U.S. patent application number 16/499762 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-02 for methods of treating t cell exhaustion by inhibiting or modulating t cell receptor signaling.
The applicant listed for this patent is THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LE-LAND STANDFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Rachel LYNN, Crystal MACKALL, Sanjay MALHOTRA, Evan WEBER.
Application Number | 20200101108 16/499762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63677091 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-02 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200101108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LYNN; Rachel ; et
al. |
April 2, 2020 |
METHODS OF TREATING T CELL EXHAUSTION BY INHIBITING OR MODULATING T
CELL RECEPTOR SIGNALING
Abstract
Provided herein are compositions and methods for preventing or
reversing T cell exhaustion. In particular, the present invention
relates to methods of preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion by
exposing T cells experiencing T cell exhaustion to particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib), or by
expanding genetically engineered T cells in the presence of
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib).
Inventors: |
LYNN; Rachel; (Stanford,
CA) ; MACKALL; Crystal; (Stanford, CA) ;
WEBER; Evan; (Stanford, CA) ; MALHOTRA; Sanjay;
(Stanford, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LE-LAND STANDFORD JUNIOR
UNIVERSITY |
Stanford |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63677091 |
Appl. No.: |
16/499762 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
March 30, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2018/025394 |
371 Date: |
September 30, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62479930 |
Mar 31, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/5025 20130101;
A61K 45/06 20130101; A61P 43/00 20180101; A61K 31/497 20130101;
A61K 31/506 20130101; C12N 2510/00 20130101; A61K 35/17 20130101;
A61K 39/001112 20180801; A61K 2039/5158 20130101; C07K 2317/622
20130101; C12N 2501/727 20130101; A61K 39/001171 20180801; C07K
2319/33 20130101; C07K 2319/03 20130101; C12N 5/0636 20130101; A61K
39/00 20130101; A61K 2039/5156 20130101; A61P 35/02 20180101; C07K
16/3084 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 35/17 20060101
A61K035/17; A61K 31/5025 20060101 A61K031/5025; A61K 31/506
20060101 A61K031/506; C07K 16/30 20060101 C07K016/30; C12N 5/0783
20060101 C12N005/0783 |
Claims
1. A method for preventing and/or reversing T cell exhaustion in a
subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a
therapeutically effective amount of a tyrosine kinase
inhibitor.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
a Lck inhibitor.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
dasatinib or ponatinib.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment increases secretion of
IL-2 by T cells in the subject.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment decreases apoptosis of
T cells in the subject.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment decreases expression of
at least one T cell exhaustion marker selected from the group
consisting of PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment increases expression of
CD62L or CCR7.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple cycles of treatment are
administered to the subject.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
administered intermittently.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
administered for a period of time sufficient to restore at least
partial T cell function then discontinued.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
administered orally.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is human.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has a chronic
infection or cancer.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment is prophylactic.
16. A method for treating an immune system related condition or
disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject
genetically engineered T cells and a therapeutically effective
amount of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is a Lck inhibitor.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is dasatinib or ponatinib.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
and the genetically engineered T cells are administered
simultaneously and/or at different time points.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein the immune system related
condition or disease is selected from cancer or an autoimmune
disease or condition.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the genetically engineered T
cells are selected from CAR T cells, genetically engineered TCR
expressing T cells, genetically engineered T cells configured for
tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, genetically engineered
T cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral
specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
23. The method of claim 16, further comprising administering to
said subject one or more anticancer agents.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more anticancer
agents is selected from a chemotherapeutic agent and radiation
therapy.
25. A composition comprising a genetically engineered T cell
population, wherein the genetically engineered T cell population
was expanded in the presence of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
26. The composition of claim 25, wherein the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR
signaling.
27. The composition of claim 25, wherein the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is a Lck inhibitor.
28. The composition of claim 25, wherein the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is dasatinib or ponatinib.
29. The composition of claim 25, wherein the genetically engineered
T cell population is selected from CART cell population, a
population of genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, a
population of genetically engineered T cells configured for tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, a population of genetically
engineered T cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or
a population of viral specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or
CAR.
30. A method of generating a population of genetically engineered T
cells resistant to T cell exhaustion, comprising expanding a
population of genetically engineered T cells in the presence of a
tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is a Lck inhibitor.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is dasatinib or ponatinib.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein the population of genetically
engineered T cells is selected from CAR T cell population, a
population of genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, a
population of genetically engineered T cells configured for tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, a population of genetically
engineered T cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or
a population of viral specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or
CAR.
35. A method of treating an immune system related condition or
disease, comprising administering to the subject a genetically
engineered T cell population that were expanded in the presence of
a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is a Lck inhibitor.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is dasatinib or ponatinib.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein the genetically engineered T
cell population is selected from CAR T cell population, a
population of genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, a
population of genetically engineered T cells configured for tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, a population of genetically
engineered T cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or
a population of viral specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or
CAR.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein the subject is undergoing an
adoptive T cell therapy.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the adoptive T cell therapy is
a CAR T-cell therapy.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the adoptive T cell therapy is
a transduced T-cell therapy.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the adoptive T cell therapy is
a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.
44. The method of claim 35, wherein the immune system related
condition or disease is selected from cancer or an autoimmune
disease or condition.
45. The method of claim 35, further comprising administering to
said subject one or more anticancer agents.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the one or more anticancer
agents is selected from a chemotherapeutic agent and radiation
therapy.
47. A method for preventing and/or reversing toxicity related to
genetically engineered T cell administered to a subject, comprising
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of
a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is a Lck kinase inhibitor.
50. The method of claim 47, wherein the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
is dasatinib or ponatinib.
51. The method of claim 33, wherein the genetically engineered T
cells are selected from CAR T cells, genetically engineered TCR
expressing T cells, genetically engineered T cells configured for
tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, genetically engineered
T cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral
specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
52. The method of claim 47, wherein the subject is undergoing an
adoptive T cell therapy.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the adoptive T cell therapy is
a CAR T-cell therapy.
54. The method of claim 52, wherein the adoptive T cell therapy is
a transduced T-cell therapy
55. The method of claim 52, wherein the adoptive T cell therapy is
a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.
56. The method of claim 47, wherein the toxicity related to
genetically engineered T cell administered to a subject is cytokine
release syndrome.
57. The method of claim 47, wherein the toxicity related to
genetically engineered T cell administered to a subject is
on-target off tumor toxicity or off-target off-tumor toxicity.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 62/479,930, filed Mar. 31, 2017, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Provided herein are compositions and methods for preventing
or reversing T cell exhaustion. In particular, the present
invention relates to methods of preventing or reversing T cell
exhaustion by exposing T cells experiencing T cell exhaustion to
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib),
or by expanding genetically engineered T cells in the presence of
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib).
INTRODUCTION
[0003] T cells are immune cells that become activated via T cell
receptor (TCR) signaling following engagement with antigen.
Physiologic activation through the T cell receptor renders T cells
capable of mediating potent antitumor or anti-infective effects.
During resolution of an acute inflammatory response, a subset of
activated effector T cells differentiate into long-lived memory
cells. By contrast, in patients with chronic infections or cancer,
T cells not infrequently undergo pathologic differentiation toward
a state of dysfunction, which has been termed T cell exhaustion. T
cell exhaustion is characterized by marked changes in metabolic
function, transcriptional programming, loss of effector function
(e.g., cytokine secretion, killing capacity), and co-expression of
multiple surface inhibitory receptors. The root cause of T cell
exhaustion is persistent antigen exposure leading to continuous TCR
signaling. Prevention or reversal of T cell exhaustion has been
long sought as a means to enhance T cell effectiveness in patients
with cancer or chronic infections.
[0004] The present invention addresses this urgent need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Immune cells respond to the presence of foreign antigens
with a wide range of responses, including the secretion of
preformed and newly formed mediators, phagocytosis of particles,
endocytosis, cytotoxicity against target cells, as well as cell
proliferation and/or differentiation. T cells are a subgroup of
cells which together with other immune cell types (e.g.,
polymorphonuclear, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, B cells, and
NK cells), constitute the cellular component of the immune system
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,294; US Pat. Appl. 20050070478).
Under physiological conditions T cells function in immune
surveillance and in the elimination of foreign antigen. However,
under pathological conditions there is compelling evidence that T
cells play a major role in the causation and propagation of
disease. In these disorders, breakdown of T cell immunological
tolerance, either central or peripheral is a fundamental process in
the causation of autoimmune disease.
[0006] It is well established that T cell receptor (TCR) engagement
and costimulatory signaling provide the critical signals that
regulate T cell activation, proliferation and cytolytic functions.
T cells respond to antigen via a polypeptide complex composed of
the ligand-binding T cell receptor (TCR) disulfide-linked .alpha.
and .beta. subunits (or .gamma. and .delta. subunits in
.gamma..delta. T cells) that have single transmembrane (TM) spans
per subunit and small intracellular tails and associate
non-covalently with hetero- (CD3.gamma..epsilon. and
CD3.delta..epsilon.) and homodimeric (.zeta..zeta.) signaling
subunits (see, e.g., Cambier J. C. Curr Opin Immunol 1992;
4:257-64). The CD3.epsilon., .delta., and .gamma. chains have
single Ig-family extracellular domains, single presumably
.alpha.-helical TM spans, and intrinsically disordered
intracellular domains of 40-60 residues, whereas each subunit has a
small extracellular region (9 residues) carrying the intersubunit
disulfide bond, a single presumably .alpha.-helical TM span per
subunit, and a large, intrinsically disordered cytoplasmic domain
of approximately 110 residues. An understanding of the process of
TCR-mediated TM signal transduction and subsequent T cell
activation, leading to T cell proliferation and differentiation, is
therefore pivotal to both health and disease. Disturbance in TCR
signaling can lead to inflammatory and other T cell-related
disorders.
[0007] T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) at high
levels undergo tonic, antigen independent signaling due to receptor
clustering. Such T cells function poorly as a result of T cell
exhaustion, as evidenced by high levels of PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3,
diminished antigen induced cytokine production, and excessive
programmed cell death. Tonic signaling can be prevented by
transiently decreasing CAR associated TCR signaling proteins (e.g.,
TCR zeta) to levels below the threshold required for tonic
signaling.
[0008] Experiments conducted during the course of developing
embodiments for the present invention demonstrated that treatment
with a particular tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits T cell
receptor signaling (e.g., a Lck tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g.,
dasatinib)) (e.g., a Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor) reduced
expression of the T cell exhaustion markers and improved formation
of T cell memory. Accordingly, the present invention relates to
methods of preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion by transiently
inhibiting T cell receptor (TCR) signaling to restore T cell
function with particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g.,
dasatinib, ponatinib).
[0009] Additional experiments determined that CAR T cells
co-cultured with tumor cells in the presence of dasatinib or
ponatinib exhibit attenuated activation and degranulation, fail to
secrete cytokine, and display attenuated killing in response to
tumor antigen.
[0010] Additional experiments determined that dasatinib potently
inhibits the phosphorylation of CAR CD3z as well as distal
signaling proteins after CAR crosslinking.
[0011] Additional experiments determined that tonically signaling
CAR T cells expanded in the presence of dasatinib exhibit a
reduction in canonical exhaustion marker expression in a
dose-dependent manner, retain the capacity to form memory, display
augmented cytokine secretion in response to tumor antigen, and
display augmented cytotoxicity.
[0012] Additional experiments determined that in vivo dasatinib
treatment suppresses exhaustion marker expression, augments memory
formation, and facilitates cell survival/proliferation.
[0013] Accordingly, provided herein are compositions and methods
for preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion. In particular, the
present invention relates to methods of preventing or reversing T
cell exhaustion by exposing T cells experiencing T cell exhaustion
to particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib), or by expanding genetically engineered T cells in the
presence of particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib).
[0014] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides
methods for treating a subject to mitigate T cell exhaustion, the
method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically
effective amount of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Such embodiments
are not limited to a particular tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some
embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is capable of inhibiting
TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling. In some embodiments, the
tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a Lck kinase inhibitor. In some
embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a Fyn kinase
inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a
Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, tyrosine
kinase inhibitor is dasatinib or ponatinib. In some embodiments,
the treatment is prophylactic.
[0015] Such methods are not limited to a particular manner of
treating the subject for T cell exhaustion. In some embodiments,
the treatment increases secretion of IL-2 by T cells in the
subject. In some embodiments, the treatment decreases apoptosis of
T cells in the subject. In some embodiments, the treatment
decreases expression of at least one T cell exhaustion marker
selected from the group consisting of PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3. In
some embodiments, the treatment increases expression of CD62L or
CCR7.
[0016] Such methods are not limited to particular manner of
administration. In some embodiments, multiple cycles of treatment
are administered to the subject. In some embodiments, the tyrosine
kinase inhibitor is administered intermittently. In some
embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is administered for a
period of time sufficient to restore at least partial T cell
function then discontinued. In some embodiments, the tyrosine
kinase inhibitor is administered orally.
[0017] Such methods are not limited to a particular type or kind of
subject. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some
embodiments, the subject has a chronic infection or cancer.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides for
treating an immune system related condition or disease in a subject
comprising administering to the subject genetically engineered T
cells and a therapeutically effective amount of a tyrosine kinase
inhibitor. Such embodiments are not limited to a particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR
signaling. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a
Lck kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is a Fyn kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the
tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a Src family tyrosine kinase
inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
dasatinib or ponatinib. In some embodiments, the treatment is
prophylactic. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
and the genetically engineered T cells are administered
simultaneously and/or at different time points.
[0019] Such methods are not limited to a specific type or kind of
genetically engineered T cells. In some embodiments, the
genetically engineered T cells include, but are not limited to, CAR
T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, genetically
engineered T cells configured for tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T cells configured for
transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral specific T cells
reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0020] Such methods are not limited to treating a specific immune
system related condition or disease. In some embodiments, the
immune system related condition or disease is selected from cancer
or an autoimmune disease or condition.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides
methods for preventing and/or reversing toxicity related to
genetically engineered T cell administered to a subject, comprising
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of
a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Such embodiments are not limited to a
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the
tyrosine kinase inhibitor is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling
and/or CAR signaling. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is a Lck kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the
tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a Fyn kinase inhibitor. In some
embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a Src family tyrosine
kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is dasatinib or ponatinib.
[0022] Such methods are not limited to a specific type or kind of
genetically engineered T cells. In some embodiments, the
genetically engineered T cells include, but are not limited to, CAR
T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, genetically
engineered T cells configured for tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T cells configured for
transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral specific T cells
reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0023] Such methods are not limited to a particular type or kind of
adoptive T cell therapy. In some embodiments, the adoptive T cell
therapy is a CAR T-cell therapy. In some embodiments, the adoptive
T cell therapy is a transduced T-cell therapy. In some embodiments,
the adoptive T cell therapy is a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy.
[0024] Such methods are not limited to a particular type or kind of
toxicity related to genetically engineered T cell administered to a
subject. In some embodiments, the toxicity related to genetically
engineered T cell administered to a subject is cytokine release
syndrome. In some embodiments, the toxicity related to genetically
engineered T cell administered to a subject is on-target off tumor
toxicity or off-target off-tumor toxicity.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides
compositions comprising a genetically engineered T cell population,
wherein the genetically engineered T cell population was expanded
in the presence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments,
the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is capable of inhibiting TCR
signaling and/or CAR signaling inhibitor. In some embodiments, the
tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib or ponatinib.
