1
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Cheng R, Wang S. Cell-mediated nanoparticle delivery systems: towards precision nanomedicine. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01591-0. [PMID: 38615157 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01591-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Cell-mediated nanoparticle delivery systems (CMNDDs) utilize cells as carriers to deliver the drug-loaded nanoparticles. Unlike the traditional nanoparticle drug delivery approaches, CMNDDs take the advantages of cell characteristics, such as the homing capabilities of stem cells, inflammatory chemotaxis of neutrophils, prolonged blood circulation of red blood cells, and internalization of macrophages. Subsequently, CMNDDs can easily prolong the blood circulation, cross biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier and the bone marrow-blood barrier, and rapidly arrive at the diseased areas. Such advantageous properties make CMNDDs promising delivery candidates for precision targeting. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in CMNDDs fabrication and biomedical applications. Specifically, ligand-receptor interactions, non-covalent interactions, covalent interactions, and internalization are commonly applied in constructing CMNDDs in vitro. By hitchhiking cells, such as macrophages, red blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets, nanoparticles can be internalized or attached to cells to construct CMNDDs in vivo. Then we highlight the recent application of CMNDDs in treating different diseases, such as cancer, central nervous system disorders, lung diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, with a brief discussion about challenges and future perspectives in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Cheng
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Shiqi Wang
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
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2
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Proost L, Lambrecht S, Hofmans M, De Vriendt C, Speeckaert M, Bonroy C, Denys B, De Bruyne S. Flow cytometry interference in patients treated with tafasitamab: Unraveling the diagnostic maze. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e39. [PMID: 38434528 PMCID: PMC10878194 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Proost
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Stijn Lambrecht
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Mattias Hofmans
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Ciel De Vriendt
- Department of HematologyGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | | | - Carolien Bonroy
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Barbara Denys
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Sander De Bruyne
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
- Department of Transfusion MedicineGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
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3
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Hussein BA, Kristenson L, Pesce S, Wöhr A, Tian Y, Hallner A, Brune M, Hellstrand K, Tang KW, Bernson E, Thorén FB. NKG2A gene variant predicts outcome of immunotherapy in AML and modulates the repertoire and function of NK cells. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007202. [PMID: 37648262 PMCID: PMC10471874 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The natural killer (NK) complex (NKC) harbors multiple genes such as KLRC1 (encoding NKG2A) and KLRK1 (encoding NKG2D) that are central to regulation of NK cell function. We aimed at determining to what extent NKC haplotypes impact on NK cell repertoire and function, and whether such gene variants impact on outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS Genotype status of NKG2D rs1049174 and NKG2A rs1983526 was determined using the TaqMan-Allelic discrimination approach. To dissect the impact of single nucloetide polymorphim (SNP) on NK cell function, we engineered the K562 cell line with CRISPR to be killed in a highly NKG2D-dependent fashion. NK cells were assayed for degranulation, intracellular cytokine production and cytotoxicity using flow cytometry. RESULTS In AML patients receiving immunotherapy, the NKG2A gene variant, rs1983526, was associated with superior leukemia-free survival and overall survival. We observed that superior NK degranulation from individuals with the high-cytotoxicity NKG2D variant was explained by presence of a larger, highly responsive NKG2A+ subset. Notably, NK cells from donors homozygous for a favorable allele encoding NKG2A mounted stronger cytokine responses when challenged with leukemic cells, and NK cells from AML patients with this genotype displayed higher accumulation of granzyme B during histamine dihydrochloride/IL-2 immunotherapy. Additionally, among AML patients, the NKG2A SNP defined a subset of patients with HLA-B-21 TT with a strikingly favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS The study results imply that a dimorphism in the NKG2A gene is associated with enhanced NK cell effector function and improved outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brwa Ali Hussein
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linnea Kristenson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silvia Pesce
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anne Wöhr
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yarong Tian
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexander Hallner
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Brune
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristoffer Hellstrand
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ka-Wei Tang
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Bernson
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik B Thorén
- TIMM Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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4
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Yao H, Cheng L, Chen D, Zhang Q, Qiu L, Ren SH, Dou BT, Wang H, Huang J, Fan FY. Role of the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma treatment using CAR-T therapy. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:807-815. [PMID: 37343305 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2229029] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor caused by abnormal proliferation of bone marrow (BM) plasma cells and is the second most common hematologic malignancy. A variety of CAR-T cells targeting multiple myeloma-specific markers have shown good efficacy in clinical trials. However, CAR-T therapy still limits the insufficient duration of efficacy and recurrence of the disease. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the cell populations in the bone marrow of MM, and discusses the potential way to improve the efficiency of CAR-T cells in the treatment of MM by targeting the bone marrow microenvironment. EXPERT OPINION The limits of CAR-T therapy in MM may related to the impairment of T cell activity in the bone marrow microenvironment. This article reviews the cell populations of the immune microenvironment and nonimmune microenvironment in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma, and discusses the potential way to improve the efficiency of CAR-T cells in the treatment of MM by targeting the bone marrow. This may provides a new idea for the CAR-T therapy of multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yao
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Ling Qiu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Shi-Hui Ren
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Bai-Tao Dou
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
| | - Fang-Yi Fan
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theatre, Chengdu, SiChuan, China
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5
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Lipinski B, Arras P, Pekar L, Klewinghaus D, Boje AS, Krah S, Zimmermann J, Klausz K, Peipp M, Siegmund V, Evers A, Zielonka S. NKp46-specific single domain antibodies enable facile engineering of various potent NK cell engager formats. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4593. [PMID: 36775946 PMCID: PMC9951198 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the generation of potent NK cell engagers (NKCEs) based on single domain antibodies (sdAbs) specific for NKp46 harboring the humanized Fab version of Cetuximab for tumor targeting. After immunization of camelids, a plethora of different VHH domains were retrieved by yeast surface display. Upon reformatting into Fc effector-silenced NKCEs targeting NKp46 and EGFR in a strictly monovalent fashion, the resulting bispecific antibodies elicited potent NK cell-mediated killing of EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells with potencies (EC50 killing) in the picomolar range. This was further augmented via co-engagement of Fcγ receptor IIIa (FcγRIIIa). Importantly, NKp46-specific sdAbs enabled the construction of various NKCE formats with different geometries and valencies which displayed favorable biophysical and biochemical properties without further optimization. By this means, killing capacities were further improved significantly. Hence, NKp46-specific sdAbs are versatile building blocks for the construction of different NKCE formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Lipinski
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.,Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Arras
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Daniel Klewinghaus
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ammelie Svea Boje
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Zimmermann
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.,Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katja Klausz
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Vanessa Siegmund
- Protein and Cell Sciences, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Evers
- Computational Chemistry and Biology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.,Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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6
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Vyas M, Requesens M, Nguyen TH, Peigney D, Azin M, Demehri S. Natural killer cells suppress cancer metastasis by eliminating circulating cancer cells. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1098445. [PMID: 36733396 PMCID: PMC9887278 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1098445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, the metastatic spread of malignant cells to distant organs remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in controlling tumor metastasis; however, the dynamics of NK cell-mediated clearance of metastatic tumors are not entirely understood. Herein, we demonstrate the cooperative role of NK and T cells in the surveillance of melanoma metastasis. We found that NK cells effectively limited the pulmonary seeding of B16 melanoma cells, while T cells played a primary role in restricting metastatic foci growth in the lungs. Although the metastatic foci in the lungs at the endpoint were largely devoid of NK cells, they played a prominent role in promoting T cell recruitment into the metastatic foci. Our data suggested that the most productive interaction between NK cells and metastatic cancer cells occurred when cancer cells were in circulation. Modifying the route of administration so that intravenously injected melanoma cells bypass the first liver passage resulted in significantly more melanoma metastasis to the lung. This finding indicated the liver as a prominent site where NK cells cleared melanoma cells to regulate their seeding in the lungs. Consistent with this notion, the liver and the lungs of the tumor-bearing mice showed dominance of NK and T cell activation, respectively. Thus, NK cells and T cells control pulmonary metastasis of melanoma cells by distinct mechanisms where NK cells play a critical function in shaping T cell-mediated in situ control of lung-seeded cancer cells. A precise understanding of the cooperative role of NK and T cells in controlling tumor metastasis will enable the development of the next generation of cancer immunotherapies.
