Single-Cell RNA Analysis Reveals Cell-Intrinsic Functions of CAR T Cells Correlating with Response in a Phase II Study of Lymphoma Patients.

Purpose: Although CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy has shown remarkable success in B-cell malignancies, a substantial fraction of patients do not obtain a long-term clinical response. This could be influenced by the quality of the individual CAR-T infusion product. To shed some light on this, clinical outcome was correlated to characteristics of CAR-T infusion products.

Adaptive single-KIRNKG2C NK cells expanded from select superdonors show potent missing-self reactivity and efficiently control HLA-mismatched acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells hold great promise as a source for allogeneic cell therapy against hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Current treatments are hampered by variability in NK cell subset responses, a limitation which could be circumvented by specific expansion of highly potent single killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)NKG2C adaptive NK cells to maximize missing-self reactivity.

Methods: We developed a GMP-compliant protocol to expand adaptive NK cells from cryopreserved cells derived from select third-party superdonors, that is, donors harboring large adaptive NK cell subsets with desired KIR specificities at baseline.

Boosting CAR T-cell responses in lymphoma by simultaneous targeting of CD40/4-1BB using oncolytic viral gene therapy.

Pretreatment of B-cell lymphoma patients with immunostimulatory gene therapy using armed oncolytic viruses may prime tumor lesions for subsequent chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, thereby enhancing CAR T-cell functionality and possibly increasing response rates in patients. LOAd703 (delolimogene mupadenorepvec) is an oncolytic adenovirus (serotype 5/35) that encodes for the transgenes CD40L and 4-1BBL, which activate both antigen-presenting cells and T cells. Many adenoviruses failed to demonstrate efficacy in B-cell malignancies, but LOAd703 infect cells via CD46, which enables B cell infection.

A Phase I/IIa Trial Using CD19-Targeted Third-Generation CAR T Cells for Lymphoma and Leukemia.

Purpose: The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been effective for patients with CD19 B-cell malignancies. Most studies have investigated the second-generation CARs with either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory domains in the CAR receptor. Here, we describe the first clinical phase I/IIa trial using third-generation CAR T cells targeting CD19 to evaluate safety and efficacy.

Complete Remission with Reduction of High-Risk Clones following Haploidentical NK-Cell Therapy against MDS and AML.

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and immunobiological correlates of allogeneic NK-cell-based therapy in primary chemotherapy-refractory or relapsed high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), secondary AML (MDS/AML), and AML patients. Sixteen patients received fludarabine/cyclophosphamide conditioning combined with total lymphoid irradiation followed by adoptive immunotherapy with IL2-activated haploidentical NK cells. NK-cell infusions were well-tolerated, with only transient adverse events observed in the 16 patients.

Design and synthesis of potent hydroxyethylamine (HEA) BACE-1 inhibitors carrying prime side 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzazole and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyridinoazole templates.

A set of low molecular weight compounds containing a hydroxyethylamine (HEA) core structure with different prime side alkyl substituted 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzazoles and one 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyridinoazole was synthesized. Striking differences were observed on potencies in the BACE-1 enzymatic and cellular assays depending on the nature of the heteroatoms in the bicyclic ring, from the low active compound 4 to inhibitor 6, displaying BACE-1 IC(50) values of 44 nM (enzyme assay) and 65 nM (cell-based assay).

Discovery of 4'-azido-2'-deoxy-2'-C-methyl cytidine and prodrugs thereof: a potent inhibitor of Hepatitis C virus replication.

4'-Azido-2'-deoxy-2'-methylcytidine (14) is a potent nucleoside inhibitor of the HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, displaying an EC(50) value of 1.2 μM and showing moderate in vivo bioavailability in rat (F=14%). Here we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of 4'-azido-2'-deoxy-2'-methylcytidine and prodrug derivatives thereof.

Synthesis and SAR of potent inhibitors of the Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease: exploration of P2 quinazoline substituents.

Novel NS3/4A protease inhibitors comprising quinazoline derivatives as P2 substituent were synthesized. High potency inhibitors displaying advantageous PK properties have been obtained through the optimization of quinazoline P2 substituents in three series exhibiting macrocyclic P2 cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid and P2 proline urea motifs. For the quinazoline moiety it was found that 8-methyl substitution in the P2 cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid series improved on the metabolic stability in human liver microsomes.

Discovery of novel, potent and bioavailable proline-urea based macrocyclic HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors.

A novel series of P3-truncated macrocyclic HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors containing a P2 proline-urea or carbamate scaffold was synthesized. Very potent inhibitors were obtained through the optimization of the macrocycle size, urea and proline substitution, and bioisosteric replacement of the P1 carboxylic acid moiety. Variation of the lipophilicity by introduction of small lipophilic substituents resulted in improved PK profiles, ultimately leading to compound 13Bh, an extremely potent (K(i)=0.

Clinical grade vector production: analysis of yield, stability, and storage of gmp-produced retroviral vectors for gene therapy.

Retroviral vector gene transfer of a therapeutic gene to correct or modify a disease process is a promising strategy for many inherited and acquired diseases. A major obstacle in this process is the large-scale production of the gene transfer vector under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions. We have used the CellCube bioreactor system to produce five batches of GMP-grade vector.