[0026] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides
methods of generating a population of genetically engineered T
cells resistant to T cell exhaustion, comprising expanding a
population of genetically engineered T cells in the presence of a
tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is capable of inhibiting TCR signaling and/or CAR
signaling inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is dasatinib or ponatinib. Such methods are not limited
to a specific type or kind of genetically engineered T cells. In
some embodiments, the genetically engineered T cells include, but
are not limited to, CAR T cells, genetically engineered TCR
expressing T cells, genetically engineered T cells configured for
tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, genetically engineered
T cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral
specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or CAR. Such methods are
not limited to a specific expanding technique as such techniques
are well known in the art.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides
methods of treating an immune system related condition or disease
in a subject undergoing an adoptive T cell therapy, comprising
administering to the subject a genetically engineered T cell
population that were expanded in the presence of a tyrosine kinase
inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
capable of inhibiting TCR signaling inhibitor and/or CAR signaling.
In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a Lck kinase
inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a
Fyn kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase
inhibitor is a Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In some
embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is dasatinib or
ponatinib. In some embodiments, the immune system related condition
or disease is selected from cancer or an autoimmune disease or
condition.
[0028] Such methods are not limited to a specific type or kind of
genetically engineered T cells. In some embodiments, the
genetically engineered T cells include, but are not limited to, CAR
T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, genetically
engineered T cells configured for tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T cells configured for
transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral specific T cells
reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0029] Such methods are not limited to a particular type or kind of
adoptive T cell therapy. In some embodiments, the adoptive T cell
therapy is a CAR T-cell therapy. In some embodiments, the adoptive
T cell therapy is a transduced T-cell therapy. In some embodiments,
the adoptive T cell therapy is a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy.
[0030] The present invention contemplates that exposure of animals
(e.g., humans) suffering from cancer (e.g., and/or cancer related
disorders) to adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., a CAR T-cell
therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor infiltrating
lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) with genetically engineered T cell
populations and compositions comprising particular tyrosine kinase
inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) will inhibit the growth of
cancer cells or supporting cells outright and/or render such cells
as a population more susceptible to the cell death-inducing
activity of cancer therapeutic drugs or radiation therapies. In
such embodiments, the methods result in improved therapy outcome as
such particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors are capable of 1)
modulating TCR signaling within the genetically engineered T cell
population (e.g., decreasing expression of one or more of PD-1,
TIM-3, and LAG-3; increasing expression of memory markers (e.g.,
CD62L or CCR7); increasing secretion of IL-2 and other cytokines),
and 2) preventing and/or reversing T cell exhaustion within the
genetically engineered T cell population. Thus, the present
invention provides methods for treating cancer (e.g., and/or cancer
related disorders) with adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., a CAR
T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) in a subject comprising
administering to the subject (e.g., simultaneously and/or at
different time points) genetically engineered T cells, particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib), and
additional cancer therapeutic drugs or radiation therapies.
[0031] The present invention contemplates that exposure of animals
(e.g., humans) suffering from cancer (e.g., and/or cancer related
disorders) to adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., a CAR T-cell
therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor infiltrating
lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) with genetically engineered T cell
populations that were expanded in the presence of particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) will
inhibit the growth of cancer cells or supporting cells outright
and/or render such cells as a population more susceptible to the
cell death-inducing activity of cancer therapeutic drugs or
radiation therapies. In such embodiments, the methods result in
improved therapy outcome as such genetically engineered T cell
populations are resistant and/or less prone to T cell exhaustion.
Thus, the present invention provides methods for treating cancer
(e.g., and/or cancer related disorders) with adoptive T cell
therapies (e.g., a CAR T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy,
and a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) in a subject
comprising administering to the subject (e.g., simultaneously
and/or at different time points) genetically engineered T cell
populations that were expanded in the presence of particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) and
additional cancer therapeutic drugs or radiation therapies.
[0032] The present invention contemplates that such methods (e.g.,
adoptive T cell therapies with genetically engineered T cell
populations and compositions comprising particular tyrosine kinase
inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib)) (e.g., adoptive T cell
therapies with genetically engineered T cell populations that were
expanded in the presence of particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors
(e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib)) satisfy an unmet need for the
treatment of multiple cancer types, either when administered as
monotherapy or when administered in a temporal relationship with
additional agent(s), such as other cell death-inducing or cell
cycle disrupting cancer therapeutic drugs or radiation therapies
(combination therapies), so as to render a greater proportion of
the cancer cells or supportive cells susceptible to executing the
apoptosis program compared to the corresponding proportion of cells
in an animal treated only with the cancer therapeutic drug or
radiation therapy alone.
[0033] In certain embodiments of the invention, combination
treatment of animals with such methods (e.g., adoptive T cell
therapies with genetically engineered T cell populations and
compositions comprising particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors
(e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib)) (e.g., adoptive T cell therapies with
genetically engineered T cell populations that were expanded in the
presence of particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib)) produce a greater tumor response and clinical benefit
in such animals compared to those treated with the anticancer
drugs/radiation alone. Since the doses for all approved anticancer
drugs and radiation treatments are known, the present invention
contemplates the various combinations of them with such
methods.
[0034] A non-limiting exemplary list of cancer (e.g., and/or cancer
related disorders) includes, but is not limited to, pancreatic
cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, skin cancer,
colon cancer, melanoma, malignant melanoma, ovarian cancer, brain
cancer, primary brain carcinoma, head and neck cancer, glioma,
glioblastoma, liver cancer, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung
cancer, head or neck carcinoma, breast carcinoma, ovarian
carcinoma, lung carcinoma, small-cell lung carcinoma, Wilms' tumor,
cervical carcinoma, testicular carcinoma, bladder carcinoma,
pancreatic carcinoma, stomach carcinoma, colon carcinoma, prostatic
carcinoma, genitourinary carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, esophageal
carcinoma, myeloma, multiple myeloma, adrenal carcinoma, renal cell
carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, adrenal cortex carcinoma,
malignant pancreatic insulinoma, malignant carcinoid carcinoma,
choriocarcinoma, mycosis fungoides, malignant hypercalcemia,
cervical hyperplasia, leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic
lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic
myelogenous leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia, acute
granulocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, neuroblastoma,
rhabdomyosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, polycythemia vera, essential
thrombocytosis, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
soft-tissue sarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, primary macroglobulinemia,
and retinoblastoma, and the like, T and B cell mediated autoimmune
diseases; inflammatory diseases; infections; hyperproliferative
diseases; AIDS; degenerative conditions, vascular diseases, and the
like. In some embodiments, the cancer cells being treated are
metastatic. In other embodiments, the cancer cells being treated
are resistant to anticancer agents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1: Characterization of the GD2.28z.FKBP CAR. T cells
were transduced with lentivirus encoding the GD2.28z.FKBP CAR on
day 1 after activation and subsequently cultured with various
concentrations of shield-1 in the growth medium. On day 7, CAR
expression was quantified via FACS.
[0036] FIG. 2: Removal of S1 from culture medium results in
reversal of T cell exhaustion marker surface expression.
[0037] FIG. 3: Removal of S1 from culture medium results in
maintenance of CD62L expression and prevention of apoptosis.
[0038] FIG. 4: Removal of S1 from culture medium results in
reversal of function T cell exhaustion.
[0039] FIG. 5: Removal of surface CAR results in more effective
prevention of T cell exhaustion compared PD-1/PDL-1 blockade.
[0040] FIG. 6: Removal of surface CAR rescues exhaustion in
PD-1/TIM-3/LAG-3 triple positive CAR T cells after only 4 days.
[0041] FIG. 7: Dasatinib inhibits cytokine secretion of CAR T cells
in response to tumor antigen.
[0042] FIG. 8: Dasatinib reverses exhaustion marker expression and
co-expression.
[0043] FIG. 9: Dasatinib treatment results in maintenance of CD62L
expression.
[0044] FIG. 10: Dasatinib Treatment results in augmented IL-2 and
IFN.gamma. secretion in response to tumor antigen.
[0045] FIG. 11: CAR T cells co-cultured with tumor cells in the
presence of dasatinib or ponatinib exhibit attenuated activation
and degranulation. As shown, CD19.28z CAR T cells were cultured in
the presence or absence of various concentrations of dasatinib or
ponatinib for at least 48 hours. CAR T cells were then co-cultured
with CD19-bearing Nalm6 tumor cells for 6 hours. CD69 and CD107a
surface expression was subsequently assessed via FACS. Plots
display cells gated on the CD8+ CAR+ population. Such results
demonstrate that 80% of CD19.28z CART cells become activated
(surface CD69 is a surrogate for activation) and degranulate
(surface CD107a is a surrogate for degranulation) in response to
tumor. However, dasatinib and ponatinib dose-dependently inhibit
CAR T cells' ability to respond to tumor in this manner.
[0046] FIG. 12: CAR T cells co-cultured with tumor cells in the
presence of dasatinib or ponatinib fail to secrete cytokine. As
shown, high affinity GD2.28z (HA-GD2.28z) CAR T cells were
co-cultured with GD2-overexpressing nalm6 for 24 hours in the
presence of absence of various concentrations of dasatinib or
ponatinib. Supernatant was then collected and analyzed for IL-2 and
IFN.gamma. via ELISA. These results demonstrate that using the
HA-GD2.28z CAR, dasatinib and ponatinib inhibit CART cell secretion
of IL-2 and IFN.gamma. in response to tumor.
[0047] FIG. 13: CAR T cells cultured in the presence of dasatinib
display attenuated killing in response to tumor antigen. An
incucyte assay was conducted in which CD19.BBz CAR T cells were
co-cultured with nalm6 tumor cells expressing a GFP reporter for 72
hours in the presence of 1 uM dasatinib or vehicle (DMSO). Tumor
GFP fluorescence was measured over time. GFP values were normalized
to the fluorescence intensity at the first time point. These
results demonstrate that dasatinib blunts the ability of the
CD19.28z CAR to kill tumor cells. FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 demonstrate
that dasatinib or ponatinib could serve as a rapid and reversible
safety "OFF" switch for CAR T cells that are having deleterious
effects in a given patient.
[0048] FIG. 14: Dasatinib potently inhibits the phosphorylation of
CAR CD3z as well as distal signaling proteins after CAR
crosslinking. 2E6 HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells cultured in 1 uM dasatinib
or vehicle were removed from culture on day 10 post-activation.
Idiotype primary antibody and a crosslinking secondary antibody
were then added to the cells at 5 ug/mL to initiate signaling
through the CAR. Shown here, dasatinib potently inhibits
crosslinking-induced phosphorylation of the CD3z domain on the CAR,
as well as phosphorylation of distal signaling kinases Akt and
ERK1/2. This is a representative blot of n=3 independent
experiments.
[0049] FIG. 15: Tonically signaling CART cells expanded in the
presence of dasatinib exhibit a reduction in canonical exhaustion
marker expression in a dose-dependent manner. HA-GD2.28z CART cells
were expanded in the presence of various concentrations of
dasatinib or vehicle (DMSO). On day 14 post-activation, cells were
removed from cultured, stained, and their exhaustion phenotype was
analyzed via FACS. Representative plots from 3 independent
experiments. FIG. 15A: CAR+ T cell canonical exhaustion marker
expression.
[0050] FIG. 15B: CAR+ CD4+ (left) or CAR+ CD8+ (right) exhaustion
marker co-expression. These results demonstrate that the HA-GD2.28z
CAR tonically signals in the absence of antigen, which ultimately
induces T cells exhaustion, as defined by expression of multiple
inhibitory receptors, lack of memory formation, and decreased
effector function. FIG. 14 demonstrates that expanding HA-GD2.28z
CAR T cells in the presence of dasatinib dose-dependently
attenuates exhaustion marker single expression (a) or co-expression
(b).
[0051] FIG. 16: Tonically signaling CAR T cells expanded in the
presence of dasatinib retain the capacity to form memory. CD19.28z
or HA-GD2.28z were expanded in the presence or absence of 1 uM
dasatinib or vehicle (DMSO). On Day 14 post-activation, cells were
removed from cultured for FACS analysis. This representative plot
shows CAR+ T cells. The red box highlights the CD45RA low, CCR7
high population, which corresponds to central memory-like T cells.
These results demonstrate expanding tonically signaling HA-GD2.28z
CAR T cells in dasatinib also augments memory formation, here
demonstrated by a marked increase in the CD45RA low, CCR7 high
population, which corresponds to a central memory-like
phenotype.
[0052] FIG. 17: Tonically signaling CAR T cells expanded in the
presence of dasatinib display augmented cytokine secretion in
response to tumor antigen. HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells were expanded in
the presence or absence of various concentrations of dasatinib or
ponatinib. Drug was removed from the T cells 24 hours prior to
co-culture with GD2-overexpressing nalm6 tumor cells in order to
allow the T cells to regain the ability to signal in response to
tumor. After 24 hours, supernatants were collected and IL-2 and
IFN.gamma. secretion was assessed via ELISA. FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 15
and 16 demonstrate that dasatinib and ponatinib can inhibit CART
cell signaling and function. FIG. 17 shows that expansion of
tonically signaling HA-GD2.28z CART cells in the presence of these
drugs followed by remove of the drugs prior to co-culturing with
tumor cells results in augmentation of IL-2 and IFN.gamma..
[0053] FIG. 18: Tonically signaling CART cells expanded in the
presence of dasatinib display augmented cytotoxicity. HA-GD2.28z
CAR T cells were expanded in the presence or absence of dasatinib
or vehicle (DMSO) for 96 hours. On day 14 post-activation,
dasatinib was removed from the T cells 24 hours prior to an
incucyte assay in which T cells were co-cultured at a 1:8 E:T ratio
with GD2-overexpressing nalm6 tumor. Tumor GFP fluorescence was
measured over time. GFP values were normalized to the fluorescence
intensity at the first time point. These results demonstrate that
inhibiting tonical signaling of HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells by including
dasatinib in the culture medium during expansion followed by
removal of dasatinib prior to co-culture rescues the ability of
these CAR T cells to kill tumor.
[0054] FIG. 19: GD2-overexpressing Nalm6 in the presence and
absence of dasatinib. 0.5E6 143B tumor cells were engrafted
intramuscularly in the legs of mice. On day 3 post-engraftment,
10E6 GD2.BBz CART cells expanded in the presence of dasatinib or
vehicle (DMSO) were infused into mice intravenously. The left plot
displays the mean leg area+/-SEM (n=5 mice). FIGS. 19 and 20
recapitulate the findings from FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 in an in
vivo setting. Culturing different types of CARs (GD2.BBz,
HA-GD2.28z) in dasatinib and then infusing them in vivo augments
their anti-tumor function.
[0055] FIG. 20A: 0.5E6 143B tumor cells were engrafted
intramuscularly in the legs of mice. On day 3 post-engraftment,
10E6 HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells expanded in the presence of dasatinib
or vehicle (DMSO) were infused into mice intravenously. The top
plot displays the mean leg area+/-SEM (n=5 mice). FIGS. 19 and 20
recapitulate the findings from FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 in an in
vivo setting. Culturing different types of CARs (GD2.BBz,
HA-GD2.28z) in dasatinib and then infusing them in vivo augments
their anti-tumor function.
