Engineered red blood cells as an off-the-shelf allogeneic anti-tumor therapeutic

Nat Commun. 2021 May 11;12(1):2637. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22898-3.

Abstract

Checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell therapies have highlighted the critical role of T cells in anti-cancer immunity. However, limitations associated with these treatments drive the need for alternative approaches. Here, we engineer red blood cells into artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) presenting a peptide bound to the major histocompatibility complex I, the costimulatory ligand 4-1BBL, and interleukin (IL)-12. This leads to robust, antigen-specific T-cell expansion, memory formation, additional immune activation, tumor control, and antigen spreading in tumor models in vivo. The presence of 4-1BBL and IL-12 induces minimal toxicities due to restriction to the vasculature and spleen. The allogeneic aAPC, RTX-321, comprised of human leukocyte antigen-A*02:01 presenting the human papilloma virus (HPV) peptide HPV16 E711-19, 4-1BBL, and IL-12 on the surface, activates HPV-specific T cells and promotes effector function in vitro. Thus, RTX-321 is a potential 'off-the-shelf' in vivo cellular immunotherapy for treating HPV + cancers, including cervical and head/neck cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • 4-1BB Ligand / genetics
  • 4-1BB Ligand / immunology
  • 4-1BB Ligand / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / transplantation*
  • Cell Engineering / methods*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Erythrocytes / immunology*
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Female
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / genetics
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Interleukin-12 / genetics
  • Interleukin-12 / immunology
  • Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / genetics
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / immunology
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Transplantation, Homologous / methods

Substances

  • 4-1BB Ligand
  • HLA-A*02:01 antigen
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • TNFSF9 protein, human
  • oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • Interleukin-12