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Vivier E, Rebuffet L, Narni-Mancinelli E, Cornen S, Igarashi RY, Fantin VR. Natural killer cell therapies. Nature 2024; 626:727-736. [PMID: 38383621 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06945-1] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system. A key feature of NK cells is their ability to recognize a wide range of cells in distress, particularly tumour cells and cells infected with viruses. They combine both direct effector functions against their cellular targets and participate in the generation, shaping and maintenance of a multicellular immune response. As our understanding has deepened, several therapeutic strategies focused on NK cells have been conceived and are currently in various stages of development, from preclinical investigations to clinical trials. Here we explore in detail the complexity of NK cell biology in humans and highlight the role of these cells in cancer immunity. We also analyse the harnessing of NK cell immunity through immune checkpoint inhibitors, NK cell engagers, and infusions of preactivated or genetically modified, autologous or allogeneic NK cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Vivier
- Innate Pharma Research Laboratories, Innate Pharma, Marseille, France.
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France.
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille-Immunopôle, Marseille, France.
- Paris-Saclay Cancer Cluster, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
| | - Lucas Rebuffet
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Narni-Mancinelli
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphanie Cornen
- Innate Pharma Research Laboratories, Innate Pharma, Marseille, France
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2
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Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are a type of innate lymphoid cells that play a crucial role in immunity by killing virally infected or tumor cells and secreting cytokines and chemokines. NK cell-mediated immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment due to its safety and effectiveness. NK cell engagers (NKCEs), such as BiKE (bispecific killer cell engager) or TriKE (trispecific killer cell engager), are a novel class of antibody-based therapeutics that exhibit several advantages over other cancer immunotherapies harnessing NK cells. By bridging NK and tumor cells, NKCEs activate NK cells and lead to tumor cell lysis. A growing number of NKCEs are currently undergoing development, with some already in clinical trials. However, there is a need for more comprehensive studies to determine how the molecular design of NKCEs affects their functionality and manufacturability, which are crucial for their development as off-the-shelf drugs for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on NKCE development and discuss critical factors required for the production of effective NKCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minchuan Zhang
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shengli Xu
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Huan T, Guan B, Li H, Tu X, Zhang C, Tang B. Principles and current clinical landscape of NK cell engaging bispecific antibody against cancer. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2256904. [PMID: 37772505 PMCID: PMC10543353 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2256904] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody-based targeted therapies have greatly improved treatment options for patients by binding to the innate immune system. However, the long-term efficacy of such antibodies is limited by mechanisms of drug resistance. Over the last 50 years, with advances in protein engineering technology, more and more bispecific antibody (bsAb) platforms have been engineered to meet diverse clinical needs. Bispecific NK cell engagers (BiKEs) or tri-specific NK cell engagers (TriKEs) allow for direct targeting of immune cells to tumors, and therefore resistance and serious adverse effects are greatly reduced. Many preclinical and clinical trials are currently underway, depicting the promise of antibody-based natural killer cell engager therapeutics. In this review, we compile worldwide efforts to explore the involvement of NK cells in bispecific antibodies. With a particular emphasis on lessons learned, we focus on preclinical and clinical studies in malignancies and discuss the reasons for the limited success of NK-cell engagers against solid tumors, offering plausible new ideas for curing some advanced cancers shortly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Huan
- Department of General Surgery, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bugao Guan
- Department of General Surgery, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Department of General Surgery, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiu Tu
- Department of General Surgery, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Jinhu County People’s Hospital, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
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4
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Xiao X, Cheng Y, Zheng X, Fang Y, Zhang Y, Sun R, Tian Z, Sun H. Bispecific NK-cell engager targeting BCMA elicits stronger antitumor effects and produces less proinflammatory cytokines than T-cell engager. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1113303. [PMID: 37114050 PMCID: PMC10126364 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1113303] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies have attracted more attention in recent years for the treatment of tumors, in which most of them target CD3, which mediates the killing of tumor cells by T cells. However, T-cell engager may cause serious side effects, including neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome. More safe treatments are still needed to address unmet medical needs, and NK cell-based immunotherapy is a safer and more effective way to treat tumors. Our study developed two IgG-like bispecific antibodies with the same configuration: BT1 (BCMA×CD3) attracted T cells and tumor cells, while BK1 (BCMA×CD16) attracted NK cells and tumor cells. Our study showed that BK1 mediated NK cell activation and upregulated the expression of CD69, CD107a, IFN-γ and TNF. In addition, BK1 elicited a stronger antitumor effect than BT1 both in vitro and in vivo. Combinatorial treatment (BK1+BT1) showed a stronger antitumor effect than either treatment alone, as indicated by in vitro experiments and in vivo murine models. More importantly, BK1 induced fewer proinflammatory cytokines than BT1 both in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, BK1 reduced cytokine production in the combinatorial treatment, suggesting the indispensable role of NK cells in the control of cytokine secretion by T cells. In conclusion, our study compared NK-cell engagers and T-cell engagers targeting BCMA. The results indicated that NK-cell engagers were more effective with less proinflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, the use of NK-cell engagers in combinatorial treatment helped to reduce cytokine secretion by T cells, suggesting a bright future for NK-cell engagers in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghui Xiao
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuhang Fang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Hefei TG ImmunoPharma Corporation Limited, Hefei, China
| | - Haoyu Sun
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Harwardt J, Carrara SC, Bogen JP, Schoenfeld K, Grzeschik J, Hock B, Kolmar H. Generation of a symmetrical trispecific NK cell engager based on a two-in-one antibody. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1170042. [PMID: 37081888 PMCID: PMC10110854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1170042] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To construct a trispecific IgG-like antibody at least three different binding moieties need to be combined, which results in a complex architecture and challenging production of these molecules. Here we report for the first time the construction of trispecific natural killer cell engagers based on a previously reported two-in-one antibody combined with a novel anti-CD16a common light chain module identified by yeast surface display (YSD) screening of chicken-derived immune libraries. The resulting antibodies simultaneously target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and CD16a with two Fab fragments, resulting in specific cellular binding properties on EGFR/PD-L1 double positive tumor cells and a potent ADCC effect. This study paves the way for further development of multispecific therapeutic antibodies derived from avian immunization with desired target combinations, valencies, molecular symmetries and architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Harwardt
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefania C. Carrara
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Biologics Technology and Development, Ferring Darmstadt Laboratory, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jan P. Bogen
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Biologics Technology and Development, Ferring Darmstadt Laboratory, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katrin Schoenfeld
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julius Grzeschik
- Biologics Technology and Development, Ferring Biologics Innovation Centre, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Björn Hock
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- *Correspondence: Harald Kolmar,
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6
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Floerchinger A, Klein JE, Finkbeiner MSC, Schäfer TE, Fuchs G, Doerner J, Zirngibl H, Ackermann M, Kvasnicka HM, Chester KA, Jäger D, Ball CR, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. A vector-encoded bispecific killer engager to harness virus-activated NK cells as anti-tumor effectors. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:104. [PMID: 36765035 PMCID: PMC9918448 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05624-3] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with oncolytic measles vaccines (MV) elicits activation of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells. However, we found that MV-activated NK cells show only modest direct cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. To specifically direct NK cells towards tumor cells, we developed oncolytic measles vaccines encoding bispecific killer engagers (MV-BiKE) targeting CD16A on NK cells and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a model tumor antigen. MV-BiKE are only slightly attenuated compared to parental MV and mediate secretion of functional BiKE from infected tumor cells. We tested MV-BiKE activity in cocultures of colorectal or pancreatic cancer cells with primary human NK cells. MV-BiKE mediate expression of effector cytokines, degranulation and specific anti-tumor cytotoxicity by NK cells. Experiments with patient-derived pancreatic cancer cultures indicate that efficacy of MV-BiKE may vary between individual tumors with differential virus permissiveness. Remarkably, we confirmed MV-BiKE activity in primaryhuman colorectal carcinoma specimens with autochthonous tumor and NK cells.This study provides proof-of-concept for MV-BiKE as a novel immunovirotherapy to harness virus-activated NK cells as anti-tumor effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Floerchinger
