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Cell Aug 2023The T cells of the immune system can target tumors and clear solid cancers following tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. We used combinatorial peptide...
The T cells of the immune system can target tumors and clear solid cancers following tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. We used combinatorial peptide libraries and a proteomic database to reveal the antigen specificities of persistent cancer-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) following successful TIL therapy for stage IV malignant melanoma. Remarkably, individual TCRs could target multiple different tumor types via the HLA A02:01-restricted epitopes EAAGIGILTV, LLLGIGILVL, and NLSALGIFST from Melan A, BST2, and IMP2, respectively. Atomic structures of a TCR bound to all three antigens revealed the importance of the shared x-x-x-A/G-I/L-G-I-x-x-x recognition motif. Multi-epitope targeting allows individual T cells to attack cancer in several ways simultaneously. Such "multipronged" T cells exhibited superior recognition of cancer cells compared with conventional T cell recognition of individual epitopes, making them attractive candidates for the development of future immunotherapies.
Topics: Antigens, Neoplasm; Epitopes; Immunotherapy; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; Neoplasms; Proteomics; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
PubMed: 37490916
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.020 -
Annual Review of Medicine Jan 2024Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have become the cornerstone of effective therapeutics in solid and hematological malignancies by harnessing potent cytotoxic payloads... (Review)
Review
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have become the cornerstone of effective therapeutics in solid and hematological malignancies by harnessing potent cytotoxic payloads with targeted tumoricidal delivery. Since the monumental shift occurred with HER2-targeted ADCs, the discovery of the TROP2 antigen has revolutionized the landscape of ADC development. Moving beyond the traditional ADC design, multiple novel ADCs have successfully shaped and improved survival outcomes in patients with various tumor histologies. Here we review and contrast the clinical impact of the well-known TROP2 ADCs currently in clinical use. We also shed light on upcoming investigational TROP2 ADCs showing promise with novel ADC platforms.
Topics: Humans; Immunoconjugates; Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Hematologic Neoplasms
PubMed: 37758237
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-071322-065903 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023As an emerging treatment strategy for malignant tumors, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has been widely used in clinical practice, and its efficacy has... (Review)
Review
As an emerging treatment strategy for malignant tumors, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has been widely used in clinical practice, and its efficacy has been markedly improved in the past decade. However, the clinical effect of CAR-T therapy is not so satisfying, especially in solid tumors. Even in hematologic malignancies, a proportion of patients eventually relapse after receiving CAR-T cell infusions, owing to the poor expansion and persistence of CAR-T cells. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has provided an effective approach to promoting the proliferation and persistence of CAR-T cells in the body. This technology has been utilized in CAR-T cells to generate a memory phenotype, reduce exhaustion, and screen new targets to improve the anti-tumor potential. In this review, we aim to describe the major causes limiting the persistence of CAR-T cells in patients and discuss the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in promoting CAR-T cell persistence and its anti-tumor function. Finally, we investigate clinical trials for CRISPR/Cas9-engineered CAR-T cells for the treatment of cancer.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; T-Lymphocytes; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Gene Editing; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37569693
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512317 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Jul 2023Traditional cancer treatments use nonspecific drugs and monoclonal antibodies to target tumor cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, however, leverages... (Review)
Review
Traditional cancer treatments use nonspecific drugs and monoclonal antibodies to target tumor cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, however, leverages the immune system's T-cells to recognize and attack tumor cells. T-cells are isolated from patients and modified to target tumor-associated antigens. CAR-T therapy has achieved FDA approval for treating blood cancers like B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, large B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma by targeting CD-19 and B-cell maturation antigens. Bi-specific chimeric antigen receptors may contribute to mitigating tumor antigen escape, but their efficacy could be limited in cases where certain tumor cells do not express the targeted antigens. Despite success in blood cancers, CAR-T technology faces challenges in solid tumors, including lack of reliable tumor-associated antigens, hypoxic cores, immunosuppressive tumor environments, enhanced reactive oxygen species, and decreased T-cell infiltration. To overcome these challenges, current research aims to identify reliable tumor-associated antigens and develop cost-effective, tumor microenvironment-specific CAR-T cells. This review covers the evolution of CAR-T therapy against various tumors, including hematological and solid tumors, highlights challenges faced by CAR-T cell therapy, and suggests strategies to overcome these obstacles, such as utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to optimize clinical-grade CAR-T cells.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Artificial Intelligence; Neoplasms; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Antigens, Neoplasm; Multiple Myeloma; Hematologic Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
