Cirrhotic patients with or without hepatocellular carcinoma harbor AFP-specific CD4- and CD8-positive T-cells that can be activated in vitro by human AFP

2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (0) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
W Caselman
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients

109 Dominant-negative TGFβ receptor 2 enhances GPC3-targeting CAR-T cell efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A121-A121
Author(s):  
Nina Chu ◽  
Michael Overstreet ◽  
Ryan Gilbreth ◽  
Lori Clarke ◽  
Christina Gesse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Car T Cells ◽  
Car T Cell ◽  
Car T

BackgroundChimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are engineered synthetic receptors that reprogram T cell specificity and function against a given antigen. Autologous CAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated potent efficacy against various hematological malignancies, but has yielded limited success against solid cancers. MEDI7028 is a CAR that targets oncofetal antigen glypican-3 (GPC3), which is expressed in 70–90% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but not in normal liver tissue. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) secretion is increased in advanced HCC, which creates an immunosuppressive milieu and facilitates cancer progression and poor prognosis. We tested whether the anti-tumor efficacy of a GPC3 CAR-T can be enhanced with the co-expression of dominant-negative TGFβRII (TGFβRIIDN).MethodsPrimary human T cells were lentivirally transduced to express GPC3 CAR both with and without TGFβRIIDN. Western blot and flow cytometry were performed on purified CAR-T cells to assess modulation of pathways and immune phenotypes driven by TGFβ in vitro. A xenograft model of human HCC cell line overexpressing TGFβ in immunodeficient mice was used to investigate the in vivo efficacy of TGFβRIIDN armored and unarmored CAR-T. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte populations were analyzed by flow cytometry while serum cytokine levels were quantified with ELISA.ResultsArmoring GPC3 CAR-T with TGFβRIIDN nearly abolished phospho-SMAD2/3 expression upon exposure to recombinant human TGFβ in vitro, indicating that the TGFβ signaling axis was successfully blocked by expression of the dominant-negative receptor. Additionally, expression of TGFβRIIDN suppressed TGFβ-driven CD103 upregulation, further demonstrating attenuation of the pathway by this armoring strategy. In vivo, the TGFβRIIDN armored CAR-T achieved superior tumor regression and delayed tumor regrowth compared to the unarmored CAR-T. The armored CAR-T cells infiltrated HCC tumors more abundantly than their unarmored counterparts, and were phenotypically less exhausted and less differentiated. In line with these observations, we detected significantly more interferon gamma (IFNγ) at peak response and decreased alpha-fetoprotein in the serum of mice treated with armored cells compared to mice receiving unarmored CAR-T, demonstrating in vivo functional superiority of TGFβRIIDN armored CAR-T therapy.ConclusionsArmoring GPC3 CAR-T with TGFβRIIDN abrogates the signaling of TGFβ in vitro and enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of GPC3 CAR-T against TGFβ-expressing HCC tumors in vivo, proving TGFβRIIDN to be an effective armoring strategy against TGFβ-expressing solid malignancies in preclinical models.Ethics ApprovalThe study was approved by AstraZeneca’s Ethics Board and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Allogeneic Vδ1 gamma delta T cells engineered with glypican-3 (GPC3)-specific CAR expressing soluble IL-15 have enhanced antitumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma in preclinical models.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14511-e14511
Author(s):  
Amani Makkouk ◽  
Xue (Cher) Yang ◽  
Taylor Barca ◽  
Anthony Lucas ◽  
Mustafa Turkoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Healthy Donor ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Gamma Delta ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Donor Pbmcs