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Jessica E Klein
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximiliane S C Finkbeiner
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Theresa E Schäfer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gwendolin Fuchs
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Johannes Doerner
- Department of Surgery, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Hubert Zirngibl
- Department of Surgery, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Hans M Kvasnicka
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia R Ball
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
- Translational Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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7
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Ghazvinian Z, Abdolahi S, Tokhanbigli S, Tarzemani S, Piccin A, Reza Zali M, Verdi J, Baghaei K. Contribution of natural killer cells in innate immunity against colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1077053. [PMID: 36686835 PMCID: PMC9846259 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1077053] [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: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells are members of the innate immune system and promote cytotoxic activity against tumor or infected cells independently from MHC recognition. NK cells are modulated by the expression of activator/inhibitory receptors. The ratio of this activator/inhibitory receptors is responsible for the cytotoxic activity of NK cells toward the target cells. Owing to the potent anti-tumor properties of NK cells, they are considered as interesting approach in tumor treatment. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of death in the world and the incidence is about 2 million new cases per year. Metastatic CRC is accompanied by a poor prognosis with less than three years of overall survival. Chemotherapy and surgery are the most adopted treatments. Besides, targeted therapy and immune checkpoint blockade are novel approach to CRC treatment. In these patients, circulating NK cells are a prognostic marker. The main target of CRC immune cell therapy is to improve the tumor cell's recognition and elimination by immune cells. Adaptive NK cell therapy is the milestone to achieve the purpose. Allogeneic NK cell therapy has been widely investigated within clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the NK related approaches including CAR NK cells, cell-based vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory drugs against CRC tumoral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Ghazvinian
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Abdolahi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Tarzemani
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrea Piccin
- Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, Belfast, United Kingdom
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Sun Y, Xu J. Emerging Antibodies in Cancer Therapy. Advanced NanoBiomed Research 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202200083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Sun
- Section of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CT 06510 USA
| | - Jian Xu
- School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
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Biederstädt A, Manzar GS, Daher M. Multiplexed engineering and precision gene editing in cellular immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1063303. [PMID: 36483551 PMCID: PMC9723254 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1063303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of cellular immunotherapy in the clinic has entirely redrawn the treatment landscape for a growing number of human cancers. Genetically reprogrammed immune cells, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune effector cells as well as T cell receptor (TCR) therapy, have demonstrated remarkable responses across different hard-to-treat patient populations. While these novel treatment options have had tremendous success in providing long-term remissions for a considerable fraction of treated patients, a number of challenges remain. Limited in vivo persistence and functional exhaustion of infused immune cells as well as tumor immune escape and on-target off-tumor toxicities are just some examples of the challenges which restrain the potency of today's genetically engineered cell products. Multiple engineering strategies are being explored to tackle these challenges.The advent of multiplexed precision genome editing has in recent years provided a flexible and highly modular toolkit to specifically address some of these challenges by targeted genetic interventions. This class of next-generation cellular therapeutics aims to endow engineered immune cells with enhanced functionality and shield them from immunosuppressive cues arising from intrinsic immune checkpoints as well as the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). Previous efforts to introduce additional genetic modifications into immune cells have in large parts focused on nuclease-based tools like the CRISPR/Cas9 system or TALEN. However, nuclease-inactive platforms including base and prime editors have recently emerged and promise a potentially safer route to rewriting genetic sequences and introducing large segments of transgenic DNA without inducing double-strand breaks (DSBs). In this review, we discuss how these two exciting and emerging fields-cellular immunotherapy and precision genome editing-have co-evolved to enable a dramatic expansion in the possibilities to engineer personalized anti-cancer treatments. We will lay out how various engineering strategies in addition to nuclease-dependent and nuclease-inactive precision genome editing toolkits are increasingly being applied to overcome today's limitations to build more potent cellular therapeutics. We will reflect on how novel information-rich unbiased discovery approaches are continuously deepening our understanding of fundamental mechanisms governing tumor biology. We will conclude with a perspective of how multiplexed-engineered and gene edited cell products may upend today's treatment paradigms as they evolve into the next generation of more potent cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Biederstädt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gohar Shahwar Manzar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Zia S, Tehreem K, Batool S, Ishfaq M, Mirza SB, Khan S, Almashjary MN, Hazzazi MS, Qanash H, Shaikh A, Baty RS, Jafri I, Alsubhi NH, Alrefaei GI, Sami R, Shahid R. Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule ( EpCAM) Expression Can Be Modulated via NFκB. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112985. [PMID: 36428553 PMCID: PMC9687693 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112985] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is considered an essential proliferation signature in cancer. In the current research study, qPCR induced expression of EpCAM was noted in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases. Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone found in crepe ginger and lettuce, is a medicinal herb with anticancer properties. Expression of EpCAM and its downstream target genes (Myc and TERT) wasdownregulated upon treatment with costunolide in Jurkat cells. A significant change in the telomere length of Jurkat cells was not noted at 72 h of costunolide treatment. An in silico study revealed hydrophobic interactions between EpCAM extracellular domain and Myc bHLH with costunolide. Reduced expression of NFκB, a transcription factor of EpCAM, Myc, and TERT in costunolide-treated Jurkat cells, suggested that costunolide inhibits gene expression by targeting NFκB and its downstream targets. Overall, the study proposes that costunolide could be a promising therapeutic biomolecule for leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadiya Zia
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Komal Tehreem
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Sidra Batool
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Mehreen Ishfaq
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Shaher Bano Mirza
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Shahrukh Khan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Majed N. Almashjary
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohannad S. Hazzazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
| | - Husam Qanash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha’il, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Shaikh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 960, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roua S. Baty
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Jafri
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf H. Alsubhi
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Arts, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghadeer I. Alrefaei
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rokayya Sami
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramla Shahid
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
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11
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Liu Y, Wang Y, Sun S, Chen Z, Xiang S, Ding Z, Huang Z, Zhang B. Understanding the versatile roles and applications of EpCAM in cancers: from bench to bedside. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:97. [PMID: 36369033 PMCID: PMC9650829 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) functions not only in physiological processes but also participates in the development and progression of cancer. In recent decades, extensive efforts have been made to decipher the role of EpCAM in cancers. Great advances have been achieved in elucidating its structure, molecular functions, pathophysiological mechanisms, and clinical applications. Beyond its well-recognized role as a biomarker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) or circulating tumor cells (CTCs), EpCAM exhibits novel and promising value in targeted therapy. At the same time, the roles of EpCAM in cancer progression are found to be highly context-dependent and even contradictory in some cases. The versatile functional modules of EpCAM and its communication with other signaling pathways complicate the study of this molecule. In this review, we start from the structure of EpCAM and focus on communication with other signaling pathways. The impacts on the biology of cancers and the up-to-date clinical applications of EpCAM are also introduced and summarized, aiming to shed light on the translational prospects of EpCAM.
