiosyncratic toxicities highlights the need for more powerful safety measures. This is particularly poignant as CAR T-cell therapy continues to expand into the solid tumor space, where the risk of unpredictable toxicities remains high. We will review CAR-T as an immunotherapeutic approach including emergence of unique toxicities throughout development. We will discuss known and novel strategies to mitigate these toxicities; additional safety challenges in the treatment of solid tumors, and how the inducible Caspase 9 "safety switch" provides an ideal platform for continued exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. Peters
- Department of Hematology Oncology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Hematology Oncology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Natalie S. Grover
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hematology Oncology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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19
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Francis N, Braun M, Neagle S, Peiffer S, Bohn A, Rosenthal A, Olbrich T, Lollies S, Ilsmann K, Hauck C, Gerstmayer B, Weber S, Kirkpatrick A. Development of an automated manufacturing process for large-scale production of autologous T cell therapies. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101114. [PMID: 37790245 PMCID: PMC10544074 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Engineered T cell therapies have shown significant clinical success. However, current manufacturing capabilities present a challenge in bringing these therapies to patients. Furthermore, the cost of development and manufacturing is still extremely high due to complexity of the manufacturing process. Increased automation can improve quality and reproducibility while reducing costs through minimizing hands-on operator time, allowing parallel manufacture of multiple products, and reducing the complexity of technology transfer. In this article, we describe the results of a strategic alliance between GSK and Miltenyi Biotec to develop a closed, automated manufacturing process using the CliniMACS Prodigy for autologous T cell therapy products that can deliver a high number of cells suitable for treating solid tumor indications and compatible with cryopreserved apheresis and drug product. We demonstrate the ability of the T cell Transduction - Large Scale process to deliver a significantly higher cell number than the existing process, achieving 1.5 × 1010 cells after 12 days of expansion, without affecting other product attributes. We demonstrate successful technology transfer of this robust process into three manufacturing facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Francis
- Cell & Gene Therapy, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Marion Braun
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Sarah Neagle
- Cell & Gene Therapy, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Sabine Peiffer
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Alexander Bohn
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Alexander Rosenthal
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Tanita Olbrich
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Sophia Lollies
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Keijo Ilsmann
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Carola Hauck
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Bernhard Gerstmayer
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Silvio Weber
- Cellular Therapy, Industrial Workflow Development, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Aileen Kirkpatrick
- Cell & Gene Therapy, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
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20
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Lu Z, Chen Y, Liu D, Jiao X, Liu C, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Jia K, Gong J, Yang Z, Shen L. The landscape of cancer research and cancer care in China. Nat Med 2023; 29:3022-3032. [PMID: 38087112 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02655-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The rising cancer incidence rate in China poses a substantial public health concern, although there have been remarkable improvements in the country's cancer mortality and survival rates. In this Review, we outline the current landscape and future directions of cancer care and research in China. We discuss national screening programs and strategies for cancer detection and delve into the evolving landscape of cancer care, emphasizing the adoption of multidisciplinary, comprehensive treatment and precision oncology. Additionally, we examine changes in drug research and development policies that have enabled approval of new drugs. Finally, we look to the future, highlighting key priorities and identifying gaps. Effectively addressing challenges and seizing opportunities associated with cancer research in China will enable the development of targeted approaches to alleviate the global burden of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Jiao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zizhen Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Keren Jia
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jifang Gong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhimin Yang
- National Center for Drug Evaluation, National Medical Products Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China.
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21
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Wala JA, Hanna GJ. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2023; 37:1149-1168. [PMID: 37353377 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2023.05.009] [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] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
We review chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for solid tumors. We discuss patient selection factors and aspects of clinical management. We describe challenges including physical and molecular barriers to trafficking CAR-Ts, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and difficulty finding cell surface target antigens. The application of new approaches in synthetic biology and cellular engineering toward solid tumor CAR-Ts is described. Finally, we summarize reported and ongoing clinical trials of CAR-T therapies for select disease sites such as head and neck (including thyroid cancer), lung, central nervous system (glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, glioma), sarcoma, genitourinary (prostate, renal, bladder, kidney), breast and ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah A Wala
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Dana Building 2nd Floor, Room 2-140, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Glenn J Hanna
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Dana Building 2nd Floor, Room 2-140, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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22
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Sadek NL, Costa BA, Nath K, Mailankody S. CAR T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma: A Clinical Practice-Oriented Review. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:1184-1195. [PMID: 37750399 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). Two BCMA-directed CAR T-cell products - idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) - have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for patients with relapsed/refractory MM who underwent four or more prior lines of therapy (including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody). Despite producing unprecedented response rates in an otherwise difficult to treat patient population, CAR T-cell therapies are commonly associated with immune-related adverse events (e.g., cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity), cytopenias, and infections. Moreover, many patients continue to exhibit relapse post-treatment, with resistance mechanisms yet to be fully understood. Ongoing basic, translational, and clinical research efforts are poised to generate deeper insights into the optimal utilization of these therapies, improve their efficacy, minimize associated toxicity, and identify new target antigens in patients with MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah Layla Sadek
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bruno Almeida Costa
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Karthik Nath
- Department of Medicine, Cellular Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sham Mailankody
- Department of Medicine, Cellular Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Myeloma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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23
