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Zhang T, Tai Z, Miao F, Zhang X, Li J, Zhu Q, Wei H, Chen Z. Adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors beyond CAR-T: Current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. J Control Release 2024; 368:372-396. [PMID: 38408567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a highly specific anti-tumor immunotherapy that has shown promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there has been a slow progress toward the treatment of solid tumors owing to the complex tumor microenvironment that affects the localization and killing ability of the CAR cells. Solid tumors with a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment and complex vascular system are unaffected by CAR cell infiltration and attack. To improve their efficacy toward solid tumors, CAR cells have been modified and upgraded by "decorating" and "pruning". This review focuses on the structure and function of CARs, the immune cells that can be engineered by CARs and the transformation strategies to overcome solid tumors, with a view to broadening ideas for the better application of CAR cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China; Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fengze Miao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Jiadong Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
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Chen Y, Liu C, Fang Y, Chen W, Qiu J, Zhu M, Wei W, Tu J. Developing CAR-immune cell therapy against SARS-CoV-2: Current status, challenges and prospects. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116066. [PMID: 38373592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-immune cell therapy has revolutionized the anti-tumor field, achieving efficient and precise tumor clearance by directly guiding immune cell activity to target tumors. In addition, the use of CAR-immune cells to influence the composition and function of the immune system and ultimately achieve virus clearance and immune system homeostasis has attracted the interest of researchers. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) triggered a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, the rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 continues to challenge existing therapies and has raised public concerns regarding reinfection. In patients with COVID-19, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the immune system influences the course of the disease, and the coexistence of over-activated immune system components, such as macrophages, and severely compromised immune system components, such as natural killer cells, reveals a dysregulated immune system. Dysregulated immune-induced inflammation may impair viral clearance and T-cell responses, causing cytokine storms and ultimately leading to patient death. Here, we summarize the research progress on the use of CAR-immune cells against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, we discuss the feasibility, challenges and prospect of CAR-immune cells as a new immune candidate therapy against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yilong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Weile Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jiaqi Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mengjuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jiajie Tu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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Yang N, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Fan Y, Zhang J, Lin X, Guo T, Gu Y, Wu J, Gao J, Zhao X, He Z. CD19/CD20 dual-targeted chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells exhibit improved cytotoxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Transl Med 2024; 22:274. [PMID: 38475814 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04990-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells represent a promising advancement in CAR cell therapy, addressing limitations observed in CAR-T cell therapy. However, our prior study revealed challenges in CAR-NK cells targeting CD19 antigens, as they failed to eliminate CD19+ Raji cells in NSG tumor-bearing mice, noting down-regulation or loss of CD19 antigen expression in some Raji cells. In response, this study aims to enhance CD19 CAR-NK cell efficacy and mitigate the risk of tumor recurrence due to target antigen escape by developing CD19 and CD20 (CD19/CD20) dual-targeted CAR-NK cells. METHODS Initially, mRNA encoding anti-CD19 CARs (FMC63 scFv-CD8α-4-1BB-CD3ζ) and anti-CD20 CARs (LEU16 scFv-CD8α-4-1BB-CD3ζ) was constructed via in vitro transcription. Subsequently, CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells were generated through simultaneous electrotransfection of CD19/CD20 CAR mRNA into umbilical cord blood-derived NK cells (UCB-NK). RESULTS Following co-electroporation, the percentage of dual-CAR expression on NK cells was 86.4% ± 1.83%, as determined by flow cytometry. CAR expression was detectable at 8 h post-electric transfer, peaked at 24 h, and remained detectable at 96 h. CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells exhibited increased specific cytotoxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines (BALL-1: CD19+CD20+, REH: CD19+CD20-, Jurkat: CD19-CD20-) compared to UCB-NK, CD19 CAR-NK, and CD20 CAR-NK cells. Moreover, CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells released elevated levels of perforin, IFN-γ, and IL-15. Multiple activation markers such as CD69 and cytotoxic substances were highly expressed. CONCLUSIONS The creation of CD19/CD20 dual-targeted CAR-NK cells addressed the risk of tumor escape due to antigen heterogeneity in ALL, offering efficient and safe 'off-the-shelf' cell products. These cells demonstrate efficacy in targeting CD20 and/or CD19 antigens in ALL, laying an experimental foundation for their application in ALL treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Caili Zhang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yingchun Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuting Fan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaojin Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yangzuo Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jieheng Wu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianmei Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Zhixu He
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Experiment Center, Guizhou Medical University (GMU), Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Guiyang, China.
