Review
Immunology
Elisa Cappuzzello, Emilia Vigolo, Giulia D'Accardio, Giuseppe Astori, Antonio Rosato, Roberta Sommaggio
Summary: The successful treatment of B-cell malignancies with CAR-T cells was a breakthrough, but not all patients can benefit from this therapy. CIK cells, as an alternative cellular therapy, have the potential to overcome some of the limitations of CAR-T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lihua Deng, Anna Harms, Sarina Ravens, Immo Prinz, Likai Tan
Summary: The heterogeneity of V delta 2(+) TCRs is primarily determined by TRDJ-usage and the length of CDR3aa sequences. Public V delta 2(+) TCRs result from germline-like rearrangement and synonymous codons, and they are associated with a higher expansion status.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Karen Kai-Lin Fang, Jong Bok Lee, Li Zhang
Summary: T-cell malignancies are aggressive and have poor prognoses, but adoptive cell therapy has shown promise as a new treatment option. Overcoming challenges, such as difficulties in applying this therapy to T-cell malignancies, is a focus of research. This review provides an overview of recent progress in adoptive cell therapy for T-cell malignancies, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of different therapy types and emphasizing the potential advantages and current applications of innate immune cell-based approaches.
Article
Immunology
Ali Bashiri Dezfouli, Mina Yazdi, Mohamed-Reda Benmebarek, Melissa Schwab, Stefanos Michaelides, Arianna Micciche, Dirk Geerts, Stefan Stangl, Sarah Klapproth, Ernst Wagner, Sebastian Kobold, Gabriele Multhoff
Summary: This study presents a strategy to activate cellular immune response using heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70)-specific antibodies. By using the specific tumor surface antigen mHsp70, NK cells and T cells can be activated to exert cytotoxic effects against tumors. By constructing T cells with a specific anti-Hsp70 CAR, cell lifespan can be prolonged while maintaining their ability to recognize tumor cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marta Sanz, Brendan T. Mann, Paul L. Ryan, Alberto Bosque, Daniel J. Pennington, Holger Hackstein, Natalia Soriano-Sarabia
Summary: Under non-pathological conditions, human ?d T cells represent a small fraction of CD3(+) T cells in peripheral blood (1-10%). They constitute a unique subset of T lymphocytes that recognize stress ligands or non-peptide antigens through MHC-independent presentation. Major human ?d T cell subsets, Vd1 and Vd2, expand in response to microbial infection or malignancy, but possess distinct tissue localization, antigen recognition, and effector responses. By comparing highly purified Vd1 and Vd2 cells, this study found distinct genetic and phenotypic signatures that define functional differences in ?d T cell populations, suggesting that Vd1 and Vd2 T cells are different lineages. These findings will facilitate further investigation into the ligand specificity and unique role of Vd1 and Vd2 cells in early immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mei Xia, Azra Blazevic, Andrew Fiore-Gartland, Daniel F. Hoft
Summary: In this study, the effects of BCG vaccination on γδ T cell responses were investigated. TCR repertoire sequencing revealed minimal changes in the diversity and distribution of TCR clones after vaccination, but identified specific clonotypes that significantly expanded or contracted. These findings provide new insights into the role of γδ T cells in Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Simone Thomas, Hinrich Abken
Summary: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) in the second generation format provide two signals for T cell activation. However, CAR T cell persistence is limited and can be improved by supplementing cytokines as the third signal. Recent progress in understanding receptor signaling allows for the engineering of cytokines to selectively stimulate CAR T cells. We discuss strategies for engineering cytokine help intensified CAR (CHIC) T cells for adoptive cell therapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Tiffany C. Y. Tang, Ning Xu, Robert Nordon, Michelle Haber, Kenneth Micklethwaite, Alla Dolnikov
Summary: Adoptive cell therapy using patient-derived CAR T cells has shown success in treating hematologic cancers, but accessibility needs to be improved. Donor T cells can be used to generate off-the-shelf CAR T cells, but safety and efficacy enhancements are required.
BIOMARKER RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Wenyi Yan, Louisa S. Chard Dunmall, Nicholas R. Lemoine, Yaohe Wang, Yafeng Wang, Pengju Wang
Summary: This review discusses the heterogeneity of γδ T cells and their importance in cancer immunotherapy. γδ T cells possess unique tumor recognition and anti-tumor functions, and play a role in the tumor microenvironment. Understanding and effectively harnessing these diverse γδ T cell subpopulations is crucial for tumor-specific immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Haeyoun Choi, Tai-Gyu Kim, Sin -Soo Jeun, Stephen Ahn
Summary: This study introduces γδ T cells as a new option for treating glioblastoma, highlighting their unique characteristics and advantages compared to conventional αβ T cells. Several recent preclinical studies using human γδ T cell therapy for glioblastoma are summarized, and future directions for human γδ T cell therapy are suggested.
