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Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) May 2024Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is a leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Despite the implementation of multiple treatment... (Review)
Review
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is a leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Despite the implementation of multiple treatment options, including immunotherapy, breast cancer treatment remains a challenge. In this review, we aim to summarize present challenges in breast cancer immunotherapy and recent advancements in overcoming treatment resistance. We elaborate on the inhibition of signaling cascades, such as the Notch, Hedgehog, Hippo, and WNT signaling pathways, which regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of breast cancer stem cells and, consequently, disease progression and survival. Cancer stem cells represent a rare population of cancer cells, likely originating from non-malignant stem or progenitor cells, with the ability to evade immune surveillance and develop resistance to immunotherapeutic treatments. We also discuss the interactions between breast cancer stem cells and the immune system, including potential agents targeting breast cancer stem cell-associated signaling pathways, and provide an overview of the emerging approaches to breast cancer stem cell-targeted immunotherapy. Finally, we consider the development of breast cancer vaccines and adoptive cellular therapies, which train the immune system to recognize tumor-associated antigens, for eliciting T cell-mediated responses to target breast cancer stem cells.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Immunotherapy; Female; Signal Transduction; Cancer Vaccines
PubMed: 38920716
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31060232 -
Cells Jun 2024Proinflammatory T-lymphocytes recruited into the brain and spinal cord mediate multiple sclerosis (MS) and currently there is no cure for MS. IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells...
Proinflammatory T-lymphocytes recruited into the brain and spinal cord mediate multiple sclerosis (MS) and currently there is no cure for MS. IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells induce ascending paralysis in the spinal cord while IL-17-producing Th17 cells mediate cerebellar ataxia. STAT1 and STAT3 are required for Th1 and Th17 development, respectively, and the simultaneous targeting of STAT1 and STAT3 pathways is therefore a potential therapeutic strategy for suppressing disease in the spinal cord and brain. However, the pharmacological targeting of STAT1 and STAT3 presents significant challenges because of their intracellular localization. We have developed a STAT-specific single-domain nanobody (SBT-100) derived from camelids that targets conserved residues in Src homolog 2 (SH2) domains of STAT1 and STAT3. This study investigated whether SBT-100 could suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS. We show that SBT-100 ameliorates encephalomyelitis through suppressing the expansion of Th17 and Th1 cells in the brain and spinal cord. Adoptive transfer experiments revealed that lymphocytes from SBT-100-treated EAE mice have reduced capacity to induce EAE, indicating that the immunosuppressive effects derived from the direct suppression of encephalitogenic T-cells. The small size of SBT-100 makes this STAT-specific nanobody a promising immunotherapy for CNS autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
Topics: Animals; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Single-Domain Antibodies; Mice; Th17 Cells; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Female; Camelids, New World; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Th1 Cells; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; STAT1 Transcription Factor; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 38920670
DOI: 10.3390/cells13121042 -
Expert Review of Hematology Jul 2024Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells and Bispecific Antibodies (BsAb) are the leading platforms for redirecting the immune system against cells expressing the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells and Bispecific Antibodies (BsAb) are the leading platforms for redirecting the immune system against cells expressing the specific antigen, revolutionizing the treatment of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). In MM, drug-resistant relapses are the main therapy-limiting factor and the leading cause of why the disease is still considered incurable. T-cell-engaging therapies hold promise in improving the treatment of MM. However, the effectiveness of these treatments may be hindered by T-cell fitness. T-cell exhaustion is a condition of a gradual decline in effector function, reduced cytokine secretion, and increased expression of inhibitory receptors due to chronic antigen stimulation.
AREAS COVERED
This review examines findings about T-cell exhaustion in MM in the context of T-cell redirecting BsAbs and CAR-T treatment.
EXPERT OPINION
The fitness of T-cells has become an important factor in the development of T-cell redirecting therapies. The way T-cell exhaustion relates to these therapies could affect the further development of CAR and BsAbs technologies, as well as the strategies used for clinical use. Therefore, this review aims to explore the current understanding of T-cell exhaustion in MM and its relationship to these therapies.