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells comprise a unique population of innate lymphoid cells endowed with intrinsic abilities to identify and eliminate virally infected cells and tumour cells. Possessing multiple cytotoxicity mechanisms and the ability to modulate the immune response through cytokine production, NK cells play a pivotal role in anticancer immunity. This role was elucidated nearly two decades ago, when NK cells, used as immunotherapeutic agents, showed safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage leukaemia. In recent years, following the paradigm-shifting successes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered adoptive T cell therapy and the advancement in technologies that can turn cells into powerful antitumour weapons, the interest in NK cells as a candidate for immunotherapy has grown exponentially. Strategies for the development of NK cell-based therapies focus on enhancing NK cell potency and persistence through co-stimulatory signalling, checkpoint inhibition and cytokine armouring, and aim to redirect NK cell specificity to the tumour through expression of CAR or the use of engager molecules. In the clinic, the first generation of NK cell therapies have delivered promising results, showing encouraging efficacy and remarkable safety, thus driving great enthusiasm for continued innovation. In this Review, we describe the various approaches to augment NK cell cytotoxicity and longevity, evaluate challenges and opportunities, and reflect on how lessons learned from the clinic will guide the design of next-generation NK cell products that will address the unique complexities of each cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara J Laskowski
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Biederstädt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine III: Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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13
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Helmin-Basa A, Gackowska L, Balcerowska S, Ornawka M, Naruszewicz N, Wiese-Szadkowska M. The application of the natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in treating various types of cancer. Physical Sciences Reviews 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2019-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are involved in the surveillance and clearance of tumor. Intensive research has exposed the mechanisms of recognition and elimination of tumor cells by these immune cells as well as how cancers evade immune response. Hence, harnessing the immune cells has proven to be an effective therapy in treating a variety of cancers. Strategies aimed to harness and augment effector function of these cells for cancer therapy have been the subject of intense researches over the decades. Different immunotherapeutic possibilities are currently being investigated for anti-tumor activity. Pharmacological agents known to influence immune cell migration and function include therapeutic antibodies, modified antibody molecules, toll-like receptor agonists, nucleic acids, chemokine inhibitors, fusion proteins, immunomodulatory drugs, vaccines, adoptive cell transfer and oncolytic virus–based therapy. In this review, we will focus on the preclinical and clinical applications of NK cell, macrophage and DC immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helmin-Basa
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Lidia Gackowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Sara Balcerowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Marcelina Ornawka
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Natalia Naruszewicz
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
| | - Małgorzata Wiese-Szadkowska
- Department of Immunology , Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun , 85-094 Bydgoszcz , Poland
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14
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Xie X, Lee J, Iwase T, Kai M, Ueno NT. Emerging drug targets for triple-negative breast cancer: A guided tour of the preclinical landscape. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:405-425. [PMID: 35574694 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2077188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most fatal molecular subtype of breast cancer because of its aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy. FDA-approved therapies for TNBC are limited to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and trophoblast cell surface antigen 2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. Therefore, developing a novel effective targeted therapy for TNBC is an urgent unmet need. AREAS COVERED In this narrative review, we discuss emerging targets for TNBC treatment discovered in early translational studies. We focus on cancer cell membrane molecules, hyperactive intracellular signaling pathways, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) based on their druggability, therapeutic potency, specificity to TNBC, and application in immunotherapy. EXPERT OPINION The significant challenges in the identification and validation of TNBC-associated targets are 1) application of appropriate genetic, molecular, and immunological approaches for modulating the target, 2) establishment of a proper mouse model that accurately represents the human immune TME, 3) TNBC molecular heterogeneity, and 4) failure translation of preclinical findings to clinical practice. To overcome those difficulties, future research needs to apply novel technology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptase sequencing, and humanized mouse models. Further, combination treatment targeting multiple pathways in both the TNBC tumor and its TME is essential for effective disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Xie
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jangsoon Lee
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Toshiaki Iwase
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Megumi Kai
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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15
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Chen RP, Shinoda K, Rampuria P, Jin F, Bartholomew T, Zhao C, Yang F, Chaparro-Riggers J. Bispecific antibodies for immune cell retargeting against cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:965-982. [PMID: 35485219 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2072209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Following the approval of the T-cell engaging bispecific antibody blinatumomab, immune cell retargeting with bispecific or multispecific antibodies has emerged as a promising cancer immunotherapy strategy, offering alternative mechanisms compared to immune checkpoint blockade. As we gain more understanding of the complex tumor microenvironment, rules and design principles have started to take shape on how to best harness the immune system to achieve optimal anti-tumor activities. AREAS COVERED In the present review, we aim to summarize the most recent advances and challenges in using bispecific antibodies for immune cell retargeting and to provide insights into various aspects of antibody engineering. Discussed herein are studies that highlight the importance of considering antibody engineering parameters, such as binding epitope, affinity, valency, and geometry to maximize the potency and mitigate the toxicity of T cell engagers. Beyond T cell engaging bispecifics, other bispecifics designed to recruit the innate immune system are also covered. EXPERT OPINION Diverse and innovative molecular designs of bispecific/multispecific antibodies have the potential to enhance the efficacy and safety of immune cell retargeting for the treatment of cancer. Whether or not clinical data support these different hypotheses, especially in solid tumor settings, remains to be seen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca P Chen
- Pfizer BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kenta Shinoda
- Pfizer BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Fang Jin
- Pfizer BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Chunxia Zhao
- Pfizer BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fan Yang
- Pfizer BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
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16
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Tarannum M, Romee R, Shapiro RM. Innovative Strategies to Improve the Clinical Application of NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:859177. [PMID: 35401529 PMCID: PMC8990319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.859177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells constitute a part of the innate immune system that mediates an effective immune response towards virus-infected and malignant cells. In recent years, research has focused on exploring and advancing NK cells as an active immunotherapy platform. Despite major advances, there are several key challenges that need to be addressed for the effective translation of NK cell research to clinical applications. This review highlights some of these challenges and the innovative strategies being developed to overcome them, including in vitro expansion, in vivo persistence, infiltration to the tumor site, and prevention of exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roman M Shapiro
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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17
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da Silva LHR, Catharino LCC, da Silva VJ, Evangelista GCM, Barbuto JAM. The War Is on: The Immune System against Glioblastoma—How Can NK Cells Drive This Battle? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020400. [PMID: 35203609 PMCID: PMC8962431 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play an important role in immunosurveillance, acting alongside other immune cells in the response against various types of malignant tumors and the prevention of metastasis. Since their discovery in the 1970s, they have been thoroughly studied for their capacity to kill neoplastic cells without the need for previous sensitization, executing rapid and robust cytotoxic activity, but also helper functions. In agreement with this, NK cells are being exploited in many ways to treat cancer. The broad arsenal of NK-based therapies includes adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded and activated cells, genetically engineered cells to contain chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-NKs), in vivo stimulation of NK cells (by cytokine therapy, checkpoint blockade therapies, etc.), and tumor-specific antibody-guided NK cells, among others. In this article, we review pivotal aspects of NK cells’ biology and their contribution to immune responses against tumors, as well as providing a wide perspective on the many antineoplastic strategies using NK cells. Finally, we also discuss those approaches that have the potential to control glioblastoma—a disease that, currently, causes inevitable death, usually in a short time after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Henrique Rodrigues da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
| | - Luana Correia Croda Catharino
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
| | - Viviane Jennifer da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Departamento de Hematologia, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 0124690, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Coeli Menezes Evangelista
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
| | - José Alexandre Marzagão Barbuto
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508000, Brazil; (L.H.R.d.S.); (L.C.C.C.); (V.J.d.S.); (G.C.M.E.)
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Departamento de Hematologia, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 0124690, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-3091-7375
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18
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Lian G, Mak TSK, Yu X, Lan HY. Challenges and Recent Advances in NK Cell-Targeted Immunotherapies in Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:164. [PMID: 35008589 PMCID: PMC8745474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell is a powerful malignant cells killer, providing rapid immune responses via direct cytotoxicity without the need of antigen processing and presentation. It plays an essential role in preventing early tumor, metastasis and minimal residual disease. Although adoptive NK therapies achieved great success in clinical trials against hematologic malignancies, their accumulation, activation, cytotoxic and immunoregulatory functions are severely impaired in the immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors. Now with better understandings of the tumor evasive mechanisms from NK-mediated immunosurveillance, immunotherapies targeting the key molecules for NK cell dysfunction and exhaustion have been developed and tested in both preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we introduce the challenges that NK cells encountered in solid tumor microenvironment (TME) and the therapeutic approaches to overcome these limitations, followed by an outline of the recent preclinical advances and the latest clinical outcomes of NK-based immunotherapies, as well as promising strategies to optimize current NK-targeted immunotherapies for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Lian
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Thomas Shiu-Kwong Mak
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Xueqing Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
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Plavec TV, Mitrović A, Perišić Nanut M, Štrukelj B, Kos J, Berlec A. Targeting of fluorescent Lactococcus lactis to colorectal cancer cells through surface display of tumour-antigen binding proteins. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:2227-2240. [PMID: 34347360 PMCID: PMC8449671 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of targeted treatment for colorectal cancer is crucial to avoid side effects. To harness the possibilities offered by microbiome engineering, we prepared safe multifunctional cancer cell-targeting bacteria Lactococcus lactis. They displayed, on their surface, binding proteins for cancer-associated transmembrane receptors epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and co-expressed an infrared fluorescent protein for imaging. Binding of engineered L. lactis to tumour antigens EpCAM and HER2 was confirmed and characterised in vitro using soluble receptors. The proof-of-principle of targeting was demonstrated on human cell lines HEK293, HT-29 and Caco-2 with fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. The highest L. lactis adhesion was seen for the HEK293 cells with the overexpressed tumour antigens, where colocalisation with their tumour antigens was seen for 39% and 67% of EpCAM-targeting and HER2-targeting bacteria, respectively. On the other hand, no binding was observed to HEK293 cells without tumour antigens, confirming the selectivity of the engineered L. lactis. Apart from cell targeting in static conditions, targeting ability of engineered L. lactis was also shown in conditions of constant flow of bacterial suspension over the HEK293 cells. Successful targeting by engineered L. lactis support the future use of these bacteria in biopharmaceutical delivery for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Vida Plavec
- Department of BiotechnologyJožef Stefan InstituteJamova 39LjubljanaSlovenia
- Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of LjubljanaAškerčeva 7LjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Ana Mitrović
- Department of BiotechnologyJožef Stefan InstituteJamova 39LjubljanaSlovenia
| | | | - Borut Štrukelj
- Department of BiotechnologyJožef Stefan InstituteJamova 39LjubljanaSlovenia
- Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of LjubljanaAškerčeva 7LjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of BiotechnologyJožef Stefan InstituteJamova 39LjubljanaSlovenia
- Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of LjubljanaAškerčeva 7LjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Aleš Berlec
- Department of BiotechnologyJožef Stefan InstituteJamova 39LjubljanaSlovenia
- Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of LjubljanaAškerčeva 7LjubljanaSlovenia
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20
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Phung SK, Miller JS, Felices M. Bi-specific and Tri-specific NK Cell Engagers: The New Avenue of Targeted NK Cell Immunotherapy. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 25:577-92. [PMID: 34327614 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00550-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy has grown significantly over the past two decades. More recently, multi-specific engagers have been developed as cancer therapeutics to effectively arm endogenous NK cells to more potently induce specific cytolytic responses against tumor targets. This review explores the bi- and tri-specific NK/tumor engagers that are emerging as a new generation of immunotherapeutics. These molecules vary in configuration, but they typically have small molecular weights and domains that engage specific tumor antigens and NK cell-activating receptors such as CD16, NKp30, NKp46, and NKG2D. They have demonstrated compelling potential in boosting NK cell cytotoxicity against specific tumor targets. This highly adaptable off-the-shelf platform, which in some formats also integrates cytokines, is poised to revolutionize targeted NK cell immunotherapy, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other effective anti-cancer therapies.