Review
Oncology
Aleksei Titov, Ekaterina Zmievskaya, Irina Ganeeva, Aygul Valiullina, Alexey Petukhov, Aygul Rakhmatullina, Regina Miftakhova, Michael Fainshtein, Albert Rizvanov, Emil Bulatov
Summary: The aging global population is leading to an increase in cancer-related morbidity and mortality, with late-stage tumor treatment becoming a significant burden on healthcare systems. Adoptive cell immunotherapy, particularly CAR T-cell technology, shows promise in curing previously incurable patients with B-cell malignancies, although challenges remain in treating solid tumors. Advanced cell therapies are being developed to address these challenges and improve the efficacy of cancer treatment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Fang, Yichen Zhu, Adam Kramer, Yuning Chen, Yan-Ruide Li, Lili Yang
Summary: Allogeneic cell therapies have the potential to be a cost-effective solution for cancer immunotherapy, but the development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) remains a challenge. Innate T cells such as MAIT cells, iNKT cells, and gamma delta T cells offer a promising solution as they express MHC-independent T-cell receptors (TCRs) and can avoid MHC recognition and GvHD. This review examines their biology, roles in GvHD modulation and allo HSCT, and explores their potential futures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Michael Hiltensperger, Angela M. Krackhardt
Summary: Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has witnessed a surge in new therapeutic approaches, particularly with the recent approvals of CAR-T cell therapies. The focus of ACT is to genetically modify T cells to target and kill tumor cells. Both CAR-T cells and TCR-T cells have advantages and limitations in targeting solid tumors. Next-generation CAR-T cells and genetically engineered TCR-T cells targeting intracellular antigens might address these challenges. Ongoing clinical trials, current challenges, and future directions in this field are also discussed.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Eline van Diest, Mara J. T. Nicolasen, Lovro Kramer, Jiali Zheng, Patricia Hernandez-Lopez, Dennis X. Beringer, Jurgen Kuball
Summary: In this study, we developed a novel T cell engager concept called GAB by utilizing γδTCR as a tumor targeting domain. The γδ ECTO-alpha CD3-dimer design was found to be superior in function compared to monomers and does not induce T cell activation without simultaneous tumor engagement.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Lauren Le Page, Alexandria Gillespie, John C. Schwartz, Lisa-Maria Prawits, Angela Schlerka, Colin P. Farrell, John A. Hammond, Cynthia L. Baldwin, Janice C. Telfer, Sabine E. Hammer
Summary: This study investigated the receptor and gene expression profiles of different subpopulations of swine gamma delta T cells. The findings suggest that these subpopulations exhibit differences in receptor and gene expression levels, potentially leading to varied contributions to immune protection.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Maja Stanojevic, Alice Bertaina, Carmem Bonfim, Rachele Ciccocioppo, Sandra Cohen, Duncan Purtill, Annalisa Ruggeri, Athena Russell, Akshay Sharma, Robert Wynn, Jaap Jan Boelens, Susan Prockop, Allistair Abraham
Summary: Despite advances in HSCT, viral infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for recipients. Adoptive transfer of viral specific T cells has been successfully used for prevention and treatment of viral infections in immunocompromised HSCT recipients. Precise risk stratification should consider pretransplant clinical criteria and immune reconstitution milestones to identify those at highest risk. Early detection and treatment of viral reactivation is challenging in regions without readily available commercial PCR assays and antiviral agents.
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
Roshani Sinha, Rachana Patil, Rosa Romano, Esmond Lee, Zhenyu Yao, Y. Lucy Liu, Matthew H. Porteus, Alice Bertaina
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Orly R. Klein, Carmem Bonfim, Allistair Abraham, Annalisa Ruggeri, Duncan Purtill, Sandra Cohen, Robert Wynn, Athena Russell, Akshay Sharma, Rachele Ciccocioppo, Susan Prockop, Jaap Jan Boelens, Alice Bertaina
Summary: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment for many non-malignant disorders. This article reviews various aspects of HSCT for patients with non-malignant disorders, including transplant considerations, conditioning regimens, donor choice, and graft manipulation strategies.
Article
Oncology
Erik S. Blomain, Alice Jiang, Sarah S. Donaldson, Rajni Agarwal, Alice Bertaina, David Shyr, Michael L. Eisenberg, Richard T. Hoppe, Susan M. Hiniker, Justin Oh
Summary: This study compared the effects of testicular boost irradiation in children with leukemia undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The results showed that testicular boost did not reduce the risk of relapse, but resulted in a higher rate of gonadal dysfunction.
