Patent Application
20240325443
This disclosure relates at least to the fields of immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, and medicine, including at least cancer medicine.
Natural killer (NK) cells have been studied as potential anti-tumor effectors, yet a number of barriers limit their therapeutic exploitation, mainly related to their lack of antigen specificity. One approach to overcome this is to transduce NK cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or an engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) to target a desired antigen. In T cells, one can utilize a bispecific or multi-specific antibody, such as a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) that binds CD3 on the surface of T cells and that also binds an antigen on the surface of cancer cells. CD3 is composed of four distinct chains, and in mammals, the complex contains a CD3γ chain, a CD3δ chain, and two CD3ε chains. These chains associate with the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the ζ-chain (zeta-chain) to generate an activation signal in T lymphocytes. However, NK cells do not naturally express the CD3 receptor complex or TCRs.
The present disclosure satisfies a long-felt need in the art to improve upon immunotherapies including those that utilize NK cells.
Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment of an individual with cancer using adoptive cell therapy. In specific embodiments, the individual is provided a therapeutically effective amount of a bipartite therapy that includes both modified NK cells and antibodies that are capable of being able to bind the NK cells to initiate signaling, activation, and killing of target cells. The disclosure concerns NK cells that have been modified to express multiple proteins that are not naturally expressed in NK cells and that work in conjunction together, including heterologous proteins on the surface of the NK cells that are naturally not present in NK cells.
In specific embodiments, NK cells are engineered to express one or more proteins from a CD3 co-receptor complex and optionally a TCR receptor complex, each normally present on the surface of T cells. Such engineering provides greater versatility for the NK cells to be utilized in conjunction with a variety of bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, including those that comprise an anti-CD3 antibody (e.g., an anti-CD3 scFv). In particular embodiments, the modified NK cells are administered to an individual in need thereof in conjunction with one or more bispecific or multi-specific antibodies each having one antibody that targets CD3 and one antibody that binds a desired antigen, such as a cancer antigen. As a result, in specific cases the NK cells expressing CD3 are able to bind the anti-CD3 antibody part of the bispecific or multi-specific antibody, and the antibody that binds a cancer antigen binds the cancer antigen on the surface of a cancer cell. Such a coordinated binding between the NK cells and the antibody results in activation of cytotoxicity against the target cancer antigen.
In particular embodiments, the present disclosure concerns modified NK cells that express the full or partial CD3 complex with or without TCRs, and in some cases individual CD3 chain(s) are heterologously linked to an NK-relevant signaling domain, all of which allows the modified NK cells to be utilized with a variety of bispecific antibodies.
Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions comprising NK cells modified to express part or all of a single chain or any combination of CD3δ, CD3ε, CD3γ, or CD3ζ. In some cases, the NK cells are modified to express the T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ chains or the TCR γδ chains. The NK cells may be modified to express part or all of CD3ζ, two of CD3ε, CD3δ, and CD3γ. In some cases, the NK cells are modified to express full length of CD3ζ, CD3ε, CD3δ, and/or CD3γ. In particular cases, any one or more of the CD3ζ, CD3ε, CD3δ, and CD3γ are heterologously linked to one or more intracellular signaling domains. The intracellular signaling domain may be selected from the group consisting of CD16, NKG2D, DAP10, DAP12, 2B4, 4-1BB, CD2, CD28 and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, an intracellular signaling domain is fused to CD3ζ. In some embodiments, an intracellular signaling domain is derived from DAP10. In some embodiments, an intracellular signaling domain is derived from CD28. In some embodiments, an intracellular signaling domain comprises a sequence derived from DAP10 and a sequence derived from CD28. In some embodiments, the intracellular signaling domain could also include other costimulatory signals relevant to NK cell function such as but not limited to, 2B4, DNA, 4-1BB, DAP12, NKG2D, etc. In specific embodiments, the composition further comprises one or more bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, wherein the bispecific or multi-specific antibody comprises an anti-CD3 antibody. The NK cells may express the antibody and/or are complexed with the antibody. In some embodiments, the TCR is directed to a cancer antigen or a viral antigen. In specific embodiments, the NK cells are derived from cord blood (CB), peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow, stem cells, or a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, the TCR is directed to an NY-ESO antigen. In some embodiments, the TCR is directed to a PRAME antigen. The NK cells may be pre-activated, such as with one or more cytokines, including IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-21, or a combination thereof, for example. In some embodiments, the NK cells are expanded, such as in the presence of IL-2. In specific embodiments, the NK cells are modified to express one or more heterologous proteins, such as one or more engineered antigen receptors, one or more cytokines, one or more homing receptors, and/or one or more chemokine receptors. In specific cases, the engineered antigen receptor is a chimeric antigen receptor and/or engineered T cell receptor. In some cases, the heterologous protein is a cytokine, such as one selected from the group consisting of IL-15, IL-12, IL-2, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, GMCSF, or a combination thereof. The cytokine may be membrane-bound, and the membrane-bound cytokine may comprise a transmembrane domain from CD8, CD28, CD27, B7H3, IgG1, IgG4, CD4, DAP10, or DAP12. In specific cases, the NK cell expresses a chimeric antigen receptor and a cytokine. In some cases, the bispecific antibody comprises an antibody that targets a cancer antigen.
Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions comprising a complex, comprising: (1) NK cells modified to express part or all of the CD3 receptor complex and optionally modified to express the T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ chains or the TCR γδ chains; and (2) a bispecific or multi-specific antibody, wherein the bispecific or multi-specific antibody comprises an anti-CD3 antibody that is bound to CD3 on the NK cells. In specific embodiments, the complex is housed in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The complex may be housed in a delivery device.
In particular embodiments, there is a method of treating cancer in an individual, comprising the step of administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of any one of the compositions encompassed herein. In some embodiments, the NK cells and the antibody are administered to the individual at the same time. The NK cells and the antibody may or may not be administered in the same formulation. The NK cells and the antibody may be pre-complexed prior to administration to the individual. In specific embodiments, the NK cells and the antibody are administered to the individual at different times. The NK cells and the antibody may be administered by infusion. In specific embodiments, the NK cells are autologous or allogeneic with respect to the individual.
Embodiments of the disclosure include methods of redirecting the specificity of NK cells against a cancer antigen for treatment of an individual with a bispecific or multi-specific anti-CD3 antibody, comprising the steps of administering to the individual the antibody and NK cells that express part or all of the CD3 receptor complex and that optionally express part or all of TCR αβ chains or the TCR γδ chains. In specific embodiments, the method further comprising the step of modifying NK cells to express part or all of the CD3 receptor complex. In specific embodiments, the method further comprises the step of modifying NK cells to express the TCR αβ chains or the TCR γδ chains. In some cases, the method further comprises the step of modifying the NK cells to express one or more heterologous proteins.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.
In keeping with long-standing patent law convention, the words “a” and “an” when used in the present specification in concert with the word comprising, including the claims, denote “one or more.” Some embodiments of the disclosure may consist of or consist essentially of one or more elements, method steps, and/or methods of the disclosure. It is contemplated that any method or composition described herein can be implemented with respect to any other method or composition described herein and that different embodiments may be combined.
Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of” Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that no other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “a particular embodiment,” “a related embodiment,” “a certain embodiment,” “an additional embodiment,” or “a further embodiment” or combinations thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the foregoing phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
As used herein, the terms “or” and “and/or” are utilized to describe multiple components in combination or exclusive of one another. For example, “x, y, and/or z” can refer to “x” alone, “y” alone, “z” alone, “x, y, and z,” “(x and y) or z,” “x or (y and z),” or “x or y or z.” It is specifically contemplated that x, y, or z may be specifically excluded from an embodiment.
Throughout this application, the term “about” is used according to its plain and ordinary meaning in the area of cell and molecular biology to indicate that a value includes the standard deviation of error for the device or method being employed to determine the value.
As used herein, the term “CD3 receptor complex” or “CD3 co-receptor complex” refers to the protein complex that in nature acts as a T cell co-receptor and is comprised of CD3ζ chain, CD3γ chain, a CD3δ chain, and two CD3ε chains (although in alternatives only one CD3ε chain is used).
The term “engineered” as used herein refers to an entity that is generated by the hand of man, including a cell, nucleic acid, polypeptide, vector, and so forth. In at least some cases, an engineered entity is synthetic and comprises elements that are not naturally present or configured in the manner in which it is utilized in the disclosure. In specific embodiments, a vector is engineered through recombinant nucleic acid technologies, and a cell is engineered through transfection or transduction of an engineered vector. Cells may be engineered to express heterologous proteins that are not naturally expressed by the cells, either because the heterologous proteins are recombinant or synthetic or because the cells do not naturally express the proteins.
The phrases “pharmaceutical or pharmacologically acceptable” refers to molecular entities and compositions that do not produce an adverse, allergic, or other untoward reaction when administered to an animal, such as a human, as appropriate. The preparation of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or additional active ingredient will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Moreover, for animal (e.g., human) administration, it will be understood that preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, general safety, and purity standards as required by FDA Office of Biological Standards.
As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all aqueous solvents (e.g., water, alcoholic/aqueous solutions, saline solutions, parenteral vehicles, such as sodium chloride, Ringer's dextrose, etc.), non-aqueous solvents (e.g., propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyloleate), dispersion media, coatings, surfactants, antioxidants, preservatives (e.g., antibacterial or antifungal agents, anti-oxidants, chelating agents, and inert gases), isotonic agents, absorption delaying agents, salts, drugs, drug stabilizers, gels, binders, excipients, disintegration agents, lubricants, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, dyes, fluid and nutrient replenishers, such like materials and combinations thereof, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The pH and exact concentration of the various components in a pharmaceutical composition are adjusted according to well-known parameters.