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Bangayan NJ, Wang L, Burton Sojo G, Noguchi M, Cheng D, Ta L, Gunn D, Mao Z, Liu S, Yin Q, Riedinger M, Li K, Wu AM, Stoyanova T, Witte ON. Dual-inhibitory domain iCARs improve the efficiency of the AND-NOT gate CAR T strategy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312374120. [PMID: 37963244 PMCID: PMC10666036 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312374120] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cell therapy has shown clinical success in treating hematological malignancies, but its treatment of solid tumors has been limited. One major challenge is on-target, off-tumor toxicity, where CAR T cells also damage normal tissues that express the targeted antigen. To reduce this detrimental side-effect, Boolean-logic gates like AND-NOT gates have utilized an inhibitory CAR (iCAR) to specifically curb CAR T cell activity at selected nonmalignant tissue sites. However, the strategy seems inefficient, requiring high levels of iCAR and its target antigen for inhibition. Using a TROP2-targeting iCAR with a single PD1 inhibitory domain to inhibit a CEACAM5-targeting CAR (CEACAR), we observed that the inefficiency was due to a kinetic delay in iCAR inhibition of cytotoxicity. To improve iCAR efficiency, we modified three features of the iCAR-the avidity, the affinity, and the intracellular signaling domains. Increasing the avidity but not the affinity of the iCAR led to significant reductions in the delay. iCARs containing twelve different inhibitory signaling domains were screened for improved inhibition, and three domains (BTLA, LAIR-1, and SIGLEC-9) each suppressed CAR T function but did not enhance inhibitory kinetics. When inhibitory domains of LAIR-1 or SIGLEC-9 were combined with PD-1 into a single dual-inhibitory domain iCAR (DiCARs) and tested with the CEACAR, inhibition efficiency improved as evidenced by a significant reduction in the inhibitory delay. These data indicate that a delicate balance between CAR and iCAR signaling strength and kinetics must be achieved to regulate AND-NOT gate CAR T cell selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael J. Bangayan
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Giselle Burton Sojo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Miyako Noguchi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Donghui Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Lisa Ta
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Donny Gunn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Zhiyuan Mao
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Shiqin Liu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Qingqing Yin
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Mireille Riedinger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Keyu Li
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Anna M. Wu
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA91010
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA91010
| | - Tanya Stoyanova
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Owen N. Witte
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
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24
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Li Y, Rezvani K, Rafei H. Next-generation chimeric antigen receptors for T- and natural killer-cell therapies against cancer. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:217-235. [PMID: 37548050 PMCID: PMC10841677 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of various hematologic malignancies. However, the broad application of this approach for myeloid malignancies and solid cancers has been limited by the paucity and heterogeneity of target antigen expression, and lack of bona fide tumor-specific antigens that can be targeted without cross-reactivity against normal tissues. This may lead to unwanted on-target off-tumor toxicities that could undermine the desired antitumor effect. Recent advances in synthetic biology and genetic engineering have enabled reprogramming of immune effector cells to enhance their selectivity toward tumors, thus mitigating on-target off-tumor adverse effects. In this review, we outline the current strategies being explored to improve CAR selectivity toward tumor cells with a focus on natural killer (NK) cells, and the progress made in translating these strategies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Li
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hind Rafei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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25
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Giordano Attianese GMP, Ash S, Irving M. Coengineering specificity, safety, and function into T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:166-198. [PMID: 37548063 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapies, including of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and T cells gene-modified to express either a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), have demonstrated clinical efficacy for a proportion of patients and cancer-types. The field of ACT has been driven forward by the clinical success of CD19-CAR therapy against various advanced B-cell malignancies, including curative responses for some leukemia patients. However, relapse remains problematic, in particular for lymphoma. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, relative limited efficacy has been demonstrated for ACT of non-hematological solid tumors. Indeed, in addition to pre-infusion challenges including lymphocyte collection and manufacturing, ACT failure can be attributed to several biological processes post-transfer including, (i) inefficient tumor trafficking, infiltration, expansion and retention, (ii) chronic antigen exposure coupled with insufficient costimulation resulting in T-cell exhaustion, (iii) a range of barriers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated by both tumor cells and suppressive immune infiltrate, (iv) tumor antigen heterogeneity and loss, or down-regulation of antigen presentation machinery, (v) gain of tumor intrinsic mechanisms of resistance such as to apoptosis, and (vi) various forms of toxicity and other adverse events in patients. Affinity-optimized TCRs can improve T-cell function and innovative CAR designs as well as gene-modification strategies can be used to coengineer specificity, safety, and function into T cells. Coengineering strategies can be designed not only to directly support the transferred T cells, but also to block suppressive barriers in the TME and harness endogenous innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we review a selection of the remarkable T-cell coengineering strategies, including of tools, receptors, and gene-cargo, that have been developed in recent years to augment tumor control by ACT, more and more of which are advancing to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Ash
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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26
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Fugere T, Baltz A, Mukherjee A, Gaddam M, Varma A, Veeraputhiran M, Gentille Sanchez CG. Immune Effector Cell-Associated HLH-like Syndrome: A Review of the Literature of an Increasingly Recognized Entity. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5149. [PMID: 37958323 PMCID: PMC10647774 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215149] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since CAR-T cell therapy was initially approved in 2017, its use has become more prevalent and so have its side effects. CAR-T-related HLH, also named immune effector cell-associated HLH-like syndrome (IEC-HS), is a rare but fatal toxicity if not recognized promptly. We conducted a review of the literature in order to understand the prevalence of IEC-HS as well as clarify the evolution of the diagnostic criteria and treatment recommendations. IEC-HS occurrence varies between CAR-T cell products and the type of malignancy treated. Diagnosis can be challenging as there are no standardized diagnostic criteria, and its clinical features can overlap with cytokine release syndrome and active hematological disease. Suggested treatment strategies have been extrapolated from prior experience in HLH and include anakinra, corticosteroids and ruxolitinib. IEC-HS is a potentially fatal toxicity associated with CAR-T cell therapy. Early recognition with reliable diagnostic criteria and prompt implementation of treatment specific to IEC-HS is imperative for improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Fugere
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (A.B.); (A.M.); (M.G.); (A.V.); (M.V.); (C.G.G.S.)