Topics: Multiple Myeloma; Humans; T-Lymphocytes; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Antibodies, Bispecific; T-Cell Exhaustion
PubMed: 38919090
DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2024.2370552 -
Molecular Cancer Jun 2024Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) consists of intra-tumor immunological components and plays a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and... (Review)
Review
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) consists of intra-tumor immunological components and plays a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy has revolutionized the cancer treatment paradigm. Although CAR-T cell immunotherapy has emerged as a successful treatment for hematologic malignancies, it remains a conundrum for solid tumors. The heterogeneity of TIME is responsible for poor outcomes in CAR-T cell immunotherapy against solid tumors. The advancement of highly sophisticated technology enhances our exploration in TIME from a multi-omics perspective. In the era of machine learning, multi-omics studies could reveal the characteristics of TIME and its immune resistance mechanism. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors could be further improved with strategies that target unfavorable conditions in TIME. Herein, this review seeks to investigate the factors influencing TIME formation and propose strategies for improving the effectiveness of CAR-T cell immunotherapy through a multi-omics perspective, with the ultimate goal of developing personalized therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Humans; Tumor Microenvironment; Neoplasms; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Animals; Genomics; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38918817
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02047-2 -
Molecular Immunology Jun 2024Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the malignancies with a wide expression of stress ligands recognized by Vδ1γδ T cells, has received much attention in adoptive...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the malignancies with a wide expression of stress ligands recognized by Vδ1γδ T cells, has received much attention in adoptive immunotherapy of γδ T cells. In this study, we aimed to identify the potential anti-tumor Vδ1γδ T subpopulations in HCC.
METHODS
Healthy donors (HDs) and HCC patients were recruited from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Blood and tumor tissue samples were obtained respectively. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze total γδ T cells and subsets infiltration, overall survival of HCC patients with high and low infiltration level of Vδ1γδ T cells, and IFNG, granzyme A, granzyme B and perforin expression in TRDV1CD69 groups. CD69 expression and Vδ1γδT cells infiltration in HCC were detected by immunofluorescence. Phenotypic analysis of Vδ1γδ T cells in blood and tumor tissue samples were performed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS
Vδ1γδ T cells infiltrating in HCC were associated with better clinical outcome. Study in tumor micro-environment (TME) of HCC demonstrated that not total Vδ1γδ T but CD69 Vδ1γδ subset infiltration was associated with smaller tumor volume. Moreover, HCC patients simultaneously with high TRDV1 and CD69 expression produced more effector molecules and had longer survival time. Since Vδ1γδ T cells in the tumor microenvironment were often difficult to access, we demonstrated that CD69 Vδ1γδ T cells also existed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HCC and displayed enhanced cytotoxic potentials than HDs. Finally, we investigated the functions and found that CD69 Vδ1γδ T cells exhibited stronger tumor reactivities when challenged by tumor cells.
CONCLUSIONS
CD69 Vδ1γδ T cells are functional Vδ1γδ T cell subsets in patients with HCC. Circulating CD69 Vδ1γδ T cell is a promising candidate in immunotherapy of HCC.
PubMed: 38917598
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.06.006 -
Blood Advances Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; T-Lymphocytes; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
PubMed: 38916899
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024013146 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy (CAR T therapy) is a treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma that has led to...
INTRODUCTION
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy (CAR T therapy) is a treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma that has led to unprecedented treatment outcomes. Among CAR T therapies available, ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) is a good candidate for outpatient administration due to its generally predictable safety profile. There are multiple advantages of outpatient administration of cilta-cel, including reduced healthcare burden, expanded access, and patient autonomy. This mixed methods qualitative study aimed to identify key factors for outpatient administration of CAR T and best practice recommendations by combining a targeted literature review with expert interviews and panels.
METHODS
The targeted review (Phase 1) aimed to identify factors for outpatient CAR T administration in the US and determine key topics for the exploratory interviews (Phase 2) and expert panels (Phase 3), which aimed to inform on best practices and challenges of outpatient CAR T administration (focusing on cilta-cel). Participants in clinical and administrative positions based in treatment centers that had experience with real-world outpatient administration of cilta-cel were recruited.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies were identified in Phase 1. Key factors for outpatient administration included the development of protocols for CAR T complications, education for caregivers, outpatient specialists, hospital staff, and emergency services staff for identification and referral after possible adverse events, the creation of multidisciplinary teams for effective communication and management, straightforward patient intake processes encompassing financial eligibility review and provision of patient education materials, and close patient monitoring throughout the treatment journey. In Phase 2, 5 participants from 2 centers were interviewed. In Phase 3, 14 participants across 6 treatment centers were interviewed. Two 90-minute virtual panel discussions took place. All participants agreed that cilta-cel can be safely and effectively administered in an outpatient setting. Key recommendations included the creation of educational resources for patients and caregivers, the development of standard operating procedures, dedicated outpatient infrastructure and establishment of interdisciplinary teams, outpatient monitoring for toxicity management, and monitoring of the reimbursement landscape.