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21
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Ghani S, Deravi N, Pirzadeh M, Rafiee B, Gatabi ZR, Bandehpour M, Yarian F. Antibody fragment and targeted colorectal cancer therapy: A global systematic review. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2021; 23:1061-1071. [PMID: 34375187 DOI: 10.2174/1389201022666210810104226] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Antibody-based therapeutics have been evidenced promising for the treatment of colorectal cancer patients. However, the size and long circulating half-lives of antibodies can limit their reproducible manufacture in clinical studies. Consequently, in novel therapeutic approaches conventional antibodies are minimized and engineered to produce fragments like Fab, scFv, nanobody, bifunctional antibody, bispecific antibody, minibody and diabody to preserve their high affinity and specificity to target pharmaceutical nanoparticle conjugates. This systematic review for the first time aimed to elucidate the role of various antibody fragments in colorectal cancer treatment. METHOD A systematic literature search in web of sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar and ProQuest was conducted. Reference lists of the articles were reviewed to identify the relevant papers. The full text search included articles published in English during 1990-2021. RESULTS Most the 53 included studies were conducted in vitro and in most conducted studies single-chain antibodies were among the most used antibody fragments. Most antibodies targeted CEA in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Moreover, a large number of studies observed apoptosis induction and tumor growth inhibition. In addition, few studies implicated the role of the innate immune system as an indirect mechanisms of tumor growth by enhancing NK-cell killing. CONCLUSION Antibody-based therapy was demonstrated to be of a great promise in the treatment of colorectal cancer rather than common treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical operations. This type of specified cancer treatment can also induce the activation of innate and specific immune system to eradicate tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Ghani
- Student Research Committee, Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Deravi
- Student Research Committee, School of medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Pirzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Behnam Rafiee
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Zahra Rezanejad Gatabi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bandehpour
- Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Yarian
- SBUMS, Arabi Ave, Daneshjoo Blvd, Velenjak, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Demaria O, Gauthier L, Debroas G, Vivier E. Natural killer cell engagers in cancer immunotherapy: Next generation of immuno-oncology treatments. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1934-1942. [PMID: 34145579 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Immuno-oncology is revolutionizing the treatment of cancers, by inducing the recognition and elimination of tumor cells by the immune system. Recent advances have focused on generating or unleashing tumor antigen-specific T-cell responses, leading to alternative treatment paradigms for many cancers. Despite these successes, the clinical benefit has been limited to a subset of patients and certain tumor types, highlighting the need for alternative strategies. One innovative approach is to broaden and amplify antitumoral immune responses by targeting innate immunity. Particularly, the aim has been to develop new antibody formats capable of stimulating the antitumor activity of innate immune cells, boosting not only their direct role in tumor elimination, but also their function in eliciting multicellular immune responses ultimately resulting in long-lasting tumor control by adaptive immunity. This review covers the development of a new class of synthetic molecules, natural killer cell engagers (NKCEs), which are built from fragments of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and are designed to harness the immune functions of NK cells in cancer. As currently shown in preclinical studies and clinical trials, NKCEs are promising candidates for the next generation of tumor immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eric Vivier
- Innate Pharma, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille-Immunopôle, Marseille, France
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23
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Zorko NA, Ryan CJ. Novel immune engagers and cellular therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: do we take a BiTe or ride BiKEs, TriKEs, and CARs? Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2021. [PMID: 34035459 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-021-00381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Checkpoint inhibitors and currently approved cellular products for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer have not resulted in revolutionary changes in outcomes compared to other solid tumors. Much of this lack of progress is attributed to the unique tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer that is often immunologically cold and immunosuppressive. These unique conditions emphasize the need for novel therapeutic options. In this review, we will discuss progress made in design of T- and NK cell immune engagers in addition to chimeric antigen receptor products specifically designed for prostate cancer that are currently under investigation in clinical trials. METHODS We searched peer-reviewed literature on the PubMed and the ClinicalTrials.gov databases for active clinical trials using the terms "bispecific T-cell engager," "bispecific killer engager," "trispecific killer engager," "chimeric antigen receptor," "metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer," and "neuroendocrine prostate cancer." RESULTS Ten bispecific T-cell engager studies and nine chimeric antigen receptor-based products were found. Published data were compiled and presented based on therapeutic class. CONCLUSIONS Multiple immune engagers and cell therapies are in the development pipeline and demonstrate promise to address barriers to better outcomes for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are more than two dozen bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) in development with a variety of designs which are relevant to breast cancer. The field of BsAbs for breast cancer includes agents that co-direct immune recognition of the cancer cell, target unique cancer antigens, and target the microenvironment. BsAbs are being developed for use as antibody-drug conjugates and as homing signals for engineered T-cells. AREAS COVERED This review covers potential targets for bispecific antibodies, agents in pre-clinical development, agents in clinical trials, combinatorial therapies, and future directions. EXPERT OPINION There is no BsAb approval expected for breast cancer in the near term, but late-stage trials are underway. Future BsAb roles in breast cancer are possible given unmet needs in estrogen receptor+ disease, residual disease, and de-escalating chemotherapy use. The HER2+ space shows hints of success for BsAbs, but is already crowded. Areas of unmet need still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Dillon
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jogender Tushir-Singh
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Lawrence G Lum
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA, USA
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25
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Nakid-Cordero C, Baron M, Guihot A, Vieillard V. Natural Killer Cells in Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1836. [PMID: 33921413 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are life-threatening complications arising after solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. Although the majority of these lymphoproliferations are of B cell origin, and are frequently associated with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection or reactivation in the post-transplant period, rare cases of T cell and natural killer (NK) cell-originated PTLDs have also been described. A general assumption is that PTLDs result from the impairment of anti-viral and anti-tumoral immunosurveillance due to the long-term use of immunosuppressants in transplant recipients. T cell impairment is known to play a critical role in the immune-pathogenesis of post-transplant EBV-linked complications, while the role of NK cells has been less investigated, and is probably different between EBV-positive and EBV-negative PTLDs. As a part of the innate immune response, NK cells are critical for protecting hosts during the early response to virus-induced tumors. The complexity of their function is modulated by a myriad of activating and inhibitory receptors expressed on cell surfaces. This review outlines our current understanding of NK cells in the pathogenesis of PTLD, and discusses their potential implications for current PTLD therapies and novel NK cell-based therapies for the containment of these disorders.