- Department of Pediatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
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El Alaoui M, Sivado E, Jallas AC, Mebarki L, Dyson MR, Perrez F, Valsesia-Wittmann S, El Alaoui S. Antibody and antibody fragments site-specific conjugation using new Q-tag substrate of bacterial transglutaminase. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:79. [PMID: 38360912 PMCID: PMC10869684 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
During the last few years Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) have become one of the most active and very promising therapeutic weapons. Lessons learned from the traditional chemical conjugations (via lysine or cysteine residues of the antibodies) and the clinical studies of the developed ADCs have recently paved the way to the improvement of the conjugation technologies. Use of site-specific conjugation is considered as the promising path for improving the design and development of homogeneous ADCs with controlled Drug-Antibody ratio (DAR). Moreover, some of these conjugations can be applied to antibody fragments such as Fab, scfv and VHH for which random and chemical conjugation showed significant limitations. In this study, we identified a novel small peptide substrate (Q-tag) with high affinity and specificity of bacterial transglutaminase which can be genetically fused to different formats of antibodies of interest for the development of enzymatic site-specific conjugation we named "CovIsolink" platform. We describe the synthesis of chemically defined drugs conjugation in which the site and stoichiometry of conjugation are controlled using a genetically encoded Q-tag peptide with specific amino acids which serves as a substrate of bacterial transglutaminase. This approach has enabled the generation of homogeneous conjugates with DAR 1,7 for full IgG and 0,8 drug ratio for Fab, scfv and VHH antibody fragments without the presence of significant amounts of unconjugated antibody and fragments. As a proof of concept, Q-tagged anti Her-2 (human IgG1 (Trastuzumab) and the corresponding fragments (Fab, scfv and VHH) were engineered and conjugated with different aminated-payloads. The corresponding Cov-ADCs were evaluated in series of in vitro and in vivo assays, demonstrating similar tumor cell killing potency as Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®) even with lower drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Sivado
- Covalab, 1B Rue Jacques Monod, 69500, Bron, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM 1296 Radiations : défense, Santé et environnement, 28 rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Catherine Jallas
- Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM 1296 Radiations : défense, Santé et environnement, 28 rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France
| | | | - Michael R Dyson
- IONTAS Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Babraham, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Franck Perrez
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR144, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Valsesia-Wittmann
- Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM 1296 Radiations : défense, Santé et environnement, 28 rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France
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Liu Z, Kim D, Kang S, Jung JU. A Detailed Protocol for Constructing a Human Single-Chain Variable Fragment (scFv) Library and Downstream Screening via Phage Display. Methods Protoc 2024; 7:13. [PMID: 38392687 PMCID: PMC10893473 DOI: 10.3390/mps7010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represents a significant milestone in both basic research and clinical applications due to their target specificity and versatility in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The innovative strategy of mAb screening, utilizing phage display, facilitates the in vitro screening of antibodies with high affinity to target antigens. The single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a subset of mAb derivatives, known for its high binding affinity and smaller size-just one-third of that of human IgG. This report outlines a detailed and comprehensive procedure for constructing a scFv phagemid library derived from human patients, followed by screening via phage display affinity selection. The protocol utilizes 348 primer combinations spanning the entire human antibody repertoire to minimize sequence bias and maintain library diversity during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for scFv generation, resulting in a library size greater than 1 × 108. Furthermore, we describe a high-throughput phage display screening protocol using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate more than 1200 scFv candidates. The generation of a highly diverse scFv library, coupled with the implementation of a phage display screening methodology, is expected to provide a valuable resource for researchers in pursuit of scFvs with high affinity for target antigens, thus advancing both research and clinical endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Liu
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (S.K.)
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Dokyun Kim
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (S.K.)
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Seokmin Kang
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (S.K.)
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jae U. Jung
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (S.K.)
