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Mills CM, Benton TZ, Piña I, Francis MJ, Reyes L, Dolloff NG, Peterson YK, Woster PM. Stimulation of natural killer cells with small molecule inhibitors of CD38 for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Chem Sci 2023; 14:2168-2182. [PMID: 36845935 PMCID: PMC9945084 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05749b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) accounts for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Refractory disease for high-risk NB patients is attributed to chemotherapy resistance and immunotherapy failure. The poor prognosis for high-risk NB patients demonstrates an unmet medical need for the development of new, more efficacious therapeutics. CD38 is an immunomodulating protein that is expressed constitutively on natural killer (NK) cells and other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, CD38 over expression is implicated in propagating an immunosuppressive milieu within the TME. Through virtual and physical screening, we have identified drug-like small molecule inhibitors of CD38 with low micromolar IC50 values. We have begun to explore structure activity relationships for CD38 inhibition through derivatization of our most effective hit molecule to develop a new compound with lead-like physicochemical properties and improved potency. We have demonstrated that our derivatized inhibitor, compound 2, elicits immunomodulatory effects in NK cells by increasing cell viability by 190 ± 36% in multiple donors and by significantly increasing interferon gamma. Additionally, we have illustrated that NK cells exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity toward NB cells (14% reduction of NB cells over 90 minutes) when given a combination treatment of our inhibitor and the immunocytokine ch14.18-IL2. Herein we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecule CD38 inhibitors and demonstrate their potential utility as a novel approach to NB immunotherapy. These compounds represent the first examples of small molecules that stimulate immune function for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Mills
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Thomas Z Benton
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Ivett Piña
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Megan J Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Leticia Reyes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Nathan G Dolloff
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Yuri K Peterson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
| | - Patrick M Woster
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina 70 President St Charleston SC 29425 USA
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Lin JT, Chuang YC, Chen MK, Lo YS, Lin CC, Ho HY, Liu YT, Hsieh MJ. Shuterin Enhances the Cytotoxicity of the Natural Killer Leukemia Cell Line KHYG-1 by Increasing the Expression Levels of Granzyme B and IFN-γ through the MAPK and Ras/Raf Signaling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12816. [PMID: 36361609 PMCID: PMC9654641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell therapy is an emerging tool for cancer immunotherapy. NK cells are isolated from peripheral blood, and their number and activity are limited. Therefore, primary NK cells should be expanded substantially, and their proliferation and cytotoxicity must be enhanced. Shuterin is a phytochemical isolated from Ficus thonningii. In this study, we explored the possible capacity of shuterin to enhance the proliferation and activity of KHYG-1 cells (an NK leukemia cell line). Shuterin enhanced the proliferation of KHYG-1 cells and their cytotoxicity to K562 cells. Moreover, this phytochemical induced the expression of granzyme B by promoting the phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, the secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ increased with increasing levels of shuterin in KHYG-1 cells and NK cells obtained from adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Shuterin appeared to induce IFN-γ secretion by increasing the expression of lectin-like transcript 1 and the phosphorylation of proteins involved in the Ras/Raf pathway. Thus, shuterin represents a promising agent for promoting the proliferation and cytotoxicity of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Tsun Lin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chuang
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Kuan Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Sheng Lo
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chieh Lin
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Ho
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Tze Liu
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Family Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ju Hsieh
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
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Nguyen HP, Pham DAD, Dinh Nguyen D, Nguyen PV, Bui VA, Hoang MNT, Nguyen LT. Evaluating the Safety and Quality of Life of Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated by Autologous Immune Enhancement Therapy (AIET) in Vinmec International Hospitals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911362. [PMID: 36232666 PMCID: PMC9569750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an increasingly prevalent disease with a high mortality rate in recent years. Immune cell-based therapies have received massive attention among scientists, as they have been proven effective as low-toxicity treatments. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of autologous immune enhancement therapy (AIET) for CRC. (2) An open-label, single-group study, including twelve patients diagnosed with stages III and IV CRC, was conducted from January 2016 to December 2021. Twelve CRC patients received one to seven infusions of natural killer (NK)-cell and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL). Multivariate modelling was used to identify factors associated with health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) scores. (3) After 20−21 days of culture, the NK cells increased 3535-fold, accounting for 85% of the cultured cell population. Likewise, CTLs accounted for 62.4% of the cultured cell population, which was a 1220-fold increase. Furthermore, the QoL improved with increased EORTC QLQ-C30 scores, decreased symptom severity, and reduced impairment in daily living caused by these symptoms (MDASI-GI report). Finally, a 14.3 ± 14.1-month increase in mean survival time was observed at study completion. (4) AIET demonstrated safety and improved survival time and HRQoL for CRC patients in Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang-Phuong Nguyen
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Duc-Anh Dao Pham