e14511 Background: Autologous αβ chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promising clinical results in hematologic malignancies but limited success in solid tumors. Allogeneic αβ T cell therapy may overcome several challenges faced by autologous therapy but carries the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and does not readily recognize multiple tumor-associated antigens. Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are highly cytolytic effectors that can recognize and kill tumor cells in an MHC-unrestricted manner without causing GvHD. The Vδ1 subset is preferentially localized in peripheral tissue and is critical for tumor immunosurveillance. Engineering Vδ1 T cells with CARs can further enhance antitumor activity and represents an attractive and safe approach to treating solid tumors. However, their clinical use has been hindered by the limited number of circulating Vδ1 T cells. Here, we describe the development of the first allogeneic Vδ1 T cells that have been expanded from healthy donor PBMCs and genetically modified to secrete IL-15 (sIL15) and express a CAR targeting glypican-3 (GPC3), a rational target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Vδ1 T cells in healthy donor PBMCs were activated by a Vδ1-specific monoclonal antibody and transduced with 41BBζ or 41BBζ-sIL15 GPC3-CARs prior to cell expansion, αβ T cell depletion and cryopreservation. In vitro characterization included: 1) co-culture assays with GPC3-expressing HCC targets HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5, 2) phenotypic analysis by flow cytometry, and 3) cytokine production by multiplexed immunoassay. For in vivo assessment of tumor control, immunodeficient NSG mice were subcutaneously injected with HepG2 cells and treated with a single dose of 41BBζ or 41BBζ-sIL15 GPC3-CAR Vδ1 T cells. Additionally, tissues were harvested 7 days post transfer and analyzed by flow cytometry for Vδ1 T cell tissue homing and proliferation, or at end of study and analyzed for GvHD by immunohistochemistry. Results: Vδ1 T cells expanded over 10,000-fold and routinely reached >80% purity. Expanded Vδ1 T cells showed a primarily naïve-like phenotype (CD45RA+CD27+) with minimal exhaustion receptor expression and displayed robust proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic activity against HCC cell lines expressing low and high GPC3 levels in vitro. In a HepG2 mouse model, GPC3-CAR Vδ1 T cells primarily accumulated and proliferated in the tumor, and a single dose was able to efficiently control tumor burden without causing GvHD. Importantly, 41BBζ-sIL15 GPC3-CAR Vδ1 cells displayed enhanced tumor-specific proliferation that resulted in better tumor control without any toxicity. Conclusions: Our results show that expanded Vδ1 T cells engineered with GPC3-CAR and sIL-15 represent a promising platform for safe and effective off-the-shelf treatment of HCC.

scholarly journals IL-6 promotes PD-L1 expression in monocytes and macrophages by decreasing protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Zhang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Zhongyi Yan ◽  
Hui Yang ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Receptor Type ◽  
Protein Tyrosine ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Monocytes And Macrophages

BackgroundWe have previously discovered a relationship between the low expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type O (PTPRO) in tumor-infiltrating T cells and immunosuppression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between decreased PTPRO and increased programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in both the peripheral monocytes and tumor-infiltrating macrophages of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe expression and correlation of all the indices were explored in monocytes and tumor-infiltrating macrophages within both human and mice HCC. The mechanic regulations were studied by using both in vitro and in vivo studies.ResultsWe found a significant decrease in PTPRO in HCC peripheral monocytes that was associated with increased PD-L1 expression in peripheral monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in HCC. Monocyte PD-L1 and PTPRO therefore could serve as valuable prognostic indicators for post-surgery patients with HCC and were associated with increased T-cell exhaustion (Tim3+T cells). A depletion of PTPRO promoted PD-L1 secretion in both monocytes and macrophages through the JAK2/STAT1 and JAK2/STAT3/c-MYC pathways. Increased IL-6 expression was associated with activation of JAK2/STAT3/c-MYC and with decreased PTPRO expression through the STAT3/c-MYC/miR-25–3 p axis. Monocytes and TAMs showed significantly increased miR-25–3 p expression, which could target the 3′ untranslated region of PTPRO. The miR-25–3 p expression positively correlated with serum IL-6 levels, but inversely correlated with PTPRO in HCC monocytes. IL-6/STAT3/c-MYC activation enhanced in vitro miR-25–3 p transcription and decreased PTPRO, while further promoting PD-L1 secretion. Adoptive cell transfer of c-MYC/miR-25–3 p–modified monocytes promoted tumor growth by downregulating PTPRO and causing a PD-L1–induced immunosuppression in an orthotopic tumor transplantation model.ConclusionsIncreased serum IL-6 downregulated PTPRO expression in HCC monocytes and macrophages by activating STAT3/c-MYC/miR-25–3 p and by further enhancing PD-L1 expression through JAK2/STAT1 and JAK2/STAT3/c-MYC signaling.