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Zhang Y, Patel RP, Kim KH, Cho H, Jo JC, Jeong SH, Oh SY, Choi YS, Kim SH, Lee JH, Angelos M, Guruprasad P, Cohen I, Ugwuanyi O, Lee YG, Pajarillo R, Cho JH, Carturan A, Paruzzo L, Ghilardi G, Wang M, Kim S, Kim SM, Lee HJ, Park JH, Cui L, Lee TB, Hwang IS, Lee YH, Lee YJ, Porazzi P, Liu D, Lee Y, Kim JH, Lee JS, Yoon DH, Chung J, Ruella M. Safety and efficacy of a novel anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell product targeting a membrane-proximal domain of CD19 with fast on- and off-rates against non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a first-in-human study. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:200. [PMID: 38066564 PMCID: PMC10709913 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01886-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commercial anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CART19) are efficacious against advanced B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); however, most patients ultimately relapse. Several mechanisms contribute to this failure, including CD19-negative escape and CAR T dysfunction. All four commercial CART19 products utilize the FMC63 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) specific to a CD19 membrane-distal epitope and characterized by slow association (on) and dissociation (off) rates. We hypothesized that a novel anti-CD19 scFv that engages an alternative CD19 membrane-proximal epitope independent of FMC63 and that is characterized by faster on- and off-rates could mitigate CART19 failure and improve clinical efficacy. METHODS We developed an autologous CART19 product with 4-1BB co-stimulation using a novel humanized chicken antibody (h1218). This antibody is specific to a membrane-proximal CD19 epitope and harbors faster on/off rates compared to FMC63. We tested h1218-CART19 in vitro and in vivo using FMC63-CART19-resistant models. We conducted a first-in-human multi-center phase I clinical trial to test AT101 (clinical-grade h1218-CART19) in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) NHL. RESULTS Preclinically, h1218- but not FMC63-CART19 were able to effectively eradicate lymphomas expressing CD19 point mutations (L174V and R163L) or co-expressing FMC63-CAR19 as found in patients relapsing after FMC63-CART19. Furthermore, h1218-CART19 exhibited enhanced killing of B-cell malignancies in vitro and in vivo compared with FMC63-CART19. Mechanistically, we found that h1218-CART19 had reduced activation-induced cell death (AICD) and enhanced expansion compared to FMC63-CART19 owing to faster on- and off-rates. Based on these preclinical results, we performed a phase I dose-escalation trial, testing three dose levels (DL) of AT101 (the GMP version of h1218) using a 3 + 3 design. In 12 treated patients (7 DLBCL, 3 FL, 1 MCL, and 1 MZL), AT101 showed a promising safety profile with 8.3% grade 3 CRS (n = 1) and 8.3% grade 4 ICANS (n = 1). In the whole cohort, the overall response rate was 91.7%, with a complete response rate of 75.0%, which improved to 100% in DL-2 and -3. AT101 expansion correlates with CR and B-cell aplasia. CONCLUSIONS We developed a novel, safe, and potent CART19 product that recognizes a membrane-proximal domain of CD19 with fast on- and off-rates and showed significant efficacy and promising safety in patients with relapsed B-cell NHL. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05338931; Date: 2022-04-01.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlin Zhang
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruchi P Patel
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ki Hyun Kim
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyungwoo Cho
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Cheol Jo
- Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | | | - Sung Yong Oh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | | | - Sung Hyun Kim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Mathew Angelos
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Puneeth Guruprasad
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ivan Cohen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ositadimma Ugwuanyi
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yong Gu Lee
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Korea
| | - Raymone Pajarillo
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jong Hyun Cho
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Alberto Carturan
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Luca Paruzzo
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guido Ghilardi
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael Wang
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Soohwan Kim
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Min Kim
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Jong Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Ho Park
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Leiguang Cui
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Bum Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Sik Hwang
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Jun Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Patrizia Porazzi
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Yoon Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Hoon Kim
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Seo Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research Center, AbClon Inc., #1401, Ace Twin Tower1, 285 Digital-Ro, Guro-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Dok Hyun Yoon
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Junho Chung
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Suite 510, Samsung Cancer Research Building, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Marco Ruella
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, SPE 8-112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Lymphoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Harrer DC, Li SS, Kaljanac M, Barden M, Pan H, Abken H. Fine-tuning the antigen sensitivity of CAR T cells: emerging strategies and current challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1321596. [PMID: 38090558 PMCID: PMC10711209 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are "living drugs" that specifically recognize their target antigen through an antibody-derived binding domain resulting in T cell activation, expansion, and destruction of cognate target cells. The FDA/EMA approval of CAR T cells for the treatment of B cell malignancies established CAR T cell therapy as an emerging pillar of modern immunotherapy. However, nearly every second patient undergoing CAR T cell therapy is suffering from disease relapse within the first two years which is thought to be due to downregulation or loss of the CAR target antigen on cancer cells, along with decreased functional capacities known as T cell exhaustion. Antigen downregulation below CAR activation threshold leaves the T cell silent, rendering CAR T cell therapy ineffective. With the application of CAR T cells for the treatment of a growing number of malignant diseases, particularly solid tumors, there is a need for augmenting CAR sensitivity to target antigen present at low densities on cancer cells. Here, we discuss upcoming strategies and current challenges in designing CARs for recognition of antigen low cancer cells, aiming at augmenting sensitivity and finally therapeutic efficacy while reducing the risk of tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Deptartment of Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sin-Syue Li
