GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells targeting retinoblastoma – assessing tumor and T cell interaction

• Main Authors: Jatuporn Sujjitjoon, Elias Sayour, Shih-Ting Tsao, Mongkol Uiprasertkul, Kleebsabai Sanpakit, Jassada Buaboonnam, Pa-thai Yenchitsomanus, La-ongsri Atchaneeyasakul, Lung-Ji Chang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-02-01
• Series: Translational Oncology
• Subjects: Disialoganglioside 2; GD2; Chimeric antigen receptor T cells; Retinoblastoma
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936523320304630

A novel disialoganglioside 2 (GD2)-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy against retinoblastoma (RB) were generated. GD2-CAR consists of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from a monoclonal antibody, hu3F8, that is linked with the cytoplasmic signaling domains of CD28, 41BB, a CD3ζ, and an inducible caspase 9 death fusion partner. GD2 antigen is highly expressed in Y79RB cell line and in several surgical RB tumor specimens. In vitro co-culture experiments revealed the effective killing of Y79RB cells by GD2-CAR T cells, but not by control CD19-CAR T cells. The killing activities of GD2-CAR T cells were diminished when repeatedly exposed to the tumor, due to an attenuated expression of GD2 antigen on tumor cells and upregulation of inhibitory molecules of the PD1 and PD-L1 axis in the CAR T cells and RB tumor cells respectively. This is the first report to describe the potential of GD2-CAR T cells as a promising therapeutic strategy for RB with the indication of potential benefit of combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.