scholarly journals Treg-expressed CTLA-4 depletes CD80/CD86 by trogocytosis, releasing free PD-L1 on antigen-presenting cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (30) ◽  
pp. e2023739118
Author(s):  
Murat Tekguc ◽  
James Badger Wing ◽  
Motonao Osaki ◽  
Jia Long ◽  
Shimon Sakaguchi
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Synapse Formation ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Foxp3-expressing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitutively and highly express the immune checkpoint receptor cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), whose Treg-specific deficiency causes severe systemic autoimmunity. As a key mechanism of Treg-mediated suppression, Treg-expressed CTLA-4 down-regulates the expression of CD80/CD86 costimulatory molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Here, we show that Treg-expressed CTLA-4 facilitated Treg-APC conjugation and immune synapse formation. The immune synapses thus formed provided a stable platform whereby Tregs were able to deplete CD80/CD86 molecules on APCs by extracting them via CTLA-4–dependent trogocytosis. The depletion occurred even with Tregs solely expressing a mutant CTLA-4 form lacking the cytoplasmic portion required for its endocytosis. The CTLA-4–dependent trogocytosis of CD80/CD86 also accelerated in vitro and in vivo passive transfer of other membrane proteins and lipid molecules from APCs to Tregs without their significant reduction on the APC surface. Furthermore, CD80 down-regulation or blockade by Treg-expressed membrane CTLA-4 or soluble CTLA-4-immunoglobulin (CTLA-4-Ig), respectively, disrupted cis-CD80/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) heterodimers and increased free PD-L1 on dendritic cells (DCs), expanding a phenotypically distinct population of CD80lo free PD-L1hi DCs. Thus, Tregs are able to inhibit the T cell stimulatory activity of APCs by reducing their CD80/CD86 expression via CTLA-4–dependent trogocytosis. This CD80/CD86 reduction on APCs is able to exert dual suppressive effects on T cell immune responses by limiting CD80/CD86 costimulation to naïve T cells and by increasing free PD-L1 available for the inhibition of programmed death-1 (PD-1)–expressing effector T cells. Blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 in combination may therefore synergistically hinder Treg-mediated immune suppression, thereby effectively enhancing immune responses, including tumor immunity.

scholarly journals Development of Stable Chimeric IL-15 for Trans-Presentation by the Antigen Presenting Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Patidar ◽  
Naveen Yadav ◽  
Sarat K. Dalai
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Chimeric Protein ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Antigen Presenting

IL-15 is one of the important biologics considered for vaccine adjuvant and treatment of cancer. However, a short half-life and poor bioavailability limit its therapeutic potential. Herein, we have structured IL-15 into a chimeric protein to improve its half-life enabling greater bioavailability for longer periods. We have covalently linked IL-15 with IgG2 base to make the IL-15 a stable chimeric protein, which also increased its serum half-life by 40 fold. The dimeric structure of this kind of IgG based biologics has greater stability, resistance to proteolytic cleavage, and less frequent dosing schedule with minimum dosage for achieving the desired response compared to that of their monomeric forms. The structured chimeric IL-15 naturally forms a dimer, and retains its affinity for binding to its receptor, IL-15Rβ. Moreover, with the focused action of the structured chimeric IL-15, antigen-presenting cells (APC) would transpresent chimeric IL-15 along with antigen to the T cell, that will help the generation of quantitatively and qualitatively better antigen-specific memory T cells. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the biological activity of chimeric IL-15 with respect to its ability to induce IL-15 signaling and modulating CD8+ T cell response in favor of memory generation. Thus, a longer half-life, dimeric nature, and anticipated focused transpresentation by APCs to the T cells will make chimeric IL-15 a super-agonist for memory CD8+ T cell responses.

scholarly journals Delivery of Multiple Epitopes by Recombinant Detoxified Adenylate Cyclase of Bordetella pertussisInduces Protective Antiviral Immunity

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (16) ◽  
pp. 7330-7338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Fayolle ◽  
Adriana Osickova ◽  
Radim Osicka ◽  
Thomas Henry ◽  
Marie-Jésus Rojas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Antigen Presenting ◽  
Ctl Responses