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Marcell Kaljanac
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus Barden
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hong Pan
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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8
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Temple WC, Nix MA, Naik A, Izgutdina A, Huang BJ, Wicaksono G, Phojanakong P, Serrano JAC, Young EP, Ramos E, Salangsang F, Steri V, Xirenayi S, Hermiston M, Logan AC, Stieglitz E, Wiita AP. Framework humanization optimizes potency of anti-CD72 nanobody CAR-T cells for B-cell malignancies. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006985. [PMID: 38007238 PMCID: PMC10680002 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 50% of patients who receive anti-CD19 CAR-T cells relapse, and new immunotherapeutic targets are urgently needed. We recently described CD72 as a promising target in B-cell malignancies and developed nanobody-based CAR-T cells (nanoCARs) against it. This cellular therapy design is understudied compared with scFv-based CAR-T cells, but has recently become of significant interest given the first regulatory approval of a nanoCAR in multiple myeloma. METHODS We humanized our previous nanobody framework regions, derived from llama, to generate a series of humanized anti-CD72 nanobodies. These nanobody binders were inserted into second-generation CD72 CAR-T cells and were evaluated against preclinical models of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in vitro and in vivo. Humanized CD72 nanoCARs were compared with parental ("NbD4") CD72 nanoCARs and the clinically approved CD19-directed CAR-T construct tisangenlecleucel. RNA-sequencing, flow cytometry, and cytokine secretion profiling were used to determine differences between the different CAR constructs. We then used affinity maturation on the parental NbD4 construct to generate high affinity binders against CD72 to test if higher affinity to CD72 improved antitumor potency. RESULTS Toward clinical translation, here we humanize our previous nanobody framework regions, derived from llama, and surprisingly discover a clone ("H24") with enhanced potency against B-cell tumors, including patient-derived samples after CD19 CAR-T relapse. Potentially underpinning improved potency, H24 has moderately higher binding affinity to CD72 compared with a fully llama framework. However, further affinity maturation (KD<1 nM) did not lead to improvement in cytotoxicity. After treatment with H24 nanoCARs, in vivo relapse was accompanied by CD72 antigen downregulation which was partially reversible. The H24 nanobody clone was found to have no off-target binding and is therefore designated as a true clinical candidate. CONCLUSION This work supports translation of H24 CD72 nanoCARs for refractory B-cell malignancies, reveals potential mechanisms of resistance, and unexpectedly demonstrates that nanoCAR potency can be improved by framework alterations alone. These findings may have implications for future engineering of nanobody-based cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Temple
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Matthew A Nix
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Akul Naik
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Adila Izgutdina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Benjamin J Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gianina Wicaksono
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Paul Phojanakong
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth P Young
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emilio Ramos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fernando Salangsang
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Veronica Steri
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Simayijiang Xirenayi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michelle Hermiston
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aaron C Logan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elliot Stieglitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Arun P Wiita
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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9
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Zheng R, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Liang S, Zhao X, Wang Y, Wang P, Meng R, Yang A, Yan B. Humanized single-domain antibody targeting HER2 enhances function of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258156. [PMID: 38022548 PMCID: PMC10661930 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can redirect T cells against antigen-expressing tumors, and each component plays an important role in the function and anti-tumor efficacy. It has been reported that using human sequences or a low affinity of CAR single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) in the CAR binding domains is a potential way to enhance the function of CAR-T cells. However, it remains largely unknown how a lower affinity of CARs using humanized scFvs affects the function of CAR-T cells until recently. Methods We used different humanized anti-HER2 antibodies as the extracellular domain of CARs and further constructed a series of the CAR-T cells with different affinity. Results We have observed that moderately reducing the affinity of CARs (light chain variable domain (VL)-based CAR-T) could maintain the anti-tumor efficacy, and improved the safety of CAR therapy both in vitro and in vivo compared with high-affinity CAR-T cells. Moreover, T cells expressing the VL domain only antibody exhibited long-lasting tumor elimination capability after multiple challenges in vitro, longer persistence and lower cytokine levels in vivo. Discussion Our findings provide an alternative option for CAR-T optimization with the potential to widen the use of CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuankun Chen
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sixin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Pengju Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruotong Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Angang Yang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Abstract