[0056] FIG. 20B: 1E6 GD2-overexpressing nalm6 tumor cells were
engrafted intravenously in mice. On day 3 post-engraftment, 2E6
CAR+ HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells expanded in the presence of dasatinib
or vehicle (DMSO) were infused into mice intravenously. The top
plot displays the mean tumor luminescence+/-SEM (n=5 mice). FIGS.
19 and 20 recapitulate the findings from FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 in
an in vivo setting. Culturing different types of CARs (GD2.BBz,
HA-GD2.28z) in dasatinib and then infusing them in vivo augments
their anti-tumor function.
[0057] FIG. 21: 1E6 GD2-overexpressing nalm6 tumor cells were
engrafted intravenously in mice. On day 3 post-engraftment, 2E6
HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells expanded in the presence of dasatinib or
vehicle (DMSO) were infused into mice intravenously. On day 17
post-engraftment, blood samples were taken from each mouse and
mixed with counting beads. FACS analysis was performed, and the
number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells for each mouse was calculated. This
plot displays the mean CD4+ or CD8+ cells per mouse+/-SEM (n=5
mice). FIG. 21 demonstrates one of the mechanisms by which
dasatinib augments function. After infusing dasatinib-treated CAR T
cells into mice, blood samples were taken and the number of
circulating CAR T cells analyzed, a typical readout for in vivo CAR
T cell proliferation in response to tumor. The vehicle HA-GD2.28z
CAR T cells did not exhibit significantly more in vivo
proliferation than mock T cells, as these cells were likely
exhausted when they were initially infused into the mice. However,
CAR T cells that were expanded in dasatinib retained their
anti-tumor function and thus proliferated robustly in vivo.
[0058] FIG. 22A,B,C,D,E: In vivo dasatinib treatment suppresses
exhaustion marker expression, augments memory formation, and
facilitates cell survival/proliferation. Mice were engrafted with
1E6 GD2-overexpressing nalm6 tumor cells via intravenous injection.
On day 4 post-engraftment, 2E6 HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells were infused
into mice intravenously. Mice were dosed with 50 mg/kg dasatinib
via intraperitoneal injection on days 21-23 post-tumor engraftment.
5 hours after dasatinib dosing on day 23, 1 mouse receiving vehicle
and 1 mouse receiving dasatinib were sacrificed, and spleens/blood
were harvested, surface stained, and phenotyped via FACS. A and C)
CAR+ T cells constituted a higher percentage of total circulating
cells (A) or total splenic cells (C) in the mouse treated with
dasatinib versus the vehicle control. B and D) In contrast to mice
treated with vehicle (red), circulating or splenic CD8+ CAR+ T
cells in dasatinib-treated mice (blue) exhibited a phenotype
consistent with a non-activated or resting T cell, indicating that
dasatinib suppressed CAR T cell activation and induced memory
formation (i.e., higher CD62L expression) in vivo. E) On days 27-29
post-tumor engraftment, 1 mouse received 50 mg/kg dasatinib each
day and a different mouse received vehicle control. On days 30-32,
mice were untreated. On day 32, tumor luminescence was assessed.
The 3 days of dasatinib dosing were sufficient to induce a robust
reinvigoration of the anti-tumor response (blue). These data
indicate that iterative dosing of dasatinib may reinvigorate
exhausted T cells in vivo.
[0059] FIG. 23: The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for
CD19.28z (FMC63 scFv).
[0060] FIG. 24: The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for
CD19.BBz (FMC63 scFv).
[0061] FIG. 25: The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for
GD2.BBz (14G2a scFv).
[0062] FIG. 26: The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for
HA-GD2.28z (High affinity 14G2a scFv).
DEFINITIONS
[0063] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include
plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, reference to "a T cell" includes two or more T
cells, and the like.
[0064] The term "about," particularly in reference to a given
quantity, is meant to encompass deviations of plus or minus five
percent.
[0065] The term "chimeric antigen receptor" or "CAR," as used
herein, refers to an artificial T cell receptor that is engineered
to be expressed on an immune effector cell and specifically bind an
antigen. CARs may be used as a therapy with adoptive cell transfer.
T cells are removed from a patient and modified so that they
express the receptors specific to a particular form of antigen. In
some embodiments, the CARs have been expressed with specificity to
a tumor associated antigen, for example. CARs may also comprise an
intracellular activation domain, a transmembrane domain and an
extracellular domain comprising a tumor associated antigen binding
region. The specificity of CAR designs may be derived from ligands
of receptors (e.g., peptides). In some embodiments, a CAR can
target cancers by redirecting the specificity of a T cell
expressing the CAR specific for tumor associated antigens.
[0066] "Pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier" refers to
an excipient that may optionally be included in the compositions of
the invention and that causes no significant adverse toxicological
effects to the patient.
[0067] "Pharmaceutically acceptable salt" includes, but is not
limited to, amino acid salts, salts prepared with inorganic acids,
such as chloride, sulfate, phosphate, diphosphate, bromide, and
nitrate salts, or salts prepared from the corresponding inorganic
acid form of any of the preceding, e.g., hydrochloride, etc., or
salts prepared with an organic acid, such as malate, maleate,
fumarate, tartrate, succinate, ethylsuccinate, citrate, acetate,
lactate, methanesulfonate, benzoate, ascorbate,
para-toluenesulfonate, palmoate, salicylate and stearate, as well
as estolate, gluceptate and lactobionate salts. Similarly, salts
containing pharmaceutically acceptable cations include, but are not
limited to, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum, lithium, and
ammonium (including substituted ammonium).
[0068] The term "T cell" refers to T lymphocytes as defined in the
art and is intended to include thymocytes, immature T lymphocytes,
mature T lymphocytes, resting T lymphocytes, or activated T
lymphocytes. The T cells can be CD4.sup.+ T cells, CD8.sup.+ T
cells, CD4.sup.+CD8.sup.+ T cells, or CD4.sup.-CD8.sup.- cells. The
T cells can also be T helper cells, such as T helper 1 (TH1), or T
helper 2 (TH2) cells, or TH17 cells, as well as cytotoxic T cells,
regulatory T cells, natural killer T cells, naive T cells, memory T
cells, or gamma delta T cells.
[0069] The T cells can be a purified population of T cells, or
alternatively the T cells can be in a population with cells of a
different type, such as B cells and/or other peripheral blood
cells. The T cells can be a purified population of a subset of T
cells, such as CD4.sup.+ T cells, or they can be a population of T
cells comprising different subsets of T cells. In another
embodiment of the invention, the T cells are T cell clones that
have been maintained in culture for extended periods of time. T
cell clones can be transformed to different degrees. In a specific
embodiment, the T cells are a T cell clone that proliferates
indefinitely in culture.
[0070] In some embodiments, the T cells are primary T cells. The
term "primary T cells" is intended to include T cells obtained from
an individual, as opposed to T cells that have been maintained in
culture for extended periods of time. Thus, primary T cells are
particularly peripheral blood T cells obtained from a subject. A
population of primary T cells can be composed of mostly one subset
of T cells. Alternatively, the population of primary T cells can be
composed of different subsets of T cells.
[0071] The T cells can be from previously stored blood samples,
from a healthy individual, or alternatively from an individual
affected with a condition. The condition can be an infectious
disease, such as a condition resulting from a viral infection, a
bacterial infection or an infection by any other microorganism, or
a hyperproliferative disease, such as cancer like melanoma. In yet
another embodiment of the invention, the T cells are from a subject
suffering from or susceptible to an autoimmune disease or T-cell
pathologies. The T cells can be of human origin, murine origin or
any other mammalian species.
[0072] "T cell exhaustion" refers to loss of T cell function, which
may occur as a result of an infection or a disease. T cell
exhaustion is associated with increased expression of PD-1, TIM-3,
and LAG-3, apoptosis, and reduced cytokine secretion.
[0073] By "therapeutically effective dose or amount" of an
inhibitor of TCR signaling (e.g., dasatinib) is intended an amount
that, when administered as described herein, brings about a
positive therapeutic response in treatment of T cell exhaustion,
such as restored T cell function. Improved T cell function may
include decreased expression of PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3, maintenance
of memory markers (e.g., CD62L or CCR7), prevention of apoptosis,
and increased secretion of IL-2 and other cytokines. The exact
amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the
species, age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of
the condition being treated, the particular drug or drugs employed,
mode of administration, and the like. An appropriate "effective"
amount in any individual case may be determined by one of ordinary
skill in the art using routine experimentation, based upon the
information provided herein.
[0074] The terms "subject," "individual," and "patient," are used
interchangeably herein and refer to any vertebrate subject,
including, without limitation, humans and other primates, including
non-human primates such as chimpanzees and other apes and monkey
species; farm animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and
horses; domestic mammals such as dogs and cats; laboratory animals
including rodents such as mice, rats and guinea pigs; birds,
including domestic, wild and game birds such as chickens, turkeys
and other gallinaceous birds, ducks, geese, and the like. The term
does not denote a particular age. Thus, both adult and newborn
individuals are intended to be covered.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0075] The invention is based on the discovery that transient
inhibition or modulation of TCR signaling and/or CAR signaling in
human T cells can prevent or reverse T cell exhaustion and restore
T cell function. The inventors have shown that GD2-CAR expressing T
cells develop functional exhaustion, exhibited by expression of
PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3 exhaustion markers. Cessation of tonic
signaling restores the ability of T cells to secrete IL-2 in
response to tumor antigen. The inventors further showed that
treatment with dasatinib, a Lck tyrosine kinase inhibitor that
inhibits T cell receptor signaling, reduced expression of the T
cell exhaustion markers and improved preservation of T cell
memory.
[0076] Protein tyrosine kinases are a family of enzymes catalysing
the transfer of the terminal phosphate of adenosine triphosphate to
tyrosine residues in protein substrates. Phosphorylation of
tyrosine residues on protein substrates leads to transduction of
intracellular signals which regulate a wide variety of
intracellular processes such as growth and activation of cells of
the immune system, e.g. T-cells. As T-cell activation is implicated
in a number of inflammatory conditions and other disorders of the
immune system (e.g. autoimmune diseases), modulation of the
activity of protein tyrosine kinases appears to be an attractive
route to the management of inflammatory diseases. A large number of
protein tyrosine kinases have been identified which may be receptor
protein tyrosine kinases, e.g. the insulin receptor, or
non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases.
[0077] Protein tyrosine kinases of the Src family have been found
to be particularly important for intracellular signal transduction
related to inflammatory responses (see, e.g., D. Okutani et al.,
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. 291, 2006, pp. L129-L141;
CA. Lowell, Mol. Immunol. 41, 2004, pp. 631-643). While some of Src
family protein tyrosine kinases, e.g. Src, Yes and Fyn, are
expressed in a variety of cell types and tissues, the expression of
others is restricted to specific cell types, e.g. hematopoietic
cells. Thus, the protein tyrosine kinase Lck is expressed almost
exclusively in T-cells as the first signalling molecule to be
activated downstream of the T-cell receptor, and its activity is
essential for T-cell signal transduction. Expression of Hck, Lyn
and Fgr is increased by inflammatory stimuli such as LPS in mature
monocytes and macrophages. Also, if gene expression of the main
B-cell Src family kinases, namely Lyn, Fyn and BIk, is disrupted,
immature B-cells are prevented from developing into mature B-cells.
Src family kinases have also been identified as essential for the
recruitment and activation of monocytes, macrophages and
neutrophils as well as being involved in the inflammatory response
of tissue cells.
[0078] As noted, receptor tyrosine kinases are essential components
of signal transduction pathways that mediate cell-to-cell
communication and their function as relay points for signaling
pathways. They have a key role in numerous processes that control
cellular proliferation and differentiation, regulate cell growth
and cellular metabolism, and promote cell survival and apoptosis.
Lck (p56.sup.lck or lymphocyte specific kinase) is a cytoplasmic
tyrosine kinase of the Src family expressed in T cells and natural
killer (NK) cells. Genetic evidence from knockout mice and human
mutations demonstrates that Lck kinase activity is critical for T
cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling, leading to normal T-cell
development and activation. As such, selective inhibition of Lck is
useful in the treatment of T-cell-mediated autoimmune and
inflammatory disorders and/or organ transplant rejection.
[0079] The invention is further based on the discovery that the Lck
kinase inhibitor dasatinib and the receptor tyrosine kinase
inhibitor ponatinib have the potential to address several important
challenges currently facing the field of adoptive T cell therapies
(e.g., CART cell therapies). First, these drugs were shown to
potently inhibit CAR signaling, which provides a method to regulate
CAR activity and thus mitigate CAR T cell toxicity while preserving
the option to continue therapy once the toxicity has resolved, as
the inhibitory effect of dasatinib and ponatinib on CAR T cell
function is reversible. Second, expansion of CAR T cells in the
presence of dasatinib or ponatinib was shown to prevent CAR tonic
signaling and in turn enhance the functional capacity of CAR T
cells. Lastly, providing short periods of CAR T cell "rest" in vivo
via iterative drug dosing was shown to be one method by which CAR T
cell exhaustion could be prevented or reversed and/or memory could
be induced.
[0080] Accordingly, provided herein are compositions and methods
for preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion. In particular, the
present invention relates to methods of preventing or reversing T
cell exhaustion by exposing T cells experiencing T cell exhaustion
to particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib), or by expanding genetically engineered T cells in the
presence of particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib).
[0081] As such, the present invention contemplates that exposure of
animals (e.g., humans) undergoing adoptive T cell therapies (e.g.,
a CAR T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) with genetically engineered
T cell populations to compositions comprising particular tyrosine
kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) will result in
improved therapy outcome as such particular tyrosine kinase
inhibitors are capable of 1) modulating TCR signaling within the
genetically engineered T cell population (e.g., decreasing
expression of one or more of PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3; increasing
expression of memory markers (e.g., CD62L or CCR7); increasing
secretion of IL-2 and other cytokines), and 2) preventing and/or
reversing T cell exhaustion within the genetically engineered T
cell population. Indeed, the present invention contemplates that
the use of particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib) (e.g., Src family kinase inhibitors) (e.g., Lck
inhibitors) within adoptive T cell therapies satisfies an unmet
need as the effectiveness of such therapies are frequently
compromised by such T cell populations experiencing T cell
exhaustion. Thus, the present invention provides methods for
treating an immune system related condition or disease (e.g.,
cancer) in a subject comprising administering to the subject (e.g.,
simultaneously and/or at different time points) genetically
engineered T cells and particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g.,
dasatinib, ponatinib). Such methods are not limited to a specific
type or kind of genetically engineered T cells. In some
embodiments, the genetically engineered T cells include, but are
not limited to, CAR T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing
T cells, genetically engineered T cells configured for tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T
cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral
specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0082] Such tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be administered by any
suitable mode of administration, but is typically administered
orally. Multiple cycles of treatment may be administered to a
subject. In certain embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors are
administered according to a daily dosing regimen or intermittently.
In another embodiment, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors are
administered for a period of time sufficient to restore at least
partial T cell function, then discontinued.
