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Lutz MS, Wang K, Jung G, Salih H, Hagelstein I. An Fc-modified monoclonal antibody as novel treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1343929. [PMID: 38322253 PMCID: PMC10845339 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1343929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease with limited treatment options. Hence, there is a considerable medical need for novel treatment strategies. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have significantly improved cancer therapy, primarily due to their ability to stimulate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), which plays a crucial role in their therapeutic efficacy. As a result, significant effort has been focused on improving this critical function by engineering mAbs with Fc regions that have increased affinity for the Fc receptor CD16 expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, the major cell population that mediates ADCC in humans. Here we report on the preclinical characterization of a mAb directed to the target antigen B7-H3 (CD276) containing an Fc part with the amino acid substitutions S239D/I332E to increase affinity for CD16 (B7-H3-SDIE) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. B7-H3 (CD276) is highly expressed in many tumor entities, whereas expression on healthy tissues is more limited. Our findings confirm high expression of B7-H3 on pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, our study shows that B7-H3-SDIE effectively activates NK cells against pancreatic cancer cells in an antigen-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the analysis of NK cell activation, degranulation and cytokine release. The activation of NK cells resulted in significant tumor cell lysis in both short-term and long-term cytotoxicity assays. In conclusion, B7-H3-SDIE constitutes a promising agent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina S. Lutz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Kevin Wang
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R. Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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2
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Cai Y, Chen X, Lu T, Yu Z, Hu S, Liu J, Zhou X, Wang X. Single-cell transcriptome analysis profiles the expression features of TMEM173 in BM cells of high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:372. [PMID: 37095455 PMCID: PMC10123968 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10830-5] [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: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an essential regulator of type I interferon (IFN) response, TMEM173 participates in immune regulation and cell death induction. In recent studies, activation of TMEM173 has been regarded as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, transcriptomic features of TMEM173 in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remain elusive. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB) were applied to determine the mRNA and protein levels of TMEM173 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). TMEM173 mutation status was assessed by Sanger sequencing. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed to explore the expression of TMEM173 in different types of bone marrow (BM) cells. RESULTS The mRNA and protein levels of TMEM173 were increased in PBMCs from B-ALL patients. Besides, frameshift mutation was presented in TMEM173 sequences of 2 B-ALL patients. ScRNA-seq analysis identified the specific transcriptome profiles of TMEM173 in the BM of high-risk B-ALL patients. Specifically, expression levels of TMEM173 in granulocytes, progenitor cells, mast cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were higher than that in B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs). Subset analysis further revealed that TMEM173 and pyroptosis effector gasdermin D (GSDMD) restrained in precursor-B (pre-B) cells with proliferative features, which expressed nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), CD19, and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) during the progression of B-ALL. In addition, TMEM173 was associated with the functional activation of NK cells and DCs in B-ALL. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide insights into the transcriptomic features of TMEM173 in the BM of high-risk B-ALL patients. Targeted activation of TMEM173 in specific cells might provide new therapeutic strategies for B-ALL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Cai
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Tiange Lu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Zhuoya Yu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Shunfeng Hu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Jiarui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xiangxiang Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 251006, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 251006, China.