The term “subject,” as used herein, generally refers to an individual having a that has or is suspected of having cancer. The subject can be any organism or animal subject that is an object of a method or material, including mammals, e.g., humans, laboratory animals (e.g., primates, rats, mice, rabbits), livestock (e.g., cows, sheep, goats, pigs, turkeys, and chickens), household pets (e.g., dogs, cats, and rodents), horses, and transgenic non-human animals. The subject can be a patient, e.g., have or be suspected of having a disease (that may be referred to as a medical condition), such as benign or malignant neoplasias, or cancer. The subject may being undergoing or having undergone treatment. The subject may be asymptomatic. The subject may be healthy individuals but that are desirous of prevention of cancer. The term “individual” may be used interchangeably, in at least some cases. The “subject” or “individual”, as used herein, may or may not be housed in a medical facility and may be treated as an outpatient of a medical facility. The individual may be receiving one or more medical compositions via the internet. An individual may comprise any age of a human or non-human animal and therefore includes both adult and juveniles (i.e., children) and infants and includes in utero individuals. It is not intended that the term connote a need for medical treatment, therefore, an individual may voluntarily or involuntarily be part of experimentation whether clinical or in support of basic science studies.
As used herein “treatment” or “treating,” includes any beneficial or desirable effect on the symptoms or pathology of a disease or pathological condition, and may include even minimal reductions in one or more measurable markers of the disease or condition being treated, e.g., cancer. Treatment can involve optionally either the reduction or amelioration of one or more symptoms of the disease or condition, or the delaying of the progression of the disease or condition. “Treatment” does not necessarily indicate complete eradication or cure of the disease or condition, or associated symptoms thereof. Treating may mean alleviation of at least one symptom of the disease or condition.
As used herein “TCR/CD3 complex” refers to a protein complex naturally found on the surface of T cells and that comprises T-cell receptor α and β chains and/or a T-cell receptor γ and δ chains, in addition to CD3ζ, CD3γ, CD3δ, and CD3ε chains.
Natural killer (NK) cells are an emerging cellular immunotherapy for patients with malignant hematologic disease, as well as solid tumors. The present disclosure specifically relates to NK cells that have been modified to render the NK cells to have enhanced function as an immunotherapy compared to NK cells not so modified. The modifications allow for the NK cells to have greater versatility when used with other therapeutic agents and at least in some embodiments to have T cell-like activity by utilizing the CD3/TCR receptor complex. In specific embodiments, the NK cells are modified to express (i) either a single CD3 chain (CD3zeta, CD3 epsilon, CD3 delta, or CD3 gamma) or part or all of the human CD3 receptor complex (including any combination of CD3 delta, epsilon (one or two copies of epsilon), gamma, and zeta); or (ii) either a single CD3 chain or the human CD3 receptor complex (including any combination of CD3 delta, epsilon (one or two molecules), gamma, and zeta) as a full length protein or as a partial protein heterologously linked to one or more intracellular signaling domains); and (iii) the CD3 complex may or may not include the T-cell receptor (αβ or γδ). The disclosure concerns the use of CD3-expressing NK cells in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, including use of the cells in combination with bispecific or multi-specific antibodies in which one epitope of the antibody binds CD3 on the CD3-expressing NK cells). The CD3-expressing NK cells can either be pre-complexed ex vivo with the bi/multi-specific antibody to redirect their specificity toward the target antigen and/or combined in vivo. In diagnostic embodiments, labeled NK cells may be loaded with bispecific or multi-specific antibodies of any kind, including that comprise at least an anti-CD3 antibody, and the loaded, labeled NK cells may be monitored for trafficking to the site of the target antigen for which another antibody on the bispecific or multi-specific antibody binds.
The disclosure concerns compositions that at least include modified NK cells that express at least parts of the TCR/CD3 complex. In some cases, the compositions also include bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, including in the same formulation, although in alternative embodiments the NK cells and antibodies are utilized as physically separate compositions.
In particular embodiments, provided herein are compositions that comprise NK cells that have been modified by the hand of man to express part or all of the TCR receptor complex and part or all of the CD3 co-receptor complex. In specific embodiments, the NK cells are modified to include all components of the CD3 complex, including CD3ζ, CD3ε, CD3γ and CD3δ. Although in particular cases the full lengths of CD3ζ, CD3ε, CD3γ and CD3δ are utilized, including their extracellular domain, transmembrane domain, and intracellular domain, in alternative embodiments only part of one or more of CD3ζ, CD3ε, CD3γ and CD3δ are utilized each of which that may or may not be combined with one or more intracellular signaling domains such as CD16, NKG2D, DAP10, DAP12, CD28, 41BB, 2B4, CD27, OX40, or any combination thereof. The NK cells may also be modified to express the TCR receptor complex, although in alternative embodiments none of the TCR receptor complex components are utilized.
In certain embodiments, an amino acid sequence (e.g., a polypeptide) may comprise an amino acid represented by a single letter “X” or a three letter code “Xaa”. In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” is any naturally occurring amino acid, such as but not limited to, Arginine (Arg, R), Histidine (His, H), Lysine (Lys, K), Aspartic Acid (Asp, D), Glutamic Acid (Glu, E), Serine (Ser, S), Threonine (Thr, T), Asparagine (Asn, N), Glutamine (Gln, Q), Glycine (Gly, G), Proline (Pro, P), Cysteine (Cys, C), Alanine (Ala, A), Valine (Val, V), Isoleucine (Ile, I), Leucine (Leu, L), Methionine (Met, M), Phenylalanine (Phe, F), Tyrosine (Tyr, Y), or Tryptophan (Trp, W).
In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Arginine (Arg, R). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Histidine (His, H). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Lysine (Lys, K). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Aspartic Acid (Asp, D). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Glutamic Acid (Glu, E). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Serine (Ser, S). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Threonine (Thr, T). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Asparagine (Asn, N). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Glutamine (Gln, Q). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Glycine (Gly, G). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Proline (Pro, P). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Cysteine (Cys, C). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Alanine (Ala, A). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Valine (Val, V). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Isoleucine (Ile, I). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Leucine (Leu, L). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Methionine (Met, M). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Phenylalanine (Phe, F). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Tyrosine (Tyr, Y). In some embodiments, the amino acid represented by “X” or “Xaa” in SEQ ID NO: 25 or SEQ ID NO: 88 is Tryptophan (Trp, W).
In certain embodiments, particular sequences for any of the CD3 receptor components are utilized, including wildtype or mutants of the components so long as the CD3 receptor having the mutant is able to allow signaling through the CD3 complex leading to activation and killing of targets. In some cases, the following examples of sequences for CD3δ, CD3δ, CD3γ, and CD3ζ and are utilized for modification of the NK cells.
ATGCAGAGCGGCACCCACTGGAGAGTGCTGGGCCTGTGCCTGCTGAGCGTGGGCGTGTGGGG
CCAGGACGGCAACGAGGAGATGGGCGGCATCACCCAGACCCCCTACAAGGTGAGCATCAGCG
MQSGTHWRVLGLCLLSVGVWGQDGNEEMGGITQTPYKVSISGTTVILTCPQYPGSEILWQHN
Homo sapiens CD3d molecule, delta (CD3-TCR complex), mRNA (cDNA clone
ATGGAGCACAGCACCTTCCTGAGCGGCCTGGTGCTGGCCACCCTGCTGAGCCAGGTGAGCCC
CTTCAAGATCCCCATCGAGGAGCTGGAGGACAGAGTGTTCGTGAACTGCAACACCAGCATCA
MEHSTFLSGLVLATLLSQVSPFKIPIEELEDRVFVNCNTSITWVEGTVGTLLSDITRLDLGK
Homo sapiens CD3g molecule (CD3G), mRNA; NM_000073.3:81-629 Homo
sapiens CD3g molecule (CD3G), mRNA
ATGGAACAGGGGAAGGGCCTGGCTGTCCTCATCCTGGCTATCATTCTTCTTCAAGGTACTTT
GGCCCAGTCAATCAAAGGAAACCACTTGGTTAAGGTGTATGACTATCAAGAAGATGGTTCGG
MEQGKGLAVLILAIILLQGTLAQSIKGNHLVKVYDYQEDGSVLLTCDAEAKNITWFKDGKMI
ATGAAGTGGAAGGCGCTTTTCACCGCGGCCATCCTGCAGGCACAGTTGCCGATTACAGAGGC
ACAGAGCTTTGGCCTGCTGGATCCCAAACTCTGCTACCTGCTGGATGGAATCCTCTTCATCT
MKWKALFTAAILQAQLPITEAQSFGLLDPKLCYLLDGILFIYGVILTALFLRVKESRSADAP
Homo sapiens CD247 molecule (CD247; also referred to as CD3 Zeta), transcript
In specific embodiments, the NK cells are modified to express one of more of the TCRα chain, the TCRβ chain, the TCRγ chain, and the TCR6 chain, and any combination thereof may be utilized. In a specific case, the NK cells are modified to express the T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ chains or the TCR γδ chains. In certain cases, the NK cells are modified to express part or all of only the constant region of one of more of the TCRα chain, the TCRβ chain, the TCRγ chain, and the TCR6 chain. The NK cells may be modified to express part or all of only the constant region of the T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ chains or the TCR γδ chains. In cases wherein part of the constant region is utilized, the part of the constant region may be at least 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, or 400 amino acids, including contiguous amino acids of any constant region. The part of the constant region may comprise at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% of the amino acids of a constant region, including contiguous amino acids of a constant region.
In specific cases, any sequences encompassed herein are utilized to modify the NK cells, although in other cases sequences that are related to these in identity are utilized. For example, related sequences that are at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% identical to any sequence encompassed herein may be utilized in the disclosure.
Particular constructs for the expression of various TCR/CD3 proteins in the NK cells may be utilized, and in a variety of configurations. In specific cases, the NK cells may be transduced or transfected with one or more vectors to express any of the various proteins encompassed herein, including at least any one or more components of the TCR/CD3 complex. In specific cases, the one or more vectors themselves may or may not be multicistronic by being able ultimately to produce more than one separate polypeptide. In cases wherein one or more multicistronic vectors are employed, they may utilize one or more internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) and/or one or more 2A self-cleaving peptide sites. In cases wherein one or more 2A sequences are utilized, the following may be used, where GSG is an optional linker:
In situations wherein multiple protein components are expressed from a multicistronic vector, the order in a 5′ to 3′ direction on the polynucleotide vector may be of any order, although in alternative cases they are present on the vector in a particular order. A multicistronic vector may express multiple components of the CD3 receptor complex and no other heterologous protein, or the multicistronic vector may express multiple components of the CD3 receptor complex and one or more other heterologous proteins. A multicistronic vector may express multiple components of the TCR receptor complex and no other heterologous protein, or the multicistronic vector may express multiple components of the TCR receptor complex and one or more other heterologous proteins. A multicistronic vector may or may not express one or more multiple components of the TCR receptor complex and one or more multiple components of the CD3 complex. In a specific embodiment, a multicistronic vector includes one or multiple components of the CD3 receptor complex and one or more heterologous proteins, such as a cytokine and an engineered antigen receptor, such as a CAR.
There is an example in
In specific embodiments, a TCR of the modified NK cells is utilized not necessarily as a therapeutic aspect for the cells but as a structural support or scaffold to facilitate function or enhanced function of the CD3 receptor complex. That is, the TCR may be any TCR and may not be utilized for its ability to target a particularly desired antigen. In such cases, and as an example, a TCR that targets a viral antigen may be employed for NK cells that will be used for cancers that are not necessarily related to that particular virus. In other cases, the TCR is selected for the ability to target a particular cancer antigen. Examples of antigens to which the TCR may be directed are provided elsewhere herein.
In
TCR1: refers to TCRpp65 (the TCR against the HLA-A2 restricted CMVpp65) linked to the intracellular CD3zeta domain and full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon, and the construct may also be referred to as TCRpp65ZicdGDEFL that may comprise the following sequence:
In TCRpp65ZicdGDEFL, the corresponding component sequences are as follows, although these particular sequences or others may be utilized in this and/or other constructs:
TCR2: refers to TCRpp65 linked to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon; it lacks IL-15. Representative sequences are as follows:
TCR3: refers to TCRpp65 linked to the intracellular CD3z domain and IL-15, and it may also be referred to as TCRpp65Zicd15, with a representative sequence as follows:
In TCRpp65Zicd15, the corresponding component sequences are as follows, although these particular sequences or others may be utilized in this and/or other constructs:
TCR4: refers to TCRpp65 that also may be referred to as TCRpp65betaalpha, and a representative sequence is as follows:
For TCRpp65betaalpha, the corresponding component sequences are as follows, although these particular sequences or others may be utilized in this and/or other constructs:
An additional representative sequence for TCRpp65betaalpha is as follows:
Z1: refers to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon linked to IL15 (see
Z2: refers to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon linked to membrane bound IL21 (with CD8 transmembrane domain for the membrane bound IL21), and it may also be referred to as CD3ZGDEFLSP821CD28, and a representative sequence is as follows:
For CD3ZGDEFLSP821CD28, the corresponding component sequences are as follows, although these particular sequences or others may be utilized in this and/or other constructs:
Z3: refers to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon linked to membrane bound IL21 (with CD28 transmembrane domain for the membrane bound IL21), and it may also be referred to as CD3ZGDEFL8SP21CD8 with a representative sequence as follows:
For CD3ZGDEFL8SP21CD8, the corresponding component sequences are as follows, although these particular sequences or others may be utilized in this and/or other constructs:
In certain embodiments, provided herein are CD3 constructs comprising a fusion with an intracellular co-stimulatory domain derived from CD16, NKG2D, DAP10, DAP12, 2B4, 4-1BB, CD2, CD28, DNAM, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, an intracellular co-stimulatory domain is fused to CD3δ, CD3ε, CD3γ, and/or CD3ζ. In certain embodiments, such a CD3 fusion construct comprises a CD3ζ fused to a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain. In certain embodiments, such a CD3 fusion construct comprises a CD3ζ fused to a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain. In certain embodiments, such a CD3 fusion construct comprises a CD3ζ fused to a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain and a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 106. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 107. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain and a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 108. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 109. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 110. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain and a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 111. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to an intracellular domain may not comprise a C terminal 2A domain. In certain embodiments, a CD3ζ fused to an intracellular domain may not comprise an N terminal signal peptide domain.
In certain embodiments, a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 112. In certain embodiments, a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 113. In certain embodiments, a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain and CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 114. In certain embodiments, a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. In certain embodiments, a CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 116. In certain embodiments, a DAP10 intracellular co-stimulatory domain and CD28 intracellular co-stimulatory domain is represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 117.
UTNK15-DAP10: refers to full length CD3zeta comprising a fusion with an intracellular co-stimulatory domain derived from DAP10, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon linked to I15, it may be represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 118. In certain embodiments, a UTNK15-DAP10 amino acid sequence may be represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 119.
UTNK15-28: refers to full length CD3zeta comprising a fusion with an intracellular co-stimulatory domain derived from CD28, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon linked to IL15, it may be represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 120. In certain embodiments, a UTNK15-28 amino acid sequence may be represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 121.
UTNK15-28-DAP10: refers to full length CD3zeta comprising a fusion with an intracellular co-stimulatory domain derived from DAP10 and an intracellular co-stimulatory domain derived from CD28, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon linked to I15, it may be represented by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 122. In certain embodiments, a UTNK15-28-DAP10 amino acid sequence may be represented by an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 123.
As depicted in
One specific example of a TCR that may be utilized in the cells is NY-ESO TCR, and specific examples of sequences include at least the following:
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR alpha chain variable region encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 85.
gatagcgctatttacaacctccagtggtttaggcaggac
agtcagagagagcaaacaagtggaagacttaatgcctcg
gtgaggcccctttatggaggaagctacatacctacattt
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR alpha chain constant region encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 86.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR alpha chain encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 87.
agctacatacctacatttggaagaggaaccagccttatt
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR alpha chain variable region amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 88.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR alpha chain constant region amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 89.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise an alpha chain CDR1 amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 90. DSAIYN (SEQ ID NO: 90)
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise an alpha chain CDR2 amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 91. IQSSQRE (SEQ ID NO: 91)
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise an alpha chain CDR3 amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 92. CAVRPLYGGSYIPTF (SEQ ID NO: 92)
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR beta chain variable encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 93.
catgaatacatgtcctggtatcgacaagacccaggcatg
agttacgtcgggaacaccggggagctgttttttggagaa
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR beta chain constant region encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 94.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR beta chain encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 95.
accggggagctgttttttggagaaggctctaggctgacc
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR beta chain variable region amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 96.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a TCR beta chain constant region amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 97.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a beta chain CDR1 amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 98.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a beta chain CDR2 amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 99.
In certain embodiments, a TCR may comprise a beta chain CDR3 amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 80% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 100. CASSYVGNTGELFF (SEQ ID NO: 100)
In certain embodiments, a TCR (e.g., a TCR alpha, beta, delta, and/or gamma) chain may comprise a signal peptide. In certain embodiments, a signal peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid that is at least, or exactly 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 101 or SEQ ID NO: 102. In certain embodiments, a signal peptide is at least, or exactly, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 103 or SEQ ID NO: 104.
In certain embodiments, a TCR recognizes a peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 157-165 of the human cancer testis Ag NY-ESO-1 in the context of the HLA-A*02 class I allele. In certain embodiments, a TCR may target an epitope characterized by the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 105.
One specific example of a TCR that may be utilized in the cells is TCRpp65alpha, and specific examples of sequences include at least the following (underlining refers to signal peptide sequence):
ATGGACTCCTGGACCTTCTGCTGTGTGTCCCTTTGCATCCTGGTA
GCAAAGCACACAGATGCTGGACAACAGCTGAATCAGAGTCCTCAA
MDSWTFCCVSLCILVAKHTDAGQQLNQSPQSMFIQEGEDVSMNCT
One specific example of a TCR that may be utilized in the cells is TCRpp65beta, and specific examples of sequences include at least the following (underlining refers to signal peptide sequence):
ATGGACTCCTGGACCTTCTGCTGTGTGTCCCTTTGCATCCTGGTA
GCAAAGCACACAGATGCTGGAGTTATCCAGTCACCCCGGCACGAG
MDSWTFCCVSLCILVAKHTDAGVIQSPRHEVTEMGQEVTLRCKPI
TCRpp65ZFLGDEFL15
In certain embodiments, one may utilize a construct in which TCRpp65 is linked to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, full length CD3 epsilon, and also linked to IL-15 (and may be referred to as TCRpp65ZFLGDEFL15). One representative sequence for such a construct is as follows:
In TCRpp65ZFLGDEFL15, the corresponding component sequences are as follows, although these particular sequences or others may be utilized in this and/or other constructs:
TCR5: referred to TCRCgdZFLGDEFL15, is the constant region of TCR gamma and delta, linked to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon; and IL-15. Representative sequences are as follows:
TCR6: also referred to TCRCabZFLGDEFL 15, is the constant region of TCR alpha and beta, linked to full length CD3zeta, full length CD3 gamma, full length CD3 delta, and full length CD3 epsilon; and IL-15. Representative sequences are as follows:
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises an NY-ESO-specific TCR and a CD8 alpha/beta co-receptor molecule. In some embodiments, such a construct can comprise a TCR alpha chain variable region signal peptide, a TCR alpha chain variable region, a TCR alpha chain constant region, a 2A element (e.g., P2A element), a TCR beta chain variable region signal peptide, a TCR beta chain variable region, a TCR beta chain constant region, a 2A element (e.g., a E2A element), a CD8-beta polypeptide, a 2A element (e.g., a T2A element), and a CD8-alpha polypeptide. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising an NY-ESO-specific TCR and a CD8 alpha/beta co-receptor molecule nucleotide coding sequence is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising an NY-ESO-specific TCR and a CD8 alpha/beta co-receptor molecule amino acid sequence is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 125.