ABSTRACT CyaA, the adenylate cyclase toxin from Bordetella pertussis, can deliver its N-terminal catalytic domain into the cytosol of a large number of eukaryotic cells and particularly into professional antigen-presenting cells. We have previously identified within the primary structure of CyaA several permissive sites at which insertion of peptides does not alter the ability of the toxin to enter cells. This property has been exploited to design recombinant CyaA toxoids capable of delivering major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes into antigen-presenting cells and to induce specific CD8+cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in vivo. Here we have explored the capacity of the CyaA vector carrying several different CD8+ T-cell epitopes to prime multiple CTL responses. The model vaccine consisted of a polyepitope made of three CTL epitopes from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), the V3 region of human immunodeficiency virus gp120, and chicken ovalbumin, inserted at three different sites of the catalytic domain of genetically detoxified CyaA. Each of these epitopes was processed on delivery by CyaA and presented in vitro to specific T-cell hybridomas. Immunization of mice by CyaA toxoids carrying the polyepitope lead to the induction of specific CTL responses for each of the three epitopes, as well as to protection against a lethal viral challenge. Moreover, mice primed against the vector by mock CyaA or a recombinant toxoid were still able to develop strong CTL responses after subsequent immunization with a recombinant CyaA carrying a foreign CD8+ CTL epitope. These results highlight the potency of the adenylate cyclase vector for induction of protective CTL responses with multiple specificity and/or broad MHC restriction.

Coenzyme A Contained in mothers' Milk Is Associated with the Potential to Induce Atopic Dermatitis

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 1097-1097
Author(s):  
Takehiro Higashi ◽  
Naoki Shimojo ◽  
Shuichi Suzuki ◽  
Mayuko Nakaya ◽  
Rie Takagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Coenzyme A ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Adjuvant Activity ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Abstract Abstract 1097 Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells specialized to activate naïve T lymphocytes and initiate primary immune responses. The different classes of specific immune responses are driven by the biased development of pathogen-specific effector CD4+ T-cell subsets — that is, T helper 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17 cells, that activate different components of cellular and humoral immunity. Th cell differentiation is critical for achieving proper immune responses, and imbalances in either the function or activity of these cell types are responsible for many immune diseases, including autoimmunity, cancer and allergy. DCs reside in an immature state in many nonlymphoid tissues such as the skin, the intestine or airway mucosa which are under high exposure of pathogens and chemicals. DCs, which take up pathogens, develop their maturation processes, migrate to the T-cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs and interact with naïve T cells. TCR stimulation and co-stimulation allow naïve Th cells to develop into protective effector cells, normally accompanied by the high-level expression of selective sets of cytokines. The balance of these cytokines and the resulting class of immune response strongly depend on the conditions under which DCs are primed for the expression of the T-cell-polarizing molecules. The ligands for many isoforms of toll-like receptors (TLRs), including certain nucleic acids, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and fungus-derived glycoprotein molecules, alter the DC function, and induce Th1 differentiation in an antigen non-specific manner. In this process, IL-12 produced by DCs is clearly correlated with sensitization of Th1 lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo among the factors that have been shown to influence the Th1-Th2 balance. On the other hand, DCs matured in the presence of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), histamine, or forskolin induce the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells toward Th2 via the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) cascade. In vitro assay systems have been established to evaluate Th1/Th2 adjuvant activities, using MLR and intracellular cAMP concentration of antigen-presenting cells. The current study shows that mothers, whose children (n = 55) developed atopic dermatitis (AD) within 6 months after birth, often demonstrate a higher Th2 adjuvant activity in their milk, in comparison to those whose children did not develop such symptoms (figure). Such an activity was recovered in a liquid phase of mothers' milk and was eluted as a single fraction by reversed-phase HPLC. Further analysis of this fraction by mass spectrometry showed that signals originating from a factor with a molecular weight of 767.53 are observed, exclusively in milk with a high Th2 adjuvant activity. The mass is exactly that of Coenzyme A (CoA), and indeed, a low concentration of CoA exhibited Th2 adjuvant activity in vitro. Moreover, mesenteric lymph node non-T cells obtained from mice that were orally treated with CoA, led allogeneic naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2. Furthermore, the oral administration of CoA induced rough skin, hyperplasia of the epidermis, hypergranulosis in the spinous layer and the thickening of the stratum in mice. These data collectively indicate that some of the patients with AD were exposed to mothers' milk carrying high Th2 adjuvant activity right after birth, which may be attributable to presence of CoA contained in the milk. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals 751 Neo-X-Prime bispecific antibodies targeting CD40 and tumor antigens promote cross-presentation of tumor exosome-derived neoantigen and induce superior anti-tumor responses compared to CD40 mAb

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A785-A785
Author(s):  
Karin Hagerbrand ◽  
Mattias Levin ◽  
Laura Von Schantz ◽  
Laura Varas ◽  
Anna Säll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Antigens ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Immunological Memory ◽  
Cell Repertoire ◽  
Cross Presentation ◽  
Antigen Presenting

BackgroundAlligator's Neo-X-Prime platform aims to enable antigen presenting cells to efficiently enhance priming of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells with the goal of overcoming PD-1 resistance in certain tumor types. We hypothesize that binding of a CD40 x TAA bispecific antibody (bsAb) to CD40 on dendritic cells (DCs) and a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) on tumor exosomes or tumor debris leads to (i) activation of the DC, (ii) uptake of the tumor material, (iii) cross-presentation of tumor-derived neoantigen (present in exosomes or debris) and, iv) priming of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells, resulting in an increased quantity and/or quality of the tumor-targeting T cell pool.MethodsFunctionality was evaluated in vitro using CD40 reporter cells and monocyte-derived DCs, co-cultured with cells expressing TAA. Further, co-localization of TAA-expressing cellular debris with a CD40-expressing human B cell line in the presence of bsAbs was assessed using live cell imaging. In vivo, anti-tumor efficacy and immunological memory were assessed in human CD40 transgenic (hCD40tg) mice bearing MB49 bladder carcinoma tumors transfected with human TAA or controls. T cells isolated from OVA-specific TCR-transgenic mice were used to evaluate the effect of Neo-X-Prime bsAbs on antigen-specific T cell expansion in the presence of hCD40tg DCs and exosomes from MB49 tumors transfected with both human TAA and OVA using flow cytometry.ResultsUsing CEA as a highly expressed TAA, we have developed lead Neo-X-Prime CD40-CEA bsAbs engineered to achieve an optimal profile. Further, using Neo-X-Prime concept molecules targeting EpCAM, we have demonstrated the ability to mediate co-localization of tumor debris and CD40 expressing antigen presenting cells that is dependent on the receptor density of the TAA. We have further shown that addition of Neo-X-Prime bsAbs to a co-culture of murine DCs, T cells and tumor-derived exosomes induces increased expansion of model neoantigen-specific T cells. In vivo, Neo-X-Prime bsAbs display a potent, TAA-dependent anti-tumor effect that is superior to CD40 mAbs. Cured mice develop a broad immunological memory that is not dependent on expression of the TAA. The tumor-localizing property of Neo-X-Prime bsAbs also shows potential for improved safety compared to CD40 monospecific antibodies.ConclusionsNeo-X-Prime bsAbs have the potential to tumor-selectively target CD40-expressing antigen-presenting cells to mediate an expansion of the tumor-specific T cell repertoire, resulting in increased T cell infiltration and potent anti-tumor effects.Ethics ApprovalAll experiments were performed after approval from the Malmö/Lund Animal Ethics Committee.

scholarly journals Cd40-Independent Pathways of T Cell Help for Priming of Cd8+ Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengbin Lu ◽  
Lingxian Yuan ◽  
Xianzheng Zhou ◽  
Eduardo Sotomayor ◽  
Hyam I. Levitsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Cd4 Help ◽  
T Cell Help

In many cases, induction of CD8+ CTL responses requires CD4+ T cell help. Recently, it has been shown that a dominant pathway of CD4+ help is via antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation through engagement of CD40 by CD40 ligand on CD4+ T cells. To further study this three cell interaction, we established an in vitro system using dendritic cells (DCs) as APCs and influenza hemagglutinin (HA) class I and II peptide–specific T cell antigen receptor transgenic T cells as cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors and CD4+ T helper cells, respectively. We found that CD4+ T cells can provide potent help for DCs to activate CD8+ T cells when antigen is provided in the form of either cell lysate, recombinant protein, or synthetic peptides. Surprisingly, this help is completely independent of CD40. Moreover, CD40-independent CD4+ help can be documented in vivo. Finally, we show that CD40-independent T cell help is delivered through both sensitization of DCs and direct CD4+–CD8+ T cell communication via lymphokines. Therefore, we conclude that CD4+ help comprises at least three components: CD40-dependent DC sensitization, CD40-independent DC sensitization, and direct lymphokine-dependent CD4+–CD8+ T cell communication.