[0083] The present invention contemplates that ex vivo expansion of
a population of T cells with particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors
(e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) will result in a population T cells
that are resistant and/or less prone to T cell exhaustion. Thus,
the present invention provides compositions comprising a population
of T cells that were expanded in the presence of particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) (e.g., Src
family kinase inhibitors) (e.g., Lck inhibitors). Thus, the present
invention provides methods of expanding a population of T cells to
generate T cell populations that are resistant and/or less prone to
T cell exhaustion through expanding such T cells in the presence of
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib).
Thus, the present invention provides kits comprising T cell
populations that were expanded in the presence of particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) and
additional agents (e.g., additional agents useful in expanding T
cells) (e.g., additional agents useful in adoptive T cell therapies
(e.g., a CAR T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a
tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy). Such methods are not
limited to a specific type or kind of genetically engineered T
cells. In some embodiments, the genetically engineered T cells
include, but are not limited to, CAR T cells, genetically
engineered TCR expressing T cells, genetically engineered T cells
configured for tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy,
genetically engineered T cells configured for transduced T-cell
therapy, and/or viral specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or
CAR.
[0084] The present invention contemplates that ex vivo expansion of
a population of genetically engineered T cells (e.g., genetically
engineered for use within adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., a CAR
T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy)) with particular tyrosine
kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) (e.g., Src family
kinase inhibitors) (e.g., Lck inhibitors) will result in
genetically engineered T cells that are resistant and/or less prone
to T cell exhaustion. Thus, the present invention provides
compositions comprising a population of genetically engineered T
cells that were expanded in the presence of particular tyrosine
kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib). Thus, the present
invention provides methods of expanding a population of genetically
engineered T cells to generate genetically engineered T cell
populations that are resistant and/or less prone to T cell
exhaustion through expanding such T cells in the presence of
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib).
Thus, the present invention provides kits comprising genetically
engineered T cell populations that were expanded in the presence of
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib).
Such methods are not limited to a specific type or kind of
genetically engineered T cells. In some embodiments, the
genetically engineered T cells include, but are not limited to, CAR
T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, genetically
engineered T cells configured for tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T cells configured for
transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral specific T cells
reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0085] The present invention contemplates that exposure of animals
(e.g., humans) undergoing adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., a CAR
T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) with genetically engineered
T cell populations that were expanded in the presence of particular
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) will result
in improved therapy outcome as such genetically engineered T cell
populations are resistant and/or less prone to T cell exhaustion.
Thus, the present invention provides methods of treating an immune
system related condition or disease (e.g., cancer) in a subject
comprising administering a population of genetically engineered T
cells expanded in the presence of particular tyrosine kinase
inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) (e.g., Src family kinase
inhibitors) (e.g., Lck inhibitors). Such methods are not limited to
a specific type or kind of genetically engineered T cells. In some
embodiments, the genetically engineered T cells include, but are
not limited to, CAR T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing
T cells, genetically engineered T cells configured for tumor
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T
cells configured for transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral
specific T cells reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0086] Such embodiments are not limited to a particular type or
kind of an immune system related condition or disease.
[0087] For example, in some embodiments, the immune system related
condition or disease is an autoimmune disease or condition (e.g.,
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), alopecia areata,
ankylosing spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, autoimmune
Addison's disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune
hepatitis, autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), autoimmune
lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), autoimmune thrombocytopenic
purpura (ATP), Behcet's disease, cardiomyopathy, celiac
sprue-dermatitis hepetiformis; chronic fatigue immune dysfunction
syndrome (CFIDS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
(CIPD), cicatricial pemphigold, cold agglutinin disease, crest
syndrome, Crohn's disease, Degos' disease,
dermatomyositis-juvenile, discoid lupus, essential mixed
cryoglobulinemia, fibromyalgia-fibromyositis, Graves' disease,
Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), IgA
nephropathy, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, juvenile chronic
arthritis (Still's disease), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,
Meniere's disease, mixed connective tissue disease, multiple
sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, pernacious anemia, polyarteritis
nodosa, polychondritis, polyglandular syndromes, polymyalgia
rheumatica, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, primary
agammaglobulinemia, primary biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, psoriatic
arthritis, Raynaud's phenomena, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatic fever,
rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma (progressive
systemic sclerosis (PSS), also known as systemic sclerosis (SS)),
Sjogren's syndrome, stiff-man syndrome, systemic lupus
erythematosus, Takayasu arteritis, temporal arteritis/giant cell
arteritis, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, vitiligo, Wegener's
granulomatosis, and any combination thereof).
[0088] For example, in some embodiments, the immune system related
condition or disease is cancer (e.g., breast cancer, prostate
cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic
cancer, colorectal cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer, brain
cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, lung cancer, and thyroid
carcinoma).
[0089] The present invention contemplates that the use of
genetically engineered T cell populations that were expanded in the
presence of particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib) within adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., a CAR T-cell
therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy, and a tumor infiltrating
lymphocyte (TIL) therapy) satisfies an unmet need as such therapies
are frequently compromised by such T cell populations experiencing
T cell exhaustion. Such methods are not limited to a specific type
or kind of genetically engineered T cells. In some embodiments, the
genetically engineered T cells include, but are not limited to, CAR
T cells, genetically engineered TCR expressing T cells, genetically
engineered T cells configured for tumor infiltrating lymphocyte
(TIL) therapy, genetically engineered T cells configured for
transduced T-cell therapy, and/or viral specific T cells
reengineered with a TCR or CAR.
[0090] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to
specific types of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In some embodiments,
the tyrosine kinase inhibitors are a Lck tyrosine kinase
inhibitors. In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a
Src family kinase inhibitor (e.g., Src kinase inhibitor, Yes kinase
inhibitor, Fyn kinase inhibitor, Fgr kinase inhibitor, Lck kinase
inhibitor, Hck kinase inhibitor, Blk kinase inhibitor, Lyn kinase
inhibitor). In some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is
dasatinib
##STR00001##
(N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-(6-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-2-me-
thylpyrimidin-4-ylamino)thiazole-5-carboxamide), or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof. In
some embodiments, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor is ponatinib
##STR00002##
(3-(imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-ylethynyl)-4-methyl-N-(4-((4-methylpiperazi-
n-1-yl)methyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)benzamide), or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.
[0091] Some embodiments of the present invention provide for
administering such methods (e.g., adoptive T cell therapies with
genetically engineered T cell populations and compositions
comprising particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib)) (e.g., adoptive T cell therapies with genetically
engineered T cell populations that were expanded in the presence of
particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib))
in combination with an effective amount of at least one additional
therapeutic agent (including, but not limited to, chemotherapeutic
antineoplastics, apoptosis-modulating agents, antimicrobials,
antivirals, antifungals, and anti-inflammatory agents) and/or
therapeutic technique (e.g., surgical intervention, and/or
radiotherapies). In a particular embodiment, the additional
therapeutic agent(s) is an anticancer agent.
[0092] Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) can
be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions optionally
comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
Exemplary excipients include, without limitation, carbohydrates,
inorganic salts, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, surfactants,
buffers, acids, bases, and combinations thereof. Excipients
suitable for injectable compositions include water, alcohols,
polyols, glycerine, vegetable oils, phospholipids, and surfactants.
A carbohydrate such as a sugar, a derivatized sugar such as an
alditol, aldonic acid, an esterified sugar, and/or a sugar polymer
may be present as an excipient. Specific carbohydrate excipients
include, for example: monosaccharides, such as fructose, maltose,
galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like;
disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and
the like; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose,
maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such
as mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, sorbitol
(glucitol), pyranosyl sorbitol, myoinositol, and the like. The
excipient can also include an inorganic salt or buffer such as
citric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate,
potassium nitrate, sodium phosphate monobasic, sodium phosphate
dibasic, and combinations thereof.
[0093] A surfactant can be present as an excipient. Exemplary
surfactants include: polysorbates, such as "Tween 20" and "Tween
80," and pluronics such as F68 and F88 (BASF, Mount Olive, N.J.);
sorbitan esters; lipids, such as phospholipids such as lecithin and
other phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines (although
preferably not in liposomal form), fatty acids and fatty esters;
steroids, such as cholesterol; chelating agents, such as EDTA; and
zinc and other such suitable cations.
[0094] Acids or bases can be present as an excipient in the
pharmaceutical composition. Nonlimiting examples of acids that can
be used include those acids selected from the group consisting of
hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic
acid, lactic acid, formic acid, trichloroacetic acid, nitric acid,
perchloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, fumaric acid, and
combinations thereof. Examples of suitable bases include, without
limitation, bases selected from the group consisting of sodium
hydroxide, sodium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,
ammonium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium phosphate, potassium
phosphate, sodium citrate, sodium formate, sodium sulfate,
potassium sulfate, potassium fumerate, and combinations
thereof.
[0095] The amount of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g.,
dasatinib, ponatinib) (e.g., when contained in a drug delivery
system) in the pharmaceutical composition will vary depending on a
number of factors, but will optimally be a therapeutically
effective dose when the composition is in a unit dosage form or
container (e.g., a vial). A therapeutically effective dose can be
determined experimentally by repeated administration of increasing
amounts of the composition in order to determine which amount
produces a clinically desired endpoint.
[0096] The amount of any individual excipient in the pharmaceutical
composition will vary depending on the nature and function of the
excipient and particular needs of the composition. Typically, the
optimal amount of any individual excipient is determined through
routine experimentation, i.e., by preparing compositions containing
varying amounts of the excipient (ranging from low to high),
examining the stability and other parameters, and then determining
the range at which optimal performance is attained with no
significant adverse effects. Generally, however, the excipient(s)
will be present in the composition in an amount of about 1% to
about 99% by weight, preferably from about 5% to about 98% by
weight, more preferably from about 15 to about 95% by weight of the
excipient, with concentrations less than 30% by weight most
preferred. These foregoing pharmaceutical excipients along with
other excipients are described in "Remington: The Science &
Practice of Pharmacy", 19.sup.th ed., Williams & Williams,
(1995), the "Physician's Desk Reference", 52.sup.nd ed., Medical
Economics, Montvale, N.J. (1998), and Kibbe, A. H., Handbook of
Pharmaceutical Excipients, 3.sup.rd Edition, American
Pharmaceutical Association, Washington, D.C., 2000.
[0097] The pharmaceutical compositions encompass all types of
formulations and in particular those that are suited for injection,
e.g., powders or lyophilates that can be reconstituted with a
solvent prior to use, as well as ready for injection solutions or
suspensions, dry insoluble compositions for combination with a
vehicle prior to use, and emulsions and liquid concentrates for
dilution prior to administration. Examples of suitable diluents for
reconstituting solid compositions prior to injection include
bacteriostatic water for injection, dextrose 5% in water, phosphate
buffered saline, Ringer's solution, saline, sterile water,
deionized water, and combinations thereof. With respect to liquid
pharmaceutical compositions, solutions and suspensions are
envisioned. Additional preferred compositions include those for
oral, ocular, or localized delivery.
[0098] The pharmaceutical preparations herein can also be housed in
a syringe, an implantation device, or the like, depending upon the
intended mode of delivery and use. Preferably, the pharmaceutical
compositions comprising one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors
(e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) described herein are in unit dosage
form, meaning an amount of a conjugate or composition of the
invention appropriate for a single dose, in a premeasured or
pre-packaged form.
[0099] The pharmaceutical compositions herein may optionally
include one or more additional agents, or may be combined with one
or more additional agents, such as other drugs for treating T cell
exhaustion (e.g., anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, such as
nivolumab), or other medications used to treat a subject for an
infection or disease associated with T cell exhaustion (e.g.,
antiviral, antibiotic, or anti-cancer drugs and therapies,
including adoptive T cell therapies). Compounded preparations may
be used including at least one tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g.,
dasatinib, ponatinib) and one or more other agents, such as other
drugs for treating T cell exhaustion or an infection or disease
associated with T cell exhaustion. Alternatively, such agents can
be contained in a separate composition from the composition
comprising a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib)
and co-administered concurrently, before, or after the composition
comprising a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib).
[0100] At least one therapeutically effective cycle of treatment
with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., a tyrosine kinase inhibitor
(e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib)) will be administered to a subject for
treatment of T cell exhaustion. By "therapeutically effective cycle
of treatment" is intended a cycle of treatment that when
administered, brings about a positive therapeutic response with
respect to treatment of an individual for T cell exhaustion. Of
particular interest is a cycle of treatment with a tyrosine kinase
inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) that, when administered
transiently as described herein, restores T cell function. For
example, a therapeutically effective dose or amount of a tyrosine
kinase inhibitor may decrease expression of PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3,
improve maintenance of memory markers (e.g., CD62L or CCR7),
prevent apoptosis, and increase secretion of IL-2 and other
cytokines.
[0101] In certain embodiments, multiple therapeutically effective
doses of pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib), and/or one
or more other therapeutic agents, such as other drugs for treating
T cell exhaustion (e.g., anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, such as
nivolumab), or other medications used to treat a subject for an
infection or disease associated with T cell exhaustion (e.g.,
antiviral, antibiotic, or anti-cancer drugs and therapies,
including adoptive T cell therapies) will be administered. The
pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are typically,
although not necessarily, administered orally, via injection
(subcutaneously, intravenously, or intramuscularly), by infusion,
or locally. Additional modes of administration are also
contemplated, such as topical, intralesion, intracerebral,
intracerebroventricular, intraparenchymatous, pulmonary, rectal,
transdermal, transmucosal, intrathecal, pericardial,
intra-arterial, intraocular, intraperitoneal, and so forth.
[0102] The pharmaceutical preparation can be in the form of a
liquid solution or suspension immediately prior to administration,
but may also take another form such as a syrup, cream, ointment,
tablet, capsule, powder, gel, matrix, suppository, or the like. The
pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more tyrosine kinase
inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) and other agents may be
administered using the same or different routes of administration
in accordance with any medically acceptable method known in the
art.
[0103] In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions
comprising one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib) and/or other agents are administered prophylactically,
e.g., to prevent T cell exhaustion. Such prophylactic uses will be
of particular value for subjects with a chronic infection or
cancer, who are at risk of developing T cell exhaustion.
[0104] In another embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical
compositions comprising one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors
(e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) and/or other agents are in a
sustained-release formulation, or a formulation that is
administered using a sustained-release device. Such devices are
well known in the art, and include, for example, transdermal
patches, and miniature implantable pumps that can provide for drug
delivery over time in a continuous, steady-state fashion at a
variety of doses to achieve a sustained-release effect with a
non-sustained-release pharmaceutical composition.
[0105] The invention also provides a method for administering a
conjugate comprising a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib) as provided herein to a patient suffering from a
condition that is responsive to treatment with a tyrosine kinase
inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) contained in the conjugate
or composition. The method comprises administering, via any of the
herein described modes, a therapeutically effective amount of the
conjugate or drug delivery system, preferably provided as part of a
pharmaceutical composition. The method of administering may be used
to treat any condition that is responsive to treatment with a
tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib). More
specifically, the pharmaceutical compositions herein are effective
in treating T cell exhaustion.
[0106] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate which
conditions a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib)
can effectively treat. The actual dose to be administered will vary
depending upon the age, weight, and general condition of the
subject as well as the severity of the condition being treated, the
judgment of the health care professional, and conjugate being
administered. Therapeutically effective amounts can be determined
by those skilled in the art, and will be adjusted to the particular
requirements of each particular case.
[0107] Generally, a therapeutically effective amount will range
from about 0.50 mg to 5 grams of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor daily,
more preferably from about 5 mg to 2 grams daily, even more
preferably from about 7 mg to 1.5 grams daily. Preferably, such
doses are in the range of 10-600 mg four times a day (QID), 200-500
mg QID, 25-600 mg three times a day (TID), 25-50 mg TID, 50-100 mg
TID, 50-200 mg TID, 300-600 mg TID, 200-400 mg TID, 200-600 mg TID,
100 to 700 mg twice daily (BID), 100-600 mg BID, 200-500 mg BID, or
200-300 mg BID. The amount of compound administered will depend on
the potency of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor and the magnitude or
effect desired and the route of administration.
[0108] A purified tyrosine kinase inhibitor (again, preferably
provided as part of a pharmaceutical preparation) can be
administered alone or in combination with one or more other
therapeutic agents, such as other drugs for treating T cell
exhaustion (e.g., anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, such as
nivolumab), or other medications used to treat a subject for an
infection or disease associated with T cell exhaustion (e.g.,
antiviral, antibiotic, or anti-cancer drugs); or adoptive T cell
therapies (e.g., a CAR T-cell therapy, a transduced T-cell therapy,
and a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy); or other
medications used to treat a particular condition or disease
according to a variety of dosing schedules depending on the
judgment of the clinician, needs of the patient, and so forth. The
specific dosing schedule will be known by those of ordinary skill
in the art or can be determined experimentally using routine
methods. Exemplary dosing schedules include, without limitation,
administration five times a day, four times a day, three times a
day, twice daily, once daily, three times weekly, twice weekly,
once weekly, twice monthly, once monthly, and any combination
thereof. Preferred compositions are those requiring dosing no more
than once a day.
[0109] A tyrosine kinase inhibitor can be administered prior to,
concurrent with, or subsequent to other agents or therapies. If
provided at the same time as other agents or therapies, one or
tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be provided in the same or in a
different composition. Thus, one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors
and other agents can be presented to the individual by way of
concurrent therapy. By "concurrent therapy" is intended
administration to a subject such that the therapeutic effect of the
combination of the substances is caused in the subject undergoing
therapy. For example, concurrent therapy may be achieved by
administering a dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a
tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a dose of a pharmaceutical
composition comprising at least one other agent, such as another
drug for treating T cell exhaustion, which in combination comprise
a therapeutically effective dose, according to a particular dosing
regimen. Similarly, one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors and one
or more other therapeutic agents can be administered in at least
one therapeutic dose. Administration of the separate pharmaceutical
compositions or therapies can be performed simultaneously or at
different times (i.e., sequentially, in either order, on the same
day, or on different days), as long as the therapeutic effect of
the combination of these substances is caused in the subject
undergoing therapy.
[0110] The invention also provides kits comprising one or more
containers holding compositions comprising at least one tyrosine
kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, ponatinib) and optionally one or
more other agents for treating T cell exhaustion. Compositions can
be in liquid form or can be lyophilized. Suitable containers for
the compositions include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes,
and test tubes. Containers can be formed from a variety of
materials, including glass or plastic. A container may have a
sterile access port (for example, the container may be an
intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a
hypodermic injection needle).
[0111] The kit can further comprise a second container comprising a
pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as phosphate-buffered
saline, Ringer's solution, or dextrose solution. It can also
contain other materials useful to the end-user, including other
pharmaceutically acceptable formulating solutions such as buffers,
diluents, filters, needles, and syringes or other delivery devices.
The delivery device may be pre-filled with the compositions.
[0112] The kit can also comprise a package insert containing
written instructions for methods of using the compositions
comprising at least one tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib,
ponatinib) for treating a subject for T cell exhaustion. The
package insert can be an unapproved draft package insert or can be
a package insert approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
or other regulatory body.
[0113] One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that
the foregoing represents merely a detailed description of certain
preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various
modifications and alterations of the compositions and methods
described above can readily be achieved using expertise available
in the art and are within the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLES
[0114] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting,
of the compounds, compositions, and methods of the present
invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the
variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in
clinical therapy and which are obvious to those skilled in the art
are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Example I. A Method of Preventing or Reversing T Cell Exhaustion by
Inhibiting or Modulating TCR Signaling
Introduction
[0115] We previously reported that GD2-CAR expressing T cells
develop functional exhaustion within 10 days in culture and are
characterized by co-expression of inhibitory receptors, failure to
secrete cytokines in response to tumor antigen, and aberrant
metabolic function (Long et. al, Nat Med 2015). Control cultures
included untransduced T cells (mock) and those expressing CD19-CAR,
which does not manifest tonic signaling or develop exhaustion in
vitro. Previous work also demonstrated that the zeta chain was
required for exhaustion in this system, with CD28 signaling
enhancing the potency of the signaling stimulus in inducing
exhaustion. Using this model system, we have now optimized a
robust, manipulatable, and reproducible in vitro human model of T
cell exhaustion to evaluate approaches to prevent or reverse T cell
exhaustion.
Results
[0116] We engineered a GD2.28z CAR fused to an FKBP12 mutant
destabilization domain (Banaszynski et. al, Cell 2006)
(GD2.28z.FKBP) which confers its instability to the CAR and induces
rapid protein degradation. We observed that surface expression
could be rapidly and dose-dependently regulated by adding or
subtracting the stabilizing rapalog shield-1 (S1) in culture medium
(FIG. 1). Similar regulatability of CAR expression was also
accomplished using an E. coli DHFR mutant (GD2.28z.DHFR, not
shown), which could be regulated by trimethoprim, an antibiotic
that is commonly used clinically.
[0117] Since tonic signaling is highly dependent upon GD2-CAR
receptor levels, precise control of CAR expression levels also
precisely regulates levels of tonic signaling. Drug regulated
control of levels of CAR expression therefore also allowed
modulation of the duration and intensity of GD2.28z tonic
signaling. Using this system, we demonstrated that phenotypic and
functional changes associated with exhaustion were reversed upon
cessation of CAR signaling. As shown in FIG. 2, removal of S1 drug
from the culture medium and consequent removal of surface CAR on
day 7 post-activation reverses canonical exhaustion marker
expression to control levels by day 10 (FIG. 2, n=3). This is most
well illustrated by measuring levels of PD-1/TIM-3/LAG-3 triple
expressing cell which is highly specific for dysfunctional,
exhausted T cells. We demonstrate that Day 10 clear induces
increases in levels of triple expressing exhausted cells, but that
removal of S1 on Day 7 results in normalization of these levels by
Day 10. Similar results were obtained on day 14 for cells in which
S1 was removed from culture medium on day 7 or day 10 (not
shown).
[0118] Additionally, removal of S1 on day 7 or 10, allow transient
degradation of CAR proteins results in maintenance of memory
markers (ex. CD62L) and prevention of apoptosis (i.e., annexin V
staining) by day 14 compared to T cells that received S1 for the
entire duration of the culture (S1) (FIG. 3).
[0119] Because phenotypic markers may not be entirely predictive of
T cell function, we also performed functional experiments on CAR T
cells provided transient drug exposure in culture. CAR T cells were
washed, resuspended in media containing S1, and mixed at a 1:1
ratio with Nalm6 leukemic cells stably expressing surface GD2.
Culture supernatants were harvested approximately 24 hours later
and cytokine levels were evaluated via ELISA. Similar to GD2.28z
CAR that lacks a destabilization domain and therefore have
persistent high levels of CAR signaling, cells expressing the
GD2.28z.FKBP CAR that experienced continuous drug treatment (FIG.
4, grey bars) secreted minimal amounts of IL-2 on both day 10 and
day 14 post-activation, consistent with T cell exhaustion.
Alternatively, CART cells that were not exposed to drug during
culture (black bars) and therefore did not experience tonic
signaling demonstrated significant bioactivity as measured by IL-2
production. Finally, CAR T cells that were exposed to drug during
the initial 7 or 10 days of culture and therefore acquired
phenotypic and functional evidence of T cell exhaustion, but had
drug removed from the culture medium on day 7 or day 10 (blue and
red bars, respectively) displayed a restored capacity to secrete
IL-2 in response to tumor antigen. Remarkably, exhausted T cells on
day 10 (grey bar, day 10 ELISA) could be reinvigorated by removing
S1 from the culture medium and "rested" for only 4 days (red bar,
day 14 ELISA). Similar, but less dramatic augmentation of
IFN.gamma. secretion in conditions in which S1 was removed from
culture medium was also observed. These functional data cannot be
attributed to differential CAR surface expression, as all groups
exhibited similar levels of surface CAR at the conclusion of this
co-culture assay (not shown).
[0120] We then compared whether prevention or reversal of T cell
exhaustion by removal of surface CAR was more or less potent than
treatment with well-characterized anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor,
nivolumab (Nivo). CART cells were either treated with continuous S1
(and thus exhibit continuous tonic signaling), continuous
S1+nivolumab, or no S1 until the time of the co-culture assay.
Interestingly, nivolumab treatment resulted in only modest
augmentation of IL-2 secretion at day 10, which was sustained until
day 14, suggesting that nivolumab only partially prevented the
onset of T cell exhaustion in this system (FIG. 5). Conversely,
culturing CART cells without S1, then adding it back to the medium
just prior to the co-culture assay (left chart, blue bars),
resulted in a far superior prevention of exhaustion, as IL-2
secretion was augmented 5-10 fold compared to CART cells that
experienced continuous S1 (black bars). Further, removing tonic
signaling on day 7 by removing S1 from the culture medium also
resulted in superior IL-2 secretion compared to CAR T cells that
experienced continuous S1, and those that experienced continuous S1
and were simultaneously treated with S1. Collectively, these data
demonstrate that modulating tonic signaling exhibits more potent
effects on prevention or reversal of exhaustion compared to PD-1
blockade.
[0121] Functional studies by several groups, including our lab have
verified that co-expression of PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3 (triple
positive, TP) denotes an exhausted cell subset that is highly
dysfunctional. We thus sought to analyze whether cessation of tonic
signaling in this cell subset could reverse their phenotype and
restore their ability to secrete IL-2 in response to tumor antigen.
A high affinity version of our GD2.28z CAR (HA-GD2.28z), which
exhibits an even more dramatic exhausted phenotype, was fused to
the FKBP12 mutant destabilization domain in order to control its
surface expression. On day 10 post-activation, HA-GD2.28z.FKBP CAR
T cells that had experienced continuous S1 treatment were sorted in
order to isolate a pure PD-1/TIM-3/LAG-3 exhausted population.
"Triple positive" exhausted cells were then re-cultured either with
or without S1 to test whether removal of tonic signaling could
restore their function. FACS and co-culture assays were conducted 4
days later.
[0122] Removal of S1 resulted in a dramatic reversal of the
exhausted phenotype. After only 4 days without S1 in the medium,
pre-sorted triple positive cells exhibited far less expression of
exhaustion markers in both CD4+ and CD8+ CAR T cells (FIG. 6).
Importantly, these phenotypic changes also conferred functional
augmentation in IL-2 secretion, as removal of S1 resulted in a
2-fold increase in IL-2 secretion compared to triple positive cells
that received continuous S1 treatment from days 10-14 (FIG. 6).
[0123] We hypothesized that we could recapitulate the effects of
removing surface CAR, and thus tonic signaling, by simply
inhibiting kinases in the TCR signaling pathway that are also
integral to CAR signaling. One such kinase is Lck, which acts to
phosphorylate CD3 zeta in response to TCR or CAR ligation.
Dasatinib, a potent receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and BCR/ABL
antagonist, has also been shown to inhibit T cell activation,
proliferation, and cytokine secretion by binding to and inhibiting
Lck at low concentrations (Schade et. al, Blood, 2008 and Lee et.
al, Leukemia, 2010).
[0124] At 100 nM and 1 .mu.M concentrations, dasatinib potently
inhibits CD19.28z CART cell cytokine secretion in response to tumor
antigen on day 14 post-activation (FIG. 7), proving that dasatinib
disrupts CAR signaling.
[0125] We then asked whether transient dasatinib exposure could
reverse T cell exhaustion by treating HA-GD2.28z CART cells with
dasatinib on days 10-14 post-activation. Cells were treated with
dasatinib for 4 days, then drug was extensively washed from the
media, and cells were re-cultured for an additional 24 hours before
examining their phenotype and function via FACS and tumor
co-culture assays. Interestingly, 4-day treatment with dasatinib
reversed exhaustion marker expression and co-expression in a
dose-dependent manner (FIG. 8).
[0126] Furthermore, dasatinib treatment resulted in preservation of
T cell memory via maintenance of CD62L expression in a
dose-dependent manner (FIG. 9.).
[0127] Finally, similar to removal of surface CAR, dasatinib
treatment reinvigorated exhausted T cells in a functionally
significant manner, as dasatinib-treated CAR T cells secreted more
IL-2 (and to a lesser extent, IFN.gamma.) in response to tumor
antigen compared to those that never received dasatinib (FIG.
10).
[0128] Collectively, these data demonstrate that selective
inhibition or modulation of TCR signaling can substantially enhance
the function of exhausted T cells that experience continuous
antigen exposure in the context of cancer or chronic infection. In
future studies, we will conduct in vivo studies to assess the
feasibility of exhaustion reversal in this setting and whether such
reversal can enhance antitumor effects in murine models.
Example II
[0129] Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic receptors
that combine an extracellular tumor-targeting domain with
intracellular domains that mimic endogenous TCR signaling (e.g.,
1-2 costimulatory domains, like CD28 or 4-1BB, and a CD3 zeta
domain) (see, e.g., Lim & June. Cell 168, 724-740 (2017)). When
CAR-expressing T cells encounter antigen-expressing tumor cells,
CAR T cells form an immune synapse and initiate downstream
signaling through the CAR, resulting in potent T cell activation,
degranulation of cytotoxic soluble factors, cytokine release, and
proliferation. While CAR T cell therapy has experienced
unprecedented clinical success in many patients with hematological
malignancies, there are several key challenges that must be
addressed before this therapy can be expanded to other tumor types
or offered as first-line therapy.
[0130] One challenge is CAR toxicity, which typically manifests in
the form of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or on-target off-tumor
activity, both of which have been observed in clinical trials and,
in some instances, resulted in patient death (see, e.g., Gust et
al. Cancer discovery (2017). doi:10.1158/2159-8290.cd-17-0698; Xu
& Tang. Cancer Letters 343, 172-178 (2014); D'Aloia, et al.
Cell Death & Disease 9, 282 (2018)). Current methods to
counteract CAR toxicity are largely limited to a drug-inducible
suicide switches (i.e., inducible Caspase 9) that mediate CAR T
cell apoptosis (see, e.g., Gargett & Brown. Frontiers in
Pharmacology 5, 235 (2014)). While generally regarded as an
effective safety mechanism, utilizing this method eliminates the
option to continue therapy after the toxicity event resolves, as
the CAR T cells are no longer viable.
[0131] A second key challenge to improving the efficacy of CAR T
cell therapy is the prevention of CAR T cell exhaustion. T cell
exhaustion results from continuous antigen exposure in the context
of chronic viral infection or cancer and is characterized by a
hierarchical loss of effector function, sustained co-expression of
multiple inhibitory receptors (ex., PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3), attenuated
proliferative capacity, and increase apoptosis (see, e.g., Wherry
& Kurachi. Nature Reviews Immunology 15, nri3862 (2015)). There
is strong evidence for T cell exhaustion in CART cell therapy.
