BK virus-specific T cells for immunotherapy of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: an open-label, single-cohort pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 639-652
Author(s):  
Irene Cortese ◽  
Erin S Beck ◽  
Omar Al-Louzi ◽  
Joan Ohayon ◽  
Frances Andrada ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Liang ◽  
Liang Fu ◽  
Man Li ◽  
Yuyuan Chen ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
...  

The WHO’s “Global tuberculosis report 2020” lists tuberculosis (TB) as one of the leading causes of death globally. Existing anti-TB therapy strategies are far from adequate to meet the End TB Strategy goals set for 2035. Therefore, novel anti-TB therapy protocols are urgently needed. Here, we proposed an allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell-based immunotherapy strategy and clinically evaluated its safety and efficacy in patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Eight patients with MDR-TB were recruited in this open-label, single-arm pilot clinical study. Seven of these patients received allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell therapy adjunct with anti-TB drugs in all therapy courses. Cells (1 × 108) were infused per treatment every 2 weeks, with 12 courses of cell therapy conducted for each patient, who were then followed up for 6 months to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cell therapy. The eighth patient initially received four courses of cell infusions, followed by eight courses of cell therapy plus anti-MDR-TB drugs. Clinical examinations, including clinical response, routine blood tests and biochemical indicators, chest CT imaging, immune cell surface markers, body weight, and sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis testing, were conducted. Our study revealed that allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are clinically safe for TB therapy. These cells exhibited clinical efficacy in multiple aspects, including promoting the repair of pulmonary lesions, partially improving host immunity, and alleviating M. tuberculosis load in vivo, regardless of their application in the presence or absence of anti-TB drugs. This pilot study opens a new avenue for anti-TB treatment and exhibits allogeneic Vγ9Vδ2 T cells as promising candidates for developing a novel cell drug for TB immunotherapy.Clinical Trial Registration(https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT03575299&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=) ( NCT03575299).


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS3097-TPS3097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra P. D'Angelo ◽  
Mihaela Druta ◽  
George D. Demetri ◽  
David A. Liebner ◽  
Scott Schuetze ◽  
...  

TPS3097 Background: Myxoid/round cell liposarcomas (MRCLS) account for 6-10% of soft tissue sarcomas. Although a chemosensitive tumor, metastatic MRCLS has a poor prognosis and is inevitably fatal. More effective, durable and less toxic therapies are needed. NY-ESO-1 is a cancer/testis antigen that is expressed in 80-90% of MRCLS tumors. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of genetically engineered affinity enhanced autologous NY-ESO-1c259T cells recognizing an NY-ESO-1 derived peptide complexed with HLA-A*02 in MRCLS. Methods: This open label phase I/II non-randomized pilot study will evaluate efficacy (overall response rate by RECIST v1.1, time to response, duration of response, progression free survival, overall survival), safety, and translational research endpoints. Patients must meet these criteria: ≥ 18 yrs old; HLA-A*02:01, *02:05 or *02:06 positive; have advanced (metastatic or inoperable) MRCLS expressing NY-ESO-1 at 2+/3+ intensity in ≥30% of tumor cells by IHC; measurable disease; prior systemic anthracycline therapy; have ECOG status 0 or 1; and adequate organ function. Initially, ten patients are planned to be enrolled, with potential to enroll an additional 5 patients. Patients who do not receive the minimum cell dose or who do not receive the T-cell infusion may be replaced. Following apheresis, the T cells are isolated and expanded with CD3/CD28 beads, transduced with a lentiviral vector containing the NY-ESO-1c259 TCR, and 1– 8 × 109 transduced T-cells are infused intravenously on Day 1 after lymphodepletion with fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2/day on days -7 to -5. Response is assessed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, and then every 3 months until confirmation of progression of disease. On study tumor biopsies and blood samples will be evaluated to compare the pre- and post-T cell infusion immune profile for association with treatment outcome. Clinical trial information: NCT02992743.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS8555-TPS8555
Author(s):  
Aaron Rapoport ◽  
James Edward Hoffman ◽  
Jonathan L. Kaufman ◽  
Kristin Blouch ◽  
Emily Butler ◽  
...  

TPS8555 Background: Adoptive cellular therapy may be practice-changing in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). NY-ESO-1 TCR T (GSK3377794) are autologous polyclonal T cells transduced by a self-inactivating lentiviral vector to express an affinity-enhanced TCR capable of recognizing NY-ESO-1 or LAGE-1a antigenic peptides in complex with HLA-A*02. GSK3377794 has shown clinical activity in synovial sarcoma, melanoma, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, and MM after autologous stem cell transplant. NY-ESO-1 and LAGE-1a are cancer/testis antigens frequently overexpressed in MM and linked to poor clinical outcome. PD-1 expression on CD8 T cells, which has been observed in MM patients previously treated with GSK3377794 as well as with CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, can limit adaptive immune response. We hypothesize that GSK3377794 alone, or in combination with the anti-PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab, may result in an antitumor effect in MM. Methods: This is an open-label, pilot study (NCT03168438) of GSK3377794 in patients with relapsed/refractory MM positive for HLA-A*02:01, HLA-A*02:05, ± HLA-A*02:06 and NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1a. Patients (n = 20) who have received ≥3 prior therapies containing ≥1 immunomodulatory imide, proteasome inhibitor, alkylator, CD38 monoclonal antibody, or glucocorticoid will be assigned to either single-infusion GSK3377794 (Arm 1, n = 10) or single-infusion GSK3377794 + pembrolizumab 200 mg IV every 3 weeks (Arm 2, n = 10). Arm 1 enrollment will be completed first. In Arm 2, pembrolizumab will begin in Week 3 (Week 6 if precluded by toxicity). Patients in both arms will provide cells via leukapheresis to manufacture autologous NY-ESO-1–specific T cells, undergo lymphodepletion (fludarabine + cyclophosphamide), and then receive GSK3377794 infusion (1−8x109 transduced T cells). Primary and secondary objectives are to assess safety/tolerability and antitumor activity, respectively, of GSK3377794 (± pembrolizumab). Arm 2 enrollment will pause for a 3-week safety review after 3 patients have received a first dose of pembrolizumab. Efficacy, safety, and biomarkers will be assessed every visit. The treatment phase will last 108 weeks, or until disease progression; follow-up will last ≤15 years. As of January 2020, 3 patients have been treated. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline (208470) Clinical trial information: NCT03168438 .


