Preclinical characterization of a PD-1-CD28 fusion receptor in CD4+ T cells for T cell-based immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. S4 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Rataj ◽  
F. Kraus ◽  
S. Grassmann ◽  
Michael Chaloupka ◽  
Justyna Ogonek ◽  
...  
Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (11) ◽  
pp. 5359-5370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjan Mittal ◽  
Neil A. Marshall ◽  
Linda Duncan ◽  
Dominic J. Culligan ◽  
Robert N. Barker ◽  
...  

Abstract Regulatory T (Treg) cells contribute to immune evasion by malignancies. To investigate their importance in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we enumerated Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and involved tissues from 30 patients. CD25+FoxP3+CD127lowCD4+ Treg cells were increased markedly in PBMCs (median = 20.4% CD4 T cells, n = 20) versus healthy controls (median = 3.2%, n = 13, P < .001) regardless of lymphoma subtype, and correlated with disease stage and serum lactate dehydrogenase (Rs = 0.79, P < .001). T-cell hyporesponsiveness was reversed by depleting CD25+ cells, or by adding anti–CTLA-4, supporting the view that Treg cells explain the systemic immunosuppression seen in NHL. A high proportion of Treg cells was also present in involved tissues (median = 38.8% CD4 T cells, n = 15) versus reactive nodes (median = 11.6%, n = 2, P = .02). When autologous CD25− PBMC fractions were incubated with tumor cells from patients (n = 6) in vitro, there was consistent strong induction and then expansion of cells with the CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ phenotype of classic “natural” Treg cells. This population was confirmed to be suppressive in function. Direct cell-cell interaction of tumor cells with CD25− PBMCs was important in Treg induction, although there was heterogeneity in the mechanisms responsible. We conclude that NHL cells are powerful inducers of Treg cells, which may represent a new therapeutic target.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1945-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqun Zhang ◽  
Bo Hu ◽  
Ling Jing ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Shan Wang ◽  
...  

Background:Outcomes for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are poor despite use of high-intensity chemotherapy. CAR-T has shown efficacy in treating refractory/relapsed leukemia in pediatric patients and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adult patients. Objectives:To assess the safety and efficacy of sequential CAR-T in the treatment of refractory/ relapsed B-NHL in pediatric patients. Design/Methods:In our ongoing clinical trial (ChiCTR1800014457), we enrolled and treated 17 pediatric patients with refractory/relapsed B-NHL. Following leukapheresis, T cells were activated with CD3 and CD28 antibodies for 24h, then transduced with lentivirus encoding anti-CD19-CD3zeta-4-1BB CAR and cultured for 5-6 days in serum-free media containing IL2, IL7, IL15, IL21. Meanwhile, all patients briefly received lympho-depleting chemotherapies consisting of fludarabine (30 mg/m2/day) and cyclophosphamide (250 mg/m2/day) on days −5, −4 and −3 according to tumor burden and patient state. On day 0, all patients received a single-dose infusion of CAR-T cells. CAR-T cell dose ranged from 0.5 to 3 million/kg. CAR-T cell numbers and cytokines were measured weekly. Tumor responses were evaluated at day 30 and day 60 post infusion and every two months thereafter. Adverse events were graded according to CTCAEv4 except cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was graded according to Lee et al. Results:Treated patients had relapsed/refractory Burkitt lymphoma (BL) (13/17), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (2/17), B-lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL) (2/17), and ranged from 4.5-18.0 years old. By St Jude's staging, 9 cases (46.7%) were in stage III, 8 cases (53.3%) were in stage IV. There were 3 cases with CNS involvement (17.6%) and 7 cases with bone marrow involvement (41.2%). They all failed at prior treatment including an average of 8.9 (6-15) courses of chemotherapy. They were then treated with sequential CAR-T cell therapy. A total of 26 courses of CAR-T cell infusion were administered. The overall complete response rate (CRR) was 41.7% (7/17) when first course of CAR-T therapy was conducted, which were all CD19 targeted. Among the 10 patients who did not achieve CR, 2 patients achieved PR with ongoing response, 1 patient died of severe CRS and progression at day 6 and another patient refused to continue the following therapy when tumor progressed at day 99, and he died 1 week later, the other 6 continued to receive second course of CAR-T therapy targeting CD20 or CD22, and 3 of them achieved CR. Thus the overall CRR increased to 58.8% (10/17). The 3 patients, who still did not achieve CR, continued to receive third course of CAR-T therapy targeting CD20 or CD22. Two of them finally achieved CR and the other failed to get CR and is now retreated with chemotherapy and oral Olaparib and Venclexta. Thus, with a median follow-up of 6.2 months (1-18 months), the overall response rate of sequential CAR-T therapy was 94.1% (16/17) and the overall CRR was 70.6% (12/17). Toxicity information through day 30 revealed the occurrence of mild CRS in 8 subjects (47.1%, grade I n=8, grade II n=0), severe CRS in 9 subjects (52.9%, grade III n=8, grade IV n=1). Neurotoxicity was observed in 7 cases (41.2%, seizure in 3 cases, tremor in 4 cases, headache in 1 cases). One case who died rapidly at day 6 of therapy suffered severe CRS (high fever, Capillary leak syndrome, severe pleural effusion, respiratory failure, shock, cardiopulmonary arrest) and neurotoxicity besides disease progression. Other patients with severe CRS and neurotoxicity recovered fully after glucocorticoid use and symptomatic treatment including anti-epilepsy, fluid, dehydrating agent. No case used tocilizumab. Response assessments were performed at day 15, 30, 45, 60. Updated enrollment, toxicity and response assessments will be presented. Conclusion: CD19/CD20/CD22-CAR-T therapy showed promising efficacy for pediatric patients with r/r B-NHL and the toxicities are tolerable with proper symptomatic and supportive treatment. Sequential CAR-T therapy can improve the efficacy compared with a single course of CAR-T infusion. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4187-4187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zixun Yan ◽  
Wen Wang ◽  
Zhong Zheng ◽  
Ming Hao ◽  
Su Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction JWCAR029 is a novel CD19-directed 4-1BB stimulated chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell type, which is different from JWCAR017 with independent production of CD4 and CD8 T cells and transfusion in non-fixed ratio. We conducted a single arm, open-label, dose escalation Phase I trial of JWCAR029 in relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NCT03355859). Methods From January to July 2018, 10 patients have been enrolled in this trial, including eight diffused large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and two MALT lymphoma, with median age of 47 years (range 32 to 59 years). All the patients received immunochemotherapy as induction and more than two lines of salvage treatment. Two patients received bridging chemotherapy after T-cell collection due to rapid tumor progression, followed by re-evaluation before CAR-T cell infusion. Lymphodepletion preconditioning was accomplished by fludarabine 25mg/m2/d and cyclophosphamide 250mg/m2/d on Day-4 to D-2, followed by CAR-T cell infusion on Day0. JWCAR029 was administrated as a single infusion in escalation dose levels, from 2.5×107 CAR-T cells (dose level 1, DL1) to 5.0×107 CAR-T cells (dose level 2, DL2) and to 1.0×108 CAR-T cells (dose level 3, DL3) according to mTPI-2 algorithm. Circulating blood count, serum biochemistry, and coagulation status were follow-up after infusion. Cytokines were assessed on a Luminex platform. Tumor evaluation was performed on Day 29 by PET-CT. PK data were detected by flow cytometry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction system. All the adverse events were recorded. The study was approved by the Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital Review Board with informed consent obtained in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results The demographic characteristics of the patients were demonstrated in Table 1. Among six evaluable patients (3 of DL1 and 3 of DL2), the ORR was 100% on Day 29, including four complete remission and 2 partial remission. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was 100% in Gr 1, with main symptoms as fever (<39.0 degrees), fatigue, and muscle soreness. No neurotoxicity was observed. Four of the six patients with fever >38.0 degrees used prophylactic IL-6 Inhibitor (8mg/kg, ACTEMRA, two patients administered twice). No patients received steroids. The CRS showed no difference between dose level groups (p>0.99). Adverse effects included leukopenia (Gr 3-4: 83.3%, Gr 1-2: 16.7%), hypofibrinogenemia (Gr 1: 16.7%, Gr 2-4: 0%), liver dysfunction (Gr 1: 33.3%, Gr 2-4: 0%), elevated CRP (Gr 1: 83.3%, Gr 2-4: 0%), ferritin (Gr 1-2: 83.3%, Gr 2-4: 0%), or IL-6 (Gr 1-2:100%, Gr 3-4: 0%, Table 2). Conclusion Although long-term follow-up was needed, the preliminary data of six patients in this trial have demonstrated high response rates and safety of JWCAR029 in treating relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Disclosures Hao: JW Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. e456
Author(s):  
Sophia Schreiber ◽  
Melanie Honz ◽  
Matthias Schiemann ◽  
Christina Zielinski ◽  
Ulrike Protzer ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Zhongchuan Will Chen ◽  
Juanita Wizniak ◽  
Chuquan Shang ◽  
Raymond Lai

Context.— Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is characterized by neoplastic lymphocyte-predominant cells frequently rimmed by CD3+/CD57+/programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)+ T cells. Because of the rarity of lymphocyte-predominant cells in most cases, flow cytometric studies on NLPHL often fail to show evidence of malignancy. Objective.— To evaluate the diagnostic utility of PD-1 in detecting NLPHL by flow cytometry, in conjunction with the CD4:CD8 ratio and the percentage of T cells doubly positive for CD4 and CD8. Design.— Flow cytometric data obtained from cases of NLPHL (n = 10), classical Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 20), B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 22), T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 5), benign lymphoid lesions (n = 20), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas (n = 6) and T-cell/histiocyte–rich large B-cell lymphomas (n = 2) were analyzed and compared. Results.— Compared with the other groups, NLPHL showed significantly higher values in the following parameters: CD4:CD8 ratio, percentage of T cells doubly positive for CD4 and CD8, percentage of PD-1–positive T cells, and median fluorescence intensity of PD-1 expression in the doubly positive for CD4 and CD8 subset. Using a scoring system (0–4) based on arbitrary cutoffs for these 4 parameters, all 10 NLPHL cases scored 3 or higher, as compared with only 3 cases from the other groups, producing an overall sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96% (72 of 75). Two of the 3 outliers were non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and both showed definitive immunophenotypic abnormalities leading to the correct diagnosis. The remaining outlier was a case of T-cell/histiocyte–rich large B-cell lymphoma. Conclusions.— The inclusion of anti–PD-1 in flow cytometry is useful for detecting NLPHL in fresh tissue samples, most of which would have otherwise been labeled as nondiagnostic or reactive lymphoid processes.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. 2809-2820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Zhang Yang ◽  
Deanna M. Grote ◽  
Steven C. Ziesmer ◽  
Michelle K. Manske ◽  
Thomas E. Witzig ◽  
...  

Abstract Elevated serum levels of the soluble form of IL-2 receptor α (sIL-2Rα) have been correlated with a poor prognosis in a variety of different types of cancers. However, its biologic relevance remains unclear and controversial. In patients with follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (FL), we observed that serum sIL-2Rα levels were elevated compared with controls and that elevated sIL-2Rα levels before treatment were associated with a poor outcome. To explore the mechanism by which sIL-2Rα may contribute to a poor prognosis in FL, we determined the effects of sIL-2Rα on IL-2 signaling and found that the sIL-2Rα–IL-2 complex promoted T-cell differentiation toward to inhibitory Treg cells rather than TH1 or TH17 cells. Shed by activated T cells that express membrane-bound IL-2Rα, sIL-2Rα further enhanced IL-2–mediated phosphorylation of Stat5 thereby significantly up-regulating Foxp3 expression in CD4+ T cells. We found that CD4+ T cells treated with either IL-2 or sIL-2Rα–IL-2 complex, but not with sIL-2Rα alone, inhibited the function of CD8+ T cells. Taken together, these results indicate that sIL-2Rα actually plays an active biologic role in FL by binding IL-2 and promoting IL-2 signaling rather than depleting IL-2 and blocking its function.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 4778-4778
Author(s):  
Joyce M. K. Silva ◽  
Maria Mirtes Sales ◽  
Adriana M. Damasco Penna ◽  
Elma Maria Chaves Maria Chaves ◽  
Priscilla B Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4778 Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is one of the basic antigens involved in immune responses regulation associated with autoimmune diseases and cancer. Its key role in regulating the immune system has made CTLA-4 an attractive target for cancer. Augmentation of the immune response via blockade of CTLA-4 has shown an improvement in survival for patients with metastatic melanoma, which prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the CTLA-4 function blocking antibody Ipilimumab for this disease. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the surface expression of CTLA-4 on CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) at diagnosis and post-treatment and correlate these findings with clinical and epidemiological aspects. Material and Methods: This is an open study and, so far, we included 35 patients from December 2009 to December 2011. Blood was drawn at diagnosis and post-treatment (1 to 4 months after completion of therapy). The T cell phenotype was evaluated by flow cytometry using CD3, CD4, CD8, CTLA-4 and correlated to phenotypic and clinical parameters in uni- and multivariate models pre and post-treatment. Eighteen healthy blood donors volunteers were recruited as controls. In this study, only cHL patients whose histology could be confirmed and Epstein-Barr (EBV) association established were studied. All patients were HIV negative and received ABVD chemotherapy protocol and radiotherapy if necessary. Three