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7
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Zafarani A, Taghavi-Farahabadi M, Razizadeh MH, Amirzargar MR, Mansouri M, Mahmoudi M. The Role of NK Cells and Their Exosomes in Graft Versus Host Disease and Graft Versus Leukemia. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:26-45. [PMID: 35994137 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10449-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the innate immune cells that play an important role in preventing and controlling tumors and viral diseases, but their role in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is not yet fully understood. However, according to some research, these cells can prevent infections and tumor relapse without causing graft versus host disease (GVHD). In addition to NK cells, several studies are about the anti-leukemia effects of NK cell-derived exosomes that can highlight their roles in graft-versus-leukemia (GVL). In this paper, we intend to investigate the results of various articles on the role of NK cells in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and also their exosomes in GVL. Also, we have discussed the antiviral effects of these cells in post-HCT cytomegalovirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zafarani
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Taghavi-Farahabadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Amirzargar
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoure Mansouri
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Baroja-Mazo A, Peñín-Franch A, Lucas-Ruiz F, de Torre-Minguela C, Alarcón-Vila C, Hernández-Caselles T, Pelegrín P. P2X7 receptor activation impairs antitumour activity of natural killer cells. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:111-128. [PMID: 36098250 PMCID: PMC10092446 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15951] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A high number of intratumoural infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells is associated with better survival in several types of cancer, constituting an important first line of defence against tumours. Hypoxia in the core of solid tumours induces cellular stress and ATP release into the extracellular space where it triggers purinergic receptor activation on tumour-associated immune cells. The aim of this study was to assess whether activation of the purinergic receptor P2X7 by extracellular ATP plays a role in the NK cells antitumour activity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We carried out in vitro experiments using purified human NK cells triggered through P2X7 by extracellular ATP. NK cell killing activity against the tumour target cells K562 was studied by means of NK cytotoxicity assays. Likewise, we designed a subcutaneous solid tumour in vivo mouse model. KEY RESULTS In this study we found that human NK cells, expressing a functional plasma membrane P2X7, acquired an anergic state after ATP treatment, which impaired their antitumour activity and decreased IFN-γ secretion. This effect was reversed by specific P2X7 antagonists and pretreatment with either IL-2 or IL-15. Furthermore, genetic P2rx7 knockdown resulted in improved control of tumour size by NK cells. In addition, IL-2 therapy restored the ability of NK cells to diminish the size of tumours. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results show that P2X7 activation represents a new mechanism whereby NK cells may lose antitumour effectiveness, opening the possibility of generating modified NK cells lacking P2X7 but with improved antitumour capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Baroja-Mazo
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Peñín-Franch
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Fernando Lucas-Ruiz
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Carlos de Torre-Minguela
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Alarcón-Vila
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Trinidad Hernández-Caselles
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo Pelegrín
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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9
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Martinez-Perez A, Aguilar-Garcia C, Gonzalez S. The Emerging Role of NK Cells in Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14236005. [PMID: 36497486 PMCID: PMC9736655 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14236005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic immune cells that play a fundamental role in anti-tumor immunity, particularly in hematological cancers, disseminated cancers, and metastasis [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Martinez-Perez
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Candelaria Aguilar-Garcia
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Segundo Gonzalez
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Correspondence:
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10
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Klausz K, Pekar L, Boje AS, Gehlert CL, Krohn S, Gupta T, Xiao Y, Krah S, Zaynagetdinov R, Lipinski B, Toleikis L, Poetzsch S, Rabinovich B, Peipp M, Zielonka S. Multifunctional NK Cell–Engaging Antibodies Targeting EGFR and NKp30 Elicit Efficient Tumor Cell Killing and Proinflammatory Cytokine Release. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:1724-1735. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
In this work, we have generated novel Fc-comprising NK cell engagers (NKCEs) that bridge human NKp30 on NK cells to human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on tumor cells. Camelid-derived VHH single-domain Abs specific for human NKp30 and a humanized Fab derived from the EGFR-specific therapeutic Ab cetuximab were used as binding arms. By combining camelid immunization with yeast surface display, we were able to isolate a diverse panel of NKp30-specific VHHs against different epitopes on NKp30. Intriguingly, NKCEs built with VHHs that compete for binding to NKp30 with B7-H6, the natural ligand of NKp30, were significantly more potent in eliciting tumor cell lysis of EGFR-positive tumor cells than NKCEs harboring VHHs that target different epitopes on NKp30 from B7-H6. We demonstrate that the NKCEs can be further improved with respect to killing capabilities by concomitant engagement of FcγRIIIa and that soluble B7-H6 does not impede cytolytic capacities of all scrutinized NKCEs at significantly higher B7-H6 concentrations than observed in cancer patients. Moreover, we show that physiological processes requiring interactions between membrane-bound B7-H6 and NKp30 on NK cells are unaffected by noncompeting NKCEs still eliciting tumor cell killing at low picomolar concentrations. Ultimately, the NKCEs generated in this study were significantly more potent in eliciting NK cell–mediated tumor cell lysis than cetuximab and elicited a robust release of proinflammatory cytokines, both features which might be beneficial for antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Klausz
- *Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- †Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ammelie Svea Boje
- *Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Carina Lynn Gehlert
- *Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Steffen Krohn
- *Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tushar Gupta
- ‡Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA
| | - Yanping Xiao
- §Department of Oncology and Immuno-oncology, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA
| | - Simon Krah
- †Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Rinat Zaynagetdinov
- §Department of Oncology and Immuno-oncology, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA
| | - Britta Lipinski
- †Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- ¶Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany; and
| | - Lars Toleikis
- †Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sven Poetzsch
- ‖Strategic Innovation, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Brian Rabinovich
- §Department of Oncology and Immuno-oncology, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA
| | - Matthias Peipp
- *Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- †Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- ¶Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany; and
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11
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Cord Blood-Derived Natural Killer Cell Exploitation in Immunotherapy Protocols: More Than a Promise? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184439. [PMID: 36139598 PMCID: PMC9496735 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary NK cell anti-tumor activity against hematological malignancies is well-established and many studies support their role in the control of solid tumor growth and metastasis generation. However, tumor microenvironment may affect NK cell function. Ongoing studies are aimed to design novel immunotherapeutic protocols to combine NK cell-based immunotherapy with other therapeutic strategies to improve the anti-tumor NK cell response. In this context, UCB is one of the main sources of both mature NK cells and of CD34+ HSPC that can generate NK cells, both in-vivo and in-vitro. UCB-derived NK cells represent a valuable tool to perform in-vitro and preclinical analyses and are already used in several clinical settings, particularly against hematological malignancies. The present review describes the characteristics of different types of UCB-derived NK cells and the in-vitro models to expand them, both for research and clinical purposes in the context of cancer immunotherapy. Abstract In the last 20 years, Natural Killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has become a promising approach to target various types of cancer. Indeed, NK cells play a pivotal role in the first-line defense against tumors through major histocompatibility complex-independent immunosurveillance. Their role in the control of leukemia relapse has been clearly established and, moreover, the presence of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) generally correlates with good prognosis. However, it has also been observed that, often, NK cells poorly infiltrate the tumor tissue, and, in TME, their functions may be compromised by immunosuppressive factors that contribute to the failure of anti-cancer immune response. Currently, studies are focused on the design of effective strategies to expand NK cells and enhance their cytotoxic activity, exploiting different cell sources, such as peripheral blood (PB), umbilical cord blood (UCB) and NK cell lines. Among them, UCB represents an important source of mature NK cells and CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs), as precursors of NK cells. In this review, we summarize the UCB-derived NK cell activity in the tumor context, review the different in-vitro models to expand NK cells from UCB, and discuss the importance of their exploitation in anti-tumor immunotherapy protocols.
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Park JD, Kim KS, Choi SH, Jo GH, Choi JH, Park SW, Ko ES, Lee M, Lee DK, Jang HJ, Hwang S, Jung HY, Park KS. ELK3 modulates the antitumor efficacy of natural killer cells against triple negative breast cancer by regulating mitochondrial dynamics. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004825. [PMID: 35858708 PMCID: PMC9305827 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004825] [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] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer due to its aggressive behavior and frequent development of resistance to chemotherapy. Although natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is a promising strategy for overcoming barriers to cancer treatment, the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells against TNBC is below expectations. E26 transformation-specific transcription factor ELK3 (ELK3) is highly expressed in TNBCs and functions as a master regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Methods Two representative human TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB231 and Hs578T, were exposed to ELK3-targeting shRNA or an ELK3-expressing plasmid to modulate ELK3 expression. The downstream target genes of ELK3 were identified using a combined approach comprising gene expression profiling and molecular analysis. The role of ELK3 in determining the immunosensitivity of TNBC to NK cells was investigated in terms of mitochondrial fission–fusion transition and reactive oxygen species concentration both in vitro and in vivo. Results ELK3-dependent mitochondrial fission–fusion status was linked to the mitochondrial superoxide concentration in TNBCs and was a main determinant of NK cell-mediated immune responses. We identified mitochondrial dynamics proteins of 51 (Mid51), a major mediator of mitochondrial fission, as a direct downstream target of ELK3 in TNBCs. Also, we demonstrated that expression of ELK3 correlated inversely with that of Mid51, and that the ELK3-Mid51 axis is associated directly with the status of mitochondrial dynamics. METABRIC analysis revealed that the ELK3-Mid51 axis has a direct effect on the immune score and survival of patients with TNBC. Conclusions Taken together, the data suggest that NK cell responses to TNBC are linked directly to ELK3 expression levels, shedding new light on strategies to improve the efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapy of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Dong Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Kwang-Soo Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Seung Hee Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Gae Hoon Jo
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jin-Ho Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Si-Won Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Eun-Su Ko
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Minwook Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Dae-Keum Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hye Jung Jang
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Sohyun Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hae-Yun Jung
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Kyung-Soon Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
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Rossi F, Fredericks N, Snowden A, Allegrezza MJ, Moreno-Nieves UY. Next Generation Natural Killer Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886429. [PMID: 35720306 PMCID: PMC9202478 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy for cancer has become mainstream with several products now authorized for therapeutic use in the clinic and are becoming the standard of care for some malignancies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have demonstrated substantial efficacy for the treatment of hematological malignancies; however, they are complex and currently expensive to manufacture, and they can generate life-threatening adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The limitations of current CAR-T cells therapies have spurred an interest in alternative immunotherapy approaches with safer risk profiles and with less restrictive manufacturing constraints. Natural killer (NK) cells are a population of immune effector cells with potent anti-viral and anti-tumor activity; they have the capacity to swiftly recognize and kill cancer cells without the need of prior stimulation. Although NK cells are naturally equipped with cytotoxic potential, a growing body of evidence shows the added benefit of engineering them to better target tumor cells, persist longer in the host, and be fitter to resist the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). NK-cell-based immunotherapies allow for the development of allogeneic off-the-shelf products, which have the potential to be less expensive and readily available for patients in need. In this review, we will focus on the advances in the development of engineering of NK cells for cancer immunotherapy. We will discuss the sourcing of NK cells, the technologies available to engineer NK cells, current clinical trials utilizing engineered NK cells, advances on the engineering of receptors adapted for NK cells, and stealth approaches to avoid recipient immune responses. We will conclude with comments regarding the next generation of NK cell products, i.e., armored NK cells with enhanced functionality, fitness, tumor-infiltration potential, and with the ability to overcome tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorella Rossi
- Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Nathaniel Fredericks
- Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Andrew Snowden
- Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Michael J Allegrezza
- Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Uriel Y Moreno-Nieves
- Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Spring House, PA, United States
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14
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Fang F, Xie S, Chen M, Li Y, Yue J, Ma J, Shu X, He Y, Xiao W, Tian Z. Advances in NK cell production. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:460-481. [PMID: 34983953 PMCID: PMC8975878 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00808-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on natural killer (NK) cells is a promising approach for treating a variety of cancers. Unlike T cells, NK cells recognize target cells via a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent mechanism and, without being sensitized, kill the cells directly. Several strategies for obtaining large quantities of NK cells with high purity and high cytotoxicity have been developed. These strategies include the use of cytokine-antibody fusions, feeder cells or membrane particles to stimulate the proliferation of NK cells and enhance their cytotoxicity. Various materials, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and NK cell lines, have been used as sources to generate NK cells for immunotherapy. Moreover, genetic modification technologies to improve the proliferation of NK cells have also been developed to enhance the functions of NK cells. Here, we summarize the recent advances in expansion strategies with or without genetic manipulation of NK cells derived from various cellular sources. We also discuss the closed, automated and GMP-controlled large-scale expansion systems used for NK cells and possible future NK cell-based immunotherapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Siqi Xie
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Minhua Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Xun Shu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yongge He
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Zhigang Tian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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Klewinghaus D, Pekar L, Arras P, Krah S, Valldorf B, Kolmar H, Zielonka S. Grabbing the Bull by Both Horns: Bovine Ultralong CDR-H3 Paratopes Enable Engineering of 'Almost Natural' Common Light Chain Bispecific Antibodies Suitable For Effector Cell Redirection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:801368. [PMID: 35087526 PMCID: PMC8787767 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.801368] [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: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of antibodies found in cattle comprises ultralong CDR-H3 regions of up to 70 amino acids. Interestingly, this type of immunoglobulin usually pairs with the single germline VL gene, V30 that is typically very conserved in sequence. In this work, we have engineered ultralong CDR-H3 common light chain bispecific antibodies targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) on tumor cells as well as Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor NKp30 on Natural Killer (NK) cells. Antigen-specific common light chain antibodies were isolated by yeast surface display by means of pairing CDR-H3 diversities following immunization with a single V30 light chain. After selection, EGFR-targeting paratopes as well as NKp30-specific binders were combined into common light chain bispecific antibodies by exploiting the strand-exchange engineered domain (SEED) technology for heavy chain heterodimerization. Biochemical characterization of resulting bispecifics revealed highly specific binding to the respective antigens as well as simultaneous binding to both targets. Most importantly, engineered cattle-derived bispecific common light chain molecules elicited potent NK cell redirection and consequently tumor cell lysis of EGFR-overexpressing cells as well as robust release of proinflammatory cytokine interferon-γ. Taken together, this data is giving clear evidence that bovine bispecific ultralong CDR-H3 common light chain antibodies are versatile for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Klewinghaus
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Arras
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bernhard Valldorf
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Development, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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Torres DG, Paes J, da Costa AG, Malheiro A, Silva GV, Mourão LPDS, Tarragô AM. JAK2 Variant Signaling: Genetic, Hematologic and Immune Implication in Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Biomolecules 2022; 12:291. [PMID: 35204792 PMCID: PMC8961666 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The JAK2V617F variant constitutes a genetic alteration of higher frequency in BCR/ABL1 negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, which is caused by a substitution of a G ˃ T at position 1849 and results in the substitution of valine with phenylalanine at codon 617 of the polypeptide chain. Clinical, morphological and molecular genetic features define the diagnosis criteria of polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis. Currently, JAK2V617F is associated with clonal hematopoiesis, genomic instability, dysregulations in hemostasis and immune response. JAK2V617F clones induce an inflammatory immune response and lead to a process of immunothrombosis. Recent research has shown great interest in trying to understand the mechanisms associated with JAK2V617F signaling and activation of cellular and molecular responses that progressively contribute to the development of inflammatory and vascular conditions in association with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. Thus, the aim of this review is to describe the main genetic, hematological and immunological findings that are linked to JAK2 variant signaling in chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dania G. Torres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
| | - Jhemerson Paes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
| | - Allyson G. da Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-005, AM, Brazil
| | - Adriana Malheiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-005, AM, Brazil
| | - George V. Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz–Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane (Fiocruz), Manaus 69027-070, AM, Brazil
- Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Amazonas (FCECON), Manaus 69040-010, AM, Brazil
| | - Lucivana P. de Souza Mourão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
| | - Andréa M. Tarragô
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Hematologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus 69850-000, AM, Brazil; (D.G.T.); (J.P.); (A.G.d.C.); (A.M.); (G.V.S.)
- Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas (FHEMOAM), Manaus 69050-001, AM, Brazil
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Hosseini R, Sarvnaz H, Arabpour M, Ramshe SM, Asef-Kabiri L, Yousefi H, Akbari ME, Eskandari N. Cancer exosomes and natural killer cells dysfunction: biological roles, clinical significance and implications for immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:15. [PMID: 35031075 PMCID: PMC8759167 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) play pivotal roles in several aspects of cancer biology. It is now evident that TDEs also favor tumor growth by negatively affecting anti-tumor immunity. As important sentinels of immune surveillance system, natural killer (NK) cells can recognize malignant cells very early and counteract the tumor development and metastasis without a need for additional activation. Based on this rationale, adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded NK cells/NK cell lines, such as NK-92 cells, has attracted great attention and is widely studied as a promising immunotherapy for cancer treatment. However, by exploiting various strategies, including secretion of exosomes, cancer cells are able to subvert NK cell responses. This paper reviews the roles of TDEs in cancer-induced NK cells impairments with mechanistic insights. The clinical significance and potential approaches to nullify the effects of TDEs on NK cells in cancer immunotherapy are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Hosseini
- Department of Immunology School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Hamzeh Sarvnaz
- Department of Immunology School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maedeh Arabpour
- Department of Medical Genetics School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Molaei Ramshe
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine Shahid, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Asef-Kabiri
- Surgical Oncologist Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hassan Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA
| | - Mohammad Esmaeil Akbari
- Surgical Oncologist Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahid Eskandari
- Department of Immunology School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Gao L, Yang L, Zhang S, Ge Z, Su M, Shi Y, Wang X, Huang C. Engineering NK-92 Cell by Upregulating CXCR2 and IL-2 Via CRISPR-Cas9 Improves Its Antitumor Effects as Cellular Immunotherapy for Human Colon Cancer. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2021; 41:450-460. [PMID: 34935484 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2021.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have shown good application prospects in adoptive cellular immunotherapy against cancer. However, due to its insufficient infiltration and low activity, the therapeutic effect of infused NK cells has been limited in solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer. It has been proved that tumor-produced chemokines regulate the migration of NK cells expressing corresponding chemokine receptors, and cytokines could enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells. In this study, we innovatively upregulated the expression of chemokine receptor CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) and cytokine interleukin (IL)-2 on NK-92 cells using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. We demonstrated that overexpressing CXCR2 and IL-2 promotes NK-92 cells to increasingly transfer into tumor sites and achieve stronger cell-killing and proliferation activity. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of gene-edited NK-92 cells on the growth of human colon cancer in vivo were also improved. The tumor burden of tumor-bearing mice was reduced, and their survival time was significantly prolonged. Gene-editing modification NK cells are expected to become a novel and promising tumor treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Gao
- College of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zuanmin Ge
- College of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meng Su
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanfei Shi
- College of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuechun Wang
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Changxin Huang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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19
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The Race of CAR Therapies: CAR-NK Cells for Fighting B-Cell Hematological Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215418. [PMID: 34771581 PMCID: PMC8582420 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Over the last few years, CAR-T cells have arisen as one of the most promising immunotherapies against relapsed or refractory hematological cancers. Despite their good results in clinical trials, there are some limitations to overcome, such as undesirable side-effects or the restraints of an autologous treatment. Therefore, CAR-NK cells have emerged as a good alternative for these kinds of treatments. This review discusses the advantages of CAR-NK cells compared to CAR-T cells, as well as the different sources and strategies in order to obtain these CAR-NK cells. Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are the most common leukemias in children and elderly people, respectively. Standard therapies, such as chemotherapy, are only effective in 40% of ALL adult patients with a five-year survival rate and therefore new alternatives need to be used, such as immunotherapy targeting specific receptors of malignant cells. Among all the options, CAR (Chimeric antigen receptor)-based therapy has arisen as a new opportunity for refractory or relapsed hematological cancer patients. CARs were designed to be used along with T lymphocytes, creating CAR-T cells, but they are presenting such encouraging results that they are already in use as drugs. Nonetheless, their side-effects and the fact that it is not possible to infuse an allogenic CAR-T product without causing graft-versus-host-disease, have meant using a different cell source to solve these problems, such as Natural Killer (NK) cells. Although CAR-based treatment is a high-speed race led by CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells are slowly (but surely) consolidating their position; their demonstrated efficacy and the lack of undesirable side-effects is opening a new door for CAR-based treatments. CAR-NKs are now in the field to stay.
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Predicted limited redistribution of T cells to secondary lymphoid tissue correlates with increased risk of haematological malignancies in asplenic patients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16394. [PMID: 34385480 PMCID: PMC8360980 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95225-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The spleen, a secondary lymphoid tissue (SLT), has an important role in generation of adaptive immune responses. Although splenectomy remains a common procedure, recent studies reported poor prognosis and increased risk of haematological malignancies in asplenic patients. The high baseline trafficking of T lymphocytes to splenic tissue suggests splenectomy may lead to loss of blood-borne malignant immunosurveillance that is not compensated for by the remaining SLT. To date, no quantitative analysis of the impact of splenectomy on the human T cell trafficking dynamics and tissue localisation has been reported. We developed a quantitative computational model that describes organ distribution and trafficking of human lymphocytes to explore the likely impact of splenectomy on immune cell distributions. In silico splenectomy resulted in an average reduction of T cell numbers in SLT by 35% (95%CI 0.12–0.97) and a comparatively lower, 9% (95%CI 0.17–1.43), mean decrease of T cell concentration in SLT. These results suggest that the surveillance capacity of the remaining SLT insufficiently compensates for the absence of the spleen. This may, in part, explain haematological malignancy risk in asplenic patients and raises the question of whether splenectomy has a clinically meaningful impact on patient responses to immunotherapy.
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21
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Horwitz S, Zinzani PL, Bagot M, Kim YH, Moskowitz AJ, Porcu P, Dwyer K, Sun W, Herr FM, Scarisbrick J. Lack of impact of type and extent of prior therapy on outcomes of mogamulizumab therapy in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma in the MAVORIC trial. Leuk Lymphoma 2021; 62:3109-3118. [PMID: 34304674 PMCID: PMC9447791 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1953007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) often require multiple lines of systemic therapy. In the phase 3 MAVORIC study (NCT01728805), mogamulizumab demonstrated superiority to vorinostat in median progression-free survival (PFS) and confirmed overall response rate (ORR) in patients with MF/SS. This post hoc analysis examined the effects of number and type of prior systemic therapies on mogamulizumab response. MAVORIC patients randomized to mogamulizumab (1.0 mg/kg intravenously weekly) or vorinostat (400 mg orally daily) were grouped by number of prior therapies and immunomodulatory activity of immediate prior systemic therapy while also considering time elapsed since treatment. ORR, PFS, and duration of response (DOR) did not vary with number of prior therapies. ORR and DOR remained consistent regardless of immediate prior therapy type. Additionally, immunomodulatory activity of the last prior therapy and time from prior treatment generally did not affect the ORR or PFS observed in response to mogamulizumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Horwitz
- Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pier Luigi Zinzani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia 'Seràgnoli', Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi, Bologna, Italia
| | - Martine Bagot
- Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Youn H Kim
- Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Program, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alison J Moskowitz
- Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pierluigi Porcu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karen Dwyer
- Medical Sciences, Kyowa Kirin, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Biostatistics, Kyowa Kirin, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Fiona M Herr
- Medical Affairs, Kyowa Kirin, Inc, Bedminster, NJ, USA
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Fincham REA, Delvecchio FR, Goulart MR, Yeong JPS, Kocher HM. Natural killer cells in pancreatic cancer stroma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3483-3501. [PMID: 34239264 PMCID: PMC8240050 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i24.3483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of medicine's largest areas of unmet need. With five-year survival rates of < 8%, little improvement has been made in the last 50 years. Typically presenting with advance stage disease, treatment options are limited. To date, surgery remains the only potentially curative option, however, with such late disease presentation, the majority of patients are unresectable. Thus, new therapeutic options and a greater understanding of the complex stromal interactions within the tumour microenvironment are sorely needed to revise the dismal outlook for pancreatic cancer patients. Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial effector units in cancer immunosurveillance. Often used as a prognostic biomarker in a range of malignancies, NK cells have received much attention as an attractive target for immunotherapies, both as cell therapy and as a pharmaceutical target. Despite this interest, the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer remains poorly defined. Nevertheless, increasing evidence of the importance of NK cells in this dismal prognosis disease is beginning to come to light. Here, we review the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer, examine the complex interactions of these crucial effector units within pancreatic cancer stroma and shed light on the increasingly attractive use of NK cells as therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Elizabeth Ann Fincham
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Romana Delvecchio
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle R Goulart
- Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Poe Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute-CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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Shah N, Perales MA, Turtle CJ, Cairo MS, Cowan AJ, Saeed H, Budde LE, Tan A, Lee Z, Kai K, Marcondes MQ, Zalevsky J, Tagliaferri MA, Patel KK. Phase I study protocol: NKTR-255 as monotherapy or combined with daratumumab or rituximab in hematologic malignancies. Future Oncol 2021; 17:3549-3560. [PMID: 34154392 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-0576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
NKTR-255 is an investigational polyethylene glycol-modified recombinant human IL-15 (rhIL-15) receptor agonist, designed to improve the immunotherapeutic and anti-cancer benefit observed with rhIL-15 while circumventing the toxicities associated with this therapy. In preclinical studies, NKTR-255 has demonstrated enhanced proliferation and function of CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, as well as enhanced anti-tumor activity and survival both as monotherapy and in combination with monoclonal antibodies in multiple cancer models. Here, we describe the rationale and design of the first-in-human Phase I, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study of NKTR-255 alone and in combination with daratumumab or rituximab in adults with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that will determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase II dose for NKTR-255.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Shah
- Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Miguel-Angel Perales
- Department of Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Cameron J Turtle
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Andrew J Cowan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hayder Saeed
- Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lihua E Budde
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Alan Tan
- Division of Hematology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Zachary Lee
- Clinical Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kazuharu Kai
- Clinical Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mario Q Marcondes
- Clinical Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jonathan Zalevsky
- Research & Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Krina K Patel
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Kaweme NM, Zhou F. Optimizing NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Myeloid Leukemia: Abrogating an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:683381. [PMID: 34220833 PMCID: PMC8247591 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.683381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are prominent cytotoxic and cytokine-producing components of the innate immune system representing crucial effector cells in cancer immunotherapy. Presently, various NK cell-based immunotherapies have contributed to the substantial improvement in the reconstitution of NK cells against advanced-staged and high-risk AML. Various NK cell sources, including haploidentical NK cells, adaptive NK cells, umbilical cord blood NK cells, stem cell-derived NK cells, chimeric antigen receptor NK cells, cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells, and NK cell lines have been identified. Devising innovative approaches to improve the generation of therapeutic NK cells from the aforementioned sources is likely to enhance NK cell expansion and activation, stimulate ex vivo and in vivo persistence of NK cells and improve conventional treatment response of myeloid leukemia. The tumor-promoting properties of the tumor microenvironment and downmodulation of NK cellular metabolic activity in solid tumors and hematological malignancies constitute a significant impediment in enhancing the anti-tumor effects of NK cells. In this review, we discuss the current NK cell sources, highlight ongoing interventions in enhancing NK cell function, and outline novel strategies to circumvent immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment to improve the efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapy and expand their future success in treating myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fuling Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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25
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Niu C, Chen Y, Li M, Zhu S, Zhou L, Xu D, Li Z, Xu J, Li W, Wang Y, Cui J. Non-Coated Rituximab Induces Highly Cytotoxic Natural Killer Cells From Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells via Autologous B Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:658562. [PMID: 34113342 PMCID: PMC8185348 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.658562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are becoming valuable tools for cancer therapy because of their cytotoxicity against tumor cells without prior sensitization and their involvement in graft-versus-host disease; however, it is difficult to obtain highly cytotoxic NK cells without adding extra feeder cells. In this study, we developed a new method for obtaining highly cytotoxic NK cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) independently of extra feeder cell addition using rituximab not coated on a flask (non-coated rituximab). We found that rituximab could promote both the activation and expansion of NK cells from PBMCs, irrespective of being coated on a flask or not. However, NK cells activated by non-coated rituximab had much greater antitumor activity against cancer cells, and these effects were dependent on autologous living B cells. The antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity effect of NK cells activated by non-coated rituximab was also more substantial. Furthermore, these cells expressed higher levels of CD107a, perforin, granzyme B, and IFN-γ. However, there was no difference in the percentage, apoptosis, and cell-cycle progression of NK cells induced by coated and non-coated rituximab. Non-coated rituximab activated NK cells by increasing AKT phosphorylation, further enhancing the abundance of XBP1s. In conclusion, we developed a new method for amplifying NK cells with higher antitumor functions with non-coated rituximab via autologous B cells from PBMCs, and this method more efficiently stimulated NK cell activation than by using coated rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Niu
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongchong Chen
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongsheng Xu
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianting Xu
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Cancer Institute, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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LAG-3 Blockade with Relatlimab (BMS-986016) Restores Anti-Leukemic Responses in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092112. [PMID: 33925565 PMCID: PMC8123840 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The inclusion of monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoints such PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 has revolutionized the landscape of anti-cancer therapy. However, PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade failed to achieve clinical benefit in CLL, thus attention has been focused on emerging checkpoints in this malignancy. LAG-3 is an immune checkpoint receptor that negatively regulates T cell-mediated responses by inducing an hyporesponsive state, thus promoting tumor escape. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develop a profound immune suppression that leads to lessened immunosurveillance and increased risk of developing a secondary neoplasia. In the study herein, we report the profound dysregulation of LAG-3 on leukemic cells in CLL. Likewise, natural killer (NK) and T cells showed increased LAG-3 expression, hence suggesting a role for this checkpoint in CLL-associated immunosuppression. High LAG-3 expression, as well as high levels of soluble LAG-3 (sLAG-3), correlated with adverse cytogenetics and poor outcome in patients with CLL, highlighting the clinical relevance of this immune checkpoint. Treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with CLL with relatlimab, a new anti-LAG-3 blocking antibody currently evaluated in numerous clinical trials, depleted leukemic cells and restored NK cell- and T cell-mediated responses. Moreover, combination of LAG-3 with the immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) lenalidomide significantly increased IL-2 production by T cells and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by NK cells. Altogether, these data provide new insights into the potential anti-leukemic effects of relatlimab, currently in clinical trials in CLL, and provides the rationale to further investigate its combination with IMiDs for the management of hematological malignancies.
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BTLA/HVEM Axis Induces NK Cell Immunosuppression and Poor Outcome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081766. [PMID: 33917094 PMCID: PMC8067870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) represents the most frequent B cell malignancy in Western countries and still remains as an incurable disease. Despite recent advances in targeted therapies including ibrutinib, idelalisib or venetoclax, resistance mechanisms have been described and patients develop a progressive immunosuppression. Since immune checkpoint blockade has demonstrated to reinvigorate T and NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, the aim of this work was to elucidate whether this immunosuppression relies, at least in part, in BTLA/HVEM axis in patients with CLL. Our results demonstrate that BTLA and HVEM expression is deeply dysregulated on leukemic and NK cells and correlates with poor outcome. Moreover, soluble BTLA levels correlated with adverse cytogenetics and shorter time to treatment. BTLA blockade restored, at least in part, NK cell-mediated responses in patients with CLL. Altogether, our results provide the rationale to further investigate the role of BTLA/HVEM axis in the pathogenesis of CLL. Abstract Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by progressive immunosuppression and diminished cancer immunosurveillance. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based therapies, a major breakthrough against cancer, have emerged as a powerful tool to reinvigorate antitumor responses. Herein, we analyzed the role of the novel inhibitory checkpoint BTLA and its ligand, HVEM, in the regulation of leukemic and natural killer (NK) cells in CLL. Flow cytometry analyses showed that BTLA expression is upregulated on leukemic cells and NK cells from patients with CLL, whereas HVEM is downregulated only in leukemic cells, especially in patients with advanced Rai-Binet stage. In silico analysis revealed that increased HVEM, but not BTLA, mRNA expression in leukemic cells correlated with diminished overall survival. Further, soluble BTLA (sBTLA) was found to be increased in the sera of patients with CLL and highly correlated with poor prognostic markers and shorter time to treatment. BTLA blockade with an anti-BTLA monoclonal antibody depleted leukemic cells and boosted NK cell-mediated responses ex vivo by increasing their IFN-γ production, cytotoxic capability, and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC). In agreement with an inhibitory role of BTLA in NK cells, surface BTLA expression on NK cells was associated with poor outcome in patients with CLL. Overall, this study is the first to bring to light a role of BTLA/HVEM in the suppression of NK cell-mediated immune responses in CLL and its impact on patient’s prognosis, suggesting that BTLA/HVEM axis may be a potential therapeutic target in this disease.
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Marofi F, Rahman HS, Thangavelu L, Dorofeev A, Bayas-Morejón F, Shirafkan N, Shomali N, Chartrand MS, Jarahian M, Vahedi G, Mohammed RN, Shahrokh S, Akbari M, Khiavi FM. Renaissance of armored immune effector cells, CAR-NK cells, brings the higher hope for successful cancer therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:200. [PMID: 33752707 PMCID: PMC7983395 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, a new method of cellular immunotherapy was introduced based on engineering and empowering the immune effector cells. In this type of immunotherapy, the immune effector cells are equipped with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to specifically target cancer cells. In much of the trials and experiments, CAR-modified T cell immunotherapy has achieved very promising therapeutic results in the treatment of some types of cancers and infectious diseases. However, there are also some considerable drawbacks in the clinical application of CAR-T cells although much effort is in progress to rectify the issues. In some conditions, CAR-T cells initiate over-activated and strong immune responses, therefore, causing unexpected side-effects such as systemic cytokine toxicity (i.e., cytokine release syndrome), neurotoxicity, on-target, off-tumor toxicity, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). To overcome these limitations in CAR-T cell immunotherapy, NK cells as an alternative source of immune effector cells have been utilized for CAR-engineering. Natural killer cells are key players of the innate immune system that can destroy virus-infected cells, tumor cells, or other aberrant cells with their efficient recognizing capability. Compared to T cells, CAR-transduced NK cells (CAR-NK) have several advantages, such as safety in clinical use, non-MHC-restricted recognition of tumor cells, and renewable and easy cell sources for their preparation. In this review, we will discuss the recent preclinical and clinical studies, different sources of NK cells, transduction methods, possible limitations and challenges, and clinical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Suleimanyah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Aleksey Dorofeev
- Department of Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University,), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Favian Bayas-Morejón
- Center for Research and Biotechnological Development, Research Department, Bolivar State University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources and the Environment, CP 020150 Guaranda, Ecuador
| | - Naghmeh Shirafkan
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mostafa Jarahian
- German Cancer Research Center, Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit (G401), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rebar N. Mohammed
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Somayeh Shahrokh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Burster T, Gärtner F, Bulach C, Zhanapiya A, Gihring A, Knippschild U. Regulation of MHC I Molecules in Glioblastoma Cells and the Sensitizing of NK Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030236. [PMID: 33800301 PMCID: PMC7998501 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been established as an important area in the therapy of malignant diseases. Immunogenicity sufficient for immune recognition and subsequent elimination can be bypassed by tumors through altered and/or reduced expression levels of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules. Natural killer (NK) cells can eliminate tumor cells in a MHC I antigen presentation-independent manner by an array of activating and inhibitory receptors, which are promising candidates for immunotherapy. Here we summarize the latest findings in recognizing and regulating MHC I molecules that affect NK cell surveillance of glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Burster
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, 010000 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-(7172)-70-66-75
| | - Fabian Gärtner
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.G.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (U.K.)
| | - Christiane Bulach
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.G.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (U.K.)
| | - Anuar Zhanapiya
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, 010000 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan;
| | - Adrian Gihring
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.G.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (U.K.)
| | - Uwe Knippschild
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.G.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (U.K.)
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30
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Generating natural killer cells for adoptive transfer: expanding horizons. Cytotherapy 2021; 23:559-566. [PMID: 33431318 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate lymphoid cells that have therapeutic potential in adoptive cell transfer-based cancer immunotherapy that has been established across a range of early-phase clinical trials. NK cells for use in adoptive transfer therapies are obtained from various sources, including primary NK cells from peripheral blood or apheresis products (autologous or allogeneic) and umbilical cord blood. NK cells have also been generated from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors, induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells and malignant cell lines. Apheresis-derived NK cell products are often administered after brief cytokine-based ex vivo activation, ideally aiming for in vivo expansion and proliferation. NK cells from other sources or from smaller volumes of blood require a longer period of expansion prior to therapeutic use. Although ex vivo NK cell expansion introduces a concern for senescence and exhaustion, there is also an opportunity to achieve higher NK cell doses, modulate NK cell activation characteristics and apply genetic engineering approaches, ultimately generating potent effector cells from small volumes of readily available starting materials. Herein the authors review the field of clinical-grade NK cell expansion, explore the desirable features of an idealized NK cell expansion approach and focus on techniques used in recently published clinical trials.