Cell therapies are powerful technologies in which human cells are reprogrammed for therapeutic applications such as killing cancer cells or replacing defective cells. The technologies underlying cell therapies are increasing in effectiveness and complexity, making rational engineering of cell therapies more difficult. Creating the next generation of cell therapies will require improved experimental approaches and predictive models. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods have revolutionized several fields in biology including genome annotation, protein structure prediction, and enzyme design. In this review, we discuss the potential of combining experimental library screens and AI to build predictive models for the development of modular cell therapy technologies. Advances in DNA synthesis and high-throughput screening techniques enable the construction and screening of libraries of modular cell therapy constructs. AI and ML models trained on this screening data can accelerate the development of cell therapies by generating predictive models, design rules, and improved designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Capponi
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cellular Engineering, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, California, USA
- Center for Cellular Construction, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kyle G Daniels
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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11
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Smith R. Bringing cell therapy to tumors: considerations for optimal CAR binder design. Antib Ther 2023; 6:225-239. [PMID: 37846297 PMCID: PMC10576856 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have revolutionized the immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies and are poised to expand the range of their impact across a broad range of oncology and non-oncology indications. Critical to the success of a given CAR is the choice of binding domain, as this is the key driver for specificity and plays an important role (along with the rest of the CAR structure) in determining efficacy, potency and durability of the cell therapy. While antibodies have proven to be effective sources of CAR binding domains, it has become apparent that the desired attributes for a CAR binding domain do differ from those of a recombinant antibody. This review will address key factors that need to be considered in choosing the optimal binding domain for a given CAR and how binder properties influence and are influenced by the rest of the CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- Department of Research, Kite, a Gilead Company, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 240, Emeryville, CA 94070, USA
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12
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Rajakaruna H, Desai M, Das J. PASCAR: a multiscale framework to explore the design space of constitutive and inducible CAR T cells. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302171. [PMID: 37507138 PMCID: PMC10387492 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells are engineered to bind and destroy tumor cells by targeting overexpressed surface antigens. However, healthy cells expressing lower abundances of these antigens can also be lysed by CAR T cells. Various CAR T cell designs increase tumor cell elimination, whereas reducing damage to healthy cells. However, these efforts are costly and labor-intensive, constraining systematic exploration of potential hypotheses. We develop a protein abundance structured population dynamic model for CAR T cells (PASCAR), a framework that combines multiscale population dynamic models and multi-objective optimization approaches with data from cytometry and cytotoxicity assays to systematically explore the design space of constitutive and tunable CAR T cells. PASCAR can quantitatively describe in vitro and in vivo results for constitutive and inducible CAR T cells and can successfully predict experiments outside the training data. Our exploration of the CAR design space reveals that optimal CAR affinities in the intermediate range of dissociation constants effectively reduce healthy cell lysis, whereas maintaining high tumor cell-killing rates. Furthermore, our modeling offers guidance for optimizing CAR expressions in synthetic notch CAR T cells. PASCAR can be extended to other CAR immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshana Rajakaruna
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomics, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Milie Desai
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Jayajit Das
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomics, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Biophysics Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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13
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Zhao H, Wu L, Dai J, Sun K, Zi Z, Guan J, Zhang L. Ligand-based adoptive T cell targeting CA125 in ovarian cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:596. [PMID: 37670338 PMCID: PMC10481596 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04271-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is a highly aggressive gynecological malignancy prevalent worldwide. Most OC cases are typically diagnosed at advanced stages, which has led to a 5-year overall survival rate of less than 35% following conventional treatment. Furthermore, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has shown limited efficacy in the treatment of patients with OC, and CAR-T therapy has also demonstrated modest results owing to inadequate T cell infiltration. Therefore, novel strategies must be developed to enhance T cell persistence and trafficking within the OC tumor microenvironment. METHODS In this study, we developed a novel adoptive T-cell therapy for ovarian cancer based on a chimeric antigen receptor structure. We used a ligand-receptor binding motif to enhance the therapeutic effect of targeting CA125. Since mesothelin can naturally bind to CA125 with high affinity, we concatenated the core-binding fragment of mesothelin with the 4-1BB and CD3ζ signal fragments to assemble a novel CA125-targeting chimeric receptor (CR). The CAR structure targeting CA125 derived from the 4H11 antibody was also constructed. CR- and CAR-encoding RNA were electroporated into T cells to evaluate their antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS While CR-T or CAR-T cells exhibited moderate activity against two ovarian cancer cell lines, T cells co-expressing CR and CAR exhibited a superior killing effect compared to T cells expressing either CR or CAR alone. Furthermore, upon interaction with ovarian tumors, the ability of CR and CAR T cells to release activation markers and functional cytokines increased significantly. Similarly, CR and CAR co-expressing T cells persistently controlled the growth of transplanted ovarian cancer tumors in NSG mice and significantly prolonged the overall survival of tumor-challenged mice. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that the survival and cytotoxicity of T cells co-expressing CR and CAR were significantly altered compared with those of T cells expressing either CR or CAR. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that CA125 targeting CR and CAR can synergistically kill ovarian cancer cells, indicating that CA125 targeting by the two binding motifs simultaneously in tumors may improve the therapeutic outcomes of ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihong Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jiemin Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ke Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhenguo Zi
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Junhua Guan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Liwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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14
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Jiang J, Chen J, Liao C, Duan Y, Wang Y, Shang K, Huang Y, Tang Y, Gao X, Gu Y, Sun J. Inserting EF1α-driven CD7-specific CAR at CD7 locus reduces fratricide and enhances tumor rejection. Leukemia 2023; 37:1660-1670. [PMID: 37391486 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T therapies to treat T-cell malignancies face unique hurdles. Normal and malignant T cells usually express the same target for CAR, leading to fratricide. CAR-T cells targeting CD7, which is expressed in various malignant T cells, have limited expansion due to fratricide. Using CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout CD7 can reduce the fratricide. Here we developed a 2-in-1 strategy to insert EF1α-driven CD7-specific CAR at the disrupted CD7 locus and compared it to two other known strategies: one was random integration of CAR by a retrovirus and the other was site-specific integration at T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) locus, both in the context of CD7 disruption. All three types of CD7 CAR-T cells with reduced fratricide could expand well and displayed potent cytotoxicity to both CD7+ tumor cell lines and patient-derived primary tumors. Moreover, EF1α-driven CAR expressed at the CD7 locus enhances tumor rejection in a mouse xenograft model of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), suggesting great clinical application potential. Additionally, this 2-in-1 strategy was adopted to generate CD7-specific CAR-NK cells as NK also expresses CD7, which would prevent contamination from malignant cells. Thus, our synchronized antigen-knockout CAR-knockin strategy could reduce the fratricide and enhance anti-tumor activity, advancing clinical CAR-T treatment of T-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangqing Chen
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chan Liao
- Department of Hematology-oncology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanting Duan
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kai Shang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanjie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yongming Tang
- Department of Hematology-oncology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ying Gu
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University and Department of Genetics, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Genetic and Developmental Disorder, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Jie Sun
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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15
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Zhong L, Li Y, Muluh TA, Wang Y. Combination of CAR‑T cell therapy and radiotherapy: Opportunities and challenges in solid tumors (Review). Oncol Lett 2023; 26:281. [PMID: 37274466 PMCID: PMC10236127 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a new and breakthrough cancer immunotherapy. Although CAR-T cell therapy has made significant progress clinically in patients with refractory or drug-resistant hematological malignancies, there are numerous challenges in its application to solid tumor therapy, including antigen escape, severe toxic reactions, abnormal vascularization, tumor hypoxia, insufficient infiltration of CAR-T cells and immunosuppression. As a conventional mode of anti-tumor therapy, radiotherapy has shown promising effects in combination with CAR-T cell therapy by enhancing the specific immunity of endogenous target antigens, which promoted the infiltration and expansion of CAR-T cells and improved the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. This review focuses on the obstacles to the application of CAR-T technology in solid tumor therapy, the potential opportunities and challenges of combined radiotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy, and the review of recent literature to evaluate the best combination for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Zhong
- Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, P.R. China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, P.R. China
| | - Tobias Achu Muluh
- Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
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16
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Zhang C, Wang L, Zhang Q, Shen J, Huang X, Wang M, Huang Y, Chen J, Xu Y, Zhao W, Qi Y, Li Y, Ou Y, Yang Z, Qian C. Screening and characterization of the scFv for chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting CEA-positive carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1182409. [PMID: 37304295 PMCID: PMC10248079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1182409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy presents a promising treatment option for various cancers, including solid tumors. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an attractive target due to its high expression in many tumors, particularly gastrointestinal cancers, while limited expression in normal adult tissues. In our previous clinical study, we reported a 70% disease control rate with no severe side effects using a humanized CEA-targeting CAR-T cell. However, the selection of the appropriate single-chain variable fragment (scFv) significantly affects the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T cells by defining their specific behavior towards the target antigen. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the optimal scFv and investigate its biological functions to further optimize the therapeutic potential of CAR-T cells targeting CEA-positive carcinoma. Methods We screened four reported humanized or fully human anti-CEA antibodies (M5A, hMN-14, BW431/26, and C2-45), and inserted them into a 3rd-generation CAR structure. We purified the scFvs and measured the affinity. We monitored CAR-T cell phenotype and scFv binding stability to CEA antigen through flow cytometry. We performed repeated CEA antigen stimulation assays to compare the proliferation potential and response of the four CAR-T cells, then further evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of CAR-T cells ex vivo and in vivo. Results M5A and hMN-14 CARs displayed higher affinity and more stable CEA binding ability than BW431/26 and C2-45 CARs. During CAR-T cell production culture, hMN-14 CAR-T cells exhibit a larger proportion of memory-like T cells, while M5A CAR-T cells showed a more differentiated phenotype, suggesting a greater tonic signal of M5A scFv. M5A, hMN-14, and BW431/26 CAR-T cells exhibited effective tumor cell lysis and IFN-γ release when cocultured with CEA-positive tumor cells in vitro, correlating with the abundance of CEA expression in target cells. While C2-45 resulted in almost no tumor lysis or IFN-γ release. In a repeat CEA antigen stimulation assay, M5A showed the best cell proliferation and cytokine secretion levels. In a mouse xenograft model, M5A CAR-T cells displayed better antitumor efficacy without preconditioning. Discussion Our findings suggest that scFvs derived from different antibodies have distinctive characteristics, and stable expression and appropriate affinity are critical for robust antitumor efficacy. This study highlights the importance of selecting an optimal scFv in CAR-T cell design for effective CEA-targeted therapy. The identified optimal scFv, M5A, could be potentially applied in future clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy targeting CEA-positive carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linling Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Qianzhen Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Junjie Shen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Xia Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Meiling Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Yanmin Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Wenxu Zhao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Yanan Qi
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Yunyan Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Yanjiao Ou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Gene and Cell Therapy, Institute of Precision Medicine and Biotechnology, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co. Ltd., Chongqing, China
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Kulczycka M, Derlatka K, Tasior J, Lejman M, Zawitkowska J. CAR T-Cell Therapy in Children with Solid Tumors. J Clin Med 2023; 12:2326. [PMID: 36983330 PMCID: PMC10051963 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The limited efficacy of traditional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, emphasize the significance of employing innovative methods. CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy remains the most revolutionizing treatment of pediatric hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Patient’s own lymphocytes are modified ex-vivo using gene transfer techniques and programmed to recognize and destroy specific tumor cells regardless of MHC receptor, which probably makes CAR-T the most personalized therapy for the patient. With continued refinement and optimization, CAR-T cell therapy has the potential to significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for children with limited treatment options. It has shown remarkable success in treating hematological malignancies, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, its effectiveness in treating solid tumors is still being investigated and remains an area of active research. In this review we focus on solid tumors and explain the concept of CAR modified T cells, and discuss some novel CAR designs that are being considered to enhance the safety of CAR T-cell therapy in under-mentioned cancers. Furthermore, we summarize the most crucial recent reports concerning the solid tumors treatment in children. In the end we provide a short summary of many challenges that limit the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T in solid tumors, such as antigen escape, immunosuppressive microenvironment, poor trafficking, and tumor infiltration, on-target off-tumor effects and general toxicity.
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18
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Belovezhets T, Kulemzin S, Volkova O, Najakshin A, Taranin A, Gorchakov A. Comparative Pre-Clinical Analysis of CD20-Specific CAR T Cells Encompassing 1F5-, Leu16-, and 2F2-Based Antigen-Recognition Moieties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043698. [PMID: 36835110 PMCID: PMC9966244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, CAR T cell therapy for patients with B cell malignancies has evolved from an experimental technique to a clinically feasible option. To date, four CAR T cell products specific for a B cell surface marker, CD19, have been approved by the FDA. Despite the spectacular rates of complete remission in r/r ALL and NHL patients, a significant proportion of patients still relapse, frequently with the CD19 low/negative tumor phenotype. To address this issue, additional B cell surface molecules such as CD20 were proposed as targets for CAR T cells. Here, we performed a side-by-side comparison of the activity of CD20-specific CAR T cells based on the antigen-recognition modules derived from the murine antibodies, 1F5 and Leu16, and from the human antibody, 2F2. Whereas CD20-specific CAR T cells differed from CD19-specific CAR T cells in terms of subpopulation composition and cytokine secretion, they displayed similar in vitro and in vivo potency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergey Kulemzin
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Olga Volkova
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Najakshin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Taranin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Andrey Gorchakov
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Zhang K, Chen H, Li F, Huang S, Chen F, Li Y. Bright future or blind alley? CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1045024. [PMID: 36761757 PMCID: PMC9902507 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1045024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells therapy has emerged as a significant breakthrough in adoptive immunotherapy for hematological malignancies with FDA approval. However, the application of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors remains challenging, mostly due to lack of suitable CAR-T target antigens, insufficient trafficking and extravasation to tumor sites, and limited CAR-T survival in the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we reviewed the development of CARs and the clinical trials in solid tumors. Meanwhile, a "key-and-lock" relationship was used to describe the recognition of tumor antigen via CAR T cells. Some strategies, including dual-targets and receptor system switches or filter, have been explored to help CAR T cells matching targets specifically and to minimize on-target/off-tumor toxicities in normal tissues. Furthermore, the complex TME restricts CAT T cells activity through dense extracellular matrix, suppressive immune cells and cytokines. Recent innovations in engineered CARs to shield the inhibitory signaling molecules were also discussed, which efficiently promote CAR T functions in terms of expansion and survival to overcome the hurdles in the TME of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Oncology, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, Yunnan, China,Graduate School, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Oncology, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Fuqiang Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Breast Cancer Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Oncology, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, Yunnan, China,Graduate School, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China,*Correspondence: Yi Li,
