Yifan Pang
Nilanjan Ghosh- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Charlotte, NC, United States
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19 in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) validates the utility of CAR-based therapy for lymphomatous malignancies. Despite the success, treatment failure due to CD19 antigen loss, mutation, or down-regulation remains the main obstacle to cure. On-target, off-tumor effect of CD19-CAR T leads to side effects such as prolonged B-cell aplasia, limiting the application of therapy in indolent diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Alternative CAR targets and multi-specific CAR are potential solutions to improving cellular therapy outcomes in B-NHL. For Hodgkin lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma, several cell surface antigens have been studied as CAR targets, some of which already showed promising results in clinical trials. Some antigens are expressed by different lymphomas and could be used for designing tumor-agnostic CAR. Here, we reviewed the antigens that have been studied for novel CAR-based therapies, as well as CARs designed to target two or more antigens in the treatment of lymphoma.
Introduction
CARs are synthetic molecules that are encoded by an antigen-binding domain – typically a monoclonal antibody-based single-chain fragment variable (scFv), an extracellular hinge to improve immune synapses formation, a transmembrane anchor, a costimulatory and intracellular domain for signal transduction (1). Once expressed by the transduced cells, most commonly T-cells, sometimes NK-cells, CARs improve the homing of T or NK cells to tumor to facilitate and enhance tumor-specific killing. Not all tumor antigens can become CAR targets, only the surface antigens with high densities can be recognized by CAR and fully activate modified immune cells (2, 3).
B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
A rapidly growing list of indications underscores the success of CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Durable complete remission has been consistently reported in clinical trials utilizing CD19-CAR T in relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-NHL, indicating the curative potential of CD19-CAR T (4). However, for the more than 50% of patients who are refractory to or relapse after CD19-CAR T, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic options (1). The causes of resistance can be loosely divided into three categories: patient factors, CAR design factors, and target antigen modulation. Examples of patient factors include high disease burden, microbiome, and baseline cytokine milieu (5). CAR design factors, including transmembrane domain architecture, costimulatory domain, immune synapse spacing, affinity to antigen, are vital to the efficacy and safety of CAR T (1). For instance, high affinity of the CAR to CD19 antigen may not improve efficacy but promote T-cell exhaustion instead. Michelozzi, et al., recently demonstrated that low-affinity CD19-CAR T had enhanced in vivo expansion, prolonged persistence, and better tolerability, than traditional high-affinity CD19-CAR T (6). CAR integration using non-retroviral methods, such as using adeno-associated virus or non-viral gene editing to transfer a CD19-CAR into the T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) region, has demonstrated improved functionality compared to traditional retroviral transduction (7). A novel TRAC-integrated CD19-targeted CAR T product is currently undergoing a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with R/R large B-cell lymphoma (NCT05757700). Target antigen modulation is one of the most common mechanisms of resistance. In different studies, CD19 antigen loss or down-regulation was seen in 25% to 33% of the relapsed cases (8–10). CAR-based therapies targeting other B-cell antigens hold the promise to improve the outcome of patients with R/R B-NHL. Active clinical trials of novel CAR-based therapy in B-NHL are listed in Table 1.
Table 1 Active clinical trials of novel CAR therapy for B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
CD20
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody revolutionized the treatment of B-cell NHL and greatly improved patient outcomes. CD20 theoretically can elicit a more robust T-cell activation than CD19 because of slower endocytosis and stronger immunological synapses formation (11). However, the concern of developing resistance after recurrent rituximab exposure may have played a role in the delay in clinical development of CD20-CAR therapy (12). Reassuringly, CD20 antigen loss or mutation is uncommon in relapsed B- NHL and is not a significant cause of treatment failure (13, 14). The success of bispecific CD20 and CD3 T-cell engagers further confirm the utility of CD20-targeting in R/R B-NHL (15). In vitro studies demonstrated preserved cytotoxicity of CD20-CAR T in CD20-downregulated cancers (3).
Till, et al., treated seven patients with R/R follicular lymphoma (FL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) with first generation CD20-CAR T (16). All patients had previous rituximab exposure. Responses included two complete remissions (CR) and three partial responses (PR). None had adverse events related to T-cell infusions. Later, Till, et al., treated three patients with a third generation CD20-CAR T with both CD28 and 4-1BB costimulatory domains, two achieved durable CR (17). Another third generation CD20-CAR T, MB-106, showed efficacy and tolerability in a single center clinical trial (NCT03277729) (18, 19). In 16 patients (12 FL, 2 MCL, 1 CLL, 1 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma), overall response rate (ORR) was 94%, CR 62%, and 90% of the CR was durable (duration of response, 3-18 months); no grade ≥ 3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was observed. MB-106 is currently being tested in a multicenter phase 1/2 trial (NCT05360238) (20). Several other CD20-CAR Ts have also entered clinical trials for R/R B-NHL. C-CAR066 was previously tested in a phase 1 clinical trial in China. Fourteen patients were treated, including 11 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and three with transformed FL; 12 previously received CD19-CAR T, one received bispecific CD19/20-CAR T and one received bispecific CD19/79b-CAR T. ORR was 92.9% and CR was achieved in 57.1%. Four remained in CR after 24 months. Grade ≥3 CRS only occurred in one patient and none experienced ICANS (21). C-CAR066 recently entered multicenter phase 1 studies in the US (NCT05784441). MB-CART20.1 is another CD20-CAR T which was tested in a Germany multicenter phase 1 trial (22). Durable CR was seen in 3 of the 10 treated patients. No dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred in the trial, but the trial was stopped early due to COVID-19.
CD22
CD22 is a B-cell-specific transmembrane glycoprotein involved in B-cell survival, proliferation and function (23). Anti-CD22 antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) inotuzumab ozogamicin and moxetumomab pasudotox, were approved for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hairy cell leukemia, respectively (24, 25). Despite strong CD22 expression on mature B-cells, naked anti-CD22 antibody and ADC all failed to demonstrate significant benefit over standard of care chemoimmunotherapy in patients with CD22+ R/R B-NHL (26, 27). The challenges of CD22-targeted therapy in B-NHL include the higher variability of CD22 expression on lymphoma cells than CD19 and CD20, down regulation of CD22 and low antigen density (28, 29). CD22 has a bulky extracellular structure, making it difficult to target (30).
With the success of anti-CD22 ADC, CD22-CAR T was first developed for B-ALL. Haso, et al., found that CAR targeting the proximal domain of CD22 yielded superior antileukemic activity in preclinical models (31). Proximal-targeting CD22-CAR T was then tested in a phase 1 study in 21 children and adults with R/R B-ALL (32). Potent efficacy was seen even in patients with CD19dim or CD19-negative disease. Currently, various CD22-CAR T have entered phase 1 and/or 2 clinical trials, but no phase 3. In a meta-analysis with a data cutoff in March 2022, a total of seven CD22-CAR T clinical trials with 149 patients had primary efficacy data, but only two enrolled patients with lymphoma (33). A single center phase 1/1b study at Stanford University (NCT04088890) is one of the first trials using autologous CD22-CAR T to treat R/R LBCL (34, 35). Among 41 enrolled patients, 40 underwent leukapheresis and 38 (95%) had successful manufacturing of cells. Twenty-nine patients were treated at dose level (DL)1 (1 x 106/kg) and 9 at DL2 (3 x 106/kg); all but 1 progressed after prior CART19. ORR was 68%. Twenty (53%) entered CR. Response was similar between DL1 and DL2. At a median follow up of 18.4 months (range, 1.5-38.6), nineteen patients remained in CR. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.9 months (range, 1.7-NR) and overall survival (OS) 22.5 months (range, 8.3-NR). CD22-CAR T was well tolerated especially at DL1, and proceeded to a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT05972720) with DL1 as the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) (35). Another CD22-CAR T, SCRI-CAR22v2, is being tested in a phase 1/2 multicenter clinical trial, PLAT-07, in pediatric and young adult patients with R/R CD22+ leukemia or lymphoma (NCT04571138). SCRI-CAR22v2 is an improved version of its predecessor SCRI-CAR22v1, with a shorter linker and transmembrane region, and better activity and survival than the latter (36). Allogeneic CD22-CAR T (alloCART22) has been developed. In preclinical models, alloCART22 demonstrated pharmacologic activity against CD22+ tumor and successful evasion of host innate and adaptive immune rejection (37). The safety and efficacy of alloCART22 are yet to be evaluated by clinical trials.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a subtype of severe cytokine release syndrome, is associated with higher disease burden, pre-infusion NK-cell lymphopenia and persistent elevation of HLH-related cytokines including IFNγ, IL-1β and IL-18. HLH more common in patients receiving CD22-CAR T (35.6%) than CD19-CAR T (14.8%) (38, 39). On the other hand, ICANS is less common and less severe with CD22-CAR T, likely due to different cytokine milieu, and absence of CD22 expression on the blood brain barrier and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (40).
High peak CD22-CAR T expansion and high expression of the activator protein-1 Fos/Jun are associated with response and toxicity to CD22-CAR T (41). Fos/Jun heterodimer are important transcription factors in activated T-cells and enhances the transcription of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2 (42). CD22-CAR T from patients who progressed do not have high Fos/Jun, instead, have higher proportion of terminal effector memory cells and higher expression levels of immunomodulatory killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (41). Another main cause of relapse remains CD22 antigen loss (35, 43). Unlike CD19 antigen loss which is usually mediated by mutation and alternative splicing, down-regulation of CD22 on cell surface makes cells resistant to CD22 targeting (32). Upregulation of CD22 expression by bryostatin-1 pretreatment could potentially re-sensitize lymphoma cells to CD22-CAR T (44). Another major development to overcome antigen loss is bispecific or multi-specific CARs, which will be discussed in detail in later sections.
The natural ligand of CD22 is a cell surface trisaccharide (45). Transferring natural ligand-mimicking CD22-specific polysaccharide onto cell surface is a novel way of designing adoptive cell therapy. Wang, et al., designed CD22-targeting NK-cells by glycoengineering, making NK-cells present a modified polysaccharide ligand on their surface. Not strictly a CAR-NK, the engineered NK-cells could effectively bind to CD22-positive lymphoma cells and exert cytotoxicity in preclinical models (46). Traditional CAR-NKs expressing CD22-scFv have also been studied preclinically (47, 48).
CD19/CD20
Bispecific CAR T targeting two B-cell antigens can be activated upon binding with either antigens or both, thereby enhancing inflammatory cytokine production, and reducing resistance from single antigenic loss (49). Tandem CD19/20-CAR T targets both CD19 and CD20 antigens with a single CAR vector; the CD20 and CD19 binding domains are hinged with a flexible linker. Preclinical data of tandem CD19/20-CAR T revealed several important findings (50). First, CD19-scFv should be placed proximally and CD20-scFv distally to T-cell membrane, to allow optimal conformation of binding. Second, most of the cytokine release after CD19/20-CAR T is likely driven by CD20 recognition. Thirdly, tandem CD19/20-CAR T was more effective than a combination of CD19- and CD20-CAR T.
Based on supportive preclinical data, Shah, et al., conducted a first-in-human trial of bispecific CD19/20-CAR T, LV20.19 (MB CART2019.1, or zamtocabtagene autoleucel, zamto-cel) in patents with R/R B-NHL (51). In the first 22 patients treated, 18 (82%) responded at day 28, including 14 (64%) CR. Rates of grade 3-4 CRS and ICANS were 5% and 14%, respectively. For the patients who received a target dose of 2.5 million cells/kg (n=16), two-year PFS and OS were 44% and 69% at a median follow up of 31 months (range, 2-40) (52).
