Synergistic Effects of Cabozantinib and EGFR-Specific CAR-NK-92 Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma

J Immunol Res. 2017:2017:6915912. doi: 10.1155/2017/6915912. Epub 2017 Dec 20.

Abstract

The chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune effector cell (CAR-T and CAR-NK) therapies are newly developed adoptive treatments of cancers. However, their therapeutic efficacy against solid tumors is limited. Combining CAR-T or CAR-NK cells with chemotherapeutic drugs to treat solid tumor may be a promising strategy. We developed an epidermal growth factor- (EGFR-) specific third-generation CAR. NK-92 cells were modified with the CAR by lentivirus infection. The specific killing ability of the CAR-modified NK-92 cells (CAR-NK-92) against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines was confirmed in vitro. The synergistic effects of cabozantinib and EGFR-specific CAR-NK-92 cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that the CAR-NK-92 cells lyse RCC cells in an EGFR-specific manner. Treatment with cabozantinib could increase EGFR and decrease PD-L1 membrane surface expression in RCC cells and enhance the killing ability of CAR-NK-92 cells against the RCC cells in vitro. Furthermore, the CAR-NK-92 cells show synergistic therapeutic efficacy with cabozantinib against human RCC xenograft models. Our results provided the basis for combination with chemotherapy as a novel strategy for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-modified immune effector cells for solid tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Anilides / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Cell Line
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / transplantation
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Antigen / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Anilides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Antigen
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • cabozantinib
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors