Ettore Biagi

Chimeric Antigen Receptors against CD33/CD123 antigens efficiently target primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia cells in vivo

As significant numbers of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients are still refractory to conventional therapies or experience relapse, immunotherapy using T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) might represent a valid treatment option. AML cells frequently overexpress the myeloid antigens CD33 and CD123, for which specific CARs can be generated. However, CD33 is also expressed on normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and its targeting could potentially impair normal hematopoiesis. In contrast, CD123 is widely expressed by AML, while low expression is detected on HSPCs, making it a much more attractive target. In this study we describe the in vivo efficacy and safety of using cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells genetically modified to express anti-CD33 or anti-CD123 CAR to target AML. We show that both these modified T cells are very efficient in reducing leukemia burden in vivo, but only the anti-CD123 CAR has limited killing on normal HSPCs, thus making it a very attractive immunotherapeutic tool for AML treatment.

Targeting of acute myeloid leukaemia by cytokine-induced killer cells redirected with a novel CD123-specific chimeric antigen receptor

Current therapeutic regimens for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are still associated with high rates of relapse. Immunotherapy with T‐cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) represents an innovative approach. Here we investigated the targeting of the interleukin three receptor alpha (IL3RA; CD123) molecule, which is overexpressed on AML bulk population, CD34+ leukaemia progenitors, and leukaemia stem cells (LSC) compared to normal haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and whose overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. Cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells were transduced with SFG‐retroviral‐vector encoding an anti‐CD123 CAR. Transduced cells were able to strongly kill CD123+ cell lines, as well as primary AML blasts. Interestingly, secondary colony experiments demonstrated that anti‐CD123.CAR preserved in vitro HSPCs, in contrast to a previously generated anti‐CD33.CAR, while keeping an identical cytotoxicity profile towards AML. Furthermore, limited killing of normal monocytes and CD123‐low‐expressing endothelial cells was noted, thus indicating a low toxicity profile of the anti‐CD123.CAR. Taken together, our results indicate that CD123‐specific CARs strongly enhance anti‐AML CIK functions, while sparing HSPCs and normal low‐expressing antigen cells, paving the way to develop novel immunotherapy approaches for AML treatment.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy is accompanied by increasing levels of circulating CD4+CD25+GITR+Foxp3+CD62L+ functional regulatory T-cells in patients with graft-versus-host disease.

Background. Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) produces clinical improvements in refractory/resistant graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Immunological mechanisms of ECP are still under investigation. Methods. We have evaluated the changes in frequency and immunophenotype of circulating regulatory T cells (T-regs) in 10 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, receiving ECP for acute (n=4) or chronic (n=6) GvHD. T-regs were monitored for expression of surface CD4, CD25, GITR, CD45RO, CD62L and intracytoplasmic Foxp3. T-regs were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting to perform functional assays by interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunospot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) to measure Foxp3, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA. Results. ECP was accompanied by a significant increase of CD4+CD25+ T-regs after six procedures, increasing from 8.9% to 29.1% of total CD4 (P<0.05), with a simultaneous increase of glucocorticoid induced tumor necrosis factor receptor expression on CD4+CD25+ cells (from 15% to 40.8%, P<0.05). This increase was sustained after 12 procedures. T-regs expressed high levels of CD62L, CD45RO, and Foxp3. Sorted CD4+CD25+ T-regs were potently inhibitory toward the CD4+CD25− fraction, when matched with an allogeneic target (IFN-γ secretion was reduced by 79%). Trans-well experiments showed that cell-to-cell contact was necessary to exert inhibitory activity. RQ-PCR revealed a significant expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25+ T-regs, but there was virtually no detection of TGF-β and IL-10. GvHD improved in all patients, allowing tapering or discontinuation of immunosuppressive drugs. Conclusion. Our study shows a time correlation between ECP and increasing percentages of circulating functional T-regs. Albeit suggestive, our results need to be confirmed on larger series to determine the actual role of T-reg in mediating the clinical effect of ECP.

