Non-viral precision T cell receptor replacement for personalized cell therapy

T cell receptors (TCRs) enable T cells to specifically recognize mutations in cancer cells1-3. Here we developed a clinical-grade approach based on CRISPR-Cas9 non-viral precision genome-editing to simultaneously knockout the two endogenous TCR genes TRAC (which encodes TCRα) and TRBC (which encodes TCRβ). We also inserted into the TRAC locus two chains of a neoantigen-specific TCR (neoTCR) isolated from circulating T cells of patients. The neoTCRs were isolated using a personalized library of soluble predicted neoantigen-HLA capture reagents. Sixteen patients with different refractory solid cancers received up to three distinct neoTCR transgenic cell products. Each product expressed a patient-specific neoTCR and was administered in a cell-dose-escalation, first-in-human phase I clinical trial ( NCT03970382 ). One patient had grade 1 cytokine release syndrome and one patient had grade 3 encephalitis. All participants had the expected side effects from the lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Five patients had stable disease and the other eleven had disease progression as the best response on the therapy. neoTCR transgenic T cells were detected in tumour biopsy samples after infusion at frequencies higher than the native TCRs before infusion. This study demonstrates the feasibility of isolating and cloning multiple TCRs that recognize mutational neoantigens. Moreover, simultaneous knockout of the endogenous TCR and knock-in of neoTCRs using single-step, non-viral precision genome-editing are achieved. The manufacture of neoTCR engineered T cells at clinical grade, the safety of infusing up to three gene-edited neoTCR T cell products and the ability of the transgenic T cells to traffic to the tumours of patients are also demonstrated.

No increased mortality from donor or recipient hepatitis B- and/or hepatitis C-positive serostatus after related-donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Limited data exist on allogeneic transplant outcomes in recipients receiving hematopoietic cells from donors with prior or current hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV) infection (seropositive donors), or for recipients with prior or current HBV or HCV infection (seropositive recipients). Transplant outcomes are reported for 416 recipients from 121 centers, who received a human leukocyte antigen-identical related-donor allogeneic transplant for hematologic malignancies between 1995 and 2003. Of these, 33 seronegative recipients received grafts from seropositive donors and 128 recipients were seropositive. The remaining 256 patients served as controls. With comparable median follow-up (cases, 5.9 years; controls, 6.7 years), the incidence of treatment-related mortality, survival, graft-versus-host disease, and hepatic toxicity, appears similar in all cohorts. The frequencies of hepatic toxicities as well as causes of death between cases and controls were similar. Prior exposure to HBV or HCV in either the donor or the recipient should not be considered an absolute contraindication to transplant.

Verruciform xanthoma of the penis in a young male masquerading as squamous cell carcinoma: case report

Verruciform xanthoma (VX) is a relatively rare benign lesion of unknown etiology with a predilection for oral mucosa. Penis is an uncommon location and to date only 17 cases of VX of penis have been reported. The lesion assumes importance as it can be easily mistaken for verrucous carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. We present herein a case of penile VX in a 25-year-old man who was referred to our institute with a histopathologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma reported elsewhere. On microscopy the lesion demonstrated florid verruciform hyperplasia of the epidermis with hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and acanthosis. There was a dense infiltrate of foam cells in the papillary dermis (a hallmark of VX), which were positive for CD68 and negative for S-100 protein. We present this case to highlight the significance of recognizing VX in extra oral location. An awareness of this entity is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis and halt inappropriate therapeutic intervention.

Anaplastic variant of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney: a rare case report

Clear cell sarcoma (CCSK) of the kidney is an uncommon but distinctive pediatric renal tumor with a characteristic histological pattern and marked propensity for bone metastasis. The rare anaplastic variant constitutes about 3% of cases of CCSK and carries an unfavorable prognosis, with increased tumor recurrence and resistant to chemotherapy. This variant show high frequency of p53 gene mutation and p53 over expression in comparison to the usual CCSK. We present a case of anaplastic variant of CCSK in an 10-year-old boy with both cytologic and histologic features, highlighting the importance of recognizing this rare entity.

Long-term clinical remission following radiotherapy in tracheal adenocarcinoma: review of the published work

A 55-year-old man with tracheal adenocarcinoma presented with difficulty in breathing and cough with blood-tinged expectoration. As the patient refused surgery, he was treated with definitive radiotherapy to the neck and superior mediastinum to a total dose of 50 Gy (initially 40 Gy by AP/PA portals followed by 10 Gy with a three-field technique). He showed significant symptomatic relief to radiotherapy and defaulted from further treatment. He remained asymptomatic for 7 years, following which he developed sternal metastases and a local tumour recurrence. This case illustrates that long-term clinical remission can be achieved by radiotherapy alone in this rare histological subtype of tracheal carcinoma.

Genital tuberculosis in Indian infertility patients

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the clinical and laparoscopic features of 40 infertile women with genital tuberculosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective clinical study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital from October 1, 2004, to August 30, 2006, with 150 infertile women in whom there was clinical suspicion of genital tuberculosis. All underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy for confirmation and other causes of infertility were excluded.

RESULTS

Among the 40 infertile women affected with genital tuberculosis there were cases of primary (n=30) and secondary (n=10) infertility; pelvic pain (n=8); menorrhagia (n=9); oligomenorrhea (n=7); hypomenorrhea (n=8); and primary (n=2) and secondary (n=2) amenorrhea. There were histories of pulmonary (n=9) and abdominal tuberculosis (n=6), ectopic pregnancy (n=4), and antitubercular treatment (n=10) in 10. There were cases of positive Mantoux test results (n=2); endometrial aspiration showing tubercular endometritis (n=10); positive acid-fast bacillus culture results (n=1); and positive polymerase chain reaction results (n=9). Laparoscopic examination revealed abnormally dilated, tortuous, and blocked fallopian tubes (n=13); peritubal and periovarian adhesions (n=18); Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome (n=15); omental adhesions (n=18); and bowel adhesions (n=15). Hysteroscopy revealed flimsy intrauterine adhesions (n=7). All patients were treated for tuberculosis and 13 were counseled for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer or adoption.

CONCLUSION

Genital tuberculosis is common in India and a combination of clinical and laparoscopic diagnoses, along with endometrial histopathologic studies, acid-fast bacillus culture, and polymerase chain reaction assays provides the best available method for the diagnosis of genital tuberculosis in infertile women.

Surveillance for West Nile virus cases in Louisiana 2001-2004

West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in Louisiana during August of 2001. An outbreak of 204 human cases of neuro-invasive disease (NID) and 25 deaths occurred in 2002. In the 2 years following, lower numbers of human cases were identified (101 NID cases in 2003 and 84 in 2004) but intense localized foci were observed. The incidence of NID has been particularly high in the elderly (65 years and older). The distribution of West Nile cases has consisted of sporadic cases with a few very intense foci. Annually, human cases have occurred from June through December, with a peak number of new cases in August. As compared with other WNV serosurveys conducted in the United States, it appears that the WNV seroprevalence in Louisiana is not elevated.