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27
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Kvorjak M, Ruffo E, Tivon Y, So V, Parikh A, Deiters A, Lohmueller J. Conditional Control of Universal CAR T Cells by Cleavable OFF-Switch Adaptors. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2996-3007. [PMID: 37791909 PMCID: PMC10594876 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00320] [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: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
As living drugs, engineered T cell therapies are revolutionizing disease treatment with their unique functional capabilities. However, they suffer from limitations of potentially unpredictable behavior, toxicities, and nontraditional pharmacokinetics. Engineering conditional control mechanisms responsive to tractable stimuli such as small molecules or light is thus highly desirable. We and others previously developed "universal" chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that interact with coadministered antibody adaptors to direct target cell killing and T cell activation. Universal CARs are of high therapeutic interest due to their ability to simultaneously target multiple antigens on the same disease or different diseases by combining with adaptors to different antigens. Here, we further enhance the programmability and potential safety of universal CAR T cells by engineering OFF-switch adaptors that can conditionally control CAR activity, including T cell activation, target cell lysis, and transgene expression, in response to a small molecule or light stimulus. Moreover, in adaptor combination assays, OFF-switch adaptors were capable of orthogonal conditional targeting of multiple antigens simultaneously, following Boolean logic. OFF-switch adaptors represent a robust new approach for the precision targeting of universal CAR T cells with potential for enhanced safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kvorjak
- UPMC
Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Division
of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Department
of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Center
for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Elisa Ruffo
- UPMC
Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Division
of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Department
of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Center
for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yaniv Tivon
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Victor So
- UPMC
Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Division
of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Department
of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Center
for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Avani Parikh
- UPMC
Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Division
of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Department
of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Center
for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Center
for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Jason Lohmueller
- UPMC
Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Division
of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
- Department
of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Center
for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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28
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Laurence A. CAR-T cells, the first pharmaceutical cell therapy. Transfus Apher Sci 2023; 62:103754. [PMID: 37423868 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2023.103754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The success of genetically engineered adoptive cell therapies in haematological malignancy in the second decade of the 21st century has surprised both immunologists and oncologists. It challenges much of our understanding of the role of personalised medicine, the divide between cell products and pharmaceutical drugs and the limitations of the immune system to clear cancer. Furthermore, many challenges remain, the therapy is both expensive, hazardous and largely restricted to lymphoproliferative disease.
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29
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Smith R. Bringing cell therapy to tumors: considerations for optimal CAR binder design. Antib Ther 2023; 6:225-239. [PMID: 37846297 PMCID: PMC10576856 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have revolutionized the immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies and are poised to expand the range of their impact across a broad range of oncology and non-oncology indications. Critical to the success of a given CAR is the choice of binding domain, as this is the key driver for specificity and plays an important role (along with the rest of the CAR structure) in determining efficacy, potency and durability of the cell therapy. While antibodies have proven to be effective sources of CAR binding domains, it has become apparent that the desired attributes for a CAR binding domain do differ from those of a recombinant antibody. This review will address key factors that need to be considered in choosing the optimal binding domain for a given CAR and how binder properties influence and are influenced by the rest of the CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- Department of Research, Kite, a Gilead Company, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 240, Emeryville, CA 94070, USA
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Schaft N, Dörrie J, Schuler G, Schuler-Thurner B, Sallam H, Klein S, Eisenberg G, Frankenburg S, Lotem M, Khatib A. The future of affordable cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1248867. [PMID: 37736099 PMCID: PMC10509759 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1248867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of cancer was revolutionized within the last two decades by utilizing the mechanism of the immune system against malignant tissue in so-called cancer immunotherapy. Two main developments boosted cancer immunotherapy: 1) the use of checkpoint inhibitors, which are characterized by a relatively high response rate mainly in solid tumors; however, at the cost of serious side effects, and 2) the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, which were shown to be very efficient in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but failed to show high clinical effectiveness in solid tumors until now. In addition, active immunization against individual tumors is emerging, and the first products have reached clinical approval. These new treatment options are very cost-intensive and are not financially compensated by health insurance in many countries. Hence, strategies must be developed to make cancer immunotherapy affordable and to improve the cost-benefit ratio. In this review, we discuss the following strategies: 1) to leverage the antigenicity of "cold tumors" with affordable reagents, 2) to use microbiome-based products as markers or therapeutics, 3) to apply measures that make adoptive cell therapy (ACT) cheaper, e.g., the use of off-the-shelf products, 4) to use immunotherapies that offer cheaper platforms, such as RNA- or peptide-based vaccines and vaccines that use shared or common antigens instead of highly personal antigens, 5) to use a small set of predictive biomarkers instead of the "sequence everything" approach, and 6) to explore affordable immunohistochemistry markers that may direct individual therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Husam Sallam
- Molecular Genetics and Genetic Toxicology, Health Science Department, American Arab University, Ramallah, Palestine
| | - Shiri Klein
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Galit Eisenberg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shoshana Frankenburg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Lotem
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
- Hadassah Cancer Research Institute, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Areej Khatib