PubMed: 37420216
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04292-3 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Mar 2024Current evaluation of treatment response in solid tumors depends on dynamic changes in tumor diameters as measured by imaging. However, these changes can only be... (Review)
Review
Current evaluation of treatment response in solid tumors depends on dynamic changes in tumor diameters as measured by imaging. However, these changes can only be detected when there are enough macroscopic changes in tumor volume, which limits the usability of radiological response criteria in evaluating earlier stages of disease response and necessitates much time to lapse for gross changes to be notable. One promising approach is to incorporate dynamic changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which occur early in the course of therapy and can predict tumor responses weeks before gross size changes manifest. However, several issues need to be addressed before recommending the implementation of ctDNA response criteria in daily clinical practice such as clinical, biological, and regulatory challenges and, most importantly, the need to standardize/harmonize detection methods and ways to define ctDNA response and/or progression for precision oncology. Herein, we review the use of liquid biopsy (LB) to evaluate response in solid tumors and propose a plan toward standardization of LB-RECIST.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors; Precision Medicine; Liquid Biopsy; Circulating Tumor DNA; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 38145866
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.12.007 -
The British Journal of Radiology Aug 2023Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in both sexes combined. Recent years have seen major advances in the diagnostic... (Review)
Review
Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in both sexes combined. Recent years have seen major advances in the diagnostic and treatment options for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including the routine use of 2-deoxy-2[F]-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) in staging and response evaluation, minimally invasive endoscopic biopsy, targeted radiotherapy, minimally invasive surgery, and molecular and immunotherapies. In this review, the central roles of CT and F-FDG PET/CT in staging and response in both NSCLC and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are critically assessed. The Tumour Node Metastases (TNM-8) staging systems for NSCLC and MPM are presented with critical appraisal of the strengths and pitfalls of imaging. Overviews of the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST 1.1) for NSCLC and the modified RECIST criteria for MPM are provided, together with discussion of the benefits and limitations of these anatomical-based tools. Metabolic response assessment (not evaluated by RECIST 1.1) will be explored. We introduce the Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria in Solid Tumours (PERCIST 1.0) to include its advantages and challenges. The limitations of both anatomical and metabolic assessment criteria when applied to NSCLC treated with immunotherapy and the important concept of pseudoprogression are addressed with reference to immune RECIST (iRECIST). Separate consideration is given to the diagnosis and follow up of solitary pulmonary nodules with reference to the British Thoracic Society guidelines and Fleischner guidelines and use of the Brock (CT-based) and Herder (addition of F-FDG PET/CT) models for assessing malignant potential. We discuss how these models inform decisions by the multidisciplinary team, including referral of suspicious nodules for non-surgical management in patients unsuitable for surgery. We briefly outline current lung screening systems being used in the UK, Europe and North America. Emerging roles for MRI in lung cancer imaging are reviewed. The use of whole-body MRI in diagnosing and staging NSCLC is discussed with reference to the recent multicentre trial. The potential use of diffusion-weighted MRI to distinguish tumour from radiotherapy-induced lung toxicity is discussed. We briefly summarise the new PET-CT radiotracers being developed to evaluate specific aspects of cancer biology, other than glucose uptake. Finally, we describe how CT, MRI and F-FDG PET/CT are moving from primarily diagnostic tools for lung cancer towards having utility in prognostication and personalised medicine with the agency of artificial intelligence.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Artificial Intelligence; Radiopharmaceuticals; Positron-Emission Tomography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasm Staging
PubMed: 37097296
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220339 -
Cancer Discovery Dec 2023In a phase I trial of the MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor AMG 193, five of 39 patients with advanced MTAP-deleted solid tumors who had scans following initial treatment...