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26
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Wang F, Lau JKC, Yu J. The role of natural killer cell in gastrointestinal cancer: killer or helper. Oncogene 2021; 40:717-30. [PMID: 33262461 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01561-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the leading health problems worldwide, with a high morbidity and mortality. To date, harnessing both the innate and adaptive immune system against cancer provides a selective and effective therapeutic strategy for patients. As a first line defense against cancer, natural killer (NK) cells can swiftly target and lyse tumor cells without prior activation. In addition to its pivotal role in innate immunity, NK cells also play unique roles in the adaptive immune system as it enhance anti-tumor adaptive immune responses through secretion of cytokines and retaining an immunological memory. All these characteristics make NK cell a promising anti-cancer agent for patients. In spite of scarce infiltration and impaired function of NK cells in tumors, and the fact that tumors easily develop resistant mechanisms to evade the attacks from endogenous NK cells, multiple strategies have been developed to boost anti-tumor effect of NK cells and abolish tumor resistance. Some examples include adoptive transfer of NK cells after ex vivo activation and expansion; restoration of NK cell function using immune checkpoint inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody or cytokine treatment. Preclinical data have shown encouraging results, suggesting that NK cells hold great potential in cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss NK cells’ cytotoxicity and modulation function in GI cancer and the current application in clinical therapy.
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27
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Ghani S, Bahrami S, Rafiee B, Eyvazi S, Yarian F, Ahangarzadeh S, Khalili S, Shahzamani K, Jafarisani M, Bandehpour M, Kazemi B. Recent developments in antibody derivatives against colorectal cancer; A review. Life Sci 2020; 265:118791. [PMID: 33220288 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer and mortality worldwide and is the third most common cancer in men and women. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are conventionally used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, these methods are associated with various side effects on normal cells. Thus, new studies are moving towards more effective and non-invasive methods for treatment of colorectal cancer. Targeted therapy of CRC is a promising new approach to enhance the efficiency and decrease the toxicity of the treatment. In targeted therapy of CRC, antibody fragments can directly inhibit tumor cell growth and proliferation. They also can act as an ideal carrier for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. In the present study, the structure and function of different formats of antibody fragments, immune-targeted therapy of CRC using antibody fragments will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Ghani
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technology in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Bahrami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnam Rafiee
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Shirin Eyvazi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Yarian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shahrzad Ahangarzadeh
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiana Shahzamani
- Isfahan Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center (IGHRC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Moslem Jafarisani
- Clinical Biochemistry, Cancer Prevention Research Center, Shahroud university of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bandehpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Russick J, Torset C, Hemery E, Cremer I. NK cells in the tumor microenvironment: Prognostic and theranostic impact. Recent advances and trends. Semin Immunol 2020; 48:101407. [PMID: 32900565 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
NK cells orchestrate the tumor destruction and control metastasis in a coordinated way with other immune cells of the tumor microenvironment. However, NK cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment is limited, and tumor cells have developed numerous mechanisms to escape NK cell attack. As a result, NK cells that have been able to infiltrate the tumors are exhausted, and metabolically and functionally impaired. Depending this impairment the prognostic and theranostic values of NK cells differ depending on the studies, the type of cancer, the stage of tumor and the nature of the tumor microenvironment. Extensive studies have been done to investigate different strategies to improve the NK cell function, and nowadays, a battery of therapeutic tools are being tested, with promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Russick
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Inflammation, Complement and Cancer, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Carine Torset
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Inflammation, Complement and Cancer, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Edouard Hemery
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Inflammation, Complement and Cancer, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Cremer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Inflammation, Complement and Cancer, F-75006, Paris, France.
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29
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Bahrololoumi Shapourabadi M, Roohvand F, Arashkia A, Mohajel N, Abdoli S, Shahosseini Z, Momburg F, Jarahian M, Abolhassani M, Azadmanesh K. Expression and Purification of a Bispecific Antibody against CD16 and Hemagglutinin Neuraminidase (HN) in E. Coli for Cancer Immunotherapy. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 9:50-57. [PMID: 32821751 DOI: 10.29252/rbmb.9.1.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background : Immunotherapy of cancer by bispecific antibodies (bsAb) is an attractive approach for retargeting immune effector cells including natural killer (NK) cells to the tumor if the proper expression and purification of the bsAb for such applications could be addressed. Herein, we describe E. coli expression of a recombinant bsAb (bsHN-CD16) recognizing NK-CD16 and hemagglutinin neuraminidase (HN) of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). This bsAb might be efficient for ex vivo stimulation of NK cells via coupling to HN on the surface of the NDV-infected tumor cells. Methods A bsAb-encoding pcDNA3.1 vector (anti-HN scFv-Fc-anti-CD16 scFv) was used as a template, and the scFv segments (after enzymatic digestion and cutting of the Fc part) were rejoined to construct the Fc-deprived bsAb (anti-HN scFv-anti-CD16 scFv; bsHN-CD16). The constructed bsHN-CD16 was inserted into the HindIII and BamHI site of the T7 promoter-based pET28a plasmid. Following restriction analyses and DNA sequencing to confirm the cloning steps, bsHN-CD16 encoding pET28a was transformed into the E. coli (Rosetta DE3 strain), induced for protein expression by IPTG, and the protein was purified under native condition by Ni/NTA column using imidazole. Results Analyses by SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting using Rabbit anti-human whole IgG-HRP conjugate, confirmed the expression and purification of the bsAb with the expected full size of 55 kDa and yields around 8% of the total protein. Conclusion Results showed efficient production of the bsAb in E. coli for future large-scale purification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farzin Roohvand
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasir Mohajel
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriyar Abdoli
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shahosseini
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Frank Momburg
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Kayhan Azadmanesh
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Balibegloo M, Rezaei N. Development and clinical application of bispecific antibody in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2020; 16:689-709. [PMID: 32536227 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2020.1783249] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment of colorectal cancer as one of the most commonly diagnosed and a frequent cause of cancer-related deaths is of great challenges in health-related issues. AREAS COVERED Immunotherapy is the fourth pillar of cancer treatment which provides more novel therapeutic options with expanding investigational potentials. One of the modalities in immunotherapy is the use of bispecific antibodies. Despite demonstrating many promising roles, it still needs more advanced studies to identify the actual pros and cons. In this review, the application of bispecific antibody in the treatment of colorectal cancer has been explained, based on preclinical and clinical studies. The literature search was conducted mainly through PubMed in June and September 2019. EXPERT OPINION Bispecific antibody is in its early stages in colorectal cancer treatment, requiring modern technologies in manufacturing, better biomarkers and more specific target antigens, more studies on individual genetic variations, and conducting later phase clinical trials and systematic reviews to achieve better survival benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Balibegloo
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN) , Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN) , Tehran, Iran
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31
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes involved in the surveillance and elimination of cancer. As we have learned more and more about the mechanisms NK cells employ to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, and how, in turn, cancer evades NK cell responses, we have gained a clear appreciation that NK cells can be harnessed in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the evidence for NK cells' critical role in combating transformed and malignant cells, and how cancer immunotherapies potentiate NK cell responses for therapeutic purposes. We highlight cutting-edge immunotherapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical development such as adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-expressing NK cells (CAR-NKs), bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers (BiKEs and TriKEs), checkpoint blockade, and oncolytic virotherapy. Further, we describe the challenges that NK cells face (e.g., postsurgical dysfunction) that must be overcome by these therapeutic modalities to achieve cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Hodgins
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Sarwat T Khan
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria M Park
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Rebecca C Auer
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
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Li H, Er Saw P, Song E. Challenges and strategies for next-generation bispecific antibody-based antitumor therapeutics. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:451-61. [PMID: 32313210 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0417-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) refer to a large family of molecules that recognize two different epitopes or antigens. Although a series of challenges, especially immunogenicity and chain mispairing issues, once hindered the development of bsAbs, they have been gradually overcome with the help of rapidly developing technologies in the past 5 decades. In the meantime, an increasing number of bsAb platforms have been designed to satisfy different clinical demands. Currently, numerous preclinical and clinical trials are underway, portraying a promising future for bsAb-based cancer treatment. Nevertheless, bsAb drugs still face enormous challenges in their application as cancer therapeutics, including tumor heterogeneity and mutational burden, intractable tumor microenvironment (TME), insufficient costimulatory signals to activate T cells, the necessity for continuous injection, fatal systemic side effects, and off-target toxicities to adjacent normal cells. Therefore, we provide several strategies as solutions to these issues, which comprise generating multispecific bsAbs, discovering neoantigens, combining bsAbs with other anticancer therapies, exploiting natural killer (NK)-cell-based bsAbs and producing bsAbs in situ. In this review, we mainly discuss previous and current challenges in bsAb development and underscore corresponding strategies, with a brief introduction of several typical bsAb formats.