In some embodiments, a CD8 alpha co-receptor molecule is transcriptionally linked to any TCR molecule disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a CD8 alpha co-receptor molecule nucleotide coding sequence is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 126. In some embodiments, a CD8 beta co-receptor molecule nucleotide coding sequence is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. In some embodiments, a CD8 alpha co-receptor amino acid sequence is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 128. In some embodiments, a CD8 beta co-receptor amino acid sequence is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 129.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises PRAME-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains found in PRAME-specific TCR clone 46, clone 54, and/or clone DSK3. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target PRAME epitopes SLLQHLIGL (SEQ ID NO: 131) and/or QLLALLPSL (SEQ ID NO: 132).
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 133 (e.g., TCR clone 46 TCR alpha) and/or 134 (e.g., TCR clone 46 TCR beta). In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 135 (e.g., TCR clone 46 TCR alpha) and/or 136 (e.g., TCR clone 46 TCR beta).
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 137 (e.g., TCR clone 54 TCR alpha) and/or 138 (e.g., TCR clone 54 TCR beta). In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 139 (e.g., TCR clone 54 TCR alpha) and/or 140 (e.g., TCR clone 54 TCR beta).
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 141 (e.g., TCR clone DSK3 TCR alpha) and/or 142 (e.g., TCR clone DSK3 TCR beta). In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to SEQ ID NO: 143 (e.g., TCR clone DSK3 TCR alpha) and/or 144 (e.g., TCR clone DSK3 TCR beta).
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 145-152. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains found in PRAME-specific TCR clone T116-49 and/or T402-93 and/or modified versions thereof. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target PRAME epitope LYVDSLFFL (SEQ ID NO: 167). In some embodiments, PRAME-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in international patent application publication WO 2022/063966 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising PRAME-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 153-166.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises gp100-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising gp100-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains found in gp100-specific TCR clone Sp(0.01)A and/or modified versions thereof. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising gp100-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target gp100 epitope KTWGQYWQV (SEQ ID NO: 168). In some embodiments, gp100-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,565 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising gp100-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 169 and/or 170. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising gp100-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 171-174.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises MART-1-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MART-1-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains found in MART-1-specific TCR clones F4 and/or F5 and/or modified versions thereof. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MART-1-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target MART-1 epitope AAGIGILTV (SEQ ID NO: 175). In some embodiments, MART-1-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 9,128,080 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MART-1-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 176-179. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MART-1-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 180-183.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises Tyrosinase-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising Tyrosinase-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains found in Tyrosinase-specific TCR clone TIL 1383I and/or modified versions thereof. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising Tyrosinase-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target Tyrosinase epitope represented by amino acids 368-376 of tyrosinase (reactive against a class I MHC (HLA-A2)-restricted epitope (368-376) of tyrosinase). In some embodiments, Tyrosinase-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in publication Roszkowski et al, Cancer Res. 65(4): 1570-6 (2005), which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises MAGE-A3-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A3-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target amino acids 271-279 of MAGE-A3, e.g., the epitope FLWGPRALV (SEQ ID NO: 184). In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A3-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target amino acids 112-120 of MAGE-A3, e.g., the epitope KVAELVHFL (SEQ ID NO: 185). In some embodiments, MAGE-A3-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in international patent application publication WO 2012/054825 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein. In certain embodiments, an anti-MAGE-A3 112-120 TCR comprise an A118T substitution relative to wild type (wherein the 118 position in the alpha chain is threonine). In certain embodiments, an anti-MAGE-A3 112-120 TCR comprises an A118V substitution relative to wild type (wherein the 118 position in the alpha chain is valine).
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A3-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 186-193. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A3-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 194-201.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises MAGE-A4-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A4-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target the epitope GVYDGREHTV (SEQ ID NO: 202). In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A4-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target the epitope FMNKFIYEI (SEQ ID NO: 203). In some embodiments, MAGE-A4-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in international patent application publications WO 2017/174824 A1 and WO 2021/229212 A1, each of which are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein. In certain embodiments, an anti-MAGE-A4 TCR alpha chain variable domain may have an M4V or an M4L amino acid substitution. In certain embodiments, an anti-MAGE-A4 TCR beta chain variable domain may have a N10E amino acid substitution.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A4-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 204-205. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising MAGE-A4-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 206-214.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises Wilms' tumor antigen (WT1) WT1-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising WT1-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target the epitope VLDFAPPGA (SEQ ID NO: 215). In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising WT1-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target the epitope RMFPNAPYL (SEQ ID NO: 216). In some embodiments, WT1-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in international patent application publications WO 2020/185796 A1 and WO 2021/034976 A1, each of which are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein. In some embodiments, a leader sequence and/or signal peptide may be removed from a TCR amino acid sequence, and percentage sequence identity may be calculated based on the TCR amino acid sequence without the leader sequence and/or signal peptide.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising WT1-specific TCR chains comprises a nucleotide coding sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 217-256. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising WT1-specific TCR chains comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least, or exactly, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 257-291.
In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprises Human papilloma virus (HPV)-specific TCR chains. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising an HPV-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target the HPV 18 E6 protein, and/or HPV 18 E7 protein. In some embodiments, an HPV 18 E6 epitope is amino acids 121-135 and/or amino acids 77-91 of the HPV 18 E6 protein. In some embodiments, a TCR construct comprising an HPV-specific TCR chains comprises TCR alpha and TCR beta chains that target the HPV 18 E7 protein. In some embodiments, an HPV 18 E7 epitope is amino acids 11-19. In some embodiments, HPV-specific TCR sequences, TCR variable domain sequences, CDR sequences, and/or TCR constant domain sequences, are described in international patent application publications WO 2015/009604 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose described herein.
The NK cells that are modified to express the TCR/CD3 receptor complex may be obtained from any suitable source, including fresh or frozen. In certain embodiments, NK cells are derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), unstimulated leukapheresis products (PBSC), NK cell lines (e.g., NK-92), human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood by methods well known in the art. Specifically, the NK cells may be isolated from cord blood (CB), peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow, stem cells, NK cell lines, or a mixture thereof. In particular embodiments, the NK cells are isolated from pooled CB. The CB may be pooled from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more units. The NK cells may be autologous or allogeneic with respect to a recipient individual. The isolated NK cells may or may not be haplotype matched for the subject to be administered the cell therapy. NK cells can be detected by specific surface markers, such as CD16 and CD56 in humans, for example. In some cases, the source of the NK cells is cord blood and the NK cells may be in the cord blood in a heterogeneous mixture of cells and may be depleted of certain cells expressing CD3. In other methods, umbilical CB is used to derive NK cells by the isolation of CD34+ cells.
The NK cells may be pre-activated with one or more inflammatory cytokines, and they may be expanded or non-expanded. In some cases, the NK cells are pre-activated either prior to modification to express CD3±TCR or following modification to express CD3±TCR complex. In specific embodiments, pre-activation of the NK cells may comprise culturing the isolated NK cells in the presence of one or more cytokines. The NK cells may be stimulated with IL-2, or other cytokines that bind the common gamma-chain (e.g., IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-21, and others). In particular embodiments, the pre-activation cytokines may be selected from the group consisting of IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and a combination thereof. One or more additional cytokines may be used for the pre-activation step. The pre-activation may be for a short period of time such as 5-72 hours, such as 10-50 hours, particularly 10-20 hours, such as 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 hours, specifically about 16 hours. The pre-activation culture may comprise IL-12 at a concentration of 0.1-150 ng/mL, such as 0.5-50 ng/mL, particularly 1-20 ng/mL, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 ng/mL, specifically about 10 ng/mL. The pre-activation culture may comprise IL-18 and/or IL-15 at a concentration of 10-100 ng/mL, such as 40-60 ng/mL, particular 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55 ng/mL, specifically about 50 ng/mL.
In some cases, the NK cells are expanded either prior to modification to express CD3±TCR complex or following modification to express CD3±TCR complex. Pre-activated NK cells may be expanded in the presence of artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs). The pre-activated NK cells may be washed prior to expansion, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5 times, specifically 3 times. The aAPCs may be engineered to express CD137 ligand and/or a membrane-bound cytokine. The membrane-bound cytokine may be membrane-bound IL-21 (mIL-21) or membrane-bound IL-15 (mIL-15). In particular embodiments, the aAPCs are engineered to express CD137 ligand and mIL-21. The aAPCs may be derived from cancer cells, such as leukemia cells. The aAPCs may not express endogenous HLA class I, II, or CD1d molecules. They may express ICAM-1 (CD54) and LFA-3 (CD58). In particular, the aAPCs may be K562 cells, such as K562 cells engineered to express CD137 ligand and mIL-21. The aAPCs may be irradiated. The engineering may be by any method known in the art, such as retroviral transduction. The expansion may be for about 2-30 days, such as 3-20 days, particularly 12-16 days, such as 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 days, specifically about 14 days. The pre-activated NK cells and aAPCs may be present at a ratio of about 3:1-1:3, such as 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, specifically about 1:2. The expansion culture may further comprise cytokines to promote expansion, such as IL-2. The IL-2 may be present at a concentration of about 10-500 U/mL, such as 100-300 U/mL, particularly about 200 U/mL. The IL-2 may be replenished in the expansion culture, such as every 2-3 days. The aAPCs may be added to the culture at least a second time, such as at about 7 days of expansion.
