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Punekar SR, Shum E, Grello CM, Lau SC, Velcheti V. Immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: Past, present, and future directions. Front Oncol 2022; 12:877594. [PMID: 35992832 PMCID: PMC9382405 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many decades in the making, immunotherapy has demonstrated its ability to produce durable responses in several cancer types. In the last decade, immunotherapy has shown itself to be a viable therapeutic approach for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several clinical trials have established the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), particularly in the form of anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibodies, anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibodies and anti-programmed death 1 ligand (PD-L1) antibodies. Many trials have shown progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) benefit with either ICB alone or in combination with chemotherapy when compared to chemotherapy alone. The identification of biomarkers to predict response to immunotherapy continues to be evaluated. The future of immunotherapy in lung cancer continues to hold promise with the development of combination therapies, cytokine modulating therapies and cellular therapies. Lastly, we expect that innovative advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, will begin to play a role in the future care of patients with lung cancer.
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Shafer P, Kelly LM, Hoyos V. Cancer Therapy With TCR-Engineered T Cells: Current Strategies, Challenges, and Prospects. Front Immunol 2022; 13:835762. [PMID: 35309357 PMCID: PMC8928448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.835762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To redirect T cells against tumor cells, T cells can be engineered ex vivo to express cancer-antigen specific T cell receptors (TCRs), generating products known as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR T). Unlike chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), TCRs recognize HLA-presented peptides derived from proteins of all cellular compartments. The use of TCR T cells for adoptive cellular therapies (ACT) has gained increased attention, especially as efforts to treat solid cancers with ACTs have intensified. In this review, we describe the differing mechanisms of T cell antigen recognition and signal transduction mediated through CARs and TCRs. We describe the classes of cancer antigens recognized by current TCR T therapies and discuss both classical and emerging pre-clinical strategies for antigen-specific TCR discovery, enhancement, and validation. Finally, we review the current landscape of clinical trials for TCR T therapy and discuss what these current results indicate for the development of future engineered TCR approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Shafer
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Program in Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lauren M Kelly
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Program in Cancer & Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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3
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Kang S, Li Y, Qiao J, Meng X, He Z, Gao X, Yu L. Antigen-Specific TCR-T Cells for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: State of the Art and Challenges. Front Oncol 2022; 12:787108. [PMID: 35356211 PMCID: PMC8959347 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.787108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytogenetic abnormalities and molecular mutations involved in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) lead to unique treatment challenges. Although adoptive T-cell therapies (ACT) such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have shown promising results in the treatment of leukemias, especially B-cell malignancies, the optimal target surface antigen has yet to be discovered for AML. Alternatively, T-cell receptor (TCR)-redirected T cells can target intracellular antigens presented by HLA molecules, allowing the exploration of a broader territory of new therapeutic targets. Immunotherapy using adoptive transfer of WT1 antigen-specific TCR-T cells, for example, has had positive clinical successes in patients with AML. Nevertheless, AML can escape from immune system elimination by producing immunosuppressive factors or releasing several cytokines. This review presents recent advances of antigen-specific TCR-T cells in treating AML and discusses their challenges and future directions in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Synat Kang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yisheng Li
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingqiao Qiao
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyu Meng
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ziqian He
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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Greenbaum U, Dumbrava EI, Biter AB, Haymaker CL, Hong DS. Engineered T-cell Receptor T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1252-1261. [PMID: 34728535 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Engineering immune cells to target cancer is a rapidly advancing technology. The first commercial products, chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, are now approved for hematologic malignancies. However, solid tumors pose a greater challenge for cellular therapy, in part because suitable cancer-specific antigens are more difficult to identify and surrounding healthy tissues are harder to avoid. In addition, impaired trafficking of immune cells to solid tumors, the harsh immune-inhibitory microenvironment, and variable antigen density and presentation help tumors evade immune cells targeting cancer-specific antigens. To overcome these obstacles, T cells are being engineered to express defined T-cell receptors (TCR). Given that TCRs target intracellular peptides expressed on tumor MHC molecules, this provides an expanded pool of potential targetable tumor-specific antigens relative to the cell-surface antigens that are targeted by CAR T cells. The affinity of TCR T cells can be tuned to allow for better tumor recognition, even with varying levels of antigen presentation on the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. Further enhancements to TCR T cells include improved platforms that enable more robust cell expansion and persistence; coadministration of small molecules that enhance tumor recognition and immune activation; and coexpression of cytokine-producing moieties, activating coreceptors, or mediators that relieve checkpoint blockade. Early-phase clinical trials pose logistical challenges involving production, large-scale manufacturing, and more. The challenges and obstacles to successful TCR T-cell therapy, and ways to overcome these and improve anticancer activity and efficacy, are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Greenbaum
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ecaterina I Dumbrava
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amadeo B Biter
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cara L Haymaker
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Sepesi B, Cascone T, Chun SG, Altan M, Le X. Emerging Therapies in Thoracic Malignancies-Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and T-Cell Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 2020; 29:555-569. [PMID: 32883458 PMCID: PMC7388816 DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Boris Sepesi
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Tina Cascone
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen G Chun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mehmet Altan
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiuning Le
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Chen R, Manochakian R, James L, Azzouqa AG, Shi H, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Zhou K, Lou Y. Emerging therapeutic agents for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:58. [PMID: 32448366 PMCID: PMC7245927 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00881-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, with a poor prognosis and no known cure. Survival time is often short because of limited treatment options. Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have changed the landscape for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. In the last 10 years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than 17 new medications for this devastating disease and more are coming. Molecular and immunogenic testing makes personalized medicine possible for patients with advanced NSCLC. The new medications provide promising efficacy and safety resulting in improved long-term survival for a significant number of patients. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in advanced/metastatic NSCLC therapeutics with a specific focus on first in-human or early-phase I/II clinical trials. These drugs either offer better alternatives to current standard drugs in the same class or are a completely new class of drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Advances are divided into (1) targeted agents, (2) antibody-drug conjugates, and (3) immunotherapies. Finally, we present a brief review of the emerging agents and ongoing clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqin Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Rami Manochakian
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Lauren James
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Abdel-Ghani Azzouqa
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Huashan Shi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Kexun Zhou
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yanyan Lou
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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Immunotherapy Approaches Beyond PD-1 Inhibition: the Future of Cellular Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2019; 20:31. [PMID: 30874960 PMCID: PMC10071759 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-019-0630-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT In a span of a few years, the surprising early successes of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors across a vast range of tumor types have transformed our understanding of cancer immunogenicity and provided proof of principle that T cells, if manipulated, can mediate meaningful tumor regression. In head and neck cancer, only a minority of patients respond to PD-1 therapy, but these small outcomes have fueled the enthusiasm for the next generation of immunotherapy-adoptive cell therapy-which employs recent advances in genetic engineering and cell culturing methods to generate T cells with enhanced anti-tumor efficacy for infusion back into the patient. Head and neck cancer is comprised of biologically distinct cancers, HPV-positive and HPV-negative, and the clinical responses to PD-1 inhibitors in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck patients have showcased better than any other cancer type that there are distinct pathways to immunogenicity that may lend themselves to different therapeutic approaches. Thus, head and neck cancer is uniquely poised to benefit from the personalized approach of adoptive cell therapy as well as provide a valuable platform to explore contrasting T cell modalities. In this article, we will review the growing portfolio of trials of adoptive cell therapies in head and neck cancer and discuss the future directions of this emerging new field.
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