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3
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Hagelstein I, Engel M, Hinterleitner C, Manz T, Märklin M, Jung G, Salih HR, Zekri L. B7-H3-targeting Fc-optimized antibody for induction of NK cell reactivity against sarcoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1002898. [PMID: 36275693 PMCID: PMC9585277 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1002898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells largely contribute to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a central factor for success of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) treatment of cancer. The B7 family member B7-H3 (CD276) recently receives intense interest as a novel promising target antigen for immunotherapy. B7-H3 is highly expressed in many tumor entities, whereas expression on healthy tissues is rather limited. We here studied expression of B7-H3 in sarcoma, and found substantial levels to be expressed in various bone and soft-tissue sarcoma subtypes. To date, only few immunotherapeutic options for treatment of sarcomas that are limited to a minority of patients are available. We here used a B7-H3 mAb to generate chimeric mAbs containing either a wildtype Fc-part (8H8_WT) or a variant Fc part with amino-acid substitutions (S239D/I332E) to increase affinity for CD16 expressing NK cells (8H8_SDIE). In comparative studies we found that 8H8_SDIE triggers profound NK cell functions such as activation, degranulation, secretion of IFNγ and release of NK effector molecules, resulting in potent lysis of different sarcoma cells and primary sarcoma cells derived from patients. Our findings emphasize the potential of 8H8_SDIE as novel compound for treatment of sarcomas, particularly since B7-H3 is expressed in bone and soft-tissue sarcoma independent of their subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Monika Engel
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department for Immunology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Clemens Hinterleitner
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Timo Manz
- Department for Immunology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department for Immunology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R. Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Latifa Zekri
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department for Immunology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
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4
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Increasing Role of Targeted Immunotherapies in the Treatment of AML. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063304. [PMID: 35328721 PMCID: PMC8953556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. The standard of care in medically and physically fit patients is intensive induction therapy. The majority of these intensively treated patients achieve a complete remission. However, a high number of these patients will experience relapse. In patients older than 60 years, the results are even worse. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are desperately needed. One promising approach in high-risk leukemia to prevent relapse is the induction of the immune system simultaneously or after reduction of the initial tumor burden. Different immunotherapeutic approaches such as allogenic stem cell transplantation or donor lymphocyte infusions are already standard therapies, but other options for AML treatment are in the pipeline. Moreover, the therapeutic landscape in AML is rapidly changing, and in the last years, a number of immunogenic targets structures eligible for specific therapy, risk assessment or evaluation of disease course were determined. For example, leukemia-associated antigens (LAA) showed to be critical as biomarkers of disease state and survival, as well as markers of minimal residual disease (MRD). Yet many mechanisms and properties are still insufficiently understood, which also represents a great potential for this form of therapy. Therefore, targeted therapy as immunotherapy could turn into an efficient tool to clear residual disease, improve the outcome of AML patients and reduce the relapse risk. In this review, established but also emerging immunotherapeutic approaches for AML patients will be discussed.
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Fuertes MB, Domaica CI, Zwirner NW. Leveraging NKG2D Ligands in Immuno-Oncology. Front Immunol 2021; 12:713158. [PMID: 34394116 PMCID: PMC8358801 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.713158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) revolutionized the field of immuno-oncology and opened new avenues towards the development of novel assets to achieve durable immune control of cancer. Yet, the presence of tumor immune evasion mechanisms represents a challenge for the development of efficient treatment options. Therefore, combination therapies are taking the center of the stage in immuno-oncology. Such combination therapies should boost anti-tumor immune responses and/or target tumor immune escape mechanisms, especially those created by major players in the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). Natural killer (NK) cells were recently positioned at the forefront of many immunotherapy strategies, and several new approaches are being designed to fully exploit NK cell antitumor potential. One of the most relevant NK cell-activating receptors is NKG2D, a receptor that recognizes 8 different NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), including MICA and MICB. MICA and MICB are poorly expressed on normal cells but become upregulated on the surface of damaged, transformed or infected cells as a result of post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms and intracellular pathways. Their engagement of NKG2D triggers NK cell effector functions. Also, MICA/B are polymorphic and such polymorphism affects functional responses through regulation of their cell-surface expression, intracellular trafficking, shedding of soluble immunosuppressive isoforms, or the affinity of NKG2D interaction. Although immunotherapeutic approaches that target the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis are under investigation, several tumor immune escape mechanisms account for reduced cell surface expression of NKG2DL and contribute to tumor immune escape. Also, NKG2DL polymorphism determines functional NKG2D-dependent responses, thus representing an additional challenge for leveraging NKG2DL in immuno-oncology. In this review, we discuss strategies to boost MICA/B expression and/or inhibit their shedding and propose that combination strategies that target MICA/B with antibodies and strategies aimed at promoting their upregulation on tumor cells or at reprograming TAM into pro-inflammatory macrophages and remodeling of the TME, emerge as frontrunners in immuno-oncology because they may unleash the antitumor effector functions of NK cells and cytotoxic CD8 T cells (CTL). Pursuing several of these pipelines might lead to innovative modalities of immunotherapy for the treatment of a wide range of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Beatriz Fuertes