Differences between Exhausted CD8+ T cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with and without Uremia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Chen ◽  
Jianzhou Zou ◽  
Bo Shen ◽  
Wenlv Lv ◽  
Xuesen Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Uremic Patients ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity

Purpose: To explore the differences between exhausted CD8+ T cells in HCC patients with and without uremia. Methods: We enrolled 45 uremic patients who were recently diagnosed with HCC into the HCC & uremia cohort. We also enrolled similar patients with HCC but without uremia; this was the HCC only cohort. Lymphocytes were obtained from the two cohorts and exhausted CD8+ T cells, comprising PD-1+CD8+, TIM-3+CD8+, and LAG-3+CD8+ T cells, were sorted and expanded in vitro. Results: The proportions of PD-1+CD8+, TIM-3+CD8+, and LAG-3+CD8+ T cells after expansion were significantly higher in the HCC only cohort as compared to those in the HCC & uremia cohort. CD8+ T cells expressing PD-1, TIM-3, or LAG-3 showed increased tumor reactivity and release of IFN-γ in vitro; however, these cells demonstrated weaker anti-tumor activity in HCC & uremia patients than those in HCC patients without uremia. Among the expanded lymphocytes, only the decreased proportion of PD-1+CD8+ T cells correlated with the HCC & uremia cohort (OR: 2.731, p=0.009). Conclusions: Peripheral CD8+ T cells expressing PD-1, TIM-3, or LAG-3 from the HCC & uremia cohort were dysfunctional in vitro. Among these populations, PD-1+CD8+ T cells were the most predominant in HCC patients with uremia.

scholarly journals Minicircle DNA-Mediated CAR T Cells Targeting CD44 Suppressed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Both in vitro and in vivo [Corrigendum]

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 13 ◽  
pp. 5707-5708
Author(s):  
Hezhi Wang ◽  
Xueshuai Ye ◽  
Yi Ju ◽  
Ziqi Cai ◽  
Xiaoxiao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Car T Cells ◽  
Car T ◽  
Minicircle Dna

scholarly journals Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccines Positively Impact Natural Killer and Regulatory T Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Bray ◽  
Lazar Vujanovic ◽  
Lisa H. Butterfield
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Dc Vaccine ◽  
The Impact

Immunotherapy of cancer must promote antitumor effector cells for tumor eradication as well as counteract immunoregulatory mechanisms which inhibit effectors. Immunologic therapies of cancer are showing promise, including dendritic cell-(DC-) based strategies. DC are highly malleable antigen-presenting cells which can promote potent antitumor immunity as well as tolerance, depending on the environmental signals received. Previously, we tested a peptide-pulsed DC vaccine to promote Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-) specific anti-tumor immunity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and reported on the CD8+T cell responses induced by this vaccine and the clinical trial results. Here, we show that the peptide-loaded DC enhanced NK cell activation and decreased regulatory T cells (Treg) frequencies in vaccinated HCC patients. We also extend these data by testing several forms of DC vaccinesin vitroto determine the impact of antigen loading and maturation signals on both NK cells and Treg from healthy donors and HCC patients.

scholarly journals Mediator Complex Subunit 19 Promotes the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Zhang ◽  
Peifang Qin ◽  
Xingfeng Xu ◽  
Mao Li ◽  
Haitao Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Mediator Complex ◽  
Clinical Prognosis ◽  
Immune Infiltration ◽  
Downstream Effectors ◽  
A Subunit

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, the pathogenesis of which remains unclear. Mediator complex subunit 19 (MED19), a subunit of the Mediator complex, is a multi-protein co-activator necessary for DNA transcription factors to induce RNA polymerase II transcription. In the current study, we aimed to study the role of MED19 in HCC and elucidate its mechanism.MethodsMED19 expression in HCC tissues was determined. The relationship between MED19 and the clinical prognosis was explored. The influence of MED19 on HCC cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis was studied. The expression of AKT/mTOR pathway genes and proteins was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. The correlation between MED19 and immune infiltration was investigated.ResultsMED19 was upregulated in HCC tissues compared with tumor-adjacent tissues, and was associated with a poor prognosis. Furthermore, high MED19 expression was correlated with race, gender, etc. Knockdown of MED19 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Knockdown of MED19 decreased p-AKT and p-mTOR protein expression. Additionally, the downstream effectors of the AKT/mTOR pathway, p70S6K1 and 4EBP1, were affected by MED19. Notably, MED19 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration levels of B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, etc.ConclusionMED19 is significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. MED19 may promote the progression of HCC in vitro and may be related to immune infiltration. Together, our data show that MED19 could be considered as a new possible biomarker as well as a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

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