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Wang Z, Li Y, Wang Y, Wu D, Lau AHY, Zhao P, Zou C, Dai Y, Chan FL. Targeting prostate cancer stem-like cells by an immunotherapeutic platform based on immunogenic peptide-sensitized dendritic cells-cytokine-induced killer cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:123. [PMID: 32183880 PMCID: PMC7079411 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01634-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autologous cellular immunotherapy or immune enhancement therapy has demonstrated some promising benefits for prostate cancer. T cell-based immunotherapy or sipuleucel-T therapy has yielded certain beneficial responses and a slight improvement on the overall survival of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) as shown in some clinical trials, suggesting that prostate cancer is immunoresponsive. Methods In this study, we developed an adaptive cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK)-based immunotherapeutic application targeting the prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSCs). In this therapeutic platform, dendritic cells (DC) were isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and preloaded or sensitized with immunogenic peptides derived from two PCSC-associated cell membrane molecules, CD44 and EpCAM, followed by co-culture with the expanded peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL)-derived CIK cells. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of DC-activated CIK cells against PCSCs was determined by CCK8 and TUNEL assays, and the in vivo anti-tumor effect of DC-activated CIK cells on prostate cancer xenograft tumors was evaluated in subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models. Results Our results showed that the peptide-sensitized DC-CIK cell preparation manifested significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against the PCSC-enriched prostatospheroids and also in vivo anti-tumor effect against prostate cancer xenografts derived from the PCSC-enriched prostatospheroids. Conclusions Together, our established immunogenic peptide-sensitized DC-CIK-based cell preparation platform manifests its potential immunotherapeutic application in targeting the PCSCs and also prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Wang
- Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Longhua, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518109, Guangdong, China.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Youjia Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dinglan Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alaster Hang Yung Lau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pan Zhao
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Clinical Medical School of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Chang Zou
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Clinical Medical School of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Dai
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Clinical Medical School of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Franky Leung Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
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Melaiu O, Lucarini V, Cifaldi L, Fruci D. Influence of the Tumor Microenvironment on NK Cell Function in Solid Tumors. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3038. [PMID: 32038612 PMCID: PMC6985149 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [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: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a population of innate lymphoid cells playing a pivotal role in host immune responses against infection and tumor growth. These cells have a powerful cytotoxic activity orchestrated by an intricate network of inhibitory and activating signals. The importance of NK cells in controlling tumor growth and in mediating a robust anti-metastatic effect has been demonstrated in different experimental mouse cancer models. Consistently, high density of tumor-infiltrating NK cells has been linked with a good prognosis in multiple human solid tumors. However, there are also tumors that appear to be refractory to NK cell-mediated killing for the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment affecting NK cell function. Immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at restoring and increasing the cytotoxic activity of NK cells in solid tumors, including the adoptive transfer of NK and CAR-NK cells, are currently employed in preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we outline recent advances supporting the direct role of NK cells in controlling expansion of solid tumors and their prognostic value in human cancers. We summarize the mechanisms adopted by cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment to affect NK cell function, and finally we evaluate current strategies to augment the antitumor function of NK cells for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ombretta Melaiu
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucarini
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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35
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Shembrey C, Huntington ND, Hollande F. Impact of Tumor and Immunological Heterogeneity on the Anti-Cancer Immune Response. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1217. [PMID: 31438563 PMCID: PMC6770225 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic tumors are the primary cause of cancer-related mortality. In recent years, interest in the immunologic control of malignancy has helped establish escape from immunosurveillance as a critical requirement for incipient metastases. Our improved understanding of the immune system's interactions with cancer cells has led to major therapeutic advances but has also unraveled a previously unsuspected level of complexity. This review will discuss the vast spatial and functional heterogeneity in the tumor-infiltrating immune system, with particular focus on natural killer (NK) cells, as well as the impact of tumor cell-specific factors, such as secretome composition, receptor-ligand repertoire, and neoantigen diversity, which can further drive immunological heterogeneity. We emphasize how tumor and immunological heterogeneity may undermine the efficacy of T-cell directed immunotherapies and explore the potential of NK cells to be harnessed to circumvent these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Shembrey
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Frédéric Hollande
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
- Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Gauthier L, Morel A, Anceriz N, Rossi B, Blanchard-Alvarez A, Grondin G, Trichard S, Cesari C, Sapet M, Bosco F, Rispaud-Blanc H, Guillot F, Cornen S, Roussel A, Amigues B, Habif G, Caraguel F, Arrufat S, Remark R, Romagné F, Morel Y, Narni-Mancinelli E, Vivier E. Multifunctional Natural Killer Cell Engagers Targeting NKp46 Trigger Protective Tumor Immunity. Cell 2019; 177:1701-1713.e16. [PMID: 31155232 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, various new therapies have been developed to promote anti-tumor immunity. Despite interesting clinical results in hematological malignancies, the development of bispecific killer-cell-engager antibody formats directed against tumor cells and stimulating anti-tumor T cell immunity has proved challenging, mostly due to toxicity problems. We report here the generation of trifunctional natural killer (NK) cell engagers (NKCEs), targeting two activating receptors, NKp46 and CD16, on NK cells and a tumor antigen on cancer cells. Trifunctional NKCEs were more potent in vitro than clinical therapeutic antibodies targeting the same tumor antigen. They had similar in vivo pharmacokinetics to full IgG antibodies and no off-target effects and efficiently controlled tumor growth in mouse models of solid and invasive tumors. Trifunctional NKCEs thus constitute a new generation of molecules for fighting cancer. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Di Vito C, Mikulak J, Zaghi E, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Mavilio D. NK cells to cure cancer. Semin Immunol 2019; 41:101272. [PMID: 31085114 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes able to mediate immune-surveillance and clearance of viral infected and tumor-transformed cells. Growing experimental and clinical evidence highlighted a dual role of NK cells either in the control of cancer development/progression or in promoting the onset of immune-suppressant tumor microenvironments. Indeed, several mechanisms of NK cell-mediated tumor escape have been described and these includes cancer-induced aberrant expression of activating and inhibitory receptors (i.e. NK cell immune checkpoints), impairments of NK cell migration to tumor sites and altered NK cell effector-functions. These phenomena highly contribute to tumor progression and metastasis formation. In this review, we discuss the latest insights on those NK cell receptors and related molecules that are currently being implemented in clinics either as possible prognostic factors or therapeutic targets to unleash NK cell anti-tumor effector-functions in vivo. Moreover, we address here the major recent advances in regard to the genetic modification and ex vivo expansion of anti-tumor specific NK cells used in innovative adoptive cellular transfer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Zaghi
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy.
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38
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Sarhan D, Brandt L, Felices M, Guldevall K, Lenvik T, Hinderlie P, Curtsinger J, Warlick E, Spellman SR, Blazar BR, Weisdorf DJ, Cooley S, Vallera DA, Önfelt B, Miller JS. 161533 TriKE stimulates NK-cell function to overcome myeloid-derived suppressor cells in MDS. Blood Adv 2018; 2:1459-69. [PMID: 29941459 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017012369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal heterogeneous stem cell disorder driven by multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations resulting in ineffective hematopoiesis. MDS has a high frequency of immune suppressors, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), that collectively result in a poor immune response. MDSCs in MDS patients express CD155 that ligates the T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and delivers an inhibitory signal to natural killer (NK) cells. To mediate a productive immune response against MDS, negative regulatory checkpoints, like TIGIT, expressed on MDS NK cells must be overcome. NK cells can be directed to lyse MDS cells by bispecific killer engagers (BiKEs) that ligate CD16 on NK cells and CD33 on MDS cells. However, such CD16 × CD33 (1633) BiKEs do not induce the proliferative response in MDS NK cells needed to sustain their function. Here, we show that the addition of an NK stimulatory cytokine, interleukin-15 (IL-15), into the BiKE platform leads to productive IL-15 signaling without TIGIT upregulation on NK cells from MDS patients. Lower TIGIT expression allowed NK cells to resist MDSC inhibition. When compared with 1633 BiKE, 161533 trispecific killer engager (TriKE)-treated NK cells demonstrated superior killing kinetics associated with increased STAT5 phosphorylation. Furthermore, 161533 TriKE-treated MDS NK cells had higher proliferation and enhanced NK-cell function than 1633 BiKE-treated cells without the IL-15 linker. Collectively, our data demonstrate novel characteristics of the 161533 TriKE that support its application as an immunotherapeutic agent for MDS patients.