In particular embodiments, the NK cells are transfected or transduced with one or more membrane bound cytokines, including IL-21, IL-12, IL-18, IL-23, IL-7, or IL-15, either secreted by NK cells or tethered to the NK cell membrane. In such cases, the membrane bound cytokine may be tethered to the NK cell membrane with a particular transmembrane domain, such as the transmembrane domain of CD8, CD28, CD27, B7H3, IgG1, IgG4, CD4, DAP10, DAP12, for example.
Following preparation, the modified NK cells may be immediately infused (including with an effective amount of one or more bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, or the NK cells may be stored, such as by cryopreservation. In certain aspects, the cells may be propagated for days, weeks, or months ex vivo as a bulk population within about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days.
In specific embodiments, the NK cells are modified not only to express one or more components of the TCR/CD3 complex, but they are also modified to express one or more other heterologous proteins. The heterologous proteins may facilitate activity of the NK cells in any manner, including at least their activation, persistence, expansion, homing, and/or cytotoxicity.
In some embodiments, the NK cells are modified to express one or more bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, although in other cases the NK cells do not express the antibodies but the antibodies are utilized in conjunction with the NK cells.
In cases wherein the NK cells are modified to express the antibodies, the antibodies may be engagers that bridge a particular immune effector cell with a particular target cell for destruction of the target cell. The present disclosure allows the modified NK cells to be used with standard T-cell engagers (BiTEs) because they have been modified to express CD3 that in many cases is the T cell antigen to which the BiTE engager binds. In such cases, the BiTE used in the invention may also target a cancer or viral antigen that may be tailored to the medical condition of an intended recipient individual. For example, the BiTE may be tailored to bind a cancer antigen that is characteristic of the cancer cells of a cancer of the individual. The anti-CD3 antibody of the BiTE may target the CD3γ chain, CD3δ chain, CD3ε chain, or CD3ζ chain.
In some cases, in addition to expressing the CD3 complex (with or without TCR) that allows the NK cells to be utilized as a therapy with BiTEs, the NK cells may be modified to express (or not to express but instead used in conjunction with) one or more bispecific NK engagers (BiKEs). The BiKE comprises an antibody that binds a surface protein on the NK cell, including a naturally expressed surface protein on NK cells, and also comprises an antibody that binds a desired target antigen. The BiKE may target the NK cells through an antibody an NK surface protein such as CD16, CS1, CD56, NKG2D, NKG2C, DNAM, 2B4, CD2, an NCR, or KIR, for example. In such cases, the BiKE used in the invention may also target a cancer or viral antigen that may be tailored to the medical condition of an intended recipient individual. For example, the BiKE may be tailored to bind a cancer antigen that is characteristic of the cancer cells of a cancer of the individual.
In embodiments wherein an NK cell expresses the CD3 complex (with or without TCR) and one or more BiKEs, one or more vectors may be utilized to transfect or transduce the cells with the CD3 complex components (with or without TCR) and one or more BiKEs. In some cases, one or more of the CD3 complex components (with or without TCR) and the BiKE may or may not be on the same multicistronic vector.
In specific embodiments, the NK cells are engineered to express one or more engineered receptors. In some cases, the engineered receptors are engineered antigen receptors that target a cancer or viral antigen of any kind. The receptor may be tailored to target a desired antigen based on a medical condition of an intended recipient individual.
In some embodiments, the engineered antigen receptor is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The NK cells may be modified to encode at least one CAR, and the CAR may be first generation, second generation, or third or a subsequent generation, for example. The CAR may or may not be bispecific for two or more different antigens. The CAR may comprise one or more costimulatory domains. Each costimulatory domain may comprise the costimulatory domain of any one or more of, for example, members of the TNFR superfamily, CD28, CD137 (4-1BB), CD134 (OX40), DAP10, DAP12, CD27, CD2, CD5, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), Lck, TNFR-I, TNFR-II, Fas, CD30, CD27, NKG2D, 2B4M, CD40 or combinations thereof, for example. In specific embodiments, the CAR comprises CD3zeta. In certain embodiments, the CAR lacks one or more specific costimulatory domains; for example, the CAR may lack 4-1BB and/or lack CD28.
In particular embodiments, the CAR polypeptide in the cells comprises an extracellular spacer domain that links the antigen binding domain and the transmembrane domain, and this may be referred to as a hinge. Extracellular spacer domains may include, but are not limited to, Fc fragments of antibodies or fragments or derivatives thereof, hinge regions of antibodies or fragments or derivatives thereof, CH2 regions of antibodies, CH3 regions antibodies, artificial spacer sequences or combinations thereof. Examples of extracellular spacer domains include but are not limited to CD8-alpha hinge, CD28, artificial spacers made of polypeptides such as Gly3, or CH1, CH3 domains of IgGs (such as human IgG1 or IgG4). In specific cases, the extracellular spacer domain may comprise (i) a hinge, CH2 and CH3 regions of IgG4, (ii) a hinge region of IgG4, (iii) a hinge and CH2 of IgG4, (iv) a hinge region of CD8-alpha or CD4, (v) a hinge, CH2 and CH3 regions of IgG1, (vi) a hinge region of IgG1 or (vii) a hinge and CH2 of IgG1, (viii) a hinge region of CD28, or a combination thereof. In specific embodiments, the hinge is from IgG1 and in certain aspects the CAR polypeptide comprises a particular IgG1 hinge amino acid sequence or is encoded by a particular IgG1 hinge nucleic acid sequence.
The transmembrane domain in the CAR may be derived either from a natural or from a synthetic source. Where the source is natural, the domain in some aspects is derived from any membrane-bound or transmembrane protein. Transmembrane regions include those derived from (i.e., comprise at least the transmembrane region(s) of) the alpha, beta or zeta chain of the T− cell receptor, CD28, CD3 zeta, CD3 epsilon, CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD 16, CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD 134, CD137, CD154, ICOS/CD278, GITR/CD357, NKG2D, and DAP molecules, such as DAP10 or DAP12. Alternatively the transmembrane domain in some embodiments is synthetic. In some aspects, the synthetic transmembrane domain comprises predominantly hydrophobic residues such as leucine and valine. In some aspects, a triplet of phenylalanine, tryptophan and valine may be found at each end of a synthetic transmembrane domain.
In some embodiments, the engineered receptors utilize one or more homing receptors (that can home to a target not necessarily because of a signal release, such as in the event that they utilize adhesion molecules) and/or one or more chemokine receptors. Examples of chemokine receptors include CXC chemokine receptors, CC chemokine receptors, CX3C chemokine receptors and XC chemokine receptors. In specific cases, the chemokine receptor is a receptor for CCR2, CCR3, CCR5, CCR8, CCR7, CXCR3, L-selectin (CD62L) CXCR1, CXCR2, or CX3CR1.
In some embodiments, the cells expressing the NK cells are engineered to express one or more heterologous cytokines and/or are engineered to upregulate normal expression of one or more heterologous cytokines. The cells may or may not be transduced or transfected for one or more cytokines on the same vector as other genes.
One or more cytokines may be co-expressed from a vector, including as a separate polypeptide from any component of the TCR/CD3 complex. Interleukin-15 (IL-15), for example, is tissue restricted and only under pathologic conditions is it observed at any level in the serum, or systemically. IL-15 possesses several attributes that are desirable for adoptive therapy. IL-15 is a homeostatic cytokine that induces development and cell proliferation of natural killer cells, promotes the eradication of established tumors via alleviating functional suppression of tumor-resident cells, and inhibits activation-induced cell death (AICD). In addition to IL-15, other cytokines are envisioned. These include, but are not limited to, cytokines, chemokines, and other molecules that contribute to the activation and proliferation of cells used for human application. NK cells expressing IL-15 are capable of continued supportive cytokine signaling, which is useful for their survival post-infusion.
In specific embodiments, the cells express one or more exogenously provided cytokines. As one example, the cytokine is IL-15, IL-12, IL-2, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, GMCSF, or a combination thereof. The cytokine may be exogenously provided to the NK cells because it is expressed from an expression vector within the cell. In an alternative case, an endogenous cytokine in the cell is upregulated upon manipulation of regulation of expression of the endogenous cytokine, such as genetic recombination at the promoter site(s) of the cytokine. In cases wherein the cytokine is provided on an expression construct to the cell, the cytokine may be encoded from the same vector as one or more components of the CD3 complex with or without the TCR complex.
In some embodiments, a specific sequence of IL-15 is utilized, such as those that follow (underlining refers to signal peptide sequence):
ATGCGCATTAGCAAGCCCCACCTGCGGAGCATCAGCATCCAGTGC
TACCTGTGCCTGCTGCTGAACAGCCACTTCCTGACCGAGGCCGGC
MRISKPHLRSISIQCYLCLLLNSHELTEAGIHVFILGCFSAGLPK
The modified NK cells of the disclosure are utilized with bispecific or multi-specific antibodies that target one or more particular antigens. In addition, the NK cells may be modified with engineered antigen receptors that target one or more particular antigens. In cases wherein the NK cells are modified with one or more engineered antigen receptors, the antigen targeted by the bispecific or multi-specific antibody, and the antigen targeted by the one or more engineered antigen receptors may or may not be the same antigen. In some cases, the antigen targeted by the bispecific or multi-specific antibody, and the antigen targeted by the one or more engineered antigen receptors are different antigens but are associated with the same type of cancer.
Among the antigens targeted by the antibodies and/or engineered antigen receptors are those expressed in the context of a disease, condition, or cell type to be targeted via the adoptive cell therapy. Among the diseases and conditions are proliferative, neoplastic, and malignant diseases and disorders, including cancers and tumors, including hematologic cancers, cancers of the immune system, such as lymphomas, leukemias, and/or myelomas, such as B, T, and myeloid leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myelomas. In some embodiments, the antigen is selectively expressed or overexpressed on cells of the disease or condition, e.g., the tumor or pathogenic cells, as compared to normal or non-targeted cells or tissues. In other embodiments, the antigen is expressed on normal cells and/or is expressed on the engineered cells.
