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Lee HN, Lee S, Hong J, Yoo H, Jeong J, Kim YW, Shin HM, Jang M, Lee CH, Kim HR, Seong J. Novel FRET-based Immunological Synapse Biosensor for the Prediction of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Function. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2401016. [PMID: 39258379 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202401016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. CARs are activated at the immunological synapse (IS) when their single-chain variable fragment (scFv) domain engages with an antigen, allowing them to directly eliminate cancer cells. Here, an innovative IS biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for the real-time assessment of CAR-IS architecture and signaling competence is presented. Using this biosensor, scFv variants for mesothelin-targeting CARs and identified as a novel scFv with enhanced CAR-T cell functionality despite its lower affinity than the original screened. The original CAR promoted internalization and trogocytosis, disrupting stable IS formation and impairing functionality are further observed. These findings emphasize the importance of enhancing IS quality rather than maximizing scFv affinity for superior CAR-T cell responses. Therefore, the FRET-based IS biosensor is a powerful tool for predicting CAR-T cell function, enabling the efficient engineering of next-generation CARs with enhanced antitumor potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Nim Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisu Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Yoo
- Medicinal Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Woo Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Mu Shin
- Medical Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihue Jang
- Medicinal Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Han Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Hang-Rae Kim
- Medical Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Seong
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
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2
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Moles MW, Erdlei H, Menzel L, Massaro M, Fiori A, Bunse M, Schrimpf M, Gerlach K, Gudipati V, Reiser J, Mathavan K, Goodrich JP, Huppa JB, Krönke J, Valamehr B, Höpken UE, Rehm A. CXCR4 has a dual role in improving the efficacy of BCMA-redirected CAR-NK cells in multiple myeloma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383136. [PMID: 38979422 PMCID: PMC11228140 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disease with a preferential bone marrow (BM) tropism. Enforced expression of tissue-specific chemokine receptors has been shown to successfully guide adoptively-transferred CAR NK cells towards the malignant milieu in solid cancers, but also to BM-resident AML and MM. For redirection towards BM-associated chemokine CXCL12, we armored BCMA CAR-NK-92 as well as primary NK cells with ectopic expression of either wildtype CXCR4 or a gain-of-function mutant CXCR4R334X. Our data showed that BCMA CAR-NK-92 and -primary NK cells equipped with CXCR4 gained an improved ability to migrate towards CXCL12 in vitro. Beyond its classical role coordinating chemotaxis, CXCR4 has been shown to participate in T cell co-stimulation, which prompted us to examine the functionality of CXCR4-cotransduced BCMA-CAR NK cells. Ectopic CXCR4 expression enhanced the cytotoxic capacity of BCMA CAR-NK cells, as evidenced by the ability to eliminate BCMA-expressing target cell lines and primary MM cells in vitro and through accelerated cytolytic granule release. We show that CXCR4 co-modification prolonged BCMA CAR surface deposition, augmented ZAP-70 recruitment following CAR-engagement, and accelerated distal signal transduction kinetics. BCMA CAR sensitivity towards antigen was enhanced by virtue of an enhanced ZAP-70 recruitment to the immunological synapse, revealing an increased propensity of CARs to become triggered upon CXCR4 overexpression. Unexpectedly, co-stimulation via CXCR4 occurred in the absence of CXCL12 ligand-stimulation. Collectively, our findings imply that co-modification of CAR-NK cells with tissue-relevant chemokine receptors affect adoptive NK cell therapy beyond improved trafficking and retention within tumor sites.
