Project description:The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in solid tumors is limited by immunosuppression and antigen heterogeneity. To overcome these barriers, “armored” CAR T cells, which secrete proinflammatory cytokines, have been developed. However, their clinical application has been limited due to toxicities related to peripheral expression of the armoring transgene. Here, we developed a CRISPR knock-in strategy that leverages the regulatory mechanisms of endogenous genes to drive transgene expression in a tumor-localized manner. By screening endogenous genes with tumor-restricted expression, the NR4A2 and RGS16 promoters were identified to support the delivery of cytokines such as IL-12 and IL-2 directly to the tumor site, leading to enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and long-term survival of mice in both syngeneic and xenogeneic models. This was concomitant with improved CAR T cell polyfunctionality, activation of endogenous anti-tumor immunity, a favorable safety profile, and was applicable using CAR T cells from patients.
Project description:Compare the gene expression profile among armored IL-12 secreting CAR T cells and second-generation CAR T cells and TAMs recovered from both groups
Project description:Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are ineffective against solid tumors due to obstacles of antigen heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Previous efforts focused on enhancing cytotoxicity and persistence of CAR T cells, while the feasibility of improving their therapeutic efficacy by leveraging the modulatory effects of CAR T cells on host anti-tumor immunity remains unclear. Here, we report that IL-36γ armored CAR T cells eradicated primary solid tumors and enabled rejection of rechallenged antigen-negative tumors. IL-36γ armored CAR T cells favorably modulated the TME and reprogrammed unique neutrophil subsets with tumoricidal ability and antigen-(cross)presenting functions, resulting in the induction of endogenous T cells recognizing tumor antigens beyond CAR-targeted antigens. Our study demonstrates that neutrophil engagement by CAR T cells is a critical step in the establishment of the cancer-immunity cycle and introduces a broadly applicable method to overcome key barriers to adoptive cell therapies for solid tumors.
Project description:Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are ineffective against solid tumors due to obstacles of antigen heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Previous efforts focused on enhancing cytotoxicity and persistence of CAR T cells, while the feasibility of improving their therapeutic efficacy by leveraging the modulatory effects of CAR T cells on host anti-tumor immunity remains unclear. Here, we report that IL-36γ armored CAR T cells eradicated primary solid tumors and enabled rejection of rechallenged antigen-negative tumors. IL-36γ armored CAR T cells favorably modulated the TME and reprogrammed unique neutrophil subsets with tumoricidal ability and antigen-(cross)presenting functions, resulting in the induction of endogenous T cells recognizing tumor antigens beyond CAR-targeted antigens. Our study demonstrates that neutrophil engagement by CAR T cells is a critical step in the establishment of the cancer-immunity cycle and introduces a broadly applicable method to overcome key barriers to adoptive cell therapies for solid tumors.
Project description:Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are ineffective against solid tumors due to obstacles of antigen heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Previous efforts focused on enhancing cytotoxicity and persistence of CAR T cells, while the feasibility of improving their therapeutic efficacy by leveraging the modulatory effects of CAR T cells on host anti-tumor immunity remains unclear. Here, we report that IL-36γ armored CAR T cells eradicated primary solid tumors and enabled rejection of rechallenged antigen-negative tumors. IL-36γ armored CAR T cells favorably modulated the TME and reprogrammed unique neutrophil subsets with tumoricidal ability and antigen-(cross)presenting functions, resulting in the induction of endogenous T cells recognizing tumor antigens beyond CAR-targeted antigens. Our study demonstrates that neutrophil engagement by CAR T cells is a critical step in the establishment of the cancer-immunity cycle and introduces a broadly applicable method to overcome key barriers to adoptive cell therapies for solid tumors.