2018 ◽  
Vol 379 (15) ◽  
pp. 1443-1451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muharrem Muftuoglu ◽  
Amanda Olson ◽  
David Marin ◽  
Sairah Ahmed ◽  
Victor Mulanovich ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e1020
Author(s):  
Franziska Hopfner ◽  
Nora Möhn ◽  
Britta Eiz-Vesper ◽  
Britta Maecker-Kolhoff ◽  
Jens Gottlieb ◽  
...  

ObjectiveProgressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a devastating demyelinating opportunistic infection of the brain caused by the ubiquitously distributed JC polyomavirus. There are no established treatment options to stop or slow down disease progression. In 2018, a case series of 3 patients suggested the efficacy of allogeneic BK virus-specific T-cell (BKV-CTL) transplantation.MethodsTwo patients, a bilaterally lung transplanted patient on continuous immunosuppressive medication since 17 years and a patient with dermatomyositis treated with glucocorticosteroids, developed definite PML according to AAN diagnostic criteria. We transplanted both patients with allogeneic BKV-CTL from partially human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatible donors. Donor T cells had directly been produced from leukapheresis by the CliniMACS IFN-γ cytokine capture system. In contrast to the previous series, we identified suitable donors by HLA typing in a preexamined registry and administered 1 log level less cells.ResultsBoth patients' symptoms improved significantly within weeks. During the follow-up, a decrease in viral load in the CSF and a regression of the brain MRI changes occurred. The transfer seemed to induce endogenous BK and JC virus-specific T cells in the host.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that this optimized allogeneic BKV-CTL treatment paradigm represents a promising, innovative therapeutic option for PML and should be investigated in larger, controlled clinical trials.Classification of EvidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with PML, allogeneic transplant of BKV-CTL improved symptoms, reduced MRI changes, and decreased viral load.


2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 3361-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Lima ◽  
Angela Marzocchetti ◽  
Patrick Autissier ◽  
Troy Tompkins ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT JC virus (JCV)-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are associated with a favorable outcome in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and cross-recognize the polyomavirus BK virus (BKV). We sought to determine the frequency and phenotype in fresh blood of CD8+ T cells specific for two A*0201-restricted JCV epitopes, VP1p36 and VP1p100, and assess their impact on JC and BK viremia and viruria in 15 healthy subjects, eight human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) individuals, and nine HIV+ patients with PML (HIV+ PML patients) classified as survivors. After magnetic preenrichment of CD8+ T cells, epitope-specific cells ranged from 0.001% to 0.22% by tetramer staining, with no significant difference among the three study groups. By use of seven-color flow cytometry, there was no predominant differentiation phenotype subset among JCV-specific CD8+ T cells in healthy individuals, HIV+ subjects, or HIV+ PML patients. However, in one HIV+ PML patient studied in the acute phase, there was a majority of activated effector memory cells. BKV DNA was undetectable in all blood samples by quantitative PCR, while a low JC viral load was found in the blood of only one HIV+ and two HIV+ PML patients. JCV and BKV DNA were detected in 33.3% and 13.3% of all urine samples, respectively, independent of the presence of JCV-specific CTL. The detection of JCV DNA in the urine was associated with the presence of a JCV VP1p100 CTL response. Immunotherapies aiming at increasing the cellular immune response against JCV may be valuable in the treatment of HIV+ individuals with PML.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e1042
Author(s):  
Rebecca Wicklein ◽  
Simon Heidegger ◽  
Mareike Verbeek ◽  
Britta Eiz-Vesper ◽  
Britta Maecker-Kolhoff ◽  
...  

ObjectiveWe report a combination of BK virus-specific T cells and pembrolizumab as a treatment option in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).ResultsA 57-year-old male patient diagnosed with PML presented a fast-progressing right hemiparesis, aphasia, and cognitive deficits. Brain MRI showed a severe leukoencephalopathy with diffusion restriction. The patient was treated with 10 doses of pembrolizumab (2 mg/kg body weight) in differing intervals and 2 partially human leukocyte antigen-matched allogenic BK virus-specific T cell transfusions after the fifth pembrolizumab treatment. Although pembrolizumab alone decreased the viral load but failed to control the virus, BK-specific T cell transfer further enhanced the decline of JC virus copies in the CSF. Moreover, the regression of leukoencephalopathy and disappearance of diffusion restriction in subsequent brain MRI were observed. The combined treatment resulted in a clinical stabilization with improvements of the cognitive and speech deficits.DiscussionThis case supports the hypothesis that pembrolizumab is more efficient in the presence of an appropriate number of functional antigen-specific T cells. Thus, the combined treatment of pembrolizumab and virus-specific T cells should be further evaluated as a treatment option for PML in future clinical trials.


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