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MESH Headings
- Multiple Myeloma/immunology
- Multiple Myeloma/therapy
- Humans
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Receptors, CXCR4/genetics
- B-Cell Maturation Antigen/immunology
- B-Cell Maturation Antigen/metabolism
- B-Cell Maturation Antigen/genetics
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Moles
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Erdlei
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lutz Menzel
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marialucia Massaro
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Agnese Fiori
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bunse
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Moritz Schrimpf
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Gerlach
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Venugopal Gudipati
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - John Reiser
- Fate Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Johannes B Huppa
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Krönke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Uta E Höpken
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armin Rehm
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Teppert K, Yonezawa Ogusuku IE, Brandes C, Herbel V, Winter N, Werchau N, Khorkova S, Wöhle C, Jelveh N, Bisdorf K, Engels B, Schaser T, Anders K, Künkele A, Lock D. CAR'TCR-T cells co-expressing CD33-CAR and dNPM1-TCR as superior dual-targeting approach for AML treatment. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200797. [PMID: 38601972 PMCID: PMC11004219 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200797] [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: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-progressing hematological malignancy affecting myeloid cells, is typically treated with chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, approximately half of the patients face relapses and 5-year survival rates are poor. With the goal to facilitate dual-specificity, boosting anti-tumor activity, and minimizing the risk for antigen escape, this study focused on combining chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) technologies. CAR'TCR-T cells, co-expressing a CD33-CAR and a transgenic dNPM1-TCR, revealed increased and prolonged anti-tumor activity in vitro, particularly in case of low target antigen expression. The distinct transcriptomic profile suggested enhanced formation of immunological synapses, activation, and signaling. Complete elimination of AML xenografts in vivo was only achieved with a cell product containing CAR'TCR-T, CAR-T, and TCR-T cells, representing the outcome of co-transduction with two lentiviral vectors encoding either CAR or TCR. A mixture of CAR-T and TCR-T cells, without CAR'TCR-T cells, did not prevent progressive tumor outgrowth and was comparable to treatment with CAR-T and TCR-T cells individually. Overall, our data underscore the efficacy of co-expressing CAR and transgenic TCR in one T cell, and might open a novel therapeutic avenue not only for AML but also other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Teppert
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | | | - Vera Herbel
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Nora Winter
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Niels Werchau
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | - Christian Wöhle
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Nojan Jelveh
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Kevin Bisdorf
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Boris Engels
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Thomas Schaser
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Kathleen Anders
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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4
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Zhao X, Shao S, Hu L. The recent advancement of TCR-T cell therapies for cancer treatment. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:663-674. [PMID: 38557898 PMCID: PMC11187488 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024034] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies involve infusing engineered immune cells into cancer patients to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Adoptive cell therapy, as a form of living drug, has undergone explosive growth over the past decade. The recognition of tumor antigens by the T-cell receptor (TCR) is one of the natural mechanisms that the immune system used to eliminate tumor cells. TCR-T cell therapy, which involves introducing exogenous TCRs into patients' T cells, is a novel cell therapy strategy. TCR-T cell therapy can target the entire proteome of cancer cells. Engineering T cells with exogenous TCRs to help patients combat cancer has achieved success in clinical trials, particularly in treating solid tumors. In this review, we examine the progress of TCR-T cell therapy over the past five years. This includes the discovery of new tumor antigens, protein engineering techniques for TCR, reprogramming strategies for TCR-T cell therapy, clinical studies on TCR-T cell therapy, and the advancement of TCR-T cell therapy in China. We also propose several potential directions for the future development of TCR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Shuai Shao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Lanxin Hu
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
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5
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Wang X, Tokarew NJA, Borgelt N, Siemer R, Melo CC, Langer C, Kasampalidis I, Ogusuku IEY, Cathomen T, Gessner I, Dose C, Fauerbach JA, Richter A, Evaristo C. Artificial Targets: a versatile cell-free platform to characterize CAR T cell function in vitro. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1254162. [PMID: 38433827 PMCID: PMC10906080 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1254162] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have tremendous potential and proven clinical efficacy against a number of malignancies. Research and development are emerging to deepen the knowledge of CAR T cell efficacy and extend the therapeutic potential of this novel therapy. To this end, functional characterization of CAR T cells plays a central role in consecutive phases across fundamental research and therapeutic development, with increasing needs for standardization. The functional characterization of CAR T cells is typically achieved by assessing critical effector functions, following co-culture with cell lines expressing the target antigen. However, the use of target cell lines poses several limitations, including alterations in cell fitness, metabolic state or genetic drift due to handling and culturing of the cells, which would increase variabilities and could lead to inconsistent results. Moreover, the use of target cell lines can be work and time intensive, and introduce significant background due to the allogenic responses of T cells. To overcome these limitations, we developed a synthetic bead-based platform ("Artificial Targets") to characterize CAR T cell function in vitro. These synthetic microparticles could specifically induce CAR T cell activation, as measured by CD69 and CD137 (4-1BB) upregulation. In addition, engagement with Artificial Targets resulted in induction of multiple effector functions of CAR T cells mimicking the response triggered by target cell lines including cytotoxic activity, as assessed by exposure of CD107a (LAMP-1), expression and secretion of cytokines, as well as cell proliferation. Importantly, in contrast to target cells, stimulation with Artificial Targets showed limited unspecific CAR T cell proliferation. Finally, Artificial Targets demonstrated flexibility to engage multiple costimulatory molecules that can synergistically enhance the CAR T cell function and represented a powerful tool for modulating CAR T cell responses. Collectively, our results show that Artificial Targets can specifically activate CAR T cells for essential effector functions that could significantly advance standardization of functional assessment of CAR T cells, from early development to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Wang