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Berendsen MR, Stevens WBC, van den Brand M, van Krieken JH, Scheijen B. Molecular Genetics of Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Insight into Mechanisms of Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3553. [PMID: 33260693 PMCID: PMC7760867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be treated successfully with a combination of chemotherapy and the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab. Nonetheless, approximately one-third of the patients with DLBCL still experience relapse or refractory (R/R) disease after first-line immunochemotherapy. Whole-exome sequencing on large cohorts of primary DLBCL has revealed the mutational landscape of DLBCL, which has provided a framework to define novel prognostic subtypes in DLBCL. Several studies have investigated the genetic alterations specifically associated with R/R DLBCL, thereby uncovering molecular pathways linked to therapy resistance. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the genetic alterations that are enriched in R/R DLBCL, and the corresponding pathways affected by these gene mutations. Furthermore, we elaborate on their potential role in mediating therapy resistance, also in connection with findings in other B-cell malignancies, and discuss alternative treatment options. Hence, this review provides a comprehensive overview on the gene lesions and molecular mechanisms underlying R/R DLBCL, which are considered valuable parameters to guide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine R. Berendsen
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wendy B. C. Stevens
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Michiel van den Brand
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
- Pathology-DNA, Rijnstate Hospital, 6815AD Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - J. Han van Krieken
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
| | - Blanca Scheijen
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Gondhowiardjo SA, Jayalie VF, Apriantoni R, Barata AR, Senoaji F, Utami IGAAJW, Maubere F, Nuryadi E, Giselvania A. Tackling Resistance to Cancer Immunotherapy: What Do We Know? Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184096. [PMID: 32911646 PMCID: PMC7570938 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment has evolved tremendously in the last few decades. Immunotherapy has been considered to be the forth pillar in cancer treatment in addition to conventional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Though immunotherapy has resulted in impressive response, it is generally limited to a small subset of patients. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance toward cancer immunotherapy may shed new light to counter that resistance. In this review, we highlighted and summarized two major hurdles (recognition and attack) of cancer elimination by the immune system. The mechanisms of failure of some available immunotherapy strategies were also described. Moreover, the significance role of immune compartment for various established cancer treatments were also elucidated in this review. Then, the mechanisms of combinatorial treatment of various conventional cancer treatment with immunotherapy were discussed. Finally, a strategy to improve immune cancer killing by characterizing cancer immune landscape, then devising treatment based on that cancer immune landscape was put forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soehartati A. Gondhowiardjo
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Vito Filbert Jayalie
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Riyan Apriantoni
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Andreas Ronald Barata
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Fajar Senoaji
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - IGAA Jayanthi Wulan Utami
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Ferdinand Maubere
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Endang Nuryadi
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Angela Giselvania
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia; (S.A.G.); (V.F.J.); (R.A.); (A.R.B.); (F.S.); (I.J.W.U.); (F.M.); (E.N.); (A.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
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Checkpoint Inhibitors and Engineered Cells: New Weapons for Natural Killer Cell Arsenal Against Hematological Malignancies. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071578. [PMID: 32610578 PMCID: PMC7407972 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells represent one of the first lines of defense against malignant cells. NK cell activation and recognition are regulated by a balance between activating and inhibitory receptors, whose specific ligands can be upregulated on tumor cells surface and tumor microenvironment (TME). Hematological malignancies set up an extensive network of suppressive factors with the purpose to induce NK cell dysfunction and impaired immune-surveillance ability. Over the years, several strategies have been developed to enhance NK cells-mediated anti-tumor killing, while other approaches have arisen to restore the NK cell recognition impaired by tumor cells and other cellular components of the TME. In this review, we summarize and discuss the strategies applied in hematological malignancies to block the immune check-points and trigger NK cells anti-tumor effects through engineered chimeric antigen receptors.
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Sordo-Bahamonde C, Lorenzo-Herrero S, Payer ÁR, Gonzalez S, López-Soto A. Mechanisms of Apoptosis Resistance to NK Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103726. [PMID: 32466293 PMCID: PMC7279491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are major contributors to immunosurveillance and control of tumor development by inducing apoptosis of malignant cells. Among the main mechanisms involved in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, the death receptor pathway and the release of granules containing perforin/granzymes stand out due to their efficacy in eliminating tumor cells. However, accumulated evidence suggest a profound immune suppression in the context of tumor progression affecting effector cells, such as NK cells, leading to decreased cytotoxicity. This diminished capability, together with the development of resistance to apoptosis by cancer cells, favor the loss of immunogenicity and promote immunosuppression, thus partially inducing NK cell-mediated killing resistance. Altered expression patterns of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins along with genetic background comprise the main mechanisms of resistance to NK cell-related apoptosis. Herein, we summarize the main effector cytotoxic mechanisms against tumor cells, as well as the major resistance strategies acquired by tumor cells that hamper the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways related to NK cell-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sordo-Bahamonde
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.-H.); (S.G.)
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, 33006 Oviedo, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.S.-B.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Seila Lorenzo-Herrero
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.-H.); (S.G.)
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, 33006 Oviedo, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ángel R. Payer
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, 33006 Oviedo, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Segundo Gonzalez
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.-H.); (S.G.)
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, 33006 Oviedo, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alejandro López-Soto
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, 33006 Oviedo, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.S.-B.); (A.L.-S.)
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Mechanisms of Resistance to NK Cell Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040893. [PMID: 32272610 PMCID: PMC7226138 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has recently been a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. Natural killer (NK) cells are suitable targets for immunotherapy owing to their potent cytotoxic activity that may target cancer cells in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and antigen-unrestricted manner. Current therapies targeting NK cells include monoclonal antibodies that promote NK cell antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the adoptive transfer of NK cells, the redirection of NK cells using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells and the use of cytokines and immunostimulatory drugs to boost the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Despite some encouraging clinical results, patients receiving these therapies frequently develop resistance, and a myriad of mechanisms of resistance affecting both the immune system and cancer cells have been reported. A first contributing factor that modulates the efficacy of the NK cell therapy is the genetic profile of the individual, which regulates all aspects of NK cell biology. Additionally, the resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis and the immunoediting of cancer cells, a process that decreases their immunogenicity and promotes immunosuppression, are major determinants of the resistance to NK cell therapy. Consequently, the efficacy of NK cell anti-tumor therapy is specific to each patient and disease. The elucidation of such immunosubversive mechanisms is crucial to developing new procedures and therapeutic strategies to fully harness the anti-tumor potential of NK cells.
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Shimizu K, Iyoda T, Yamasaki S, Kadowaki N, Tojo A, Fujii SI. NK and NKT Cell-Mediated Immune Surveillance against Hematological Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040817. [PMID: 32231116 PMCID: PMC7226455 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent cancer treatment modalities have been intensively focused on immunotherapy. The success of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for treatment of refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia has pushed forward research on hematological malignancies. Among the effector types of innate lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells show great importance in immune surveillance against infectious and tumor diseases. Particularly, the role of NK cells has been argued in either elimination of target tumor cells or escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance. Therefore, an NK cell activation approach has been explored. Recent findings demonstrate that invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells capable of producing IFN-γ when optimally activated can promptly trigger NK cells. Here, we review the role of NKT and/or NK cells and their interaction in anti-tumor responses by highlighting how innate immune cells recognize tumors, exert effector functions, and amplify adaptive immune responses. In addition, we discuss these innate lymphocytes in hematological disorders, particularly multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia. The immune balance at different stages of both diseases is explored in light of disease progression. Various types of innate immunity-mediated therapeutic approaches, recent advances in clinical immunotherapies, and iNKT-mediated cancer immunotherapy as next-generation immunotherapy are then discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Shimizu
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; (T.I.); (S.Y.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (S.-i.F.); Tel.: +81-45-503-7062 (K.S. & S.-i.F.); Fax: +81-45-503-7061 (K.S. & S.-i.F.)
| | - Tomonori Iyoda
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; (T.I.); (S.Y.)
| | - Satoru Yamasaki
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; (T.I.); (S.Y.)
| | - Norimitsu Kadowaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan;
| | - Arinobu Tojo
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
| | - Shin-ichiro Fujii
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; (T.I.); (S.Y.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (S.-i.F.); Tel.: +81-45-503-7062 (K.S. & S.-i.F.); Fax: +81-45-503-7061 (K.S. & S.-i.F.)
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Ben-Shmuel A, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy? Front Immunol 2020; 11:275. [PMID: 32153582 PMCID: PMC7046808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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