R/R MCL remains a challenging clinical entity, especially those cases with post-BTKi relapse and/or TP53 aberration. Tandem CD19/20-CAR T showed encouraging results in this hard-to-treat population. In a phase 1/2 clinical, 17 patients with R/R MCL received LV20.19, including 13 BTKi-refractory and seven TP53-mutated patients. The phase 2 portion utilized an adaptive manufacturing process to enhance the percentage of memory T-cells in the product. All patients responded at day 90, including 92% CR. Infection-related death occurred in two patients. Grade 3-4 CRS and ICANS occurred in zero and two patients, respectively. One-year PFS and OS rates were 77% and 84% (53).
The DALY I trial was a phase 1 clinical trial of zamto-cel in patients with R/R B-NHL (54). Twelve patients were enrolled and six received the recommended dose of 2.5 million cells/kg. ORR was 75% in the entire cohort and 5 patients achieved CR. Promisingly, all CRs were durable at 2-year follow up. No grade ≥ 3 CRS or ICANS were observed. Zamto-cel is currently undergoing phase 2 clinical trials, one as a 2nd line therapy for patients with R/R B-NHL who are transplant-ineligible (DALY 2-EU), and the other for patients with R/R DLBCL after ≥ 2 prior lines of systemic therapy (DALY II USA) (55, 56). The interim analysis for DALY II USA demonstrated good efficacy and tolerability of zamto-cel (56). In 22 evaluable patients, CR rate was 46% and PR 36%, 6-month PFS was 64%. The treatment was well-tolerated, only two had transient and reversible grade 3 ICANS and none had grade ≥ 3 CRS.
Other tandem CD19/20-CAR Ts have been developed and undergone early phase clinical trials. Tong, et al., designed several CD19/20-CAR T. They found that one of the constructs, TanCAR7, had the strongest immunological synapse formation and the most potent antitumor activity (57). TanCAR7 was subsequently studied in a phase 1/2a clinical trial for heavily pretreated R/R B-NHL (NCT03097770). Among 99 enrolled patients, 92 underwent leukapheresis, and 87 received TanCAR7 (58). Twelve (14%) had previous autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) and 9 (10%) had previous exposure to CD19-CAR T. Best ORR was 78% and 70% had CR. Median PFS was 27.6 months (95%CI, 11 months to not reached), and 76% of the responses were durable beyond 12-months. Majority of subjects (70%) developed CRS, including 8 (9%) with grade 3 and 1 (1%) with grade 4, ICANS grade ≥ 3 occurred in 2 (2%) patients. Three patients had treatment-related mortality due to pneumonia or CRS-induced lung injury. CAR expansion was associated with response, but CAR persistence did not significantly impact duration of response (DoR). C-CAR039 is another CD19/20-CAR T that underwent phase 1 study at multiple sites in China (59). Forty-eight patients received C-CAR039, including 44 with LBCL, 3 with FL and 1 with MCL. While the percentage of patients who had prior CD19-CAR T was unknown, while 8 (16.7%) had prior autologous SCT. Response to C-CAR039 was exceptionally high, with ORR 91.5% and CR 85.1%. Estimated 2-year PFS was 66% (95%CI, 53.2 – 81.9%) and OS 77.9% (95%CI, 66.6-91.1%). Although treatment was well tolerated with low rates of grade 3 CRS and no grade 3 ICANS, three patients developed secondary malignancy, including 2 AML and 1 T-cell lymphoma (CAR transgene negative) (60). C-CAR039 is undergoing a multicenter phase 1 study in the US (NCT05421663).