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicholas J. A. Tokarew
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Nadine Borgelt
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Ramona Siemer
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Cristiane Casonato Melo
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christian Langer
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Ioannis Kasampalidis
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Isabella E. Y. Ogusuku
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Gessner
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Christian Dose
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Jonathan A. Fauerbach
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Anne Richter
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - César Evaristo
- Chemical Biology Department, R&D Reagents, Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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6
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Chamorro DF, Somes LK, Hoyos V. Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:124. [PMID: 38201551 PMCID: PMC10778447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010124] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Chamorro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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7
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Hibler W, Merlino G, Yu Y. CAR NK Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma: Potential & Prospects. Cells 2023; 12:2750. [PMID: 38067178 PMCID: PMC10706172 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232750] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is among the most lethal forms of cancer, accounting for 80% of deaths despite comprising just 5% of skin cancer cases. Treatment options remain limited due to the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with melanoma heterogeneity that underlie the rapid development of secondary drug resistance. For this reason, the development of novel treatments remains paramount to the improvement of patient outcomes. Although the advent of chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapies has led to many clinical successes for hematological malignancies, these treatments are limited in their utility by their immune-induced side effects and a high risk of systemic toxicities. CAR natural killer (CAR-NK) cell immunotherapies are a particularly promising alternative to CAR-T cell immunotherapies, as they offer a more favorable safety profile and have the capacity for fine-tuned cytotoxic activity. In this review, the discussion of the prospects and potential of CAR-NK cell immunotherapies touches upon the clinical contexts of melanoma, the immunobiology of NK cells, the immunosuppressive barriers preventing endogenous immune cells from eliminating tumors, and the structure and design of chimeric antigen receptors, then finishes with a series of proposed design innovations that could improve the efficacy CAR-NK cell immunotherapies in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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8
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Malviya M, Aretz Z, Molvi Z, Lee J, Pierre S, Wallisch P, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Challenges and solutions for therapeutic TCR-based agents. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:58-82. [PMID: 37455333 PMCID: PMC11141734 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13233] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent development of methods to discover and engineer therapeutic T-cell receptors (TCRs) or antibody mimics of TCRs, and to understand their immunology and pharmacology, lag two decades behind therapeutic antibodies. Yet we have every expectation that TCR-based agents will be similarly important contributors to the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, especially cancers. TCR engineered cells, soluble TCRs and their derivatives, TCR-mimic antibodies, and TCR-based CAR T cells promise the possibility of highly specific drugs that can expand the scope of immunologic agents to recognize intracellular targets, including mutated proteins and undruggable transcription factors, not accessible by traditional antibodies. Hurdles exist regarding discovery, specificity, pharmacokinetics, and best modality of use that will need to be overcome before the full potential of TCR-based agents is achieved. HLA restriction may limit each agent to patient subpopulations and off-target reactivities remain important barriers to widespread development and use of these new agents. In this review we discuss the unique opportunities for these new classes of drugs, describe their unique antigenic targets, compare them to traditional antibody therapeutics and CAR T cells, and review the various obstacles that must be overcome before full application of these drugs can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Malviya
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Zita Aretz
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Zaki Molvi
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Jayop Lee
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Stephanie Pierre
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Tri-Institutional Medical Scientist Program, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Patrick Wallisch
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
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9
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Wachsmann TLA, Meeuwsen MH, Remst DFG, Buchner K, Wouters AK, Hagedoorn RS, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Combining BCMA-targeting CAR T cells with TCR-engineered T-cell therapy to prevent immune escape of multiple myeloma. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6178-6183. [PMID: 37567150 PMCID: PMC10582830 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Miranda H. Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F. G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Buchner
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne K. Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S. Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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