- Women's Health Research Unit, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Arcila ME, Patel U, Momeni-Boroujeni A, Yao J, Chan R, Chan J, Rijo I, Yu W, Chaves N, Patel H, Kakadiya S, Lachhander S, Senechal B, Riviere IC, Wang X, Sadelain M, Nafa K, Salazar P, Palomba L, Curran KJ, Park JH, Daniyan A, Borsu L. Validation of a High-Sensitivity Assay for Detection of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Vectors Using Low-Partition Digital PCR Technology. J Mol Diagn 2023; 25:634-645. [PMID: 37330049 PMCID: PMC10488325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Although in vivo engraftment, expansion, and persistence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are pivotal components of treatment efficacy, quantitative monitoring has not been implemented in routine clinical practice. We describe the development and analytical validation of a digital PCR assay for ultrasensitive detection of CAR constructs after treatment, circumventing known technical limitations of low-partitioning platforms. Primers and probes, designed for detection of axicabtagene, brexucabtagene, and Memorial Sloan Kettering CAR constructs, were employed to validate testing on the Bio-Rad digital PCR low-partitioning platform; results were compared with Raindrop, a high-partitioning system, as reference method. Bio-Rad protocols were modified to enable testing of DNA inputs as high as 500 ng. Using dual-input reactions (20 and 500 ng) and a combined analysis approach, the assay demonstrated consistent target detection around 1 × 10-5 (0.001%) with excellent specificity and reproducibility and 100% accuracy compared with the reference method. Dedicated analysis of 53 clinical samples received during validation/implementation phases showed the assay effectively enabled monitoring across multiple time points of early expansion (day 6 to 28) and long-term persistence (up to 479 days). CAR vectors were detected at levels ranging from 0.005% to 74% (vector versus reference gene copies). The highest levels observed in our cohort correlated strongly with the temporal diagnosis of grade 2 and 3 cytokine release syndrome diagnosis (P < 0.005). Only three patients with undetectable constructs had disease progression at the time of sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Arcila
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Utsav Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Amir Momeni-Boroujeni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - JinJuan Yao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Roger Chan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Joe Chan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ivelise Rijo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Wayne Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nelio Chaves
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Hina Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Srushti Kakadiya
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sean Lachhander
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brigitte Senechal
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Isabelle C Riviere
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Xiuyan Wang
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michel Sadelain
- Cell Therapy and Cell Engineering Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Khedoudja Nafa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paulo Salazar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lia Palomba
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kevin J Curran
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jae H Park
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Anthony Daniyan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Laetitia Borsu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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Dane A, van Leeuwen R, Hoedemakers M, van der Kuy H, Sleijfer S. Combatting the rising costs of cancer drugs; interventions from a university hospital's perspective. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1264951. [PMID: 37701038 PMCID: PMC10493871 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1264951] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid increase in cost continues to have negative impact on patients' accessibility to life-changing anticancer medications. Moreover, the rising cost does not equate to similar increase in medication effectiveness. We recognise our responsibility as a university hospital to tackle this imbalance and strive to provide high quality, sustainable, affordable and accessible care. An active approach in cost containment of expensive and innovative cancer drugs was adopted in our organisation to safeguard accessibility and improve quality of life for patients. In this article, we described four inverventions: 1) identify right patient and minimise overtreatment, 2) in-house medicine production for selected indications, 3) minimise medicine spillages and 4) effective procurement strategies. We call on other hospitals to take action and, favourably, to collaborate on a European level. Together, we will safeguard the current and future care of our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniek Dane
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Maaike Hoedemakers
- Department of Market Strategy and Healthcare Financing, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hugo van der Kuy
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Moreno-Cortes E, Franco-Fuquen P, Garcia-Robledo JE, Forero J, Booth N, Castro JE. ICOS and OX40 tandem co-stimulation enhances CAR T-cell cytotoxicity and promotes T-cell persistence phenotype. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1200914. [PMID: 37719008 PMCID: PMC10502212 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1200914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have emerged as an effective and potentially curative immunotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies. Treatment with CD19 CAR T-cells has shown unprecedented results in hematological malignancies, including heavily refractory leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cases. Despite these encouraging results, CAR T-cell therapy faces limitations, including the lack of long-term responses in nearly 50-70% of the treated patients and low efficacy in solid tumors. Among other reasons, these restrictions are related to the lack of targetable tumor-associated antigens, limitations on the CAR design and interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as short-term CAR T-cell persistence. Because of these reasons, we developed and tested a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct with an anti-ROR1 single-chain variable-fragment cassette connected to CD3ζ by second and third-generation intracellular signaling domains including 4-1BB, CD28/4-1BB, ICOS/4-1BB or ICOS/OX40. We observed that after several successive tumor-cell in vitro challenges, ROR1.ICOS.OX40ζ continued to proliferate, produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induce cytotoxicity against ROR1+ cell lines in vitro with enhanced potency. Additionally, in vivo ROR1.ICOS.OX40ζ T-cells showed anti-lymphoma activity, a long-lasting central memory phenotype, improved overall survival, and evidence of long-term CAR T-cell persistence. We conclude that anti-ROR1 CAR T-cells that are activated by ICOS.OX40 tandem co-stimulation show in vitro and in vivo enhanced targeted cytotoxicity associated with a phenotype that promotes T-cell persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eider Moreno-Cortes
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Pedro Franco-Fuquen
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Juan E. Garcia-Robledo
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Jose Forero
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Division of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Natalie Booth
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Januario E. Castro
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Cancer Research and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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Zhang P, Zhang G, Wan X. Challenges and new technologies in adoptive cell therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:97. [PMID: 37596653 PMCID: PMC10439661 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01492-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) have existed for decades. From the initial infusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to the subsequent specific enhanced T cell receptor (TCR)-T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies, many novel strategies for cancer treatment have been developed. Owing to its promising outcomes, CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the field of ACTs, particularly for hematologic malignancies. Despite these advances, CAR-T cell therapy still has limitations in both autologous and allogeneic settings, including practicality and toxicity issues. To overcome these challenges, researchers have focused on the application of CAR engineering technology to other types of immune cell engineering. Consequently, several new cell therapies based on CAR technology have been developed, including CAR-NK, CAR-macrophage, CAR-γδT, and CAR-NKT. In this review, we describe the development, advantages, and possible challenges of the aforementioned ACTs and discuss current strategies aimed at maximizing the therapeutic potential of ACTs. We also provide an overview of the various gene transduction strategies employed in immunotherapy given their importance in immune cell engineering. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that strategies capable of creating a positive feedback immune circuit, as healthy immune systems do, could address the flaw of a single type of ACT, and thus serve as key players in future cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Guizhong Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