patients relapsed, and blood was also drawn at this time. Results: From the 35 cHL patients, 17 were EBV related and 18 EBV non-related. The percentage of CD4+ T cells with CTLA-4 surface expression was significantly increased in patients with cHL at diagnosis compared with healthy controls (median 7.36 vs 2.73; P<0.001). Additionally, CD4+CTLA-4+ T lymphocytes significantly decreased following treatment and complete response (7.36 vs 4.53; p=0.008), with values similar to healthy controls (4.53 vs 2.73; p=0.07). Interestingly, CD4+CTLA-4+ T lymphocytes on relapse were significantly different from post-treatment values and similar to pre treatment. There was no difference on CD4+CTLA-4+ T lymphocytes in the EBV related and non-related cHL patients. Regarding patient's baseline characteristics, CD4+CTLA-4+ T lymphocytes strongly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values (r=0.67; p=0.002). Conclusions: We showed that CD4+CTLA-4+ T lymphocytes are increased in Brazilian cHL patients at diagnosis compared with post-treatment values and healthy controls. These results suggest a role of CTLA-4 on Hodgkin lymphomagenesis, possibly negatively regulating host anti-tumor immune response. The promising immunotherapy regimen targeting CTLA-4 might be beneficial in classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Ansell

Tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells have the capacity to target and eradicate malignant B cells in patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; however, multiple mechanisms, including regulatory T cells, immunosuppressive ligands, and immune exhaustion, suppress an effective antitumor immune response. One mechanism that is used by malignant cells to inhibit the immune response is overexpression of programmed death ligand 1 or 2 (PD-L1 or PD-L2) on the cancer cell surface. These ligands interact with the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor expressed on intratumoral T cells and provide an inhibitory signal, thereby suppressing the antitumor immune response. Monoclonal antibodies that block PD-1 signaling prevent T-cell inhibition and promote a T-cell–mediated antilymphoma response. Blocking antibodies that are directed against PD-1 or PD-L1 are currently being tested in patients with lymphoma and have shown remarkable efficacy, particularly in patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma. On the basis of the promising activity of this approach, PD-1 inhibitors are being used as single-agent therapy in patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma, and these inhibitors are also being tested in combination with standard chemotherapy or targeted agents in ongoing clinical trials.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1730-1730
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Jiaqi Li ◽  
Xiangping Zong ◽  
Jin Zhou ◽  
Sixun Jia ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Despite the remarkable success of chimeric antigen receptor modified T (CAR-T) cell therapy for refractory or relapsed B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R B-NHL), high rates of treatment failure and relapse after CAR-T cell therapy are considerable obstacles to overcome. Preclinical models have demonstrated that anti-PD-1 antibody is an attractive option following CAR-T therapy to reverse T cell exhaustion. Thus, we investigated their combination in R/R B-NHL. Methods: We performed a prospective, single-arm study of CAR-T cell combined with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment in R/R B-NHL (NCT04539444). Anti-PD-1 antibody was administrated on day 1 after patients received sequential infusion of anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 second-generation CAR-T cells, and the efficacy and safety of the combination treatment were evaluated. Results: From August 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, a total of 11 patients were enrolled and completed at least 3 months follow-up. The median follow-up time is 5.8 months. Overall response was achieved in 9 of 11 patients (81.8%), and the complete response (CR) was achieved in 8 of 11 patients (72.7%). All 8 patients achieving CR still sustained remission at the last follow-up. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates at 6 months were 80.8% and 100.0%, respectively. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in only 4 patients (all were grade 1), and no neurotoxicity were observed. Conclusion: This study suggests that CAR-T cells combined with anti-PD-1 antibody elicit a safe and durable response in R/R B-NHL. Keywords: chimeric antigen receptor modified T cell, anti-PD-1 antibody, CD19/CD22, refractory or relapsed B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. OffLabel Disclosure: We use the T cells were transduced with a lentivirus encoding the CD19-4-1BB-CD3 z and CD22-4-1BB-CD3 ztransgene to produce CAR-T cells. The main purpose of our study is to improve the response rate in patients with R/R B-NHL.


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