In a phase I trial of the MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor AMG 193, five of 39 patients with advanced MTAP-deleted solid tumors who had scans following initial treatment experienced partial responses. The responses occurred in five tumor types-esophageal, pancreatic, renal cell, gallbladder, and ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell cancer.
Topics: Humans; Female; Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
PubMed: 37847607
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-NB2023-0079 -
The American Journal of Surgical... Feb 2024Several reports describing a rare primary liver tumor with histologic features reminiscent of follicular thyroid neoplasms have been published under a variety of...
Several reports describing a rare primary liver tumor with histologic features reminiscent of follicular thyroid neoplasms have been published under a variety of descriptive terms including thyroid-like, solid tubulocystic, and cholangioblastic cholangiocarcinoma. Although these tumors are considered to represent histologic variants, they lack classic features of cholangiocarcinoma and have unique characteristics, namely immunoreactivity for inhibin and NIPBL::NACC1 fusions. The purpose of this study is to present clinicopathologic and molecular data for a large series of these tumors to better understand their pathogenesis. We identified 11 hepatic tumors with these features. Immunohistochemical and NACC1 and NIPBL fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were performed on all cases. Four cases had available material for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. Most patients were adult women (mean age: 42 y) who presented with abdominal pain and large hepatic masses (mean size: 14 cm). Ten patients had no known liver disease. Of the patients with follow-up information, 3/9 (33%) pursued aggressive behavior. All tumors were composed of bland cuboidal cells with follicular and solid/trabecular growth patterns in various combinations, were immunoreactive for inhibin, showed albumin mRNA by in situ hybridization, and harbored the NIPBL::NACC1 fusion by fluorescence in situ hybridization. WGS corroborated the presence of the fusion in all 4 tested cases, high tumor mutational burden in 2 cases, and over 30 structural variants per case in 3 sequenced tumors. The cases lacked mutations typical of conventional intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In this report, we describe the largest series of primary inhibin-positive hepatic neoplasms harboring a NIPBL::NACC1 fusion and the first WGS analysis of these tumors. We propose to name this neoplasm NIPBL:NACC1 fusion hepatic carcinoma.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cholangiocarcinoma; Liver Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Inhibins; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Cycle Proteins; Neoplasm Proteins; Repressor Proteins
PubMed: 38047392
DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000002159 -
The Lancet. Respiratory Medicine Feb 2024Although segmentectomy was better than lobectomy in terms of overall survival for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a pure-solid tumour appearance on... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Segmentectomy versus lobectomy in small-sized peripheral non-small-cell lung cancer with radiologically pure-solid appearance in Japan (JCOG0802/WJOG4607L): a post-hoc supplemental analysis of a multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial.
BACKGROUND
Although segmentectomy was better than lobectomy in terms of overall survival for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a pure-solid tumour appearance on thin-section CT in the open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 JCOG0802/WJOG4607L trial, the reasons why segmentectomy was associated with better overall survival were unclear. We aimed to compare the survival, cause of death, and recurrence patterns after segmentectomy versus lobectomy in trial participants with NSCLC with a pure-solid appearance METHODS: We conducted a post-hoc supplemental analysis of the JCO0802/WJOG4607L randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial for the patients (aged 20-85 years) with small-sized NSCLC with radiologically pure-solid appearance on thin-section CT (≤2 cm, consolidation tumour ratio 1·0). The primary aim was to compare the overall and relapse-free survival, cause of death, and recurrence patterns associated with segmentectomy and lobectomy for patients with radiologically pure-solid NSCLC to determine why the overall survival of segmentectomy was superior to that of lobectomy, even for oncologically invasive lung cancers. JCO0802/WJOG4607L is registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000002317, and is complete.