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Zhu I, Piraner DI, Roybal KT. Synthesizing a Smarter CAR T Cell: Advanced Engineering of T-cell Immunotherapies. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1030-1043. [PMID: 37429007 PMCID: PMC10527511 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The immune system includes an array of specialized cells that keep us healthy by responding to pathogenic cues. Investigations into the mechanisms behind immune cell behavior have led to the development of powerful immunotherapies, including chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Although CAR T cells have demonstrated efficacy in treating blood cancers, issues regarding their safety and potency have hindered the use of immunotherapies in a wider spectrum of diseases. Efforts to integrate developments in synthetic biology into immunotherapy have led to several advancements with the potential to expand the range of treatable diseases, fine-tune the desired immune response, and improve therapeutic cell potency. Here, we examine current synthetic biology advances that aim to improve on existing technologies and discuss the promise of the next generation of engineered immune cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iowis Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Dan I. Piraner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Kole T. Roybal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA 8Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone UCSF Institute for Genetic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Zhang Z, Liu C, Wang M, Sun R, Yang Z, Hua Z, Wu Y, Wu M, Wang H, Qiu W, Yin H, Yang M. Treating solid tumors with TCR-based chimeric antigen receptor targeting extra domain B-containing fibronectin. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007199. [PMID: 37586774 PMCID: PMC10432677 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007199] [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] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The suppression of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells by the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial obstacle in the T-cell-based treatment of solid tumors. Extra domain B (EDB)-fibronectin is an oncofetal antigen expressed on the endothelium layer of the neovasculature and cancer cells. Though recognized as a T cell therapy target, engineered CAR T cells thus far have failed to demonstrate satisfactory in vivo efficacy. In this study, we report that targeting EDB-fibronectin by redirected TCR-CAR T cells (rTCR-CAR) bypasses the suppressive TME for solid tumor treatment and sufficiently suppressed tumor growth.We generated EDB-targeting CAR by fusing single-chain variable fragment to CD3ε, resulting in rTCR-CAR. Human primary T cells and Jurkat cells were used to study the EDB-targeting T cells. Differences to the traditional second-generation CAR T cell in signaling, immune synapse formation, and T cell exhaustion were characterized. Cytotoxicity of the rTCR-CAR T cells was tested in vitro, and therapeutic efficacies were demonstrated using xenograft models. METHODS RESULTS: In the xenograft models, the rTCR-CAR T cells demonstrated in vivo efficacies superior to that based on traditional CAR design. A significant reduction in tumor vessel density was observed alongside tumor growth inhibition, extending even to tumor models established with EDB-negative cancer cells. The rTCR-CAR bound to immobilized EDB, and the binding led to immune synapse structures superior to that formed by second-generation CARs. By a mechanism similar to that for the conventional TCR complex, EDB-fibronectin activated the rTCR-CAR, resulting in rTCR-CAR T cells with low basal activation levels and increased in vivo expansion. CONCLUSION Our study has demonstrated the potential of rTCR-CAR T cells targeting the EDB-fibronectin as an anticancer therapeutic. Engineered to possess antiangiogenic and cytotoxic activities, the rTCR-CAR T cells showed therapeutic efficacies not impacted by the suppressive TMEs. These combined characteristics of a single therapeutic agent point to its potential to achieve sustained control of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muhan Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rongcheng Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Cell Tech Medical Research Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhen Hua
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yushuang Wu
- Jiangsu Cell Tech Medical Research Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengting Wu
- Jiangsu Cell Tech Medical Research Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hang Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen Qiu
- Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongping Yin
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meijia Yang
- Jiangsu Cell Tech Medical Research Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Katiyar V, Chesney J, Kloecker G. Cellular Therapy for Lung Cancer: Focusing on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) Cells and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3733. [PMID: 37509394 PMCID: PMC10377757 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to a marked improvement in the outcomes of lung cancer patients. Despite these advances, there is a huge unmet need for therapeutic options in patients who are not candidates for targeted or immunotherapy or those who progress after first-line treatment. With its high mutational burden, lung cancer appears to be an attractive target for novel personalized treatment approaches. In this review, we provide an overview of two adoptive cell therapy approaches-chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T-cell therapy and Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in lung cancer with an emphasis on current challenges and future perspectives. While both these therapies are still in the early phases of development in lung cancer and need more refinement, they harbor the potential to be effective treatment options for this group of patients with otherwise poor prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vatsala Katiyar
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Jason Chesney
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Goetz Kloecker
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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Secondino S, Canino C, Alaimo D, Muzzana M, Galli G, Borgetto S, Basso S, Bagnarino J, Pulvirenti C, Comoli P, Pedrazzoli P. Clinical Trials of Cellular Therapies in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3667. [PMID: 37509328 PMCID: PMC10377409 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past years cancer treatments have drastically changed, mainly due to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors capable of immune modulation in vivo, thus providing major clinical benefit in a number of malignancies. Simultaneously, considerable technical refinements have opened new prospects for the development of immune cell-based medicinal products and unprecedented success with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting B-cell hematologic malignancies has been obtained. However, T cell therapies introduced and performed in the field of solid tumors have produced so far only limited responses in selected patient populations. This standstill is attributable to the difficulty in identifying target antigens which are homogeneously expressed by all tumor cells while absent from normal tissues, and the limited T cell persistence and proliferation in a hostile tumor microenvironment that favors immune escape. Replicating the results observed in hematology is a major scientific challenge in solid tumors, and ongoing translational and clinical research is focused on obtaining insight into the mechanisms of tumor recognition and evasion, and how to improve the efficacy of cellular therapies, also combining them with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other agents targeting either the cancer cell or the tumor environment. This paper provides an overview of current adaptive T cell therapy approaches in solid tumors, the research performed to increase their efficacy and safety, and results from ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Secondino
- Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Costanza Canino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Domiziana Alaimo
- Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Muzzana
- Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Galli
- Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Borgetto
- Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Basso
- Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Oncoematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Jessica Bagnarino
- Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Chiara Pulvirenti
- Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Oncoematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Comoli
- Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Oncoematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrazzoli
- Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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39
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Śledź M, Wojciechowska A, Zagożdżon R, Kaleta B. In Situ Programming of CAR-T Cells: A Pressing Need in Modern Immunotherapy. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2023; 71:18. [PMID: 37419996 PMCID: PMC10329070 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-023-00683-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell-based therapy has become a successful option for treatment of numerous hematological malignancies, but also raises hope in a range of non-malignant diseases. However, in a traditional approach, generation of CAR-T cells is associated with the separation of patient's lymphocytes, their in vitro modification, and expansion and infusion back into patient's bloodstream. This classical protocol is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. Those problems could be solved by successful protocols to produce CAR-T cells, but also CAR-natural killer cells or CAR macrophages, in situ, using viral platforms or non-viral delivery systems. Moreover, it was demonstrated that in situ CAR-T induction may be associated with reduced risk of the most common toxicities associated with CAR-T therapy, such as cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and "on-target, off-tumor" toxicity. This review aims to summarize the current state-of-the-art and future perspectives for the in situ-produced CAR-T cells. Indeed, preclinical work in this area, including animal studies, raises hope for prospective translational development and validation in practical medicine of strategies for in situ generation of CAR-bearing immune effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Śledź
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Radosław Zagożdżon
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Kaleta
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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40
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Pfeifer R, Al Rawashdeh W, Brauner J, Martinez-Osuna M, Lock D, Herbel C, Eckardt D, Assenmacher M, Bosio A, Hardt OT, Johnston ICD. Targeting Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigen 4 (SSEA-4) in Triple Negative Breast Cancer by CAR T Cells Results in Unexpected on Target/off Tumor Toxicities in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119184. [PMID: 37298141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119184] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the paucity of targetable antigens, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a challenging subtype of breast cancer to treat. In this study, we developed and evaluated a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-based treatment modality for TNBC by targeting stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 (SSEA-4), a glycolipid whose overexpression in TNBC has been correlated with metastasis and chemoresistance. To delineate the optimal CAR configuration, a panel of SSEA-4-specific CARs containing alternative extracellular spacer domains was constructed. The different CAR constructs mediated antigen-specific T cell activation characterized by degranulation of T cells, secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and killing of SSEA-4-expressing target cells, but the extent of this activation differed depending on the length of the spacer region. Adoptive transfer of the CAR-engineered T cells into mice with subcutaneous TNBC xenografts mediated a limited antitumor effect but induced severe toxicity symptoms in the cohort receiving the most bioactive CAR variant. We found that progenitor cells in the lung and bone marrow express SSEA-4 and are likely co-targeted by the CAR T cells. Thus, this study has revealed serious adverse effects that raise safety concerns for SSEA-4-directed CAR therapies because of the risk of eliminating vital cells with stem cell properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Pfeifer
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Bosio
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Olaf T Hardt
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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41
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Kvorjak M, Ruffo E, Tivon Y, So V, Parikh AB, Deiters A, Lohmueller J. Conditional control of universal CAR T cells by cleavable OFF-switch adaptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.22.541664. [PMID: 37292935 PMCID: PMC10245878 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.22.541664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As living drugs, engineered T cell therapies are revolutionizing disease treatment with their unique functional capabilities. However, they suffer from limitations of potentially unpredictable behavior, toxicities, and non-traditional pharmacokinetics. Engineering conditional control mechanisms responsive to tractable stimuli such as small molecules or light is thus highly desirable. We and others previously developed "universal" chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that interact with co-administered antibody adaptors to direct target cell killing and T cell activation. Universal CARs are of high therapeutic interest due to their ability to simultaneously target multiple antigens on the same disease or different diseases by combining with adaptors to different antigens. Here, we further enhance the programmability and potential safety of universal CAR T cells by engineering OFF-switch adaptors that can conditionally control CAR activity, including T cell activation, target cell lysis, and transgene expression, in response to a small molecule or light stimulus. Moreover, in adaptor combination assays, OFF-switch adaptors were capable of orthogonal conditional targeting of multiple antigens simultaneously following Boolean logic. OFF-switch adaptors represent a robust new approach for precision targeting of universal CAR T cells with potential for enhanced safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kvorjak
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Systems Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Elisa Ruffo
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Systems Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Yaniv Tivon
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Chemistry, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Victor So
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Systems Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Avani B. Parikh
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Systems Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Alexander Deiters
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Systems Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Chemistry, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Jason Lohmueller
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Systems Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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42
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Mitra A, Barua A, Huang L, Ganguly S, Feng Q, He B. From bench to bedside: the history and progress of CAR T cell therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1188049. [PMID: 37256141 PMCID: PMC10225594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1188049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy represents a major breakthrough in cancer care since the approval of tisagenlecleucel by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for the treatment of pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia. As of April 2023, six CAR T cell therapies have been approved, demonstrating unprecedented efficacy in patients with B-cell malignancies and multiple myeloma. However, adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity pose significant challenges to CAR T cell therapy. The severity of these adverse events correlates with the pretreatment tumor burden, where a higher tumor burden results in more severe consequences. This observation is supported by the application of CD19-targeted CAR T cell therapy in autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus and antisynthetase syndrome. These results indicate that initiating CAR T cell therapy early at low tumor burden or using debulking strategy prior to CAR T cell infusion may reduce the severity of adverse events. In addition, CAR T cell therapy is expensive and has limited effectiveness against solid tumors. In this article, we review the critical steps that led to this groundbreaking therapy and explore ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges. With the promise of more effective and safer CAR T cell therapies in development, we are optimistic that a broader range of cancer patients will benefit from this revolutionary therapy in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aroshi Mitra