scholarly journals DNAM-1 promotes activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells and tumors

2008 ◽  
Vol 205 (13) ◽  
pp. 2965-2973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Gilfillan ◽  
Christopher J. Chan ◽  
Marina Cella ◽  
Nicole M. Haynes ◽  
Aaron S. Rapaport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 T cells require adhesion molecules for migration, activation, expansion, differentiation, and effector functions. DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM-1), an adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, promotes many of these functions in vitro. However, because NK cells and CD8 T cells express multiple adhesion molecules, it is unclear whether DNAM-1 has a unique function or is effectively redundant in vivo. To address this question, we generated mice lacking DNAM-1 and evaluated DNAM-1–deficient CD8 T cell and NK cell function in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that CD8 T cells require DNAM-1 for co-stimulation when recognizing antigen presented by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells; in contrast, DNAM-1 is dispensable when dendritic cells present the antigen. Similarly, NK cells require DNAM-1 for the elimination of tumor cells that are comparatively resistant to NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity caused by the paucity of other NK cell–activating ligands. We conclude that DNAM-1 serves to extend the range of target cells that can activate CD8 T cell and NK cells and, hence, may be essential for immunosurveillance against tumors and/or viruses that evade recognition by other activating or accessory molecules.

scholarly journals Checkpoint Blockade in Combination with CD33 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy and Hypomethylating Agent Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1383-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongyuan Xue ◽  
Marissa Del Real ◽  
Emanuela Marcucci ◽  
Candida Toribio ◽  
Sonia Maryam Setayesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Car T ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. The cure rate for primary AML patients is only 35% and decreases with age. Novel and effective immunotherapies for patients with relapsed and/or refractory (r/r) AML remain an urgent unmet need. CD33 is an attractive immunotherapeutic target for myeloid malignancies given its expression on more than 85% of AML patient samples. We therefore set out to design and test CD33 chimeric antigen receptor (CD33CAR) T cells preclinically as a single agent and in combinational therapy. To assess antileukemic responses of CD33CAR T cells in vitro and in vivo, we enriched CD4/CD8 T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and genetically modified them to express a second-generation CD33CAR. CD33CAR T cells exhibited potent antigen dependent CD107a degranulation, IFN-γ production and killing activities against AML cells in vitro. Using a NOD-SCID-IL2Rgnull (NSG) xenograft model engrafted with MOLM-14-ffluc, a CD33 expressing AML cell line transduced with lentivirus carrying firefly luciferase (ffluc) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), 3 million CD33CAR or mock T cells were introduced intravenously. CD33 CAR T cell-treated group displayed 98.2% leukemic regression 4 days post CAR T infusion, and 99.6% reduction on day 31. Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) and Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that CD33CAR T cells significantly decreased leukemic burden and prolonged overall survival compared to mock T cells in vivo. Decitabine, a DNA hypomethylating agent (HMA), is a main therapeutic agent for treating AML. We observed HMA treatment led to increased CD33 expression on MOLM-14 cells in vitro. We hypothesized that decitabine can potentiate CD33CAR T cell-mediated AML killing by increasing CD33 expression. MOLM-14 cells were treated with either decitabine alone, CD33CAR T cells alone, or sequential treatment using various concentrations of decitabine or DMSO followed by CD33CAR or mock T cells in an E:T ratio of 1:100. We determined the target specific killing activities in each group using flow cytometric based analysis 48 and 96 hours later. The decitabine followed by CD33CAR T cells treatment reproducibly resulted in the most robust antileukemic activity with 80.6% MOLM-14 cells killed. In comparison, CD33CAR T cells or decitabine monotherapy resulted in 11.5% and 50.9% killing, respectively. In vivo testing of the combinational effects of decitabine and CD33CAR T cells are underway and will be updated at the meeting. Finally, checkpoint blockade targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has shown survival benefits, particularly in combination with HMA, for patients with r/r AML (Daver et al. 2019). We observed elevated PD-L1 expression on residual AML blasts that survived the treatment with decitabine in combination with CD33CAR T cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction might further improve the antileukemic effect of CD33CAR T cells against AML cells post antigen induction by decitabine. MOLM-14 cells were treated with decitabine for 2 days and CD33CAR T cells were added in an E:T ratio of 1:75. Anti-PD-1 or IgG4 antibody was added to the culture at various concentrations. The most robust CD33 specific killing was seen in the culture with anti-PD-1 antibody added. Further characterization are underway and will be presented. Taken together, our preclinical findings have demonstrated the potency of the CD33CAR T cell therapy and ways to optimize its efficacy. Our results support clinical translation of CD33CAR T cells for patients with AML. Disclosures Budde: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy.