Any suitable antigen may be targeted in the present method. The antigen may be associated with certain cancer cells but not associated with non-cancerous cells, in some cases. Exemplary antigens include, but are not limited to, antigenic molecules from infectious agents, auto-/self-antigens, tumor-/cancer-associated antigens, and tumor neoantigens (Linnemann et al., 2015). In particular aspects, the antigens include NY-ESO, CD19, EBNA, CD123, HER2, CA-125, TRAIL/DR4, CD20, CD22, CD70, CD38, CD123, CLL1, carcinoembryonic antigen, alphafetoprotein, CD56, AKT, Her3, epithelial tumor antigen, CD319 (CS1), ROR1, folate binding protein, HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120, HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41, CD5, CD23, CD30, HERV-K, IL-11Ralpha, kappa chain, lambda chain, CSPG4, CD33, CD47, CLL-1, U5snRNP200, CD200, BAFF-R, BCMA, CD99, p53, mutated p53, Ras, mutated ras, c-Myc, cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinases (e.g., A-Raf, B-Raf, and C-Raf, cyclin-dependent kinases), MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A6, MAGE-A10, MAGE-A12, MART-1, melanoma-associated antigen, BAGE, DAM-6, -10, GAGE-1, -2, -8, GAGE-3, -4, -5, -6, -7B, NA88-A, MC1R, mda-7, gp75, Gp100, PSA, PSM, Tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein, TRP-1, TRP-2, ART-4, CAMEL, CEA, Cyp-B, hTERT, hTRT, iCE, MUC1, MUC2, Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), TRK receptors, PRAME, P15, RU1, RU2, SART-1, SART-3, Wilms' tumor antigen (WT1), AFP, -catenin/m, Caspase-8/m, CDK-4/m, ELF2M, GnT-V, G250, HAGE, HSP70-2M, HST-2, KIAA0205, MUM-1, MUM-2, MUM-3, Myosin/m, RAGE, SART-2, TRP-2/INT2, 707-AP, Annexin II, CDC27/m, TPI/mbcr-abl, BCR-ABL, interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), ETV6/AML, LDLR/FUT, Pml/RAR, Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 1 (TACSTD1) TACSTD2, receptor tyrosine kinases (e.g., Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (EGFR) (in particular, EGFRvIII), platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)), VEGFR2, cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases (e.g., src-family, syk-ZAP70 family), integrin-linked kinase (TLK), signal transducers and activators of transcription STAT3, STATS, and STATE, hypoxia inducible factors (e.g., HIF-1 and HIF-2), Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-B), Notch receptors (e.g., Notch1-4), NY ESO 1, c-Met, mammalian targets of rapamycin (mTOR), WNT, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), and their regulatory subunits, PMSA, PR-3, MDM2, Mesothelin, renal cell carcinoma-5T4, SM22-alpha, carbonic anhydrases I (CAI) and IX (CAIX) (also known as G250), STEAD, TEL/AML1, GD2, proteinase3, hTERT, sarcoma translocation breakpoints, EphA2, ML-IAP, EpCAM, ERG (TMPRSS2 ETS fusion gene), NA17, PAX3, ALK, androgen receptor, cyclin B1, polysialic acid, MYCN, RhoC, GD3, fucosyl GM1, mesothelian, PSCA, sLe, PLAC1, GM3, BORIS, Tn, GLoboH, NY-BR-1, RGsS, SAGE, SART3, STn, PAX5, OY-TES1, sperm protein 17, LCK, HMWMAA, AKAP-4, SSX2, XAGE 1, B7H3, legumain, TIE2, Page4, MAD-CT-1, FAP, MAD-CT-2, fos related antigen 1, CBX2, CLDN6, SPANX, TPTE, ACTL8, ANKRD30A, CDKN2A, MAD2L1, CTAGIB, SUNC1, and LRRN1. Examples of sequences for antigens are known in the art, for example, in the GENBANK® database: CD19 (Accession No. NG_007275.1), EBNA (Accession No. NG_002392.2), WT1 (Accession No. NG_009272.1), CD123 (Accession No. NC_000023.11), NY-ESO (Accession No. NC_000023.11), EGFRvIII (Accession No. NG_007726.3), MUC1 (Accession No. NG_029383.1), HER2 (Accession No. NG_007503.1), CA-125 (Accession No. NG_055257.1), WT1 (Accession No. NG_009272.1), Mage-A3 (Accession No. NG_013244.1), Mage-A4 (Accession No. NG_013245.1), Mage-A10 (Accession No. NC_000023.11), TRAIL/DR4 (Accession No. NC_000003.12), and/or CEA (Accession No. NC_000019.10).
Tumor-associated antigens may be derived from prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, renal, mesothelioma, ovarian, liver, brain, bone, stomach, spleen, testicular, cervical, anal, gall bladder, thyroid, or melanoma cancers, as examples. Exemplary tumor-associated antigens or tumor cell-derived antigens include MAGE 1, 3, and MAGE 4 (or other MAGE antigens such as those disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 99/40188); PRAME; BAGE; RAGE, Lage (also known as NY ESO 1); SAGE; and HAGE or GAGE. These non-limiting examples of tumor antigens are expressed in a wide range of tumor types such as melanoma, lung carcinoma, sarcoma, and bladder carcinoma. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,518. Prostate cancer tumor-associated antigens include, for example, prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphates, NKX3.1, and six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate (STEAP).
Other tumor associated antigens include Plu-1, HASH-1, HasH-2, Cripto and Criptin. Additionally, a tumor antigen may be a self-peptide hormone, such as whole length gonadotrophin hormone releasing hormone (GnRH), a short 10 amino acid long peptide, useful in the treatment of many cancers.
Antigens may include epitopic regions or epitopic peptides derived from genes mutated in tumor cells or from genes transcribed at different levels in tumor cells compared to normal cells, such as telomerase enzyme, survivin, mesothelin, mutated ras, bcr/abl rearrangement, Her2/neu, mutated or wild-type p53, cytochrome P450 1B1, and abnormally expressed intron sequences such as N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-V; clonal rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes generating unique idiotypes in myeloma and B-cell lymphomas; tumor antigens that include epitopic regions or epitopic peptides derived from oncoviral processes, such as human papilloma virus proteins E6 and E7; Epstein bar virus protein LMP2; nonmutated oncofetal proteins with a tumor-selective expression, such as carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein.
In particular embodiments, a suicide gene is utilized in conjunction with the NK cell therapy to control its use and allow for termination of the cell therapy at a desired event and/or time. The suicide gene is employed in transduced cells for the purpose of eliciting death for the transduced cells when needed. The cells of the present disclosure that have been modified to harbor one or more vectors encompassed by the disclosure that may comprise one or more suicide genes. In some embodiments, the term “suicide gene” as used herein is defined as a gene which, upon administration of a prodrug or other agent, effects transition of a gene product to a compound which kills its host cell. In other embodiments, a suicide gene encodes a gene product that is, when desired, targeted by an agent (such as an antibody) that targets the suicide gene product.
In some cases, the cell therapy may be subject to utilization of one or more suicide genes of any kind when an individual receiving the cell therapy and/or having received the cell therapy shows one or more symptoms of one or more adverse events, such as cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, anaphylaxis/allergy, and/or on-target/off tumor toxicities (as examples) or is considered at risk for having the one or more symptoms, including imminently. The use of the suicide gene may be part of a planned protocol for a therapy or may be used only upon a recognized need for its use. In some cases the cell therapy is terminated by use of agent(s) that targets the suicide gene or a gene product therefrom because the therapy is no longer required.
Utilization of the suicide gene may be instigated upon onset of at least one adverse event for the individual, and that adverse event may be recognized by any means, including upon routine monitoring that may or may not be continuous from the beginning of the cell therapy. The adverse event(s) may be detected upon examination and/or testing. In cases wherein the individual has cytokine release syndrome (which may also be referred to as cytokine storm), the individual may have elevated inflammatory cytokine(s) (merely as examples: interferon-gamma, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-alpha); fever; fatigue; hypotension; hypoxia, tachycardia; nausea; capillary leak; cardiac/renal/hepatic dysfunction; or a combination thereof, for example. In cases wherein the individual has neurotoxicity, the individual may have confusion, delirium, aplasia, and/or seizures. In some cases, the individual is tested for a marker associated with onset and/or severity of cytokine release syndrome, such as C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and/or ferritin.
Examples of suicide genes include engineered nonsecretable (including membrane bound) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mutant polypeptides (see PCT/US19/62009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), and they may be affected by delivery of an antibody that binds the TNF-alpha mutant. Examples of suicide gene/prodrug combinations that may be used are Herpes Simplex Virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) and ganciclovir, acyclovir, or FIAU; oxidoreductase and cycloheximide; cytosine deaminase and 5-fluorocytosine; thymidine kinase thymidylate kinase (Tdk::Tmk) and AZT; and deoxycytidine kinase and cytosine arabinoside. The E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase, a so-called suicide gene that converts the prodrug 6-methylpurine deoxyriboside to toxic purine 6-methylpurine, may be utilized. Other suicide genes include CD20, CD52, inducible caspase 9, purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), Cytochrome p450 enzymes (CYP), Carboxypeptidases (CP), Carboxylesterase (CE), Nitroreductase (NTR), Guanine Ribosyltransferase (XGRTP), Glycosidase enzymes, Methionine-α,γ-lyase (MET), EGFRv3, and Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), as examples.
