CD3xCD19 DART molecule treatment induces non-apoptotic killing and is efficient against high-risk chemotherapy and venetoclax-resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

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BACKGROUND: Bispecific antibodies are promising new therapeutics in B cell malignancies. Whether they lead to potent T cell activation despite described T cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and are able to effectively target high-risk or venetoclax-resistant samples, is currently unknown.

METHODS: CD19+ cell lines or primary (high-risk) CLL were cocultured in vitro with healthy donor (HD) or CLL-derived T cells in the presence of a CD3xCD19 dual affinity retargeting molecule (CD3xCD19 DART). Cell cytotoxicity, T cell activation, proliferation and effector molecule production were analyzed using flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Here, we report that a bispecific CD3xCD19 DART mediates efficient killing by HD T cells of CD19+ cell-lines and primary CLL cells, regardless of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) mutational status TP53 status or chemotherapy, ibrutinib or venetoclax sensitivity. Whereas TCR stimulation of CLL-derived T cells resulted in dysfunctional T cell activation and proliferation, treatment with CD3xCD19 DART led to a similar activation profile in CLL-derived and HD-derived T cells. Consistently, co-culture of CLL derived T cells with JeKo-1 or CLL cells in the presence of CD3xCD19 DART resulted in significant cytotoxicity by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. On stimulation of CLL cells with CD40L, CLL cells become resistant to the specific inhibitor of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein venetoclax, due to upregulation of Bcl-2 family members such as Bcl-XL. Nevertheless, CD40L stimulated CLL cells were as efficiently lysed on CD3xCD19 DART treatment as unstimulated CLL cells. Further examination of the mechanism of CD3xCD19 DART mediated killing showed that lysis was dependent on granules, but was independent of BAX/BAK or caspase activity, indicating non-apoptotic cell death.

CONCLUSIONS: These data show that CD3xCD19 DART in CLL leads to robust T cell activation and lysis of high-risk venetoclax resistant CLL cells through a non-apoptotic mechanism.

Errataetall:

ErratumIn: J Immunother Cancer. 2021 Aug;9(8):1. - PMID 34344798

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:8

Enthalten in:

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer - 8(2020), 1 vom: 24. Juni

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Martens, Anne W J [VerfasserIn]
Janssen, Susanne R [VerfasserIn]
Derks, Ingrid A M [VerfasserIn]
Adams Iii, Homer C [VerfasserIn]
Izhak, Liat [VerfasserIn]
van Kampen, Roel [VerfasserIn]
Tonino, Sanne H [VerfasserIn]
Eldering, Eric [VerfasserIn]
van der Windt, Gerritje J W [VerfasserIn]
Kater, Arnon P [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Antibodies, Bispecific
Antigens, CD19
Antineoplastic Agents
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
CD3 Complex
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
Immunoglobulin Variable Region
Immunology
Immunotherapy
Journal Article
N54AIC43PW
Oncology
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Sulfonamides
T-Lymphocytes
TP53 protein, human
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
Venetoclax

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 16.03.2021

Date Revised 19.11.2021

published: Print

ErratumIn: J Immunother Cancer. 2021 Aug;9(8):1. - PMID 34344798

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1136/jitc-2019-000218

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM311594433