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Amrita Barua
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Luping Huang
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Departments of Surgery and Urology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Siddhartha Ganguly
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
- Section of Hematology, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qin Feng
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bin He
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Departments of Surgery and Urology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
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43
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Ruffo E, Butchy AA, Tivon Y, So V, Kvorjak M, Parikh A, Adams EL, Miskov-Zivanov N, Finn OJ, Deiters A, Lohmueller J. Post-translational covalent assembly of CAR and synNotch receptors for programmable antigen targeting. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2463. [PMID: 37160880 PMCID: PMC10169838 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37863-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors are engineered cell-surface receptors that sense a target antigen and respond by activating T cell receptor signaling or a customized gene program, respectively. Here, to expand the targeting capabilities of these receptors, we develop "universal" receptor systems for which receptor specificity can be directed post-translationally via covalent attachment of a co-administered antibody bearing a benzylguanine (BG) motif. A SNAPtag self-labeling enzyme is genetically fused to the receptor and reacts with BG-conjugated antibodies for covalent assembly, programming antigen recognition. We demonstrate that activation of SNAP-CAR and SNAP-synNotch receptors can be successfully targeted by clinically relevant BG-conjugated antibodies, including anti-tumor activity of SNAP-CAR T cells in vivo in a human tumor xenograft mouse model. Finally, we develop a mathematical model to better define the parameters affecting universal receptor signaling. SNAP receptors provide a powerful strategy to post-translationally reprogram the targeting specificity of engineered cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ruffo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Adam A Butchy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yaniv Tivon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Victor So
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael Kvorjak
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Avani Parikh
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eric L Adams
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Natasa Miskov-Zivanov
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Olivera J Finn
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jason Lohmueller
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Systems Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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44
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Hiramatsu H. Current status of CAR-T cell therapy for pediatric hematologic malignancies. Int J Clin Oncol 2023; 28:729-735. [PMID: 37154980 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-023-02346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in the pediatric population, and the long-term survival can reach 90%. However, approximately, 20% of pediatric ALL patients experience relapse and require second-line chemotherapy. This is frequently followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which can cause long-term sequelae. Recent advances in immunotherapy, such as monoclonal antibody therapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, have revolutionized the treatment of relapsed and refractory ALL. Anti-CD19 CAR-T cells successfully eliminate B cell malignancies such as ALL. Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah®) is the first CAR-T cell immunotherapy approved by the FDA. CAR-T cell therapy can cause specific adverse events (AEs) such as cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, which are defined and graded according to the consensus grading system and treated with supportive therapies along with tocilizumab and corticosteroids. Other AEs include prolonged bone marrow suppression and hypogammaglobulinemia. Severe AEs are less common in the real-world experience than in clinical trials, probably due to better management of the patient before and during CAR-T cell therapy. The biggest challenge in CAR-T cell therapy against ALL is relapse. A high tumor burden on infusion, early loss of B cell aplasia, and minimal residual disease positivity after CAR-T cell infusion are predictive of relapse. Consolidative stem cell transplantation may improve the long-term outcome. The success of CD19 CAR-T cell therapy against B cell malignancy prompted extensive research into the use of CAR-T cells against other hematologic malignancies such as T cell leukemia or myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Hiramatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Japan.
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45
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Yu L, Lanqing G, Huang Z, Xin X, Minglin L, Fa-hui L, Zou H, Min J. T cell immunotherapy for cervical cancer: challenges and opportunities. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1105265. [PMID: 37180106 PMCID: PMC10169584 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1105265] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cellular immunotherapy has made inspiring therapeutic effects in clinical practices, which brings new hope for the cure of cervical cancer. CD8+T cells are the effective cytotoxic effector cells against cancer in antitumor immunity, and T cells-based immunotherapy plays a crucial role in cellular immunotherapy. Tumor infiltrated Lymphocytes (TIL), the natural T cells, is approved for cervical cancer immunotherapy, and Engineered T cells therapy also has impressive progress. T cells with natural or engineered tumor antigen binding sites (CAR-T, TCR-T) are expanded in vitro, and re-infused back into the patients to eradicate tumor cells. This review summarizes the preclinical research and clinical applications of T cell-based immunotherapy for cervical cancer, and the challenges for cervical cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gong Lanqing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziyu Huang
- School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaoyan Xin
- School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Liang Minglin
- School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lv Fa-hui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second People’s Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hongmei Zou
- Department of Obstetrics, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei, China
| | - Jie Min
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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46
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Choi JY, Kim TJ. The Current Status and Future Perspectives of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered T Cell Therapy for the Management of Patients with Endometrial Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:3359-3374. [PMID: 37185744 PMCID: PMC10136476 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040220] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a gynecological neoplasm that is increasing in occurrence and mortality rates. Although endometrial cancer in the early stages shows a relatively favorable prognosis, there is an increase in cancer-related mortality rates in the advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma population and patients in the metastatic setting. This discrepancy has presented an opportunity for research and development of target therapies in this population. After obtaining promising results with hematologic cancers, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy is gaining acceptance as a treatment for solid neoplasms. This treatment platform allows T cells to express tumor-specific CARs on the cell surface, which are administered to the patient to treat neoplastic cells. Given that CAR-T cell therapy has shown potential and clinical benefit compared to other T cell treatment platforms, additional research is required to overcome physiological limitations such as CAR-T cell depletion, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and the lack of specific target molecules. Different approaches and development are ongoing to overcome these complications. This review examines CAR-T cell therapy's current use for endometrial carcinomas. We also discuss the significant adverse effects and limitations of this immunotherapeutic approach. Finally, we consolidate signal-seeking early-phase clinical trials and advancements that have shown promising results, leading to the approval of new immunotherapeutic agents for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Choi