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Duy Dinh Nguyen
- Vinmec Times City International Hospital, Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai Street, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Phong Van Nguyen
- Center of Applied Science, Regenerative Medicine, and Advanced Technologies (CARA), Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Viet-Anh Bui
- Center of Applied Science, Regenerative Medicine, and Advanced Technologies (CARA), Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - My-Nhung Thi Hoang
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Liem Thanh Nguyen
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- College of Health Sciences, Vin University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Immunotherapy based on natural killer (NK) cells is a promising approach for treating a variety of cancers. Unlike T cells, NK cells recognize target cells via a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent mechanism and, without being sensitized, kill the cells directly. Several strategies for obtaining large quantities of NK cells with high purity and high cytotoxicity have been developed. These strategies include the use of cytokine-antibody fusions, feeder cells or membrane particles to stimulate the proliferation of NK cells and enhance their cytotoxicity. Various materials, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and NK cell lines, have been used as sources to generate NK cells for immunotherapy. Moreover, genetic modification technologies to improve the proliferation of NK cells have also been developed to enhance the functions of NK cells. Here, we summarize the recent advances in expansion strategies with or without genetic manipulation of NK cells derived from various cellular sources. We also discuss the closed, automated and GMP-controlled large-scale expansion systems used for NK cells and possible future NK cell-based immunotherapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Siqi Xie
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Minhua Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Xun Shu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Yongge He
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Weihua Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Zhigang Tian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Biotechnology Drugs Anhui, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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Ngo ATL, Le HM, Trinh NTH, Jun APG, Bach TQ, Bui HTH, Hoang VT, Bui AV, Nguyen LT, Hoang DM. Clinically relevant preservation conditions for mesenchymal stem/stromal cells derived from perinatal and adult tissue sources. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:10747-10760. [PMID: 34708529 PMCID: PMC8581317 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The interplay between mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and preservation conditions is critical to maintain the viability and functionality of these cells before administration. We observed that Ringer lactate (RL) maintained high viability of bone marrow–derived MSCs for up to 72 h at room temperature (18°C–22°C), whereas adipose‐derived and umbilical cord‐derived MSCs showed the highest viability for 72 h at a cold temperature (4°C–8°C). These cells maintained their adherence ability with an improved recovery rate and metabolic profiles (glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration) similar to those of freshly harvested cells. Growth factor and cytokine analyses revealed that the preserved cells released substantial amounts of leukaemia inhibitory factors (LIFs), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A), as well as multiple cytokines (eg IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, MPC‐1 and TNF‐α). Our data provide the simplest clinically relevant preservation conditions that maintain the viability, stemness and functionality of MSCs from perinatal and adult tissue sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh T L Ngo
- Vinmec Institute of Applied Science and Regenerative Medicine, Vinmec Health Care System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hang M Le
- Vinmec Institute of Applied Science and Regenerative Medicine, Vinmec Health Care System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nhung T H Trinh
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Adriel Peng Guo Jun
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Trung Q Bach
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hue T H Bui
- Vinmec Institute of Applied Science and Regenerative Medicine, Vinmec Health Care System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van T Hoang
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Anh V Bui
- Vinmec Institute of Applied Science and Regenerative Medicine, Vinmec Health Care System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Liem T Nguyen
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Duc M Hoang
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Liem NT, Van Phong N, Kien NT, Anh BV, Huyen TL, Thao CT, Tu ND, Hiep DT, Hoai Thu DT, Nhung HTM. Phase I Clinical Trial Using Autologous Ex Vivo Expanded NK Cells and Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes for Cancer Treatment in Vietnam. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3166. [PMID: 31261712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Immune cell therapy recently attracted enormous attention among scientists as a cancer treatment, but, so far, it has been poorly studied and applied in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of autologous immune cell therapy for treating lung, liver, and colon cancers-three prevalent cancers in Vietnam. (2) Method: This was an open-label, single-group clinical trial that included 10 patients with confirmed diagnosis of colon, liver, or lung cancer, conducted between March 2016 and December 2017. (3) Results: After 20-21 days of culture, the average number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) increased 488.5-fold and the average cell viability was 96.3%. The average number of natural killer cells (NKs) increased 542.5-fold, with an average viability of 95%. Most patients exhibited improved quality of life, with the majority of patients presenting a score of 1 to 2 in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (ECOG/PS) scale, a decrease in symptoms on fatigue scales, and an increase in the mean survival time to 18.7 months at the end of the study. (4) Conclusion: This method of immune cell expansion met the requirements for clinical applications in cancer treatment and demonstrated the safety of this therapy for the cancer patients in Vietnam.
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