Induction of Antigen-Specific Regulatory T Cells following Overexpression of a Notch Ligand by Human B Lymphocytes

ABSTRACT In mice, activation of the Notch pathway in T cells by antigen-presenting cells overexpressing Notch ligands favors differentiation of regulatory T lymphocytes responsible for antigen-specific tolerance. To determine whether this mechanism operates in human T cells, we used Epstein-Barr virus-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL) as our (viral) antigen-presenting cells and overexpressed the Notch ligand Jagged-1 (EBV-LCL J1) by adenoviral transduction. The EBV-LCL J1s were cocultured with autologous T cells, and the proliferative and cytotoxic responses to EBV antigens were measured. Transduction had no effect on EBV-LCL expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens or of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD40. However, we observed a 35% inhibition of proliferation and a >65% reduction in cytotoxic-T-cell activity, and interleukin 10 production was increased ninefold. These EBV-LCL J1-stimulated T lymphocytes act as antigen-specific regulatory cells, since their addition to fresh autologous T cells cultured with autologous nontransduced EBV-LCL cells significantly inhibited both proliferation and cytotoxic effector function. Within the inhibitory population, CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25− T cells had the greatest activity. This inhibition appears to be antigen-specific, since responses to Candida and cytomegalovirus antigens were unaffected. Hence, transgenic expression of Jagged-1 by antigen-presenting cells can induce antigen-specific regulatory T cells in humans and modify immune responses to viral antigens.

Interleukin-17-Producing T-Helper Cells as New Potential Player Mediating Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Objectives. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major obstacle to safe allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, leading to significant mortality. Recently, T-helper (TH)-17 cells have been shown to play a central role in mediating several autoimmune diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between TH-17 cells and GVHD occurring in transplanted patients. Methods. Blood samples were collected from 51 hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation patients and 15 healthy donors. Patients with GVHD were monitored for the presence of TH-17 cells by ELISPOT or flow cytometry in the peripheral blood and by confocal microscopy in GVHD lesions. Cytokine plasma levels were detected by ELISA. Results. An increased TH-17 population (up to 4.8% of peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes) was observed in patients with acute GVHD and (up to 2.4%) in patients with active chronic GVHD along with an inflammatory process. In contrast, the percentage of TH-17 cells drastically decreased in patients with inactive chronic GVHD. TH-17 cells consisted of both interleukin (IL)-17+/interferon (IFN)-&ggr;− and IL-17+/IFN-&ggr;+ subsets and expressed IL-23 receptor. Interestingly, IFN-&ggr;+TH-17 cells were able to infiltrate GVHD lesions as observed in liver and skin sections. Moreover, the proportion of TH-17 was inversely correlated with the proportion of regulatory T cells observed in the peripheral blood and tissues affected by GVHD. Finally, we demonstrated a strong correlation between TH-17 levels and the clinical status of patients with GVHD. Conclusions. These findings support the hypothesis that TH-17 are involved in the active phases of GVHD and may represent a novel cellular target for developing new strategies for GVHD treatment.

Treatment of Graft versus Host Disease with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Phase I Study on 40 Adult and Pediatric Patients

This phase I multicenter study was aimed at assessing the feasibility and safety of intravenous administration of third party bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) expanded in platelet lysate in 40 patients (15 children and 25 adults), experiencing steroid-resistant grade II to IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Patients received a median of 3 MSC infusions after having failed conventional immunosuppressive therapy. A median cell dose of 1.5 × 10(6)/kg per infusion was administered. No acute toxicity was reported. Overall, 86 adverse events and serious adverse events were reported in the study, most of which (72.1%) were of infectious nature. Overall response rate, measured at 28 days after the last MSC injection, was 67.5%, with 27.5% complete response. The latter was significantly more frequent in patients exhibiting grade II GVHD as compared with higher grades (61.5% versus 11.1%, P = .002) and was borderline significant in children as compared with adults (46.7 versus 16.0%, P = .065). Overall survival at 1 and 2 years from the first MSC administration was 50.0% and 38.6%, with a median survival time of 1.1 years. In conclusion, MSC can be safely administered on top of conventional immunosuppression for steroid resistant GVHD treatment. Eudract Number 2008-007869-23, NCT01764100.

Polyomavirus JC-targeted T-cell therapy for progressive multiple leukoencephalopathy in a hematopoietic cell transplantation recipient

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with polyomavirus JC (JCV) infection has been reported to be usually fatal in allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) recipients. We present the case of a 19-year-old HSCT patient diagnosed with JCV-associated PML after prolonged immunosuppression for severe GVHD. No short-term neurological improvement was observed after antiviral treatment and discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy. Donor-derived JCV Ag-specific CTLs were generated in vitro after stimulation with 15-mer peptides derived from VP1 and large T viral proteins. After adoptive CTL infusion, virus-specific cytotoxic cells were shown in the peripheral blood, JCV-DNA was cleared in the cerebrospinal fluid and the patient showed remarkable improvement. Adoptive T-lymphocyte therapy with JCV-specific CTLs was feasible and had no side effects. This case suggests that adoptive transfer of JCV-targeted CTLs may contribute to restore JCV-specific immune competence and control PML in transplanted patients.

Cytokine Induced Killer cells for cell therapy of acute myeloid leukemia: improvement of their immune activity by expression of CD33-specific chimeric receptors

Background Cytokine-induced killer cells are ex vivo-expanded cells with potent antitumor activity. The infusion of cytokine-induced killer cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia relapsing after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is well tolerated, but limited clinical responses have been observed. To improve their effector functions against acute myeloid leukemia, we genetically modified cytokine-induced killer cells with chimeric receptors specific for the CD33 myeloid antigen. Design and Methods SFG-retroviral vectors coding for anti-CD33-ζ and anti-CD33-CD28-OX40-ζ chimeric receptors were used to transduce cytokine-induced killer cells. Transduced cells were characterized in vitro for their ability to lyse leukemic targets (4-hour 51chromium-release and 6-day co-cultures assays on human stromal mesenchymal cells), to proliferate (3H-thymidine-incorporation assay) and to secrete cytokines (flow cytomix assay) after contact with acute myeloid leukemia cells. Their activity against normal CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells was evaluated by analyzing the colony-forming unit capacity after co-incubation. Results Cytokine-induced killer cells were efficiently transduced with the anti-CD33 chimeric receptors, maintaining their native phenotype and functions and acquiring potent cytotoxicity (up to 80% lysis after 4-hour incubation) against different acute myeloid leukemia targets, as also confirmed in long-term killing experiments. Moreover, introduction of the anti-CD33 chimeric receptors was accompanied by prominent CD33-specific proliferative activity, with the release of high levels of immunostimulatory cytokines. The presence of CD28-OX40 in chimeric receptor endodomain was associated with a significant amelioration of the anti-leukemic activity of cytokine-induced killer cells. Importantly, even though the cytokine-induced killer cells transduced with anti-CD33 chimeric receptors showed toxicity against normal hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells, residual clonogenic activity was preserved. Conclusions Our results indicate that anti-CD33 chimeric receptors strongly enhance anti-leukemic cytokine-induced killer cell functions, suggesting that cytokine-induced killer cells transduced with these molecules might represent a promising optimized tool for acute myeloid leukemia immunotherapy.

Responses to human CD40 ligand/human interleukin-2 autologous cell vaccine in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Purpose: Human CD40 ligand activates the malignant B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and enhances their capacity to present tumor antigens. Human interleukin-2 further potentiates the immunogenicity of human CD40 ligand in preclinical murine models. Experimental Design: We prepared autologous B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells that expressed both human CD40 ligand (>90% positive) and human interleukin-2 (median secretion, 1,822 pg/mL/106 cells; range, 174-3,604 pg). Nine patients were enrolled in a phase I trial, receiving three to eight s.c. vaccinations. Results: Vaccinations were administered without evidence of significant local or systemic toxicity. A B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia–specific T-cell response was detected in seven patients. The mean frequencies of IFN-γ, granzyme-B, and IL-5 spot-forming cells were 1/1,230, 1/1,450, and 1/4,500, respectively, representing a 43- to 164-fold increase over the frequency before vaccine administration. Three patients produced leukemia-specific immunoglobulins. Three patients had >50% reduction in the size of affected lymph nodes. Nonetheless, the antitumor immune responses were observed only transiently once immunization ceased. High levels of circulating CD4+/CD25+/LAG-3+/FoxP-3+ immunoregulatory T cells were present before, during and after treatment and in vitro removal of these cells increased the antileukemic T-cell reactivity. Conclusions: These results suggest that immune responses to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia can be obtained with human CD40 ligand/human interleukin-2–expressing s.c. vaccines but that these responses are transient. High levels of circulating regulatory T cells are present, and it will be of interest to see if their removal in vivo augments and prolongs the antitumor immune response.

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: A New "Cells as Drugs" Paradigm. Efficacy and Critical Aspects in Cell Therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were first isolated more than 50 years ago from the bone marrow. Currently MSCs may also be isolated from several alternative sources and they have been used in more than a hundred clinical trials worldwide to treat a wide variety of diseases. The MSCs mechanism of action is undefined and currently under investigation. For in vivo purposes MSCs must be produced in compliance with good manufacturing practices and this has stimulated research on MSCs characterization and safety. The objective of this review is to describe recent developments regarding MSCs properties, physiological effects, delivery, clinical applications and possible side effects.