Naïve and memory T-cells-enrichment may improve in vivo CAR T function by reducing cell exhaustion and improving persistence (61–63). Regulatory T-cells (Treg, marked by CD25) and myeloid cells (marked by CD14) may cause immunosuppression and reduce CAR T function (64, 65). Larson, et al., conducted a phase 1 trial using autologous naïve and memory T (TN/MEM)-selected, Treg and myeloid cell depleted, tandem CD19/20-CAR T to treat R/R B-NHL (63). Among 17 patients screened, 10 received infusion, yielding a CR rate of 70%. At 17-month follow up, median PFS and OS were not reached. The therapy was safe, no neurotoxicity or grade > 1 CRS were seen. Relapse could be re-treated with CART19/20.
The antigen recognition process of tandem CAR is theoretically unpredictable, therefore bicistronic CAR-T, placing CD20 and CD19 CAR separately on the T-cell, is another approach. Bicistronic CD19/20-CAR T has been successfully manufactured and showed preclinical efficacy in CD19-negative or CD20-negative B-cell lymphoma (66). A phase 1 clinical trial testing this product in R/R B-NHL is under way (NCT05797233).
Although less effective than tandem CD19/20-CAR T in preclinical studies, sequential CD19-CAR T and CD20-CAR T may be easier to manufacture. Sequential infusion strategy was tested in a pilot trial in China (67). In this study, 21 patients with R/R DLBCL who received CD19-CAR T but had undetectable circulating cell levels received CD20-CAR T to prevent relapse. Median interval between cell infusions was 3.72 months (range, 2.56-9). Subsequent CD20-CAR T was well tolerated, with low risk and severity of CRS and ICANS, echoing the observation in other CD20-CAR T studies. Durable CR was seen in 15 (71.4%) patients at a median follow up of 24.7 months (range, 11.64-45.86). CD20-CAR T consolidation post-CD19-CAR T may be a valuable strategy for patients with high-risk DLBCL.
CD19/CD22
Dual CD19/CD22 targeting CAR T-cell therapy is a feasible method to bypass resistant mechanisms including antigen loss/mutation or down-regulation in B-cell malignancies. In B-ALL, CD19/22-CAR T showed good efficacy and DoR, but whether CD19/22-CAR T is better than CD19-CAR T alone remains debatable (68–70). Various strategies aiming to target both CD19 and CD22 have been developed, including CAR T cocktail, bicistronic or tandem CAR, some have entered clinical trials. Bispecific CD19/22-CAR-NK has proof-of-concept preclinical results (71).
CAR-T cocktail is a method of delivering multi-antigen targeting CAR-T cells based on the tumor’s antigen expression. CAR-T cocktail could be made by transducing autologous T-cells with two lentiviral vectors at the same time (dual transduction) or separately, or give single antigen-specific CAR T sequentially. Gardner, et al., at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute used lentiviral vectors to transduce either CD19 or CD22 CAR into autologous T-cells, resulting in pooled CD19-CAR T, CD22-CAR T, and cells with both CARs (72). However, early phase clinical trials using this pooled product in pediatric B-ALL demonstrated imbalanced CD19- and CD22-CAR T persistence, leading to antigen-negative relapse (73, 74). The Geno-Immune Medical Institute in China designed an autologous CAR-T platform, 4SCAR2.0, using an apoptosis-inducible intracellular domain CD28/CD27/CD3ζ-iCasp9 and variable extracellular domain (anti-CD19, CD11, CD30, CD70, etc) based on tumor antigen. 4SCAR2.0 is currently undergoing a multicenter clinical trial in China (NCT03125577). Each patient can receive multiple 4SCAR2.0 infusions that contains a single-targeting or dual-targeting CAR T. Preliminary results were available from 5 patients with refractory B-NHL, including 1 with PMBCL, 2 with DLBCL and 3 with FL. All received at least one infusion of 4SCAR-19 + 22, demonstrated durable remission, no ICANS and CRS as high as grade 1 (75, 76). It is plausible that repeated dosing improved the response rate and DoR, and low cell dose and the apoptosis-inducible domain reduced toxicity.