scholarly journals Abortive Proliferation of Rare T Cells Induced by Direct or Indirect Antigen Presentation by Rare B Cells In Vivo

1998 ◽  
Vol 187 (10) ◽  
pp. 1611-1621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Townsend ◽  
Christopher C. Goodnow
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Antigen-specific B cells are implicated as antigen-presenting cells in memory and tolerance responses because they capture antigens efficiently and localize to T cell zones after antigen capture. It has not been possible, however, to visualize the effect of specific B cells on specific CD4+ helper T cells under physiological conditions. We demonstrate here that rare T cells are activated in vivo by minute quantities of antigen captured by antigen-specific B cells. Antigen-activated B cells are helped under these conditions, whereas antigen-tolerant B cells are killed. The T cells proliferate and then disappear regardless of whether the B cells are activated or tolerant. We show genetically that T cell activation, proliferation, and disappearance can be mediated either by transfer of antigen from antigen-specific B cells to endogenous antigen-presenting cells or by direct B–T cell interactions. These results identify a novel antigen presentation route, and demonstrate that B cell presentation of antigen has profound effects on T cell fate that could not be predicted from in vitro studies.

scholarly journals Dendritic cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for microbial superantigens.

1992 ◽  
Vol 175 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Bhardwaj ◽  
S M Friedman ◽  
B C Cole ◽  
A J Nisanian
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Dendritic cells are a small subset of human blood mononuclear cells that are potent stimulators of several T cell functions. Here we show they are 10-50-fold more potent than monocytes or B cells in inducing T cell responses to a panel of superantigens. Furthermore, dendritic cells can present femtomolar concentrations of superantigen to T cells even at numbers where other antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are inactive. Although dendritic cells express very high levels of the major histocompatibility complex products that are required to present superantigens, it is only necessary to pulse these APCs for 1 hour with picomolar levels of one superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, to maximally activate T cells. Our results suggest that very small amounts of superantigen will be immunogenic in vivo if presented on dendritic cells.

Immunotherapy of Hematologic Malignancy

Hematology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen E. Heslop ◽  
Freda K. Stevenson ◽  
Jeffrey J. Molldrem
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Hematologic Malignancy ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
Peptide Vaccines ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Abstract Over the past few years, improved understanding of the molecular basis of interactions between antigen presenting cells and effector cells and advances in informatics have both led to the identification of many candidate antigens that are targets for immunotherapy. However, while immunotherapy has successfully eradicated relapsed hematologic malignancy after allogeneic transplant as well as virally induced tumors, limitations have been identified in extending immunotherapy to a wider range of hematologic malignancies. This review provides an overview of three immunotherapy strategies and how they may be improved. In Section I, Dr. Stevenson reviews the clinical experience with genetic vaccines delivered through naked DNA alone or viral vectors, which are showing promise in clinical trials in lymphoma and myeloma patients. She describes efforts to manipulate constructs genetically to enhance immunogenicity and to add additional elements to generate a more sustained immune response. In Section II, Dr. Molldrem describes clinical experience with peptide vaccines, with a particular focus on myeloid tissue-restricted proteins as GVL target antigens in CML and AML. Proteinase 3 and other azurophil granule proteins may be particularly good targets for both autologous and allogeneic T-cell responses. The potency of peptide vaccines may potentially be increased by genetically modifying peptides to enhance T-cell receptor affinity. Finally, in Section III, Dr. Heslop reviews clinical experience with adoptive immunotherapy with T cells. Transferred T cells have clinical benefit in treating relapsed malignancy post transplant, and Epstein-Barr virus associated tumors. However, T cells have been less successful in treating other hematologic malignancies due to inadequate persistence or expansion of adoptively transferred cells and the presence of tumor evasion mechanisms. An improved understanding of the interactions of antigen presenting cells with T cells should optimize efforts to manufacture effector T cells, while manipulation of lymphocyte homeostasis in vivo and development of gene therapy approaches may enhance the persistence and function of adoptively transferred T cells.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document