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Flumens D, Gielis S, Bartholomeus E, Campillo-Davo D, van der Heijden S, Versteven M, De Reu H, Smits E, Ogunjimi B, Laukens K, Meysman P, Lion E. Training of epitope-TCR prediction models with healthy donor-derived cancer-specific T cells. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 183:143-160. [PMID: 38548410 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Discovery of epitope-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) for cancer therapies is a time consuming and expensive procedure that usually requires a large amount of patient cells. To maximize information from and minimize the need of precious samples in cancer research, prediction models have been developed to identify in silico epitope-specific TCRs. In this chapter, we provide a step-by-step protocol to train a prediction model using the user-friendly TCRex webtool for the nearly universal tumor-associated antigen Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1)-specific TCR repertoire. WT1 is a self-antigen overexpressed in numerous solid and hematological malignancies with a high clinical relevance. Training of computational models starts from a list of known epitope-specific TCRs which is often not available for new cancer epitopes. Therefore, we describe a workflow to assemble a training data set consisting of TCR sequences obtained from WT137-45-reactive CD8 T cell clones expanded and sorted from healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan Flumens
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sofie Gielis
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Biomedical Informatics Research Network Antwerp (Biomina), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Esther Bartholomeus
- Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Health Economics Research & Modeling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), VAXINFECTIO, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp Center for Translational Immunology and Virology (ACTIV), Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Diana Campillo-Davo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sanne van der Heijden
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Health Economics Research & Modeling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), VAXINFECTIO, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Benson Ogunjimi
- Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Health Economics Research & Modeling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), VAXINFECTIO, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp Center for Translational Immunology and Virology (ACTIV), Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kris Laukens
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Biomedical Informatics Research Network Antwerp (Biomina), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pieter Meysman
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Biomedical Informatics Research Network Antwerp (Biomina), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine (CCRG), Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
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van der Heijden S, Flumens D, Versteven M, Peeters S, Reu HD, Campillo-Davo D, Willemen Y, Ogunjimi B, Van Tendeloo V, Berneman ZN, Anguille S, Smits E, Lion E. In vitro expansion of Wilms' tumor protein 1 epitope-specific primary T cells from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102053. [PMID: 36853720 PMCID: PMC9918782 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Wilms' tumor protein 1 (WT1) is a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in various cancers. As a self-antigen, negative selection reduces the number of WT1-specific T cell receptors (TCRs). Here, we provide a protocol to generate WT137-45-specific TCRs using healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We describe the expansion of WT1-specific T cell clones by two consecutive in vitro stimulations with autologous WT137-45-pulsed dendritic cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. We then detail the detection with human leukocyte antigen/WT137-45 tetramers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne van der Heijden
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Donovan Flumens
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Peeters
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Diana Campillo-Davo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yannick Willemen
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Benson Ogunjimi
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Modeling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), VAXINFECTIO, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Viggo Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zwi N Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
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3
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Versteven M, Flumens D, Campillo-Davó D, De Reu H, Van Bruggen L, Peeters S, Van Tendeloo V, Berneman Z, Dolstra H, Anguille S, Hobo W, Smits E, Lion E. Anti-Tumor Potency of Short-Term Interleukin-15 Dendritic Cells Is Potentiated by In Situ Silencing of Programmed-Death Ligands. Front Immunol 2022; 13:734256. [PMID: 35250967 PMCID: PMC8891487 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.734256] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have proven to be a valuable tool in cancer immune therapy. With several DC vaccines being currently tested in clinical trials, knowledge about their therapeutic value has been significantly increased in the past decade. Despite their established safety, it has become clear that objective clinical responses are not yet robust enough, requiring further optimization. Improvements of this advanced therapy medicinal product encompass, among others, regulating their immune stimulating capacity by in situ gene engineering, in addition to their implementation in combination therapy regimens. Previously, we have reported on a superior monocyte-derived DC preparation, including interleukin-15, pro-inflammatory cytokines and immunological danger signals in the culture process. These so-called IL-15 DCs have already proven to exhibit several favorable properties as cancer vaccine. Evolving research into mechanisms that could further modulate the immune response towards cancer, points to programmed death-1 as an important player that dampens anti-tumor immunity. Aiming at leveraging the immunogenicity of DC vaccines, we hypothesized that additional implementation of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules programmed death-ligand (PD-L)1 and PD-L2 in IL-15 DC vaccines would exhibit superior stimulatory potential. In this paper, we successfully implemented PD-L silencing at the monocyte stage in the 3-day IL-15 DC culture protocol resulting in substantial downregulation of both PD-L1 and PD-L2 to levels below 30%. Additionally, we validated that these DCs retain their specific characteristics, both at the level of phenotype and interferon gamma secretion. Evaluating their functional characteristics, we demonstrate that PD-L silencing does not affect the capacity to induce allogeneic proliferation. Ultimately designed to induce a durable tumor antigen-specific immune response, PD-L silenced IL-15 DCs were capable of surpassing PD-1-mediated inhibition by antigen-specific T cells. Further corroborating the superior potency of short-term IL-15 DCs, the combination of immune stimulatory components during DC differentiation and maturation with in situ checkpoint inhibition supports further clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Donovan Flumens