Nearly all CD19.28z CART cells administered disappear by day 60
post-infusion (see, e.g., Lee et al. Long-term outcomes following
CD19 CART cell therapy for B-ALL are superior in patients receiving
a fludarabine/cyclophosphamide preparative regimen and post-CAR
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. (2016)). CD19.BBz CART
cells, which are thought to be more resistant to T cell exhaustion,
also exhibit features of exhaustion and are undetectable in
approximately 30% of patients who receive this therapy,
consequently increasing the risk of CD19 positive relapse (see,
e.g., Turtle et al. Journal of Clinical Investigation 126,
2123-2138 (2016); Maude et al. The New England Journal of Medicine
371, 1507-1517 (2014)). Lastly, exhaustion has also been observed
in T cells constitutively expressing CARs that manifest scFv
aggregation-induced tonic signaling, which occurs both in the
absence of tumor antigen. This unintended consequence of high CAR
expression ultimately limits their effectiveness by exhausting CART
cells in vitro and in vivo (see, e.g., Long et al. Nature Medicine
21, 581-590 (2015); Gomes-Silva et al. Cell Reports 21, 17-26
(2017)).
[0132] Experiments conducted during the course of developing
embodiments for the present invention addressed both of these
challenges by utilizing FDA-approved small molecule tyrosine kinase
inhibitors to modulate CAR T cell activity. Several BCR-Abl
inhibitors have been shown to have cross-reactivity with signaling
kinases required for T cell activation (see, e.g., Banaszynski, et
al. Nature medicine 14, 1123-7 (2008); Banaszynski, et al. Cell
126, 995-1004 (2006); Iwamoto, et al. Chemistry & Biology 17,
981-988 (2010)). Dasatinib potently inhibits T cell activation and
effector functions by inhibiting both Lck and Fyn. Similarly,
ponatinib can bind to and inhibit Lck, but does not affect the
function of Fyn or Src kinases, suggesting that this drug can also
inhibit T cell effector function, and likewise, CAR T cell
function.
[0133] To test this hypothesis, T cells expressing the
CD19-targeting CAR (CD19.28z) were incubated with various
concentrations of dasatinib and ponatinib for at least 24 hours.
CAR T cells were next co-cultured with antigen-bearing tumor cells
for 6 hours in the presence or absence of dasatinib/ponatinib, and
subsequently assessed CAR T cell activation and degranulation via
CD69 and CD107a co-expression. Nearly 80% of control CART cells
were CD69+/CD107a+ upon co-culture with tumor (FIG. 11a).
Conversely, nanomolar levels of dasatinib and ponatinib potently
inhibited activation and degranulation of CAR T cells in a
dose-dependent manner (FIG. 11b). These drugs also potently
inhibited CAR T cell IL-2 and IFN.gamma. secretion in response to
tumor (FIG. 12). Finally, we observed potent inhibition of CAR T
cell cytotoxicity when CAR T cells were co-cultured with tumor
cells in the presence of 1 uM dasatinib (FIG. 13).
[0134] To assess whether dasatinib was inhibiting CAR T cell
effector function by disrupting CAR signaling, experiments were
conducted in which surface CAR were transiently crosslinked on CAR
T cells in order to transiently initiate CAR downstream signaling.
Under control conditions, cross-linking CAR for 5 minutes induced
phosphorylation of the CAR CD3 zeta domain, as well as
phosphorylation of distal signaling kinases Akt and Erk1/2 (FIG.
14). Conversely, when CAR T cells were crosslinked in the presence
of dasatinib, they resembled non-crosslinked controls, indicating
that dasatinib potently disrupted CAR-specific intracellular
signaling. Collectively, these experiments indicate that both
dasatinib and ponatinib inhibit CAR T cell activity and provide
indirect evidence that Lck and/or Fyn are critical for CAR
signaling. These experiments also indicate that dasatinib or
ponatinib could be utilized clinically to disrupt CAR T cell
activity in order to mitigate CAR T cell toxicity.
[0135] As previously mentioned, many constitutively expressed CARs
exhibit tonic signaling in the absence of antigen during in vitro
expansion, consequently driving them towards T cell exhaustion
(see, e.g., Long et al. Nature Medicine 21, 581-590 (2015)).
Additional experiments hypothesized that expanding CART cells in
the presence of dasatinib or ponatinib would alleviate tonic
signaling and consequently yield a healthier, more potent CAR T
cell. To test this, T cells expressing a tonically signaling,
high-affinity GD2.28z CAR (HA-GD2.28z) were expanded in the
presence of various concentrations of dasatinib. Cells were then
removed from culture for phenotypic analysis via FACS. Control
HA-GD2.28z CART cells exhibited robust single marker expression and
co-expression of multiple canonical exhaustion markers (FIG. 15).
Conversely, expansion in dasatinib reduced both the frequency of
exhaustion-marker co-expressing cells as well as the extent to
which these exhaustion markers were expressed in a dose-dependent
manner (FIG. 15). CART cell expansion in the presence of dasatinib
also augmented T cell memory formation, as a nearly 6-fold increase
in the frequency of central-memory-like T cells (CD45RA low, CCR7
high) and a greater-than 2-fold reduction in the frequency of
effector-memory-like T cells (CD45RA low, CCR7 low) was observed
compared to exhausted CAR T cells cultured in the absence of
dasatinib.
[0136] Experiments next hypothesized that the dramatic phenotypic
changes observed when tonic signaling was mitigated by dasatinib or
ponatinib may coincide with an augmentation in T cell function. To
test this, experiments first expanded tonically signaling CAR T
cells in the presence or absence of various concentrations of
dasatinib or ponatinib. Experiments next removed the drugs from
culture in order to allow CAR T cells to regain the capacity to
function. 18-24 hours after removal of drug, the differentially
expanded CAR T cells were co-cultured with antigen-bearing tumor
cells for 24 hours and subsequently assessed cytokine release via
ELISA, or co-cultured for 72 hours and assessed cytotoxicity via
incucyte assay. Tonically signaling CAR T cells cultured in the
absence of dasatinib or ponatinib secreted low levels of cytokine
in response to tumor (FIG. 17) and exhibited impaired cytotoxicity
(FIG. 18), indicating that these cells were functionally exhausted.
Alternatively, expansion of CAR T cells in the presence of
dasatinib or ponatinib dose-dependently augmented CAR T cell
cytokine secretion (FIG. 17) and also allowed for a more potent
cytotoxic response (FIG. 18), confirming that the mitigation of
tonic signaling during CAR T cell expansion with these drugs
confers profound functional benefits.
[0137] Experiments were conducted that tested whether prevention of
CAR tonic signaling in vitro augmented the anti-tumor response in
vivo. CAR T cells were expanded with or without 1 uM dasatinib and
subsequently infused into NSG mice engrafted with antigen-bearing
tumor. In a solid tumor model using the 143B osteosarcoma cell
line, both GD2.BBz and HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells grown in the absence
of dasatinib failed to control tumor growth (FIGS. 19 and 20,
respectively). However, CAR T cells expanded in dasatinib allowed
for a near complete and lasting eradication of the tumor (FIGS. 19
and 20). The same effect was observed in a GD2-overexpressing NALM6
leukemia model in which the tumor burden was more established at
the time of CART cell infusion (FIG. 21).
[0138] Experiments were next conducted to determine whether greater
CAR T cell proliferation and/or persistence were a few of the key
mechanisms by which in vitro expansion in dasatinib augments the
anti-tumor response. To test this, CAR T cells were infused into
mice that had been engrafted with antigen-bearing tumor. On day 14
post-infusion, blood samples were taken from the mice and the
number of circulating CAR T cells was assessed via FACS counting
beads. Tonically signaling HA-GD2.28z CAR T cells expanded in the
absence of dasatinib did not expand and/or persist at levels
greater than mice infused with mock untransduced T cells (FIG. 22).
Conversely, both CD4+ and CD8+ CAR T cells that were grown in the
presence of 1 uM dasatinib underwent a profound expansion in vivo
and persisted (FIG. 22). Collectively, these data indicate that
limiting CAR tonic signaling by expanding CAR T cells in dasatinib
in vitro augments the in vivo anti-tumor response by increasing the
capacity for CAR T cells to expand and persist.
[0139] Experiments were next conducted that questioned whether in
vivo administration of dasatinib could alter CAR T cell phenotype
and function. As a proof-of-concept experiment, CAR T cells were
infused into mice that were engrafted with antigen-bearing tumor
and subsequently dosed with dasatinib for 3 consecutive days. The
mice were then sacrificed and CAR T cell frequency and phenotype
assessed in both the blood and the spleen. The dasatinib-treated
mouse exhibited a higher frequency of CAR T cells in both tissues
(FIG. 22a, c) compared to the vehicle-treated mouse, indicating
that in vivo dasatinib treatment induced in situ proliferation or
persistence. Furthermore, CAR T cells that were recovered from the
dasatinib-treated mouse exhibited reduced expression of exhaustion
markers PD-1 and LAG-3, reduced expression of CD69 (i.e. lower
activation state), and higher expression of the memory marker CD62L
(FIG. 22b, d) compared to the vehicle-treated mouse, all of which
are consistent with the phenotypic changes observed upon in vitro
treatment with dasatinib (FIG. 15, 16). These results demonstrate
that in vivo administration of dasatinib mitigates CAR T cell
exhaustion phenotype and improves memory formation, and indicates
that in vivo dasatinib dosing provides a functional benefit in
vivo.
[0140] Experiments hypothesized that selective in vivo
administration of dasatinib will prevent CAR T cell exhaustion by
transiently "resting" CAR T cells that are experiencing chronic
antigen stimulation. To test this, CAR T cells were infused into
mice that exhibited high tumor burden. On day 27 post-tumor
engraftment, the mice were dosed with dasatinib or vehicle for 3
consecutive days, then were not treated for a period of 3
additional days. Subsequent to this treatment regimen, tumor burden
was assessed and a profound decrease in tumor size in the
dasatinib-treated mouse was observed (FIG. 22e). Conversely, the
tumor burden in vehicle-treated mouse continued to increase,
indicating that the augmentation in anti-tumor response was
specific to dasatinib treatment.
[0141] In summary, dasatinib and ponatinib have the potential to
address several important challenges currently facing the field of
adoptive T cell therapies (e.g., CART cell therapies). First, these
drugs were shown potently inhibit CAR signaling, which provides a
method to regulate CAR activity and thus mitigate CAR T cell
toxicity while preserving the option to continue therapy once the
toxicity has resolved, as the inhibitory effect of dasatinib and
ponatinib on CAR T cell function is reversible. Second, expansion
of CAR T cells in the presence of dasatinib or ponatinib was shown
to prevent CAR tonic signaling and in turn enhance the functional
capacity of CAR T cells. Lastly, providing short periods of CAR T
cell "rest" in vivo via iterative drug dosing was shown to be one
method by which CAR T cell exhaustion could be prevented or
reversed and/or memory could be induced.
Example III
[0142] This example describes the materials and methods for Example
II.
Cells and Culture Conditions
[0143] NALM6-GL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia line, stably
transfected with GFP and luciferase) and NALM6-GL-GD2 (stably
transfected to overexpress GD2 synthetase) cell lines were cultured
in RPMI-1640. 293T and 143B cell lines were cultured in DMEM (Life
Technologies). DMEM and RPMI-1640 were supplemented with 10%
heat-inactivated FBS (Gibco, Life Technologies), 10 mM HEPES, 100
U/mL penicillin, 100 .mu.g/ml streptomycin and 2 mM L-glutamine
(Gibco, Life Technologies).
[0144] Primary human T cells were obtained from healthy donor buffy
coats using a Pan T cell negative selection kit (Miltenyi Biotec).
Donor T cells were then aliquoted and stored in Cryostor (StemCell
Technologies) in liquid nitrogen. T cells were cultured in AimV
(Gibco, Life Technologies) supplemented with 5% heat-inactivated
FBS, 10 mM HEPES, 1% glutamax (Gibco, Life Technologies), and 100
u/uL recombinant human IL-2 (Peprotech). Dasatinib (Sigma Aldrich
and Adooq Biosciences) or ponatinib (SelleckChem) were cultured at
1 uM unless otherwise specified.
Retroviral Production and T Cell Transduction
[0145] All retroviral supernatants were produced via transient
transfection of the 293GP cell line. Briefly, 293GP cells were
transfected via Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies) with the
plasmids encoding the CARs and RD114 envelope protein. Supernatants
were collected at 48 and 72 hours post-transfection, aliquoted and
stored at -80 C.
[0146] Upon thawing, T cells were activated at a 3:1 bead:cell
ratio using anti-CD3/anti-CD28-coated magnetic beads (Dynabeads,
Thermo Fisher) at a concentration of 1.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL. On
days 2 and 3 post-activation, T cells were transduced with
retrovirus encoding the CAR. Briefly, retrovirus was first spun
onto retronectin-coated plates at 3000 rpm for 2 hours, after which
T cells were transferred to the plates. On day 4 post-activation,
magnetic beads were removed from culture, and T cells were cultured
at 0.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL every day thereafter. Media
supplemented with IL-2 and drug was changed every two days.
Transduction efficiencies were routinely 70-90% for all CARs.
Flow Cytometry
[0147] All samples were analyzed with an LSR Fortessa (BD
Bioscience) or a Cytoflex (Beckman Coulter) and data were analyzed
using FlowJo. Cells were washed twice with PBS and labelled with
stained at 1.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL in PBS, followed by two washes
with FACS buffer (PBS supplemented with 2% FBS and 0.4% 0.5M EDTA).
GD2 CARs were detected with the 14g2a anti-idiotype antibody 1A7.
CD19 CARs were detected with the FMC63 anti-idiotype antibody
136.20.1. T cell phenotype was evaluated via: CD4 (OKT4,
Biolegend), CD8 (SK1, Biolegend), PD-1 (eBioJ105, eBioscience),
TIM-3 (F38-2E2, Biolegend), LAG-3 (3DS223H, eBioscience), CD45RA
(L48, BD Biosciences), CCR7 (150503, BD Biosciences), CD62L
(DREG-56, BD Biosciences), CD69 (FN50, Biolegend), and CD107a
(H4A3, eBioscience). For co-culture assays in which CD107a was
assessed, tumor cells and CAR T cells were co-cultured in the
presence of 1:1000 monensin (eBioscience) and anti-CD107a for at
least 6 hours. All FACS plots displaying CART cell phenotype data
were pre-gated on CAR+ cells. For mock-transduced T cells, whole T
cell populations were used for analysis.
Incucyte Assay
[0148] 50,000 NALM6-GL or NALM6-GL-GD2 tumor cells were co-cultured
with T cells at a 1:8 E:T ratio in 200 uL of complete AimV medium
without IL-2 supplementation in each well of a 96-well plate.
Plates were loaded into the incucyte and 488 nm fluorescent images
were acquired every 2 hours for 48-72 hours. GFP+ tumor cells were
identified by size and fluorescence intensity masks, and the total
integrated GFP intensity of all counted tumor cells was quantified
for each individual well. Values were normalized to t=0, and
replicate wells were averaged for data display.
[0149] For experiments in which HA-GD2.28z T cells were expanded in
the presence of dasatinib, in some instances, drug was removed from
the media 18-24 hours prior to the assay to allow CAR T cells to
function in the presence of tumor antigen.