DISCUSSION
This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the feasibility of outpatient cilta-cel administration in participating CAR T centers and provides actionable recommendations while acknowledging existing challenges.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Myeloma; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Outpatients; Biological Products; Ambulatory Care; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Male
PubMed: 38915401
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1405452 -
Journal of Hematology & Oncology Jun 2024Significant advances have been made in chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T)-cell therapy for the treatment of recurrent or refractory B-cell hematologic malignancies.... (Review)
Review
Significant advances have been made in chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T)-cell therapy for the treatment of recurrent or refractory B-cell hematologic malignancies. However, CAR-T-cell therapy has not yet achieved comparable success in the management of aggressive T-cell malignancies. This article reviews the challenges of CAR-T-cell therapy in treating T-cell malignancies and summarizes the progress of preclinical and clinical studies in this area. We present an analysis of clinical trials of CAR-T-cell therapies for the treatment of T-cell malignancies grouped by target antigen classification. Moreover, this review focuses on the major challenges encountered by CAR-T-cell therapies, including the nonspecific killing due to T-cell target antigen sharing and contamination with cell products during preparation. This review discusses strategies to overcome these challenges, presenting novel therapeutic approaches that could enhance the efficacy and applicability of CAR-T-cell therapy in the treatment of T-cell malignancies. These ideas and strategies provide important information for future studies to promote the further development and application of CAR-T-cell therapy in this field.
Topics: Humans; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; T-Lymphocytes; Hematologic Neoplasms; Animals; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
PubMed: 38915099
DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01568-z -
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy Jun 2024Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant global health burden, whose treatment has been recently revolutionized by the advent of biologic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant global health burden, whose treatment has been recently revolutionized by the advent of biologic treatments. Despite that, innovative therapeutic regimens and approaches, especially immune-based, remain to be explored aiming at extending the therapeutic benefits to a wider population of patients.
AREAS COVERED
This review comprehensively discusses the evolving landscape of biological treatment modalities for advanced HCC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, antiangiogenic monoclonal antibodies, tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies either naked or drug-conjugated, therapeutic vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive cell therapies, and cytokine-based therapies. Key clinical trials and preclinical studies are examined, highlighting the actual or potential impact of these interventions in reshaping treatment paradigms for HCC.
EXPERT OPINION
Tailored and rational combination strategies, leveraging the synergistic effects of different modalities, represent a promising approach to maximize treatment efficacy in advanced HCC, which should aim at conversion endpoints to increase the fraction of patients eligible for curative approaches. The identification of predictive biomarkers holds the key to optimizing patient selection and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Biological Products; Animals; Biological Therapy; Immunotherapy; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
PubMed: 38913107
DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2363234 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024The majority of patients with thyroid cancer can attain a favorable prognosis with a comprehensive treatment program based on surgical treatment. However, the current... (Review)
Review
The majority of patients with thyroid cancer can attain a favorable prognosis with a comprehensive treatment program based on surgical treatment. However, the current treatment options for advanced thyroid cancer are still limited. In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has received widespread attention in the field of oncology treatment. It has achieved remarkable results in the treatment of hematologic tumors. However, due to the constraints of multiple factors, the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T therapy for solid tumors, including thyroid cancer, has not yet met expectations. This review outlines the fundamental structure and treatment strategies of CAR-T cells, provides an overview of the advancements in both preclinical investigations and clinical trials focusing on targets associated with CAR-T cell therapy in treating thyroid cancer, and discusses the challenges and solutions to CAR-T cell therapy for thyroid cancer. In conclusion, CAR-T cell therapy is a promising therapeutic approach for thyroid cancer, and we hope that our review will provide a timely and updated study of CAR-T cell therapy for thyroid cancer to advance the field.
Topics: Humans; Thyroid Neoplasms; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Animals; T-Lymphocytes; Clinical Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38911868
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1411300