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Diana Campillo-Davó
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Bruggen
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Peeters
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Viggo Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zwi Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine – Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine – Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Eva Lion,
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Campillo-Davo D, De Laere M, Roex G, Versteven M, Flumens D, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo VFI, Anguille S, Lion E. The Ins and Outs of Messenger RNA Electroporation for Physical Gene Delivery in Immune Cell-Based Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:396. [PMID: 33809779 PMCID: PMC8002253 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) electroporation is a powerful tool for transient genetic modification of cells. This non-viral method of genetic engineering has been widely used in immunotherapy. Electroporation allows fine-tuning of transfection protocols for each cell type as well as introduction of multiple protein-coding mRNAs at once. As a pioneering group in mRNA electroporation, in this review, we provide an expert overview of the ins and outs of mRNA electroporation, discussing the different parameters involved in mRNA electroporation as well as the production of research-grade and production and application of clinical-grade mRNA for gene transfer in the context of cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Campillo-Davo
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
| | - Maxime De Laere
- Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
| | - Gils Roex
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
| | - Maarten Versteven
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
| | - Donovan Flumens
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
| | - Zwi N. Berneman
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
- Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Viggo F. I. Van Tendeloo
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
- Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Tumor Immunology Group, Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (G.R.); (M.V.); (D.F.); (Z.N.B.); (V.F.I.V.T.); (S.A.)
- Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
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Van Acker HH, Van Acker ZP, Versteven M, Ponsaerts P, Pende D, Berneman ZN, Anguille S, Van Tendeloo VF, Smits EL. CD56 Homodimerization and Participation in Anti-Tumor Immune Effector Cell Functioning: A Role for Interleukin-15. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1029. [PMID: 31336622 PMCID: PMC6678613 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A particularly interesting marker to identify anti-tumor immune cells is the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), also known as cluster of differentiation (CD)56. Namely, hematopoietic expression of CD56 seems to be confined to powerful effector immune cells. Here, we sought to elucidate its role on various killer immune cells. First, we identified the high motility NCAM-120 molecule to be the main isoform expressed by immune cells. Next, through neutralization of surface CD56, we were able to (1) demonstrate the direct involvement of CD56 in tumor cell lysis exerted by CD56-expressing killer cells, such as natural killer cells, gamma delta (γδ) T cells, and interleukin (IL)-15-cultured dendritic cells (DCs), and (2) reveal a putative crosstalk mechanism between IL-15 DCs and CD8 T cells, suggesting CD56 as a co-stimulatory molecule in their cell-to-cell contact. Moreover, by means of a proximity ligation assay, we visualized the CD56 homophilic interaction among cancer cells and between immune cells and cancer cells. Finally, by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway, we showed that IL-15 stimulation directly led to CD56 upregulation. In conclusion, these results underscore the previously neglected importance of CD56 expression on immune cells, benefiting current and future immune therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen H Van Acker
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zoë P Van Acker
- Laboratory of Protein Science, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Experimental Cell Transplantation Group (ECTG), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Daniela Pende
- Immunology Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Zwi N Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protein Science, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Viggo F Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Evelien L Smits
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
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Van Acker HH, Versteven M, Lichtenegger FS, Roex G, Campillo-Davo D, Lion E, Subklewe M, Van Tendeloo VF, Berneman ZN, Anguille S. Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E579. [PMID: 31035598 PMCID: PMC6572115 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050579] [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: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer characterized by the uncontrolled clonal proliferation of myeloid hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow. The outcome of AML is poor, with five-year overall survival rates of less than 10% for the predominant group of patients older than 65 years. One of the main reasons for this poor outcome is that the majority of AML patients will relapse, even after they have attained complete remission by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, supplemented with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients at high risk of relapse, is still the cornerstone of current AML treatment. Both therapies are, however, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These observations illustrate the need for more effective and less toxic treatment options, especially in elderly AML and have fostered the development of novel immune-based strategies to treat AML. One of these strategies involves the use of a special type of immune cells, the dendritic cells (DCs). As central orchestrators of the immune system, DCs are key to the induction of anti-leukemia immunity. In this review, we provide an update of the clinical experience that has been obtained so far with this form of immunotherapy in patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen H Van Acker
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Felix S Lichtenegger
- Department of Medicine III, LMU Munich, University Hospital, 80799 Munich, Germany.