The CD3-expressing NK cells and the bispecific or multi-specific antibodies are administered to an individual in need thereof, including in such a way as to be in proximity for the anti-CD3 antibody of the bispecific or multi-specific antibody to be able to bind CD3 on the CD3-expressing NK cells. In some cases, the two components are administered separately to an individual, whereas in other cases the two components are complexed together prior to administration, such as in an ex vivo manner. In another embodiment, the NK cells express the antibodies. In some cases, the two components are not pre-complexed prior to administration, but are co-administered by any suitable route of administration, such as by co-infusion to the patient.
Embodiments of the present disclosure concern methods for the use of the compositions comprising NK cells and antibodies provided herein for treating or preventing a medical disease or disorder. The method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the CD3 (±TCR)-modified NK cells with the antibodies, thereby treating or preventing the disease in the subject, including reducing the risk of, reducing the severity of, and/or delaying the onset of the disease. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, cancer or infection is treated by transfer of a composition comprising the NK cell population and corresponding antibodies. In at least some cases, because of their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NK cells may reverse the anti-inflammatory tumor microenvironment and increase adaptive immune responses by promoting differentiation, activation, and/or recruitment of accessory immune cell to sites of malignancy.
Cancers for which the present treatment methods are useful include any malignant cell type, such as those found in a solid tumor or a hematological tumor. Exemplary solid tumors can include, but are not limited to, a tumor of an organ selected from the group consisting of pancreas, colon, cecum, stomach, brain, head, neck, ovary, kidney, larynx, sarcoma, lung, bladder, melanoma, prostate, and breast. Exemplary hematological tumors include tumors of the bone marrow, T or B cell malignancies, leukemias, lymphomas, blastomas, myelomas, and the like. Further examples of cancers that may be treated using the methods provided herein include, but are not limited to, lung cancer (including small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and squamous carcinoma of the lung), cancer of the peritoneum, gastric or stomach cancer (including gastrointestinal cancer and gastrointestinal stromal cancer), pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial or uterine carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, kidney or renal cancer, prostate cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid cancer, various types of head and neck cancer, and melanoma.
The cancer may specifically be of the following histological type, though it is not limited to these: neoplasm, malignant; carcinoma; carcinoma, undifferentiated; giant and spindle cell carcinoma; small cell carcinoma; papillary carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; lymphoepithelial carcinoma; basal cell carcinoma; pilomatrix carcinoma; transitional cell carcinoma; papillary transitional cell carcinoma; adenocarcinoma; gastrinoma, malignant; cholangiocarcinoma; hepatocellular carcinoma; combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma; trabecular adenocarcinoma; adenoid cystic carcinoma; adenocarcinoma in adenomatous polyp; adenocarcinoma, familial polyposis coli; solid carcinoma; carcinoid tumor, malignant; branchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinoma; papillary adenocarcinoma; chromophobe carcinoma; acidophil carcinoma; oxyphilic adenocarcinoma; basophil carcinoma; clear cell adenocarcinoma; granular cell carcinoma; follicular adenocarcinoma; papillary and follicular adenocarcinoma; nonencapsulating sclerosing carcinoma; adrenal cortical carcinoma; endometroid carcinoma; skin appendage carcinoma; apocrine adenocarcinoma; sebaceous adenocarcinoma; ceruminous adenocarcinoma; mucoepidermoid carcinoma; cystadenocarcinoma; papillary cystadenocarcinoma; papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma; mucinous cystadenocarcinoma; mucinous adenocarcinoma; signet ring cell carcinoma; infiltrating duct carcinoma; medullary carcinoma; lobular carcinoma; inflammatory carcinoma; paget's disease, mammary; acinar cell carcinoma; adenosquamous carcinoma; adenocarcinoma w/squamous metaplasia; thymoma, malignant; ovarian stromal tumor, malignant; thecoma, malignant; granulosa cell tumor, malignant; androblastoma, malignant; sertoli cell carcinoma; leydig cell tumor, malignant; lipid cell tumor, malignant; paraganglioma, malignant; extra-mammary paraganglioma, malignant; pheochromocytoma; glomangiosarcoma; malignant melanoma; amelanotic melanoma; superficial spreading melanoma; lentigo malignant melanoma; acral lentiginous melanomas; nodular melanomas; malignant melanoma in giant pigmented nevus; epithelioid cell melanoma; blue nevus, malignant; sarcoma; fibrosarcoma; fibrous histiocytoma, malignant; myxosarcoma; liposarcoma; leiomyosarcoma; rhabdomyosarcoma; embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma; alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma; stromal sarcoma; mixed tumor, malignant; mullerian mixed tumor; nephroblastoma; hepatoblastoma; carcinosarcoma; mesenchymoma, malignant; brenner tumor, malignant; phyllodes tumor, malignant; synovial sarcoma; mesothelioma, malignant; dysgerminoma; embryonal carcinoma; teratoma, malignant; struma ovarii, malignant; choriocarcinoma; mesonephroma, malignant; hemangiosarcoma; hemangioendothelioma, malignant; kaposi's sarcoma; hemangiopericytoma, malignant; lymphangiosarcoma; osteosarcoma; juxtacortical osteosarcoma; chondrosarcoma; chondroblastoma, malignant; mesenchymal chondrosarcoma; giant cell tumor of bone; ewing's sarcoma; odontogenic tumor, malignant; ameloblastic odontosarcoma; ameloblastoma, malignant; ameloblastic fibrosarcoma; pinealoma, malignant; chordoma; glioma, malignant; ependymoma; astrocytoma; protoplasmic astrocytoma; fibrillary astrocytoma; astroblastoma; glioblastoma; oligodendroglioma; oligodendroblastoma; primitive neuroectodermal; cerebellar sarcoma; ganglioneuroblastoma; neuroblastoma; retinoblastoma; olfactory neurogenic tumor; meningioma, malignant; neurofibrosarcoma; neurilemmoma, malignant; granular cell tumor, malignant; malignant lymphoma; hodgkin's disease; hodgkin's; paragranuloma; malignant lymphoma, small lymphocytic; malignant lymphoma, large cell, diffuse; malignant lymphoma, follicular; mycosis fungoides; other specified non-hodgkin's lymphomas; B-cell lymphoma; low grade/follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL); small lymphocytic (SL) NHL; intermediate grade/follicular NHL; intermediate grade diffuse NHL; high grade immunoblastic NHL; high grade lymphoblastic NHL; high grade small non-cleaved cell NHL; bulky disease NHL; mantle cell lymphoma; AIDS-related lymphoma; Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; malignant histiocytosis; multiple myeloma; mast cell sarcoma; immunoproliferative small intestinal disease; leukemia; lymphoid leukemia; plasma cell leukemia; erythroleukemia; lymphosarcoma cell leukemia; myeloid leukemia; basophilic leukemia; eosinophilic leukemia; monocytic leukemia; mast cell leukemia; megakaryoblastic leukemia; myeloid sarcoma; hairy cell leukemia; chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); acute myeloid leukemia (AMIL); and chronic myeloblastic leukemia.
The therapy provided herein may comprise administration of a combination of therapeutic agents, such as a first cancer therapy and a second cancer therapy. The therapies may be administered in any suitable manner known in the art. For example, the first and second cancer treatment may be administered sequentially (at different times) or concurrently (at the same time). In some embodiments, the first and second cancer treatments are administered in a separate composition. In some embodiments, the first and second cancer treatments are in the same composition. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods comprising therapeutic compositions. The different therapies may be administered in one composition or in more than one composition, such as 2 compositions, 3 compositions, or 4 compositions. Various combinations of the agents may be employed. Examples of therapies other than those of the present disclosure include surgery, chemotherapy, drug therapy, radiation, hormone therapy, immunotherapy (other than that of the present disclosure), or a combination thereof.
The therapeutic agents of the disclosure may be administered by the same route of administration or by different routes of administration. In some embodiments, the cancer therapy is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically, orally, transdermally, intraperitoneally, intraorbitally, by implantation, by inhalation, intrathecally, intraventricularly, or intranasally. In some embodiments, the antibiotic is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically, orally, transdermally, intraperitoneally, intraorbitally, by implantation, by inhalation, intrathecally, intraventricularly, or intranasally. The appropriate dosage may be determined based on the type of disease to be treated, severity and course of the disease, the clinical condition of the individual, the individual's clinical history and response to the treatment, and the discretion of the attending physician.
The treatments may include various “unit doses.” Unit dose is defined as containing a predetermined-quantity of the therapeutic composition. The quantity to be administered, and the particular route and formulation, is within the skill of determination of those in the clinical arts. A unit dose need not be administered as a single injection but may comprise continuous infusion over a set period of time. In some embodiments, a unit dose comprises a single administrable dose.
The quantity to be administered, both according to number of treatments and unit dose, depends on the treatment effect desired. An effective dose is understood to refer to an amount necessary to achieve a particular effect. In the practice in certain embodiments, it is contemplated that doses in the range from 10 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg can affect the protective capability of these agents. Thus, it is contemplated that doses include doses of about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, and 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000 μg/kg, mg/kg, μg/day, or mg/day or any range derivable therein. Furthermore, such doses can be administered at multiple times during a day, and/or on multiple days, weeks, or months.
In certain embodiments, the effective dose of the pharmaceutical composition is one which can provide a blood level of about 1 μM to 150 μM. In another embodiment, the effective dose provides a blood level of about 4 μM to 100 μM.; or about 1 μM to 100 μM; or about 1 μM to 50 μM; or about 1 μM to 40 μM; or about 1 μM to 30 μM; or about 1 μM to 20 μM; or about 1 μM to 10 μM; or about 10 μM to 150 μM; or about 10 μM to 100 μM; or about 10 μM to 50 μM; or about 25 μM to 150 μM; or about 25 μM to 100 μM; or about 25 μM to 50 μM; or about 50 μM to 150 μM; or about 50 μM to 100 μM (or any range derivable therein). In other embodiments, the dose can provide the following blood level of the agent that results from a therapeutic agent being administered to a subject: about, at least about, or at most about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 μM or any range derivable therein. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic agent that is administered to a subject is metabolized in the body to a metabolized therapeutic agent, in which case the blood levels may refer to the amount of that agent. Alternatively, to the extent the therapeutic agent is not metabolized by a subject, the blood levels discussed herein may refer to the unmetabolized therapeutic agent.