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Inés Domaica
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norberto Walter Zwirner
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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6
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Gan D, Chen Y, Wu Z, Luo L, Yirga SK, Zhang N, Ye F, Chen H, Hu J, Chen Y. Doxorubicin/Nucleophosmin Binding Protein-Conjugated Nanoparticle Enhances Anti-leukemia Activity in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells in vitro and in vivo. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:607755. [PMID: 34122059 PMCID: PMC8193937 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.607755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive malignancy. Adults with ALL have more than 50% relapse rates. We have previously validated that overexpression of nucleophosmin (NPM) is involved in the multidrug resistance (MDR) development during ALL; and a synthetically engineered recombinant NPM binding protein (NPMBP) has been developed in our group; NPMBP and doxorubicin (DOX) can be conjugated in a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system named DOX-PMs-NPMBP to counteract MDR during ALL. Here, we evaluated the antileukemia potential of DOX-PMs-NPMBP in resistant ALL cells. This study demonstrates that DOX-PMs-NPMBP significantly enhances chemosensitivity to DOX in ALL cells. Despite at variable concentrations, both resistant and primary ALL cells from relapsed patients were sensitive to DOX-PMs-NPMBP. In detail, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of DOX-PMs-NPMBP were between 1.6- and 7.0-fold lower than those of DOX in cell lines and primary ALL cells, respectively; and apoptotic cells ratio was over 2-fold higher in DOX-PMs-NPMBP than DOX. Mechanistically, p53-driven apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest played essential role in DOX-PMs-NPMBP-induced anti-leukemia effects. Moreover, DOX-PMs-NPMBP significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival of ALL xenograft models; and no systemic toxicity occurrence was observed after treatment during follow-up. In conclusion, these data indicate that DOX-PMs-NPMBP may significantly exert growth inhibition and apoptosis induction, and markedly improve DOX antileukemia activity in resistant ALL cells. This novel drug delivery system may be valuable to develop as a new therapeutic strategy against multidrug resistant ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Gan
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuwen Chen
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengjun Wu
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liping Luo
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shimuye Kalayu Yirga
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fu Ye
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haijun Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianda Hu
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yingyu Chen
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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An Fc-Optimized CD133 Antibody for Induction of NK Cell Reactivity against B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071632. [PMID: 33915811 PMCID: PMC8036612 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a common blood cancer characterized by proliferating and accumulating malignant, immature B cells within the body. Despite recent successes in B-ALL therapy, there is still a need for new therapeutic options. In the present study, we report on the characterization of 293C3-SDIE for the treatment of B-ALL. 293C3-SDIE is an improved anti-tumor antibody targeting CD133, a common protein on the surface of B-ALL cells. We demonstrated that 293C3-SDIE specifically induces activation of natural killer cells, which leads to lysis of B-ALL cells. Based on this study, we conclude that CD133 serves as a target for immune therapy, and treatment with 293C3-SDIE represents a promising therapeutic option in B-ALL therapy and warrants further preclinical and clinical evaluation. Abstract In recent decades, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-inducing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy, and Fc engineering strategies have been utilized to further improve efficacy. A promising option is to enhance the affinity of an antibody’s Fc-part to the Fc-receptor CD16 by altering the amino acid sequence. Herein, we characterized an S239D/I332E-modified CD133 mAb termed 293C3-SDIE for treatment of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Flow cytometric analysis revealed CD133 expression on B-ALL cell lines and leukemic cells of 50% (14 of 28) B-ALL patients. 293C3-SDIE potently induced NK cell reactivity against the B-ALL cell lines SEM and RS4;11, as well as leukemic cells of B-ALL patients in a target antigen-dependent manner, as revealed by analysis of NK cell activation, degranulation, and cytotoxicity. Of note, CD133 expression did not correlate with BCR-ABL, CD19, CD20, or CD22, which are presently used as therapeutic targets in B-ALL, which revealed CD133 as an independent target for B-ALL treatment. Increased CD133 expression was also observed in MLL-AF4-rearranged B-ALL, indicating that 293C3-SDIE may constitute a particularly suitable treatment option in this hard-to-treat subpopulation. Taken together, our results identify 293C3-SDIE as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of B-ALL.