| | - Gils Roex
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Diana Campillo-Davo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, LMU Munich, University Hospital, 80799 Munich, Germany.
| | - Viggo F Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Zwi N Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Division of Hematology and Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Division of Hematology and Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Acker HHV, Versteven M, Reu HD, Ponsaerts P, Berneman ZN, Tendeloo VFV, Smits EL. Abstract B192: CD56 participation in immune effector cell activation and tumor cell eradication: A role for interleukin-15. Cancer Immunol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.cricimteatiaacr18-b192] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Oncoimmunologists are in a constant search for more effective immunotherapeutic treatments, helping to cure cancer. In this respect, immune cell participation is a key issue. A particularly interesting marker to identify antitumor immune cells is the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), known as CD56. Namely, hematopoietic expression of CD56 seems to be confined to activated immune cells exhibiting some level of cytotoxic properties (Van Acker et al., Frontiers in Immunology 2017). Unfortunately, the current knowledge on the expression and functional role of CD56 is very fragmented. Therefore, we sought to elucidate the role of CD56 expression on various killer immune cells. First, we identified the high motility NCAM-120 isoform to be the main subset on immune cells. Next, through neutralization of surface CD56, we were able to demonstrate for the first time a direct involvement of CD56 in tumor cell lysis exerted by CD56-expressing killer cells such as natural killer cells, gamma delta (γδ) T-cells and interleukin (IL)-15-cultured dendritic cells (DCs). We also detected a putative crosstalk mechanism, suggesting CD56 as a co-stimulatory molecule in the interaction between IL-15 DCs and CD8 T-cells. Finally, by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–AKT pathway, with respectively trametinib and afuresertib, we confirmed our hypothesis that IL-15 stimulation directly leads to CD56 upregulation via the recruitment of shc, binding a phosphotyrosine residue on the IL-2/15Rβ chain. In conclusion, these results underscore the previously neglected importance of CD56 expression on immune cells, benefiting current and future immune therapeutic options.
Citation Format: Heleen H. Van Acker, Maarten Versteven, Hans De Reu, Peter Ponsaerts, Zwi N Berneman, Viggo F. Van Tendeloo, Evelien L. Smits. CD56 participation in immune effector cell activation and tumor cell eradication: A role for interleukin-15 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B192.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen H. Van Acker
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Maarten Versteven
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Zwi N Berneman
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | | | - Evelien L. Smits
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
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Versteven M, Damoiseaux D, Campillo-Davo D, Acker HV, Reu HD, Anguille S, Berneman ZN, Smits EL, Tendeloo VFV, Lion E. Abstract B137: Preclinical evaluation of a Wilms’ tumor protein 1-targeted interleukin-15 dendritic cell vaccine: T-cell activity and batch production. Cancer Immunol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.cricimteatiaacr18-b137] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Encouraging results from clinical trials demonstrate that dendritic cell (DC) vaccination is a valuable tool in cancer immunotherapy. Empowering DC vaccine immunogenicity to improve clinical outcome is at center stage in the rapidly evolving immunotherapeutic landscape. Developing a unique type of DC vaccine, so-called interleukin (IL)-15 DCs generated with IL-15 and strong immune stimulating maturation signals, we could demonstrate superior in vitro activities at both adaptive as well as innate immunity as compared to gold-standard IL-4 DCs. In this light, IL-15 DCs are capable of activating NK cells and gamma-delta T-cells, whereas IL-4 DCs are not. Designed to induce durable antitumor T-cell immunity, this pre-clinical research focuses on the improvement of Wilms’ Tumor protein 1 (WT1)-targeted T-cell activity. The WT1 antigen is overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers and thus appears to fulfill the criteria of a universal tumor-associated antigen. The capacity of our novel IL-15 DCs to induce WT1-specific immunity is assessed using two in-house developed tumor antigen-specific T-cell assays. The first series of experiments demonstrate in a head-to-head comparison that WT1 mRNA-electroporated IL-15 DCs perform at least as well as IL-4 DCs in triggering a WT1 T-cell receptor (TCR)-transfected T-cell line. Using an autologous primary TCR-engineered CD8+ T-cell approach, we are now comparing their WT1-specific antitumor function. With its unique characteristics, including IL-15-transpresentation and interferon-gamma secretion, IL-15 DCs are expected to significantly promote WT1-specific T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Enabling its clinical application, we also evaluated the upscaled IL 15 DC vaccine production and cryopreservation processes. We were able to employ the three-day culture protocol in clinically suitable culture flasks. In addition, the use of an optimized cryopreservation medium results in a pre- to-post cryopreservation yield of 81.3 ± 7.4 % with a preserved phenotype and functionality. High-scale production and cryopreservation allows for the implementation of DC vaccination in multimodal treatment schedules. Underscoring the tumor antigen-specific T-cell-stimulating capacity among previously described superior characteristics and warranting batch production of patient-specific DC vaccines, further strengthens the impetus to bring WT1-loaded IL-15 DCs to the clinic.
