Publication
Title
Two for one : targeting BCMA and CD19 in B-cell malignancies with off-the-shelf dual-CAR NK-92 cells
Author
Abstract
Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has proven to be a valuable new treatment option for patients with B-cell malignancies. However, by applying selective pressure, outgrowth of antigen-negative tumor cells can occur, eventually resulting in relapse. Subsequent rescue by administration of CAR-T cells with different antigen-specificity indicates that those tumor cells are still sensitive to CAR-T treatment and points towards a multi-target strategy. Due to their natural tumor sensitivity and highly cytotoxic nature, natural killer (NK) cells are a compelling alternative to T cells, especially considering the availability of an off-the-shelf unlimited supply in the form of the clinically validated NK-92 cell line. Methods Given our goal to develop a flexible system whereby the CAR expression repertoire of the effector cells can be rapidly adapted to the changing antigen expression profile of the target cells, electrotransfection with CD19-/BCMA-CAR mRNA was chosen as CAR loading method in this study. We evaluated the functionality of mRNA-engineered dual-CAR NK-92 against tumor B-cell lines and primary patient samples. In order to test the clinical applicability of the proposed cell therapy product, the effect of irradiation on the proliferative rate and functionality of dual-CAR NK-92 cells was investigated. Results Co-electroporation of CD19 and BMCA CAR mRNA was highly efficient, resulting in 88.1% dual-CAR NK-92 cells. In terms of CD107a degranulation, and secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ and granzyme B, dual-CAR NK-92 significantly outperformed single-CAR NK-92. More importantly, the killing capacity of dual-CAR NK-92 exceeded 60% of single and dual antigen-expressing cell lines, as well as primary tumor cells, in a 4h co-culture assay at low effector to target ratios, matching that of single-CAR counterparts. Furthermore, our results confirm that dual-CAR NK-92 irradiated with 10 Gy cease to proliferate and are gradually cleared while maintaining their killing capacity. Conclusions Here, using the clinically validated NK-92 cell line as a therapeutic cell source, we established a readily accessible and flexible platform for the generation of highly functional dual-targeted CAR-NK cells.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of translational medicine. - London
Publication
London : 2022
ISSN
1479-5876
DOI
10.1186/S12967-022-03326-6
Volume/pages
20 :1 (2022) , p. 1-13
Article Reference
124
ISI
000768871500002
Pubmed ID
35287669
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Optimization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) design for improved cellular immunotherapy of hematological diseases.
Improved RNA-based engineering of T lymphocytes with leukemia-specific T cell receptors to redirect their effector functions: towards a clinically safe platform to evaluate efficacy and potential off-target toxicity.
Wilms' tumor (WTl) antigen-targeted dendritic cell vaccination to prevent relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a multicenter randomized phase II trial.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.03.2022
Last edited 03.10.2024
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