ADVANCES IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Moises Garcia-Rosa, Allistair Abraham, Alice Bertaina, Senthil Velan Bhoopalan, Carmem Bonfim, Sandra Cohen, Amy DeZern, Chrystal Louis, Joseph Oved, Mara Pavel-Dinu, Duncan Purtill, Annalisa Ruggeri, Athena Russell, Akshay Sharma, Robert Wynn, Jaap Jan Boelens, Susan Prockop
Summary: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is an effective treatment for various blood diseases, but graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is still a major concern. Current pharmacologic agents used to prevent and treat GVHD also affect the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Cellular therapies such as mesenchymal stromal cells and regulatory T cells show potential in preventing or treating GVHD. Clinical studies are ongoing to explore the role of these therapies in improving GVHD-related outcomes.
Article
Oncology
Raul Montiel-Esparza, Suzanne M. Michalak, Anthony Huy Dinh Le, Christopher Or, Quan Dong Nguyen, Ruby Khoury, Michael S. Grimley, Alice Bertaina, Edna Klinger, Ami J. Shah, Edward H. Wood
Summary: Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) is a rare but severe complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), which can lead to irreversible consequences despite optimal antiviral treatment. Viral-specific T cells (VSTs) offer a promising and safe approach for eliminating stubborn viral diseases. We present the case of a 21-month-old male with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and CMVR post HCT, showing sustained long-term virologic and clinical improvement after CMV-specific T-cell therapy. This case emphasizes the importance of considering VST as an adjunct upfront strategy for refractory CMVR, as well as the need for regular ophthalmologic screening and surveillance in high-risk patients post HCT.
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Steven Levitte, Abantika Ganguly, Sophie Frolik, Alix A. Guevara-Tique, Shaini Patel, Ann Tadas, Orly Klein, David Shyr, Rajni Agarwal-Hashmi, Lynn Beach, Elizabeth Callard, Katja Weinacht, Alice Bertaina, Avnesh S. Thakor
Summary: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication in pediatric stem cell transplant patients. Corticosteroids are the main treatment, but their long-term use can cause complications. Intraarterial steroid administration has been successfully used in children with GVHD, improving symptoms and liver function. This approach may be considered as a rescue or bridge therapy for children with acute GVHD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Roshani Sinha, Mai Dvorak, Ananthakrishnan Ganesan, Larry Kalesinskas, Charlotte M. Niemeyer, Christian Flotho, Kathleen M. Sakamoto, Norman Lacayo, Rachana Vinay Patil, Rhonda Perriman, Alma-Martina Cepika, Yunying Lucy Liu, Alex Kuo, Paul J. Utz, Purvesh Khatri, Alice Bertaina
Summary: This study identifies potential druggable targets for the treatment of JMML through the analysis of DNA structures and histone modifications, providing a rich resource for improving the outcomes of JMML patients.
Meeting Abstract
Pediatrics
Paul Charles Grimm, Cynthia Wong, Debra Jordi Goldstein-Fuchs, Abanti Chaudhuri, Gerri James, Darcy Boyd, Julie Good, Mayna Woo, Amy Gallo, Alice Bertaina
PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Critical Care Medicine
Vijith Vijayan, Hao Yan, Juliane Lohmeyer, Kolten Peterson, James Harden, Rachana Patil, Giulia Barbarito, Alice Bertaina, Robert Negrin, Daria Mochly-Rosen, Kenneth Weinberg, Bereketeab Haileselassie
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
G. Barbarito, D. M. Louis, R. Patil, R. Sinha, L. Oppizzi, Z. Yao, K. Weinberg, R. Parkman, A. Bertaina
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
A. Bertaina, R. Bacchetta, D. C. Shyr, G. Saini, J. Lee, K. Kristovich, R. Agarwal, O. Klein, K. Melsop, K. Tate, G. Barbarito, L. Oppizzi, P. Chen, A. Cepika, M. Roncarolo
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
G. Lucchini, A. Bertaina, J. E. Galimard, M. Benakli, K. Kalwak, J. H. Dalle, O. Mirci Danicar, M. Ayas, F. Locatelli, E. Skorobogatova, Y. Bertrand, J. Styczynski, A. Tbakhi, P. Sedlacek, A. Balduzzi, M. Ifversen, B. Versluijs, C. Jubert, A. Dalissier, P. Bader, S. Corbacioglu
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
A. Bertaina, K. Osoegawa, K. M. Cunanan, S. Spellman, M. Fernandez-Vina
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Alice Bertaina, Paul C. Grimm, Kenneth Weinberg
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)