FINDINGS
Between Aug 10, 2009, and Oct 21, 2014, 1106 patients were randomly assigned to undergo either lobectomy or segmentectomy. Of these participants, 553 (50%) had radiologically pure-solid NSCLC and were eligible for this post-hoc supplemental analysis. Of these 553 participants, 274 (50%) patients underwent lobectomy and 279 (50%) underwent segmentectomy. Median patient age was 67 years (IQR 61-73), 347 (63%) of 553 patients were male and 206 (37%) were female, and data on race and ethnicity were not collected. As of data cutoff (June 13, 2020), after a median follow-up of 7·3 years (IQR 6·0-8·5), the 5-year overall survival rate was significantly higher after segmentectomy than after lobectomy (86·1% [95% CI 81·4-89·7] in the lobectomy group, with 55 deaths vs 92·4% [88·6-95·0] in the segmentectomy group, with 38 deaths; hazard ratio (HR) 0·64 [95% CI 0·41-0·97]; log-rank test p=0·033), whereas the 5-year relapse-free survival was similar between the groups (81·7% [95% CI 76·5-85·8], with 34 events vs 82·0% [76·9-86·0], with 52 events; HR 1·01 [95% CI 0·72-1·42]; p=0·94). Deaths after a median follow-up of 7·3 years due to lung cancer occurred in 20 (7%) of 274 patients after lobectomy and 19 (7%) of 279 after segmentectomy, and deaths due to other causes occurred in 35 (13%) patients after lobectomy compared with 19 (7%) after segmentectomy (lung cancer death vs other cause of death, p=0·19). The locoregional recurrence was higher after segmentectomy (21 [8%] vs 45 [16%]; p=0·0021). In subgroup analyses, better 5-year overall survival after segmentectomy than after lobectomy was observed in the subgroup of patients aged 70 years or older (77·1% [95% CI 68·2-83·8] with lobectomy vs 85·6% [77·5-90·9] with segmentectomy; p=0·013) and in male patients (80·5% [73·7-85·7] vs 92·1% [87·0-95·2]; p=0·0085). By contrast, better 5-year relapse-free survival after lobectomy than after segmentectomy was observed in the subgroup younger than 70 years (87·4% [95% CI 81·2-91·7] with lobectomy vs 84·4% [77·9-89·1] with segmentectomy; p=0·049) and in female patients (94·2% [87·6-97·4] vs 82·2% [73·2-88·4]; p=0·047).
INTERPRETATION
This post-hoc analysis showed improved overall survival after segmentectomy in patients with pure-solid NSCLC compared with lobectomy. However, survival outcomes of segmentectomy depend on the patient's age and sex. Given the results of this exploratory analysis, further research is necessary to determine clinically relevant indications for segmentectomy in radiologically pure-solid NSCLC.
FUNDING
Japanese National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund and Practical Research for Innovative Cancer Control Fund, and a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Japan; Pneumonectomy; Treatment Outcome; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38184010
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00382-X -
Tumor-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Inhibit the Efficacy of CAR T Cells against Solid Tumors.Cancer Research Aug 2023Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown remarkable success in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Unfortunately, it has limited efficacy against...
UNLABELLED
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown remarkable success in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Unfortunately, it has limited efficacy against solid tumors, even when the targeted antigens are well expressed. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of CAR T-cell therapy resistance in solid tumors is necessary to develop strategies to improve efficacy. Here we report that solid tumors release small extracellular vesicles (sEV) that carry both targeted tumor antigens and the immune checkpoint protein PD-L1. These sEVs acted as cell-free functional units to preferentially interact with cognate CAR T cells and efficiently inhibited their proliferation, migration, and function. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, blocking tumor sEV secretion not only boosted the infiltration and antitumor activity of CAR T cells but also improved endogenous antitumor immunity. These results suggest that solid tumors use sEVs as an active defense mechanism to resist CAR T cells and implicate tumor sEVs as a potential therapeutic target to optimize CAR T-cell therapy against solid tumors.
SIGNIFICANCE
Small extracellular vesicles secreted by solid tumors inhibit CAR T cells, which provide a molecular explanation for CAR T-cell resistance and suggests that strategies targeting exosome secretion may enhance CAR T-cell efficacy. See related commentary by Ortiz-Espinosa and Srivastava, p. 2637.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasms; T-Lymphocytes; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Antigens, Neoplasm; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Vesicles; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
PubMed: 37115855
DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-2220