- Department of Gynecology and Infertility Medicine, CHA University Ilsan Medical Center, Goyang 1205, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Department of Urology, CHA University Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Goyang 1205, Republic of Korea
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47
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Tousley AM, Rotiroti MC, Labanieh L, Rysavy LW, Kim WJ, Lareau C, Sotillo E, Weber EW, Rietberg SP, Dalton GN, Yin Y, Klysz D, Xu P, de la Serna EL, Dunn AR, Satpathy AT, Mackall CL, Majzner RG. Co-opting signalling molecules enables logic-gated control of CAR T cells. Nature 2023; 615:507-516. [PMID: 36890224 PMCID: PMC10564584 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05778-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have altered the treatment landscape for B cell malignancies, the risk of on-target, off-tumour toxicity has hampered their development for solid tumours because most target antigens are shared with normal cells1,2. Researchers have attempted to apply Boolean-logic gating to CAR T cells to prevent toxicity3-5; however, a truly safe and effective logic-gated CAR has remained elusive6. Here we describe an approach to CAR engineering in which we replace traditional CD3ζ domains with intracellular proximal T cell signalling molecules. We show that certain proximal signalling CARs, such as a ZAP-70 CAR, can activate T cells and eradicate tumours in vivo while bypassing upstream signalling proteins, including CD3ζ. The primary role of ZAP-70 is to phosphorylate LAT and SLP-76, which form a scaffold for signal propagation. We exploited the cooperative role of LAT and SLP-76 to engineer logic-gated intracellular network (LINK) CAR, a rapid and reversible Boolean-logic AND-gated CAR T cell platform that outperforms other systems in both efficacy and prevention of on-target, off-tumour toxicity. LINK CAR will expand the range of molecules that can be targeted with CAR T cells, and will enable these powerful therapeutic agents to be used for solid tumours and diverse diseases such as autoimmunity7 and fibrosis8. In addition, this work shows that the internal signalling machinery of cells can be repurposed into surface receptors, which could open new avenues for cellular engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan M Tousley
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Louai Labanieh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lea Wenting Rysavy
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Won-Ju Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Caleb Lareau
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elena Sotillo
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Evan W Weber
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Skyler P Rietberg
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Yajie Yin
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dorota Klysz
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eva L de la Serna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander R Dunn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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48
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Maher J, Davies DM. CAR Based Immunotherapy of Solid Tumours-A Clinically Based Review of Target Antigens. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020287. [PMID: 36829563 PMCID: PMC9953298 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy with CAR-engineered immune cells has transformed the management of selected haematological cancers. However, solid tumours have proven much more difficult to control using this emerging therapeutic modality. In this review, we survey the clinical impact of solid tumour CAR-based immunotherapy, focusing on specific targets across a range of disease indications Among the many candidates which have been the subject of non-clinical CAR T-cell research, clinical data are available for studies involving 30 of these targets. Here, we map out this clinical experience, highlighting challenges such as immunogenicity and on-target off-tumour toxicity, an issue that has been both unexpected and devastating in some cases. We also summarise how regional delivery and repeated dosing have been used in an effort to enhance impact and safety. Finally, we consider how emerging armouring systems and multi-targeted CAR approaches might be used to enhance tumour access and better enable discrimination between healthy and transformed cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)207188-1468
| | - David M. Davies
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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49
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Zhang Y, Xu Y, Dang X, Zhu Z, Qian W, Liang A, Han W. Challenges and optimal strategies of CAR T therapy for hematological malignancies. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:269-279. [PMID: 36848181 PMCID: PMC10106177 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002476] [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: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Remarkable improvement relative to traditional approaches in the treatment of hematological malignancies by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has promoted sequential approvals of eight commercial CAR T products within last 5 years. Although CAR T cells' productization is now rapidly boosting their extensive clinical application in real-world patients, the limitation of their clinical efficacy and related toxicities inspire further optimization of CAR structure and substantial development of innovative trials in various scenarios. Herein, we first summarized the current status and major progress in CAR T therapy for hematological malignancies, then described crucial factors which possibly compromise the clinical efficacies of CAR T cells, such as CAR T cell exhaustion and loss of antigen, and finally, we discussed the potential optimization strategies to tackle the challenges in the field of CAR T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhang
- Department of Bio-Therapeutics, The First Medical Centre, The General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Xiuyong Dang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Zeyu Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Wenbin Qian
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Aibin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Weidong Han
- Department of Bio-Therapeutics, The First Medical Centre, The General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China
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Srour SA, Akin S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: The Past and the Future. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY AND PRECISION ONCOLOGY 2023; 6:19-30. [PMID: 36751657 PMCID: PMC9888521 DOI: 10.36401/jipo-22-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the new standard treatment for various indications in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Despite the several preclinical and early phase clinical trials, the overall clinical experience has been disappointing when applying this innovative therapy in solid tumors. The failure of CAR T-cell therapy and its limited antitumor activity in solid tumors have been attributed to several mechanisms, including tumor antigen heterogeneity, the hostile tumor microenvironment and poor trafficking of CAR T cells into tumor sites, and the unacceptable toxicities in some settings, among others. However, remarkable improvements have been made in understanding many of these failure mechanisms for which several emerging novel approaches are being applied to overcome these challenges. In this review, after a brief historic background for immunotherapy in solid tumors, we highlight the recent developments achieved in CAR T-cell designs, summarize completed clinical trials, and discuss current challenges facing CAR T-cell therapy and the suggested strategies to overcome these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer A. Srour
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Serkan Akin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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