Cytokine Release Assay
[0150] 50,000 NALM6-GL-GD2 tumor cells were co-cultured with T
cells at a 1:1 E:T ratio in 200 uL of complete AimV medium without
IL-2 supplementation in each well of a 96-well plate. After 24
hours, supernatants were removed and stored at -20 C. IL-2 and
IFN.gamma. secretion was assessed via ELISA (Biolegend).
[0151] For experiments in which HA-GD2.28z T cells were expanded in
the presence of dasatinib, in some instances, drug was removed from
the media 18-24 hours prior to the assay to allow CAR T cells to
function in the presence of tumor antigen.
Western Blot
[0152] 2.times.10.sup.6 CAR' cells were removed from culture,
pelleted, and resuspended in 100 uL of RITA lysis buffer (10 mM
Tris-Cl pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 0.1% sodium
deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, 140 mM NaCl) supplemented with phosphatase
and protease inhibitors (Thermo Fisher), After incubating for 30
minutes at 4 C, supernatants were cleared by centrifugation at
14,000 RPM for 20 minutes at 4 C. Protein concentration in the
cleared lysates was measured by a colorimetric reaction
(BioRad).
[0153] 1.5 ug of protein lysate was mixed with 6.times. loading
buffer and loaded onto 10% SDS-PAGE gels assembled into a
mini-protean electrophoresis systems (BioRad). Electrophoresis was
performed in tris-glycine-SDS buffer (BioRad) at 100V for 20
minutes and later increased to 150V for 50 minutes. Protein
transfer into Immbilon-FL PVDF membranes was performed at 100V for
1 hour in tris-glycine buffer (BioRad #1610771). Primary antibodies
targeting CD3-zeta (Cell signaling), pY142-CD3-zeta (Cell
Signaling), p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2, Cell Signaling), p-p44/42 MAPK
(p-ERK1/2, Cell Signaling), pSer473-Akt (D9E, Cell Signaling), and
pan Akt (40D4, Cell Signaling) were used. The Odyssey (LI-COR)
imaging system. LI-COR buffers, and LI-COR secondary antibodies
(Goat Anti-Mouse IgG Antibody-800CW-Conjugated and Goat Anti-Rabbit
IgG Antibody-680LT-Conjugated) were used for protein detection.
[0154] For CAR crosslinking, CAR T cells were incubated in 5 ug/mL
anti-idiotype (clone 1A7) plus 5 ug/mL goat anti-mouse Fab
secondary (Jackson Immunoresearch) or secondary alone for 5 minutes
at 37 C. Cells were then quenched in ice cold PBS, pelleted at 4 C
for 5 minutes, then lysed for western blot analysis.
[0155] In vivo experiments 6-8 week old NSG mice were engrafted
with 1.times.10.sup.6 NALM6-GL-GD2 leukemia cells via intravenous
injection. At day 4 post-engraftment, 2.times.10.sup.6 HA-GD2.28z
CAR+ T cells were infused intravenously. NALM6-GL-GD2 tumor burden
was evaluated using the Xenogen IVIS Lumina (Caliper Life
Sciences). Mice were first injected intraperitoneally with 3 mg
D-luciferin (Caliper Life Sciences) and then imaged 4 minutes later
with an exposure time of 30 seconds, or, in cases where 30 seconds
resulted in signal saturation, "auto" exposure was selected.
Luminescence images were analyzed using Living Image software
(Caliper Life Sciences).
[0156] 6-8 week old NSG mice were engrafted with 0.5.times.10.sup.6
143 B osteosarcoma cells intramuscularly. On day 3
post-engraftment, 10.times.10.sup.6 GD2.BBz or HA-GD2.28z were
infused intravenously. Osteosarcoma burden was quantified via
two-dimensional leg area measurements.
[0157] Mice treated with dasatinib (Adooq Biosciences) were
injected intraperitoneally at a concentration of 50 mg/kg in
water+10% Kolliphor HS 15 (Sigma Aldrich). Mice treated with
vehicle were injected with an equivalent volume of water+10%
Kolliphor HS 15.
[0158] Blood samples were taken via retro-orbital bleed and briefly
stored in EDTA-coated microvettes (Kent Scientific). Spleens were
mechanically disaggregated by passage through a 70-.mu.m filter (BD
Biosciences). Both blood and spleen were lysed in ACK lysis buffer
(Fisher Scientific) for 5 minutes and subsequently stained with
surface marker antibodies for FACS analysis.
Construction of CAR Vectors
[0159] All CAR sequences were inserted into the MSGV retroviral
backbone. Each CAR includes a signal peptide, single chain variable
fragment (scFv), extracellular hinge region, transmembrane domain,
intracellular co-stimulatory domain, and intracellular CD3 zeta
domain.
Sequences
[0160] The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for CD19.28z (FMC63
scFv) is provided at FIG. 23.
[0161] The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for CD19.BBz (FMC63
scFv) is provided at FIG. 24.
[0162] The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for GD2.BBz (14G2a
scFv) is provided at FIG. 25.
[0163] The nucleic acid and amino acid sequence for HA-GD2.28z
(High affinity 14G2a scFv) is provided at FIG. 26.
[0164] Having now fully described the invention, it will be
understood by those of skill in the art that the same can be
performed within a wide and equivalent range of conditions,
formulations, and other parameters without affecting the scope of
the invention or any embodiment thereof. All patents, patent
applications and publications cited herein are fully incorporated
by reference herein in their entirety.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0165] The entire disclosure of each of the patent documents and
scientific articles referred to herein is incorporated by reference
for all purposes.
EQUIVALENTS
[0166] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered
in all respects illustrative rather than limiting the invention
described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all
changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Sequence CWU 1
1
811794DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 1atgacaagag ttactaacag
cccctctctc caagctcact tacaggctct ctacttagtc 60cagcacgaag tctggagacc
tctggcggca gcctaccaag aacaactgga ccgaccggtg 120gtacctcacc
cttaccgagt cggcgacaca gtgtgggtcc gccgacacca gactaagaac
180ctagaacctc gctggaaagg accttacaca gtcctgctga ccacccccac
cgccctcaaa 240gtagacggca tcgcagcttg gatacacgcc gcccacgtga
aggctgccga ccccgggggt 300ggaccatcct ctagactgct cgagatgctt
ctcctggtga caagccttct gctctgtgag 360ttaccacacc cagcattcct
cctgatccca gacatccaga tgacacagac tacatcctcc 420ctgtctgcct
ctctgggaga cagagtcacc atcagttgca gggcaagtca ggacattagt
480aaatatttaa attggtatca gcagaaacca gatggaactg ttaaactcct
gatctaccat 540acatcaagat tacactcagg agtcccatca aggttcagtg
gcagtgggtc tggaacagat 600tattctctca ccattagcaa cctggagcaa
gaagatattg ccacttactt ttgccaacag 660ggtaatacgc ttccgtacac
gttcggaggg gggactaagt tggaaataac aggctccacc 720tctggatccg
gcaagcccgg atctggcgag ggatccacca agggcgaggt gaaactgcag
780gagtcaggac ctggcctggt ggcgccctca cagagcctgt ccgtcacatg
cactgtctca 840ggggtctcat tacccgacta tggtgtaagc tggattcgcc
agcctccacg aaagggtctg 900gagtggctgg gagtaatatg gggtagtgaa
accacatact ataattcagc tctcaaatcc 960agactgacca tcatcaagga
caactccaag agccaagttt tcttaaaaat gaacagtctg 1020caaactgatg
acacagccat ttactactgt gccaaacatt attactacgg tggtagctat
1080gctatggact actggggtca aggaacctca gtcaccgtct cctcagcggc
cgcaattgaa 1140gttatgtatc ctcctcctta cctagacaat gagaagagca
atggaaccat tatccatgtg 1200aaagggaaac acctttgtcc aagtccccta
tttcccggac cttctaagcc cttttgggtg 1260ctggtggtgg ttgggggagt
cctggcttgc tatagcttgc tagtaacagt ggcctttatt 1320attttctggg
tgaggagtaa gaggagcagg ctcctgcaca gtgactacat gaacatgact
1380ccccgccgcc ccgggcccac ccgcaagcat taccagccct atgccccacc
acgcgacttc 1440gcagcctatc gctccagagt gaagttcagc aggagcgcag
acgcccccgc gtaccagcag 1500ggccagaacc agctctataa cgagctcaat
ctaggacgaa gagaggagta cgatgttttg 1560gacaagagac gtggccggga
ccctgagatg gggggaaagc cgagaaggaa gaaccctcag 1620gaaggcctgt
acaatgaact gcagaaagat aagatggcgg aggcctacag tgagattggg
1680atgaaaggcg agcgccggag gggcaagggg cacgatggcc tttaccaggg
tctcagtaca 1740gccaccaagg acacctacga cgcccttcac atgcaggccc
tgccccctcg ctaa 17942597PRTArtificial Sequencesynthetic 2Met Thr
Arg Val Thr Asn Ser Pro Ser Leu Gln Ala His Leu Gln Ala1 5 10 15Leu
Tyr Leu Val Gln His Glu Val Trp Arg Pro Leu Ala Ala Ala Tyr 20 25
30Gln Glu Gln Leu Asp Arg Pro Val Val Pro His Pro Tyr Arg Val Gly
35 40 45Asp Thr Val Trp Val Arg Arg His Gln Thr Lys Asn Leu Glu Pro
Arg 50 55 60Trp Lys Gly Pro Tyr Thr Val Leu Leu Thr Thr Pro Thr Ala
Leu Lys65 70 75 80Val Asp Gly Ile Ala Ala Trp Ile His Ala Ala His
Val Lys Ala Ala 85 90 95Asp Pro Gly Gly Gly Pro Ser Ser Arg Leu Leu
Glu Met Leu Leu Leu 100 105 110Val Thr Ser Leu Leu Leu Cys Glu Leu
Pro His Pro Ala Phe Leu Leu 115 120 125Ile Pro Asp Ile Gln Met Thr
Gln Thr Thr Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser 130 135 140Leu Gly Asp Arg Val
Thr Ile Ser Cys Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Ser145 150 155 160Lys Tyr
Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Asp Gly Thr Val Lys Leu 165 170
175Leu Ile Tyr His Thr Ser Arg Leu His Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe
180 185 190Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser
Asn Leu 195 200 205Glu Gln Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Phe Cys Gln Gln
Gly Asn Thr Leu 210 215 220Pro Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu
Glu Ile Thr Gly Ser Thr225 230 235 240Ser Gly Ser Gly Lys Pro Gly
Ser Gly Glu Gly Ser Thr Lys Gly Glu 245 250 255Val Lys Leu Gln Glu
Ser Gly Pro Gly Leu Val Ala Pro Ser Gln Ser 260 265 270Leu Ser Val
Thr Cys Thr Val Ser Gly Val Ser Leu Pro Asp Tyr Gly 275 280 285Val
Ser Trp Ile Arg Gln Pro Pro Arg Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Leu Gly 290 295
300Val Ile Trp Gly Ser Glu Thr Thr Tyr Tyr Asn Ser Ala Leu Lys
Ser305 310 315 320Arg Leu Thr Ile Ile Lys Asp Asn Ser Lys Ser Gln
Val Phe Leu Lys 325 330 335Met Asn Ser Leu Gln Thr Asp Asp Thr Ala
Ile Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Lys 340 345 350His Tyr Tyr Tyr Gly Gly Ser Tyr
Ala Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly 355 360 365Thr Ser Val Thr Val Ser
Ser Ala Ala Ala Ile Glu Val Met Tyr Pro 370 375 380Pro Pro Tyr Leu
Asp Asn Glu Lys Ser Asn Gly Thr Ile Ile His Val385 390 395 400Lys
Gly Lys His Leu Cys Pro Ser Pro Leu Phe Pro Gly Pro Ser Lys 405 410
415Pro Phe Trp Val Leu Val Val Val Gly Gly Val Leu Ala Cys Tyr Ser
420 425 430Leu Leu Val Thr Val Ala Phe Ile Ile Phe Trp Val Arg Ser
Lys Arg 435 440 445Ser Arg Leu Leu His Ser Asp Tyr Met Asn Met Thr
Pro Arg Arg Pro 450 455 460Gly Pro Thr Arg Lys His Tyr Gln Pro Tyr
Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Phe465 470 475 480Ala Ala Tyr Arg Ser Arg Val
Lys Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro 485 490 495Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly
Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly 500 505 510Arg Arg Glu
Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro 515 520 525Glu
Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr 530 535
540Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile
Gly545 550 555 560Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly His Asp
Gly Leu Tyr Gln 565 570 575Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr
Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln 580 585 590Ala Leu Pro Pro Arg
59531482DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 3atgcttctcc tggtgacaag
ccttctgctc tgtgagttac cacacccagc attcctcctg 60atcccagaca tccagatgac
acagactaca tcctccctgt ctgcctctct gggagacaga 120gtcaccatca
gttgcagggc aagtcaggac attagtaaat atttaaattg gtatcagcag
180aaaccagatg gaactgttaa actcctgatc taccatacat caagattaca
ctcaggagtc 240ccatcaaggt tcagtggcag tgggtctgga acagattatt
ctctcaccat tagcaacctg 300gagcaagaag atattgccac ttacttttgc
caacagggta atacgcttcc gtacacgttc 360ggagggggga ctaagttgga
aataacaggc tccacctctg gatccggcaa gcccggatct 420ggcgagggat
ccaccaaggg cgaggtgaaa ctgcaggagt caggacctgg cctggtggcg
480ccctcacaga gcctgtccgt cacatgcact gtctcagggg tctcattacc
cgactatggt 540gtaagctgga ttcgccagcc tccacgaaag ggtctggagt
ggctgggagt aatatggggt 600agtgaaacca catactataa ttcagctctc
aaatccagac tgaccatcat caaggacaac 660tccaagagcc aagttttctt
aaaaatgaac agtctgcaaa ctgatgacac agccatttac 720tactgtgcca
aacattatta ctacggtggt agctatgcta tggactactg gggtcaagga
780acctcagtca ccgtctcctc agcggccgca accacgacgc cagcgccgcg
accaccaaca 840ccggcgccca ccatcgcgtc gcagcccctg tccctgcgcc
cagaggcgtg ccggccagcg 900gcggggggcg cagtgcacac gagggggctg
gacttcgcct gtgatatcta catctgggcg 960cccttggccg ggacttgtgg
ggtccttctc ctgtcactgg ttatcaccct ttactgcaaa 1020cggggcagaa
agaaactcct gtatatattc aaacaaccat ttatgagacc agtacaaact
1080actcaagagg aagatggctg tagctgccga tttccagaag aagaagaagg
aggatgtgaa 1140ctgagagtga agttcagcag gagcgcagac gcccccgcgt
acaagcaggg ccagaaccag 1200ctctataacg agctcaatct aggacgaaga
gaggagtacg atgttttgga caagagacgt 1260ggccgggacc ctgagatggg
gggaaagccg agaaggaaga accctcagga aggcctgtac 1320aatgaactgc
agaaagataa gatggcggag gcctacagtg agattgggat gaaaggcgag
1380cgccggaggg gcaaggggca cgatggcctt taccagggtc tcagtacagc
caccaaggac 1440acctacgacg cccttcacat gcaggccctg ccccctcgct aa
14824493PRTArtificial Sequencesynthetic 4Met Leu Leu Leu Val Thr
Ser Leu Leu Leu Cys Glu Leu Pro His Pro1 5 10 15Ala Phe Leu Leu Ile
Pro Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Thr Thr Ser Ser 20 25 30Leu Ser Ala Ser
Leu Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Ser Cys Arg Ala Ser 35 40 45Gln Asp Ile
Ser Lys Tyr Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Asp Gly 50 55 60Thr Val
Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr His Thr Ser Arg Leu His Ser Gly Val65 70 75
80Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Ser Leu Thr
85 90 95Ile Ser Asn Leu Glu Gln Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Phe Cys Gln
Gln 100 105 110Gly Asn Thr Leu Pro Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys
Leu Glu Ile 115 120 125Thr Gly Ser Thr Ser Gly Ser Gly Lys Pro Gly