Citation Format: Maarten Versteven, David Damoiseaux, Diana Campillo-Davo, Heleen Van Acker, Hans De Reu, Sébastien Anguille, Zwi N Berneman, Evelien L Smits, Viggo F Van Tendeloo, Eva Lion. Preclinical evaluation of a Wilms’ tumor protein 1-targeted interleukin-15 dendritic cell vaccine: T-cell activity and batch production [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B137.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Versteven
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - David Damoiseaux
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Diana Campillo-Davo
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Heleen Van Acker
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Zwi N Berneman
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Evelien L Smits
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Viggo F Van Tendeloo
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
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Versteven M, Van den Bergh JMJ, Broos K, Fujiki F, Campillo-Davo D, De Reu H, Morimoto S, Lecocq Q, Keyaerts M, Berneman Z, Sugiyama H, Van Tendeloo VFI, Breckpot K, Lion E. A versatile T cell-based assay to assess therapeutic antigen-specific PD-1-targeted approaches. Oncotarget 2018; 9:27797-27808. [PMID: 29963238 PMCID: PMC6021243 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockade of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint receptor signaling is an established standard treatment for many types of cancer and indications are expanding. Successful clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1 signaling have boosted preclinical research, encouraging development of novel therapeutics. Standardized assays to evaluate their bioactivity, however, remain restricted. The robust bioassays available all lack antigen-specificity. Here, we developed an antigen-specific, short-term and high-throughput T cell assay with versatile readout possibilities. A genetically modified T cell receptor (TCR)-deficient T cell line was stably transduced with PD-1. Transfection with messenger RNA encoding a TCR of interest and subsequent overnight stimulation with antigen-presenting cells, results in eGFP-positive and granzyme B-producing T cells for single cell or bulk analysis. Control antigen-presenting cells induced reproducible high antigen-specific eGFP and granzyme B expression. Upon PD-1 interaction, ligand-positive antigen-presenting immune or tumor cells elicited significantly lower eGFP and granzyme B expression, which could be restored by anti-PD-(L)1 blocking antibodies. This convenient cell-based assay shows a valuable tool for translational and clinical research on antigen-specific checkpoint-targeted therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan M J Van den Bergh
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Katrijn Broos
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fumihiro Fujiki
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Diana Campillo-Davo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Soyoko Morimoto
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marleen Keyaerts
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Nuclear Medicine Department, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Zwi Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Division of Hematology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Haruo Sugiyama
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Viggo F I Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Van Acker HH, Campillo-Davo D, Roex G, Versteven M, Smits EL, Van Tendeloo VF. The role of the common gamma-chain family cytokines in γδ T cell-based anti-cancer immunotherapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2018; 41:54-64. [PMID: 29773448 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines of the common gamma-chain receptor family, comprising interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21, are vital with respect to organizing and sustaining healthy immune cell functions. Supporting the anti-cancer immune response, these cytokines inspire great interest for their use as vaccine adjuvants and cancer immunotherapies. It is against this background that gamma delta (γδ) T cells, as special-force soldiers and natural contributors of the tumor immunosurveillance, also received a lot of attention the last decade. As γδ T cell-based cancer trials are coming of age, this present review focusses on the effects of the different cytokines of the common gamma-chain receptor family on γδ T cells with respect to boosting γδ T cells as a therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy. This review also gathers data that IL-15 in particular exhibits key features for augmenting the anti-tumor activity of effector killer γδ T cells whilst overcoming the myriad of immune escape mechanisms used by cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen H Van Acker
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Diana Campillo-Davo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gils Roex
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien L Smits
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Viggo F Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tumor Immunology Group (TIGR), Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
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Versteven M, Van den Bergh JMJ, Marcq E, Smits ELJ, Van Tendeloo VFI, Hobo W, Lion E. Dendritic Cells and Programmed Death-1 Blockade: A Joint Venture to Combat Cancer. Front Immunol 2018; 9:394. [PMID: 29599770 PMCID: PMC5863527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Two decades of clinical cancer research with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination have proved that this type of personalized medicine is safe and has the capacity to improve survival, but monotherapy is unlikely to cure the cancer. Designed to empower the patient’s antitumor immunity, huge research efforts are set to improve the efficacy of next-generation DC vaccines and to find synergistic combinations with existing cancer therapies. Immune checkpoint approaches, aiming to breach immune suppression and evasion to reinforce antitumor immunity, have been a revelation in the immunotherapy field. Early success of therapeutic antibodies blocking the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway has sparked the development of novel inhibitors and combination therapies. Hence, merging immunoregulatory tumor-specific DC strategies with PD-1-targeted approaches is a promising path to explore. In this review, we focus on the role of PD-1-signaling in DC-mediated antitumor immunity. In the quest of exploiting the full potential of DC therapy, different strategies to leverage DC immunopotency by impeding PD-1-mediated immune regulation are discussed, including the most advanced research on targeted therapeutic antibodies, lessons learned from chemotherapy-induced immune activation, and more recent developments with soluble molecules and gene-silencing techniques. An overview of DC/PD-1 immunotherapy combinations that are currently under preclinical and clinical investigation substantiates the clinical potential of such combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan M J Van den Bergh
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Marcq
- Center for Oncological Research Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien L J Smits
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Oncological Research Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Viggo F I Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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Van den Bergh JMJ, Smits ELJM, Versteven M, De Reu H, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo VFI, Lion E. Characterization of Interleukin-15-Transpresenting Dendritic Cells for Clinical Use. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:1975902. [PMID: 28785596 PMCID: PMC5530419 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1975902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalized dendritic cell- (DC-) based vaccination has proven to be safe and effective as second-line therapy against various cancer types. In terms of overall survival, there is still room for improvement of DC-based therapies, including the development of more immunostimulatory DC vaccines. In this context, we redesigned our currently clinically used DC vaccine generation protocol to enable transpresentation of interleukin- (IL-) 15 to IL-15Rβγ-expressing cells aiming at boosting the antitumor immune response. In this study, we demonstrate that upon electroporation with both IL-15 and IL-15Rα-encoding messenger RNA, mature DC become highly positive for surface IL-15, without influencing the expression of prototypic mature DC markers and with preservation of their cytokine-producing capacity and their migratory profile. Functionally, we show that IL-15-transpresenting DC are equal if not better inducers of T-cell proliferation and are superior in tumor antigen-specific T-cell activation compared with DC without IL-15 conditioning. In view of the clinical use of DC vaccines, we evidence with a time- and cost-effective manner that clinical grade DC can be safely engineered to transpresent IL-15, hereby gaining the ability to transfer the immune-stimulating IL-15 signal towards antitumor immune effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. M. J. Van den Bergh
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - E. L. J. M. Smits
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M. Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - H. De Reu
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Z. N. Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - V. F. I. Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - E. Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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