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Patel S, Burga RA, Powell AB, Chorvinsky EA, Hoq N, McCormack SE, Van Pelt SN, Hanley PJ, Cruz CRY. Beyond CAR T Cells: Other Cell-Based Immunotherapeutic Strategies Against Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:196. [PMID: 31024832 PMCID: PMC6467966 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [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: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells have successfully harnessed T cell immunity against malignancies, but they are by no means the only cell therapies in development for cancer. Main Text Summary: Systemic immunity is thought to play a key role in combatting neoplastic disease; in this vein, genetic modifications meant to explore other components of T cell immunity are being evaluated. In addition, other immune cells—from both the innate and adaptive compartments—are in various stages of clinical application. In this review, we focus on these non-CAR T cell immunotherapeutic approaches for malignancy. The first section describes engineering T cells to express non-CAR constructs, and the second section describes other gene-modified cells used to target malignancy. Conclusions: CAR T cell therapies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of harnessing our body's own defenses to combat tumor cells. Similar research is being conducted on lesser known modifications and gene-modified immune cells, which we highlight in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnum Patel
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Rachel A Burga
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Allison B Powell
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Chorvinsky
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Nia Hoq
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Sarah E McCormack
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Stacey N Van Pelt
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Patrick J Hanley
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Conrad Russell Y Cruz
- GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.,Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States
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40
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Yun HD, Felices M, Vallera DA, Hinderlie P, Cooley S, Arock M, Gotlib J, Ustun C, Miller JS. Trispecific killer engager CD16xIL15xCD33 potently induces NK cell activation and cytotoxicity against neoplastic mast cells. Blood Adv 2018; 2:1580-4. [PMID: 29980573 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018018176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Key Points
NK cell natural cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of patients with systemic mastocytosis are normal. Trispecific killer engagers (161533 TriKE) target NK cells from normal donors and systemic mastocytosis patients to kill mast cells.
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41
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Bassani B, Baci D, Gallazzi M, Poggi A, Bruno A, Mortara L. Natural Killer Cells as Key Players of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis: Old and Novel Tools to Divert Their Pro-Tumor Activities into Potent Anti-Tumor Effects. Cancers (Basel). 2019;11:461. [PMID: 30939820 PMCID: PMC6521276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune cells, as a consequence of their plasticity, can acquire altered phenotype/functions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Some of these aberrant functions include attenuation of targeting and killing of tumor cells, tolerogenic/immunosuppressive behavior and acquisition of pro-angiogenic activities. Natural killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes involved in tumor immunosurveillance. In solid malignancies, tumor-associated NK cells (TANK cells) in peripheral blood and tumor-infiltrating NK (TINK) cells show altered phenotypes and are characterized by either anergy or reduced cytotoxicity. Here, we aim at discussing how NK cells can support tumor progression and how induction of angiogenesis, due to TME stimuli, can be a relevant part on the NK cell-associated tumor supporting activities. We will review and discuss the contribution of the TME in shaping NK cell response favoring cancer progression. We will focus on TME-derived set of factors such as TGF-β, soluble HLA-G, prostaglandin E2, adenosine, extracellular vesicles, and miRNAs, which can exhibit a dual function. On one hand, these factors can suppress NK cell-mediated activities but, on the other hand, they can induce a pro-angiogenic polarization in NK cells. Also, we will analyze the impact on cancer progression of the interaction of NK cells with several TME-associated cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Then, we will discuss the most relevant therapeutic approaches aimed at potentiating/restoring NK cell activities against tumors. Finally, supported by the literature revision and our new findings on NK cell pro-angiogenic activities, we uphold NK cells to a key host cellular paradigm in controlling tumor progression and angiogenesis; thus, we should bear in mind NK cells like a TME-associated target for anti-tumor therapeutic approaches.
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have evolved to complement T and B cells in host defense against pathogens and cancer. They recognize infected cells and tumors using a sophisticated array of activating, costimulatory, and inhibitory receptors that are expressed on NK cell subsets to create extensive functional diversity. NK cells can be targeted to kill with exquisite antigen specificity by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. NK and T cells share many of the costimulatory and inhibitory receptors that are currently under evaluation in the clinic for cancer immunotherapy. As with T cells, genetic engineering is being employed to modify NK cells to specifically target them to tumors and to enhance their effector functions. As the selective pressures exerted by immunotherapies to augment CD8+T cell responses may result in loss of MHC class I, NK cells may provide an important fail-safe to eliminate these tumors by their capacity to eliminate tumors that are “missing self.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S. Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Lewis L. Lanier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
- The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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43
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Greppi M, Tabellini G, Patrizi O, Candiani S, Decensi A, Parolini S, Sivori S, Pesce S, Paleari L, Marcenaro E. Strengthening the AntiTumor NK Cell Function for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E890. [PMID: 30791364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between cancer cells and host cells is a crucial prerequisite for tumor growth and progression. The cells from both the innate and adaptive immune systems enter into a perverse relationship with tumor cells to create a tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies, is characterized by a unique TME that paves the way to the formation of metastasis and mediates therapy resistance through the deregulation of immune surveillance. A characteristic feature of the ovarian cancer TME is the ascites/peritoneal fluid, a malignancy-associated effusion occurring at more advanced stages, which enables the peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells and the formation of metastasis. The standard therapy for EOC involves a combination of debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. However, most patients experience disease recurrence. New therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced EOC. Harnessing the body’s natural immune defenses against cancer in the form of immunotherapy is emerging as an innovative treatment strategy. NK cells have attracted attention as a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target due to their ability to kill malignant cells and avoid healthy cells. Here, we will discuss the recent advances in the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in EOC.
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Abstract
Despite advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, the prognosis of several solid tumor malignancies remains poor. Different factors associated with solid tumors including a varied genetic signature, complex molecular signaling pathways, defective cross talk between the tumor cells and immune cells, hypoxic and immunosuppressive effects of tumor microenvironment result in a treatment resistant and metastatic phenotype. Over the past several years, immunotherapy has emerged as an attractive therapeutic option against multiple malignancies. The unique ability of natural killer (NK) cells to target cancer cells without antigen specificity makes them an ideal candidate for use against solid tumors. However, the outcomes of adoptive NK cell infusions into patients with solid tumors have been disappointing. Extensive studies have been done to investigate different strategies to improve the NK cell function, trafficking and tumor targeting. Use of cytokines and cytokine analogs has been well described and utilized to enhance the proliferation, stimulation and persistence of NK cells. Other techniques like blocking the human leukocyte antigen-killer cell receptors (KIR) interactions with anti-KIR monoclonal antibodies, preventing CD16 receptor shedding, increasing the expression of activating NK cell receptors like NKG2D, and use of immunocytokines and immune checkpoint inhibitors can enhance NK cell mediated cytotoxicity. Using genetically modified NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors and bispecific and trispecific NK cell engagers, NK cells can be effectively redirected to the tumor cells improving their cytotoxic potential. In this review, we have described these strategies and highlighted the need to further optimize these strategies to improve the clinical outcome of NK cell based immunotherapy against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Nayyar
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Yaya Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.,Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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45
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Leone K, Poggiana C, Zamarchi R. The Interplay between Circulating Tumor Cells and the Immune System: From Immune Escape to Cancer Immunotherapy. Diagnostics (Basel) 2018; 8:E59. [PMID: 30200242 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics8030059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have aroused increasing interest not only in mechanistic studies of metastasis, but also for translational applications, such as patient monitoring, treatment choice, and treatment change due to tumor resistance. In this review, we will assess the state of the art about the study of the interactions between CTCs and the immune system. We intend to analyze the impact that the cells of the immune system have in limiting or promoting the metastatic capability of CTCs. To this purpose, we will examine studies that correlate CTCs, immune cells, and patient prognosis, and we will also discuss relevant animal models that have contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms of immune-mediated metastasis. We will then consider some studies in which CTCs seem to play a promising role in monitoring cancer patients during immunotherapy regimens. We believe that, from an accurate and profound knowledge of the interactions between CTCs and the immune system, new immunotherapeutic strategies against cancer might emerge in the future.