Precise amounts of the therapeutic composition also depend on the judgment of the practitioner and are peculiar to each individual. Factors affecting dose include physical and clinical state of the patient, the route of administration, the intended goal of treatment (alleviation of symptoms versus cure) and the potency, stability and toxicity of the particular therapeutic substance or other therapies a subject may be undergoing.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art and made aware that dosage units of μg/kg or mg/kg of body weight can be converted and expressed in comparable concentration units of μg/ml or mM (blood levels), such as 4 μM to 100 μM. It is also understood that uptake is species and organ/tissue dependent. The applicable conversion factors and physiological assumptions to be made concerning uptake and concentration measurement are well-known and would permit those of skill in the art to convert one concentration measurement to another and make reasonable comparisons and conclusions regarding the doses, efficacies and results described herein.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure also concern kits comprising compositions of the invention or compositions to implement methods of the invention. In particular embodiments, the kit comprises NK cells, fresh or frozen, and that may or may not have been pre-activated or expanded. The NK cells may or may not already express one or more components of the TCR/CD3 complex. In cases wherein the NK cells do not already express one or more components of the TCR/CD3 complex, the kit may comprise reagents for corresponding transfection or transduction of the NK cells, including reagents such as vectors that express the component(s), primers for amplification of the component(s), and so forth. In some cases, the NK cells may or may not also express one or more heterologous proteins as defined herein, and when they do not, the kit may comprise vectors that express the heterologous protein(s), primers for amplification of the heterologous protein(s), and so forth.
Kits may comprise components which may be individually packaged or placed in a container, such as a tube, bottle, vial, syringe, or other suitable container means. Individual components may also be provided in a kit in concentrated amounts; in some embodiments, a component is provided individually in the same concentration as it would be in a solution with other components. Concentrations of components may be provided as 1×, 2×, 5×, 10×, or 20× or more.
The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present example concerns cancer immunotherapeutics as a strategy to redirect the specificity of NK cells against one or more target antigens by ‘arming’ or pre-complexing them with bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, such as either prior to infusion or by co-infusing the two products separately. The NK cells are transduced with one or multiple CD3 chains, including CD3ζ, CD3γ, CD3δ and CD3ε chains and can be from any source. The cells can be expanded or non-expanded, they can be pre-activated with one or more inflammatory cytokines, such as IL12/15/18, and/or they can be genetically modified to express one or more heterologous proteins, including, for example, engineered antigen receptors, such as chimeric antigen receptor or a TCR, and/or a cytokine gene and/or a homing/chemokine receptor.
As described above,
Embodiments of the disclosure utilize part or all of the CD3 receptor complex. As illustrated in
In
NK cells transduced with CD3-TCR also show basal level of tonic signaling, which increases upon stimulation with CD3 OKT3 and is similar to T cells, while non-transduced NK cells did not show any CD3ζ phosphorylation neither at basal nor upon CD3 OKT3 stimulation.
The present examples concern generation and use of NY-ESO TCRs in NK cells. In
Expression of NY-ESO TCR on NK cells transduced with uTNK15 is shown in
NK cells transduced with NY-ESO TCR kill NY-ESO peptide-pulsed target cells in a dose-dependent manner (
NY-ESO TCR-transduced T cells kill NY-ESO expressing tumor targets at higher E:T ratios (
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Together these results showed that effector cells (e.g., NK cells) comprising constructs described herein (e.g., NY-ESO TCR constructs and/or CD3 constructs such as UT-NK15 or modified versions thereof, e.g., UT-NK-15-28 or UT-NK15-DAP10) were sufficient to robustly inhibit tumor growth in vivo.
As shown in
Together these results show that effector cells (e.g., NK cells) comprising constructs described herein (e.g., PRAME-specific TCR constructs) were sufficient to robustly inhibit tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, NK cells comprising CD3 constructs described herein coupled with PRAME-specific TCR constructs displayed increased cytotoxicity when compared to T cell control cells comprising the same TCR constructs, particularly in cases of continuous and/or rechallenge by tumor cells.
NK cells comprising constructs described herein are tested in-vivo and robustly inhibit tumor growth. Experiments are performed according to schematics and experimental procedures described herein. In brief, NSG mice are irradiated (e.g., with about 300 cGy) on day −1, then on day 0 individual mice receive tail vein injections of cancer cells (e.g., 0.5×106 cells e.g., cells expressing (naturally and/or transduced with) an antigen described herein) that are transduced with an appropriate marker (e.g., FireFlyluciferase (FFluc)), on day 3 mice are infused with effector cells transduced with a transgenic TCR (e.g., TCR constructs comprising gamma/delta TCR chains and/or alpha/beta TCR chains, e.g., targeting antigens described herein, e.g., NY-ESO, Tyrosinase, MAGEA3, MAGEA4, HPV E7, WT1, PRAME, gp100, MART-1, etc.) and with or without other constructs described herein (e.g., with about 5×106 TCR NK cells with a UT-NK15 construct with or without IL15, with or without CD3 fusion to a costimulatory molecule, and/or with or without additional control constructs). Animals are then monitored over time and sacrificed as appropriate. Results of the monitoring of the experiment described above are recorded, e.g., as a function of bioluminescent imaging over time (e.g., on day 1, day 7, day 14, day 21, etc).
The in vitro activity of effector cells (e.g., NK cells or T cells) comprising TCR(s) (e.g., TCR constructs comprising gamma/delta TCR chains and/or alpha/beta TCR chains, e.g., targeting antigens described herein, e.g., NY-ESO, Tyrosinase, MAGEA3, MAGEA4, HPV E7, WT1, PRAME, gp100, MART-1, etc.) and UT-NK15 constructs are tested. Spheroids formed by an appropriate tumor cell line(s) comprising an antigen of interest (e.g., 0.5×106 cells e.g., cells expressing (naturally and/or transduced with) an antigen described herein) are used to test the activity of specific TCR expressing NK and/or T cells cytotoxicity. Cancer cells are stably transduced to express an appropriate marker (e.g., GFP, FFluc, etc.); a number of these cells (e.g., about 10,000) are seeded per well in a 96 well plate overnight and a number of effector cells (e.g., about 40,000) are then added. Images of the coculture are scanned over time and analyzed by an appropriate system (e.g., an IncuCyte cell analysis system). The percentage of cytotoxicity for effector cells are captured from representative images after a number of days (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, etc.) of co-culture. NK cells are co-transduced with antigen targeting TCRs, and UT-NK15 signaling complex co-expressing different co-stimulatory molecules fused to the CD3ζ signaling chain (e.g., UTNK-15-28, or UTNK-15-DAP10). Appropriate control cells are transduced with appropriate constructs described herein. Superior in vitro cytotoxicity is observed with TCR NK cells expression UTNK15 with CD28, or DAP10 costimulatory domains fused to CD3ζ (e.g., UTNK-15-28, or UTNK-15-DAP10; e.g., SEQ ID NO: 121 and SEQ ID NO: 119 respectively) when compared to NK cells transduced with CD3 complex only or UT-NK15 without a co-stimulatory domain.
The in vivo activity of effector cells (e.g., NK cells or T cells) comprising antigen specific TCRs (e.g., TCR constructs comprising gamma/delta TCR chains and/or alpha/beta TCR chains, e.g., targeting antigens described herein, e.g., NY-ESO, Tyrosinase, MAGEA3, MAGEA4, HPV E7, WT1, PRAME, gp100, MART-1, etc.) and UT-NK15 constructs are tested. Assays for in vivo analysis of effector cells (e.g., NK cells or T cells) comprising engineered constructs are performed similar to experimental plans described in
The in vivo activity of effector cells (e.g., NK cells) comprising TCR (e.g., TCR constructs comprising gamma/delta TCR chains and/or alpha/beta TCR chains, e.g., targeting antigens described herein, e.g., NY-ESO, Tyrosinase, MAGEA3, MAGEA4, HPV E7, WT1, PRAME, gp100, MART-1, etc.) and CD3 complex with or without IL-15 are tested. NSG mice are irradiated (e.g., with about 300 cGy) and the next day are injected with tumor cells expressing an antigen of (e.g., about 500,000 cells; e.g., naturally expressing and/or transduced with an antigen described herein) via the tail vein. Three days later, mice receive an effector cell bolus (e.g., about 5 million TCR transduced T and/or TCR transduced NK cells). Mice are monitored for tumor control (e.g., by BLI imaging). NK cells are transduced with antigen-specific TCR, and co-transduced with CD3 complex without IL-15 or with UT-NK15 expressing CD3ζ fused to CD28 (UT-NK15-28) or CD3ζ fused to DAP10 (UT-NK15-DAP10) co-stimulatory molecules, with or without expression of CD8 alpha/beta co-receptors. The results show that absence of IL-15 results in a reduced anti-tumor activity in vivo.
Together these results show that effector cells (e.g., NK cells) comprising constructs described herein (e.g., TCR constructs and/or CD3 constructs such as UT-NK15 or modified versions thereof, e.g., UT-NK-15-28 or UT-NK15-DAP10) are sufficient to robustly inhibit tumor growth in vivo.
All of the methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/225,281, filed Jul. 23, 2021, and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/310,526, filed Feb. 15, 2022, and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/344,931, filed May 23, 2022, each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/074062 | 7/22/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63344931 | May 2022 | US | |
| 63310526 | Feb 2022 | US | |
| 63225281 | Jul 2021 | US |