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Dixon KJ, Wu J, Walcheck B. Engineering Anti-Tumor Monoclonal Antibodies and Fc Receptors to Enhance ADCC by Human NK Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:312. [PMID: 33467027 PMCID: PMC7829765 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are the most widely used and characterized immunotherapy for hematologic and solid tumors. The significance of this therapy is their direct and indirect effects on tumor cells, facilitated by the antibody's antigen-binding fragment (Fab) and fragment crystallizable region (Fc region), respectively. The Fab can modulate the function of cell surface markers on tumor cells in an agonistic or antagonistic manner, whereas the Fc region can be recognized by an Fc receptor (FcR) on leukocytes through which various effector functions, including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), can be elicited. This process is a key cytolytic mechanism of natural killer (NK) cells. These innate lymphocytes in the human body recognize tumor-bound antibodies exclusively by the IgG Fc receptor CD16A (FcγRIIIA). Two allelic versions of CD16A bind IgG with either lower or higher affinity. Cancer patients homozygous for the higher affinity allele of CD16A have been reported to respond significantly better to mAb therapies for various malignancies. These studies revealed that mAb therapy efficacy positively correlates with higher affinity binding to CD16A. Approaches to enhance tumor antigen targeting by NK cells by modifying the Fc portion of antibodies or the FcR on NK cells are the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruce Walcheck
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA; (K.J.D.); (J.W.)
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Xu J, Niu T. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:167. [PMID: 33287858 PMCID: PMC7720594 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00996-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable progress has been achieved in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia over the past decades, relapse remains a major problem. Novel therapeutic options aimed at attaining minimal residual disease-negative complete remission are expected to reduce the incidence of relapse and prolong survival. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy is put forward as an option to tackle the unmet clinical needs. There have been an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK cells, antibodies, cytokines to immunomodulatory drugs. In this review, we will summarize different forms of NK cell-based immunotherapy for AML based on preclinical investigations and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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10
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Sommer C, Cheng HY, Nguyen D, Dettling D, Yeung YA, Sutton J, Hamze M, Valton J, Smith J, Djuretic I, Chaparro-Riggers J, Sasu BJ. Allogeneic FLT3 CAR T Cells with an Off-Switch Exhibit Potent Activity against AML and Can Be Depleted to Expedite Bone Marrow Recovery. Mol Ther 2020; 28:2237-2251. [PMID: 32592688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a dismal prognosis and limited treatment options. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have achieved unprecedented clinical responses in patients with B cell leukemias and lymphomas and could prove highly efficacious in AML. However, a significant number of patients with AML may not receive treatment with an autologous product due to manufacturing failures associated with low lymphocyte counts or rapid disease progression while the therapeutic is being produced. We report the preclinical evaluation of an off-the-shelf CAR T cell therapy targeting Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) for the treatment of AML. Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) targeting various epitopes in the extracellular region of FLT3 were inserted into CAR constructs and tested for their ability to redirect T cell specificity and effector function to FLT3+ AML cells. A lead CAR, exhibiting minimal tonic signaling and robust activity in vitro and in vivo, was selected and then modified to incorporate a rituximab-responsive off-switch in cis. We found that allogeneic FLT3 CAR T cells, generated from healthy-donor T cells, eliminate primary AML blasts but are also active against mouse and human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, indicating risk of myelotoxicity. By employing a surrogate CAR with affinity to murine FLT3, we show that rituximab-mediated depletion of FLT3 CAR T cells after AML eradication enables bone marrow recovery without compromising leukemia remission. These results support clinical investigation of allogeneic FLT3 CAR T cells in AML and other FLT3+ hematologic malignancies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Bone Marrow/immunology
- Bone Marrow/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Mice
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Sommer
- Allogene Therapeutics, Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Hsin-Yuan Cheng
- Allogene Therapeutics, Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Duy Nguyen
- Allogene Therapeutics, Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Danielle Dettling
- Pfizer Cancer Immunology Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 230 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yik Andy Yeung
- Pfizer Cancer Immunology Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 230 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Janette Sutton
- Allogene Therapeutics, Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Moustafa Hamze
- Formerly Cellectis SA, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Julien Valton
- Cellectis, Inc., 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Julianne Smith
- Cellectis, Inc., 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ivana Djuretic
- Pfizer Cancer Immunology Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 230 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Javier Chaparro-Riggers
- Pfizer Cancer Immunology Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 230 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Barbra J Sasu
- Allogene Therapeutics, Inc., 210 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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