Ser Gly Glu Gly Ser 130 135 140Thr Lys Gly Glu Val Lys Leu Gln Glu
Ser Gly Pro Gly Leu Val Ala145 150 155 160Pro Ser Gln Ser Leu Ser
Val Thr Cys Thr Val Ser Gly Val Ser Leu 165 170 175Pro Asp Tyr Gly
Val Ser Trp Ile Arg Gln Pro Pro Arg Lys Gly Leu 180 185 190Glu Trp
Leu Gly Val Ile Trp Gly Ser Glu Thr Thr Tyr Tyr Asn Ser 195 200
205Ala Leu Lys Ser Arg Leu Thr Ile Ile Lys Asp Asn Ser Lys Ser Gln
210 215 220Val Phe Leu Lys Met Asn Ser Leu Gln Thr Asp Asp Thr Ala
Ile Tyr225 230 235 240Tyr Cys Ala Lys His Tyr Tyr Tyr Gly Gly Ser
Tyr Ala Met Asp Tyr 245 250 255Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Ser Val Thr Val
Ser Ser Ala Ala Ala Thr Thr 260 265 270Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro
Thr Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln 275 280 285Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg
Pro Glu Ala Cys Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala 290 295 300Val His Thr
Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala305 310 315
320Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr
325 330 335Leu Tyr Cys Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile Phe
Lys Gln 340 345 350Pro Phe Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu
Asp Gly Cys Ser 355 360 365Cys Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly
Cys Glu Leu Arg Val Lys 370 375 380Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro
Ala Tyr Lys Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln385 390 395 400Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu
Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu 405 410 415Asp Lys Arg
Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Arg Arg 420 425 430Lys
Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys Met 435 440
445Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly
450 455 460Lys Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr
Lys Asp465 470 475 480Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro
Pro Arg 485 49051479DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 5atgctgctgc
tcgtgacatc tctgctgctg tgcgagctgc cccaccccgc ctttctgctg 60atccccgata
tcctgctgac ccagacccct ctgagcctgc ctgtgtctct gggcgatcag
120gccagcatca gctgcagatc cagccagagc ctggtgcacc ggaacggcaa
cacctacctg 180cactggtatc tgcagaagcc cggccagagc cccaagctgc
tgattcacaa ggtgtccaac 240cggttcagcg gcgtgcccga cagattttct
ggcagcggct ccggcaccga cttcaccctg 300aagatcagcc gggtggaagc
cgaggacctg ggcgtgtact tctgcagcca gtccacccac 360gtgccccccc
tgacatttgg cgccggaaca aagctggaac tgaagggcag cacaagcggc
420agcggcaagc ctggatctgg cgagggaagc accaagggcg aagtgaagct
gcagcagagc 480ggcccctctc tggtggaacc tggcgcctct gtgatgatct
cctgcaaggc cagcggcagc 540tccttcaccg gctacaacat gaactgggtg
cgccagaaca tcggcaagag cctggaatgg 600atcggcgcca tcgaccccta
ctacggcggc accagctaca accagaagtt caagggcaga 660gccaccctga
ccgtggacaa gagcagctcc accgcctaca tgcacctgaa gtccctgacc
720agcgaggaca gcgccgtgta ctactgcgtg tccggcatgg aatactgggg
ccagggcaca 780agcgtgaccg tgtcctctgc ggccgcaacc acgacgccag
cgccgcgacc accaacaccg 840gcgcccacca tcgcgtcgca gcccctgtcc
ctgcgcccag aggcgtgccg gccagcggcg 900gggggcgcag tgcacacgag
ggggctggac ttcgcctgtg atatctacat ctgggcgccc 960ttggccggga
cttgtggggt ccttctcctg tcactggtta tcacccttta ctgcaaacgg
1020ggcagaaaga aactcctgta tatattcaaa caaccattta tgagaccagt
acaaactact 1080caagaggaag atggctgtag ctgccgattt ccagaagaag
aagaaggagg atgtgaactg 1140agagtgaagt tcagcaggag cgcagacgcc
cccgcgtaca agcagggcca gaaccagctc 1200tataacgagc tcaatctagg
acgaagagag gagtacgatg ttttggacaa gagacgtggc 1260cgggaccctg
agatgggggg aaagccgaga aggaagaacc ctcaggaagg cctgtacaat
1320gaactgcaga aagataagat ggcggaggcc tacagtgaga ttgggatgaa
aggcgagcgc 1380cggaggggca aggggcacga tggcctttac cagggtctca
gtacagccac caaggacacc 1440tacgacgccc ttcacatgca ggccctgccc
cctcgctaa 14796492PRTArtificial Sequencesynthetic 6Met Leu Leu Leu
Val Thr Ser Leu Leu Leu Cys Glu Leu Pro His Pro1 5 10 15Ala Phe Leu
Leu Ile Pro Asp Ile Leu Leu Thr Gln Thr Pro Leu Ser 20 25 30Leu Pro
Val Ser Leu Gly Asp Gln Ala Ser Ile Ser Cys Arg Ser Ser 35 40 45Gln
Ser Leu Val His Arg Asn Gly Asn Thr Tyr Leu His Trp Tyr Leu 50 55
60Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile His Lys Val Ser Asn65
70 75 80Arg Phe Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly
Thr 85 90 95Asp Phe Thr Leu Lys Ile Ser Arg Val Glu Ala Glu Asp Leu
Gly Val 100 105 110Tyr Phe Cys Ser Gln Ser Thr His Val Pro Pro Leu
Thr Phe Gly Ala 115 120 125Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Leu Lys Gly Ser Thr
Ser Gly Ser Gly Lys Pro 130 135 140Gly Ser Gly Glu Gly Ser Thr Lys
Gly Glu Val Lys Leu Gln Gln Ser145 150 155 160Gly Pro Ser Leu Val
Glu Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Met Ile Ser Cys Lys 165 170 175Ala Ser Gly
Ser Ser Phe Thr Gly Tyr Asn Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln 180 185 190Asn
Ile Gly Lys Ser Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly Ala Ile Asp Pro Tyr Tyr 195 200
205Gly Gly Thr Ser Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe Lys Gly Arg Ala Thr Leu Thr
210 215 220Val Asp Lys Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Tyr Met His Leu Lys Ser
Leu Thr225 230 235 240Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Val Ser
Gly Met Glu Tyr Trp 245 250 255Gly Gln Gly Thr Ser Val Thr Val Ser
Ser Ala Ala Ala Thr Thr Thr 260 265 270Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr
Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro 275 280 285Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro
Glu Ala Cys Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val 290 295 300His Thr Arg
Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala Pro305 310 315
320Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Leu
325 330 335Tyr Cys Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile Phe Lys
Gln Pro 340 345 350Phe Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu Asp
Gly Cys Ser Cys 355 360 365Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly Cys
Glu Leu Arg Val Lys Phe 370 375 380Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala
Tyr Lys Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu385 390 395 400Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn
Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp 405 410 415Lys Arg Arg
Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Arg Arg Lys 420 425 430Asn
Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala 435 440
445Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys
450 455 460Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys
Asp Thr465 470 475 480Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro
Arg 485 49072217DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 7atggaattcg
gcctgagctg gctgttcctg gtggccatcc tgaagggcgt gcagtgcagc 60agagatatcc
tgctgaccca gacccctctg agcctgcctg tgtctctggg cgatcaggcc
120agcatcagct gcagatccag ccagagcctg gtgcaccgga acggcaacac
ctacctgcac 180tggtatctgc agaagcccgg ccagagcccc aagctgctga
tccacaaggt gtccaaccgg 240ttcagcggcg tgcccgacag attttctggc
agcggctccg gcaccgactt caccctgaag 300atcagccggg tggaagccga
ggacctgggc gtgtacttct gcagccagtc cacccacgtg 360ccccccctga
catttggcgc cggaacaaag ctggaactga aggggggagg cggatctggc
420ggcggaggaa gtggcggagg gggatctgaa gtgaagctgc agcagtccgg
ccccagcctg 480gtggaacctg gcgcctctgt gatgatctcc tgcaaggcca
gcggcagctc cttcaccggc 540tacaacatga actgggtgcg ccagaacatc
ggcaagagcc tggaatggat cggcgccatc 600gacccctact acggcggcac
cagctacaac cagaagttca agggcagagc caccctgacc 660gtggacaaga
gcagcagcac cgcctacatg cacctgaagt ccctgaccag cgaggacagc
720gccgtgtact actgcgtgtc cggcatgaag tactggggcc agggcacaag
cgtgaccgtg 780tctagcgcca agaccacccc ccctagcgtg tacggaagag
tgacagtgtc ctctgccgag 840cccaagagct gcgacaagac ccacacctgt
cccccttgtc ctgcccctga gctgctggga 900ggcccttccg tgttcctgtt
ccccccaaag cccaaggaca cactgatgat cagcagaacc 960cccgaagtga
cctgcgtggt ggtggacgtg tcccacgagg acccagaagt gaagttcaat
1020tggtacgtgg acggcgtgga agtgcacaac gccaagacaa agcccagaga
ggaacagtac 1080aacagcacct accgggtggt gtccgtgctg accgtgctgc
atcaggattg gctgaacggc 1140aaagagtaca agtgcaaagt gtccaacaag
gccctgcctg cccccatcga gaaaaccatc 1200agcaaggcca agggccagcc
ccgcgaaccc caggtgtaca cactgccccc tagcagggac 1260gagctgacca
agaaccaggt gtccctgaca tgcctcgtga agggcttcta cccctccgat
1320atcgccgtgg aatgggagag caacggccag cccgagaaca actacaagac
aacccctccc 1380gtgctggaca gcgacggctc attcttcctg tacagcaagc
tgacagtgga taagtcccgg 1440tggcagcagg gcaacgtgtt cagctgctcc
gtgatgcacg aggccctgca caaccactac 1500acccagaaaa gcctgtccct
gagccccggc aagaaggacc ccaaagctag cttcgaaatt 1560gaagttatgt
atcctcctcc ttacctagac aatgagaaga gcaatggaac cattatccat
1620gtgaaaggga aacacctttg tccaagtccc ctatttcccg gaccttctaa
gcccttttgg 1680gtgctggtgg tggttggggg agtcctggct tgctatagct
tgctagtaac agtggccttt 1740attattttct gggtgaggag taagaggagc
aggctcctgc acagtgacta catgaacatg 1800actccccgcc gccccgggcc
cacccgcaag cattaccagc cctatgcccc accacgcgac 1860ttcgcagcct
atcgctccag agtgaagttc agcaggagcg cagacgcccc cgcgtacaag
1920cagggccaga accagctcta taacgagctc aatctaggac gaagagagga
gtacgatgtt 1980ttggacaaga gacgtggccg ggaccctgag atggggggaa
agccgagaag gaagaaccct 2040caggaaggcc tgtacaatga actgcagaaa
gataagatgg cggaggccta cagtgagatt 2100gggatgaaag gcgagcgccg
gaggggcaag gggcacgatg gcctttacca gggtctcagt 2160acagccacca
aggacaccta cgacgccctt cacatgcagg ccctgccccc tcgctaa
22178738PRTArtificial Sequencesynthetic 8Met Glu Phe Gly Leu Ser
Trp Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Ile Leu Lys Gly1 5 10 15Val Gln Cys Ser Arg
Asp Ile Leu Leu Thr Gln Thr Pro Leu Ser Leu 20 25 30Pro Val Ser Leu
Gly Asp Gln Ala Ser Ile Ser Cys Arg Ser Ser Gln 35 40 45Ser Leu Val
His Arg Asn Gly Asn Thr Tyr Leu His Trp Tyr Leu Gln 50 55 60Lys Pro
Gly Gln Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile His Lys Val Ser Asn Arg65 70 75
80Phe Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp
85 90 95Phe Thr Leu Lys Ile Ser Arg Val Glu Ala Glu Asp Leu Gly Val
Tyr 100 105 110Phe Cys Ser Gln Ser Thr His Val Pro Pro Leu Thr Phe
Gly Ala Gly 115 120 125Thr Lys Leu Glu Leu Lys Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser
Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 130 135 140Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Glu Val Lys Leu
Gln Gln Ser Gly Pro Ser Leu145 150 155 160Val Glu Pro Gly Ala Ser
Val Met Ile Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Ser 165 170 175Ser Phe Thr Gly
Tyr Asn Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Asn Ile Gly Lys 180 185 190Ser Leu
Glu Trp Ile Gly Ala Ile Asp Pro Tyr Tyr Gly Gly Thr Ser 195 200
205Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe Lys Gly Arg Ala Thr Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser
210 215 220Ser Ser Thr Ala Tyr Met His Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr Ser Glu
Asp Ser225 230 235 240Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Val Ser Gly Met Lys Tyr
Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr 245 250 255Ser Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Lys Thr
Thr Pro Pro Ser Val Tyr Gly 260 265 270Arg Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala
Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His 275 280 285Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys
Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val 290 295 300Phe Leu Phe
Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr305 310 315
320Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu
325 330 335Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn
Ala Lys 340 345 350Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr
Arg Val Val Ser 355 360 365Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu
Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys 370 375 380Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu
Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile385 390 395 400Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly
Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro 405 410 415Pro Ser Arg
Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu 420 425 430Val
Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn 435 440
445Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser
450 455 460Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys
Ser Arg465 470 475 480Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val
Met His Glu Ala Leu 485 490 495His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu
Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys Lys 500 505 510Asp Pro Lys Ala Ser Phe Glu
Ile Glu Val Met Tyr Pro Pro Pro Tyr 515 520 525Leu Asp Asn Glu Lys
Ser Asn Gly Thr Ile Ile His Val Lys Gly Lys 530 535 540His Leu Cys
Pro Ser Pro Leu Phe Pro Gly Pro Ser Lys Pro Phe Trp545 550 555
560Val Leu Val Val Val Gly Gly Val Leu Ala Cys Tyr Ser Leu Leu Val
565 570 575Thr Val Ala Phe Ile Ile Phe Trp Val Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser
Arg Leu 580 585 590Leu His Ser Asp Tyr Met Asn Met Thr Pro Arg Arg
Pro Gly Pro Thr 595 600 605Arg Lys His Tyr Gln Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro
Arg Asp Phe Ala Ala Tyr 610 615 620Arg Ser Arg Val Lys Phe Ser Arg
Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Tyr Lys625 630 635 640Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln
Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu 645 650 655Glu Tyr Asp
Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly 660 665 670Gly
Lys Pro Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu 675 680
685Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly
690 695 700Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly
Leu Ser705 710 715 720Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu His
Met Gln Ala Leu Pro 725 730 735Pro Arg
* * * * *