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Duan Y, Chen J, Meng X, Liu L, Shang K, Wu X, Wang Y, Huang Z, Liu H, Huang Y, Zhou C, Gao X, Wang Y, Sun J. Balancing activation and co-stimulation of CAR tunes signaling dynamics and enhances therapeutic potency. Mol Ther 2023; 31:35-47. [PMID: 36045585 PMCID: PMC9840118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) with CD28 and CD3ζ signaling domains have been approved by the US FDA for treating B cell malignancies. Mutation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) in CD3ζ generated a single-ITAM containing 1XX CAR, which displayed superior antitumor activity in a leukemia mouse model. Here, we investigated whether the 1XX design could enhance therapeutic potency against solid tumors. We constructed both CD19- and AXL-specific 1XX CARs and compared their in vitro and in vivo functions with their wild-type (WT) counterparts. 1XX CARs showed better antitumor efficacy in both pancreatic and melanoma mouse models. Detailed analysis revealed that 1XX CAR-T cells persisted longer in vivo and had a higher percentage of central memory cells. With fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors, we found that decreased ITAM numbers in 1XX resulted in similar 70-kDa zeta chain-associated protein (ZAP70) activation, while 1XX induced higher Ca2+ elevation and faster extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) activation than WT CAR. Thus, our results confirmed the superiority of 1XX against two targets in different solid tumor models and shed light on the underlying molecular mechanism of CAR signaling, paving the way for the clinical applications of 1XX CARs against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Duan
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangqing Chen
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianhui Meng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Longwei Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kai Shang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zihan Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Houyu Liu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanjie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chun Zhou
- School of Public Health and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaofei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jie Sun
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital and Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou 311121, China; Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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Shevyrev DV, Tereshchenko VP, Sennikov SV. The Enigmatic Nature of the TCR-pMHC Interaction: Implications for CAR-T and TCR-T Engineering. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314728. [PMID: 36499057 PMCID: PMC9740949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of the T-cell receptor (TCR) with a peptide in the major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) plays a central role in the adaptive immunity of higher chordates. Due to the high specificity and sensitivity of this process, the immune system quickly recognizes and efficiently responds to the appearance of foreign and altered self-antigens. This is important for ensuring anti-infectious and antitumor immunity, in addition to maintaining self-tolerance. The most common parameter used for assessing the specificity of TCR-pMHC interaction is affinity. This thermodynamic characteristic is widely used not only in various theoretical aspects, but also in practice, for example, in the engineering of various T-cell products with a chimeric (CAR-T) or artificial (TCR-engineered T-cell) antigen receptor. However, increasing data reveal the fact that, in addition to the thermodynamic component, the specificity of antigen recognition is based on the kinetics and mechanics of the process, having even greater influence on the selectivity of the process and T lymphocyte activation than affinity. Therefore, the kinetic and mechanical aspects of antigen recognition should be taken into account when designing artificial antigen receptors, especially those that recognize antigens in the MHC complex. This review describes the current understanding of the nature of the TCR-pMHC interaction, in addition to the thermodynamic, kinetic, and mechanical principles underlying the specificity and high sensitivity of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. V. Shevyrev
- Laboratory of molecular Immunology, Research Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Center for Cell Technology and Immunology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-9231345505
| | - V. P. Tereshchenko
- Laboratory of molecular Immunology, Research Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Center for Cell Technology and Immunology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - S. V. Sennikov
- Laboratory of molecular Immunology, Research Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
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Pedersen MG, Møller BK, Bak RO. Recent Advances in the Development of Anti-FLT3 CAR T-Cell Therapies for Treatment of AML. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2441. [PMID: 36289703 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the success of the anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies against B-cell malignancies, the CAR T-cell approach is being developed towards other malignancies like acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Treatment options for relapsed AML patients are limited, and the upregulation of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) in malignant T-cells is currently not only being investigated as a prognostic factor, but also as a target for new treatment options. In this review, we provide an overview and discuss different approaches of current anti-FLT3 CAR T-cells under development. In general, these therapies are effective both in vitro and in vivo, however the safety profile still needs to be further investigated. The first clinical trials have been initiated, and the community now awaits clinical evaluation of the approach of targeting FLT3 with CAR T-cells.
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