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46
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Chen TF, Li KK, Zhu EF, Opel CF, Kauke MJ, Kim H, Atolia E, Wittrup KD. Artificial Anti-Tumor Opsonizing Proteins with Fibronectin Scaffolds Engineered for Specificity to Each of the Murine FcγR Types. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:1786-1798. [PMID: 29704491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
We have engineered a panel of novel Fn3 scaffold-based proteins that bind with high specificity and affinity to each of the individual mouse Fcγ receptors (mFcγR). These binders were expressed as fusions to anti-tumor antigen single-chain antibodies and mouse serum albumin, creating opsonizing agents that invoke only a single mFcγR response rather than the broader activity of natural Fc isotypes, as well as all previously reported Fc mutants. This panel isolated the capability of each of the four mFcγRs to contribute to macrophage phagocytosis of opsonized tumor cells and in vivo tumor growth control with these monospecific opsonizing fusion proteins. All activating receptors (mFcγRI, mFcγRIII, and mFcγRIV) were capable of driving specific tumor cell phagocytosis to an equivalent extent, while mFcγRII, the inhibitory receptor, did not drive phagocytosis. Monospecific opsonizing fusion proteins that bound mFcγRI alone controlled tumor growth to an extent similar to the most active IgG2a murine isotype. As expected, binding to the inhibitory mFcγRII did not delay tumor growth, but unexpectedly, mFcγRIII also failed to control tumor growth. mFcγRIV exhibited detectable but lesser tumor-growth control leading to less overall survival compared to mFcγRI. Interestingly, in vivo macrophage depletion demonstrates their importance in tumor control with mFcγRIV engagement, but not with mFcγRI. This panel of monospecific mFcγR-binding proteins provides a toolkit for isolating the functional effects of each mFcγR in the context of an intact immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany F Chen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Kevin K Li
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Eric F Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Cary F Opel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Monique J Kauke
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Heeyoon Kim
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Eta Atolia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States.
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Schmohl JU, Felices M, Todhunter D, Taras E, Miller JS, Vallera DA. Tetraspecific scFv construct provides NK cell mediated ADCC and self-sustaining stimuli via insertion of IL-15 as a cross-linker. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73830-73844. [PMID: 27650544 PMCID: PMC5342017 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The design of a highly effective anti-cancer immune-engager would include targeting of highly drug refractory cancer stem cells (CSC). The design would promote effective antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and simultaneously promote costimulation to expand and self-sustain the effector NK cell population. Based on our bispecific NK cell engager platform we constructed a tetraspecific killer engager (TetraKE) comprising single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) binding FcγRIII (CD16) on NK cells, EpCAM on carcinoma cells and CD133 on cancer stem cells in order to promote ADCC. Furthermore, an Interleukin (IL)-15-crosslinker enhanced NK cell related proliferation resulting in a highly active drug termed 1615EpCAM133. RESULTS Proliferation assays showed TetraKE promoted proliferation and enhanced NK cell survival. Drug-target binding, NK cell related degranulation, and IFN-γ production was specific for both tumor related antigens in EpCAM and CD133 bearing cancer cell lines. The TetraKE showed higher killing activity and superior dose dependent degranulation. Cytokine profiling showed a moderately enhanced IFN-γ production, enhanced GM-CSF production, but no evidence of induction of excessive cytokine release. METHODS Assembly and synthesis of hybrid genes encoding the TetraKE were performed using DNA shuffling and ligation. The TetraKE was tested for efficacy, specificity, proliferation, survival, and cytokine production using carcinoma cell lines and functional assays measuring NK cell activity. CONCLUSION 1615EpCAM133 combines improved induction of ADCC with enhanced proliferation, limited cytokine response, and prolonged survival and proliferation of NK cells. By linking scFv-related targeting of carcinoma and CSCs with a sustaining IL-15 signal, our new construct shows great promise to target cancer and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg U Schmohl
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,University of Tuebingen, Department for Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Department 2, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Martin Felices
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Deborah Todhunter
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth Taras
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Daniel A Vallera
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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48
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Uppendahl LD, Dahl CM, Miller JS, Felices M, Geller MA. Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Gynecologic Malignancy: A Review. Front Immunol 2018; 8:1825. [PMID: 29354116 PMCID: PMC5760535 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the immune system has proven an effective therapy in treating malignancies. Since the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells, strategies aimed to manipulate and augment their effector function against cancer have been the subject of intense research. Recent progress in the immunobiology of NK cells has led to the development of promising therapeutic approaches. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances in NK cell immunobiology and the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Locke D Uppendahl
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Carly M Dahl
- University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Martin Felices
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Melissa A Geller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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49
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Abstract
A group of impressive immunotherapies for cancer treatment, including immune checkpoint-blocking antibodies, gene therapy and immune cell adoptive cellular immunotherapy, have been established, providing new weapons to fight cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are a component of the first line of defense against tumors and virus infections. Studies have shown dysfunctional NK cells in patients with cancer. Thus, restoring NK cell antitumor functionality could be a promising therapeutic strategy. NK cells that are activated and expanded ex vivo can supplement malfunctional NK cells in tumor patients. Therapeutic antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), or bispecific proteins can all retarget NK cells precisely to tumor cells. Therapeutic antibody blockade of the immune checkpoints of NK cells has been suggested to overcome the immunosuppressive signals delivered to NK cells. Oncolytic virotherapy provokes antitumor activity of NK cells by triggering antiviral immune responses. Herein, we review the current immunotherapeutic approaches employed to restore NK cell antitumor functionality for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangxi Li
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
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50
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Schmohl JU, Gleason MK, Dougherty PR, Miller JS, Vallera DA. Heterodimeric Bispecific Single Chain Variable Fragments (scFv) Killer Engagers (BiKEs) Enhance NK-cell Activity Against CD133+ Colorectal Cancer Cells. Target Oncol 2017; 11:353-61. [PMID: 26566946 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-015-0391-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are potent cytotoxic lymphocytes that play a critical role in tumor immunosurveillance and control. Cancer stem cells (CSC) initiate and sustain tumor cell growth, mediate drug refractory cancer relapse, and express the well-known surface marker CD133. METHODS DNA fragments from two fully humanized single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies recognizing CD16 on NK-cells and CD133 on CSC were genetically spliced forming a novel drug, 16 × 133 BiKE that simultaneously recognizes these antigens to facilitate an immunologic synapse. The anti-CD133 was created using a fusion protein prepared by fusing DNA fragments encoding the two extracellular domains of CD133. Immunization of mice with the resulting fusion protein generated a unique antibody that recognized the molecular framework and was species cross-reactive. RESULTS In vitro chromium-51 ((51)Cr) release cytotoxicity assays at both high and low effector:target ratios demonstrated the ability of the heterodimeric biological drug to greatly enhance NK-cell killing of human Caco-2 colorectal carcinoma cells known to overexpress CD133. The tumor associated antigen specificity of the drug for CD133 even enhanced NK-cell cytotoxicity against the NK-resistant human Burkitt's lymphoma Daudi cell line, which has less than 5 % CD133 surface expression. Flow cytometry analysis revealed increases in NK-cell degranulation and Interferon-γ production upon co-culture with Caco-2 targets in the presence of the drug. CONCLUSION These studies demonstrate that the innate immune system can be effectively recruited to kill CSC using bispecific antibodies targeting CD133 and that this anti-CD133 scFv may be useful in this bispecific platform or perhaps in the design of more complex trispecific molecules for carcinoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J U Schmohl
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department for Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Department 2, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, 72076, Germany
| | - M K Gleason
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Adult Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Medical Science Liaison, Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Oncology/Sandoz, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - P R Dougherty
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J S Miller
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Adult Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - D A Vallera
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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