Sequential administration of CD19- and CD22-CAR T to treat R/R B-cell malignancies has been tested in China. In pilot study, Wang, et al., enrolled 89 patients, including 38 with R/R B-NHL and the rest with ALL. For the B-NHL cohort, each patient received around 5 x 106 cells/kg of CD19- and CD22-CAR T on successive days. ORR was 72.2% and CR rate 50%, median DoR was 15 months (range, 12-17). At a median follow up of 14.4 months, the median PFS was 9.9 months (95%CI, 3.3-NR) and median OS 18.0 months (95%CI 6.1-NR) (77). The group subsequently conducted another clinical trial, sequentially administering high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous SCT, CD22- and CD19-CAR T to patients with R/R B-NHL (78). In 49 consented patients, 42 completed sequential cellular therapy, including 23 with progressive disease and 9 with stable disease prior to SCT. Engraftment was not significantly impacted by post-SCT CAR-T. CRS was common (90%) but only 2 (5%) had grade ≥ 3 CRS. ICANS occurred in 9 (21%) and grade ≥ 3 in 2 (5%). High durable remission rates were reported, with 12-month PFS 95.7% (95%CI, 70.9-93.3%), 12-month OS 90.5% (95%CI. 76.6-96.3%), but those failed to respond by 3-month (n=4) had a dismal prognosis. Although response rate and survival appeared better than the previous study without SCT, the benefit of SCT should be carefully evaluated due to the financial toxicity of combination cellular therapy, and inherited risks of transplant such as hematologic toxicity, organ toxicity, secondary malignancies.
AUTO3 is a bicistronic CD19/22-CAR T previously tested in a phase 1 study in patients with R/R LBCL (ALEXANDER, NCT3289455) (79). The CD19 CAR has a OX40 costimulatory domain, and CD22 has a 4-1BB costimulatory domain (80). Pembrolizumab was used in combination, because PD-L1 upregulation was a possible resistance mechanism demonstrated by previous research. In the study, 52 patients received AUTO3 infusion and 48/52 received pembrolizumab (92.3%); treatment was administered as outpatient in 20 (38.5%) patients. None had previous exposure to CD19- or CD22-targeted therapies. In 47 evaluable patients, ORR was 66.0% and CR 48.9%. However, long-term outcome was not improved by neither AUTO3 nor pembrolizumab due to high rates of relapse, leading to a median PFS was 3.32 months. Response was not associated with AUTO3 expansion. Low serum cytokine levels were observed across the study cohort, correlating with low burden of CRS and ICANS. Previous study of AUTO3 in pediatric B-ALL also demonstrated disappointing results, indicating the necessity for CAR-T optimization (80). Immune checkpoint inhibitors had disappointing results in the treatment of R/R LBCL, which was reaffirmed by the ALEXANDER trial (81).
Tandem CD19/22-CAR T, with both anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 scFv on the extracellular domain, transduced by a single lentiviral vector, are also developed. Among all extracellular designs, tandem CD19/22-CAR with alternative sequence of scFv heavy and light chains, resulting in a loop structure of the extracellular domain, was the most potent one preclinically (82, 83). The loop CAR T subsequently underwent a phase 1 trial, 17 patients with R/R B-ALL and 21 with R/R LBCL received cell infusion. Rate of CRS was 76% (grade≥3, 5%), rate of ICANS was 37% (grade≥3, 10%) and two had laboratory evidence of HLH; all CRS and ICANS resolved. ORR in the LBCL cohort was 62%, half (29%) achieved a CR. Again, the response was short-lived, with median PFS 3.2 months (95%CI, 1.2-5.5). Main cause of resistance/relapse remained antigen loss, but authors also observed that the cells had suboptimal cytokine production against CD22, contributing to CD19-/CD22+ relapse (83). Alternative CD22 scFv and CAR design could potentially improve the efficacy of tandem CD19/22-CAR T (84, 85). Several small single-center clinical trials from China using different CAR constructs in patients with R/R aggressive B-NHL reported seemingly better results (86, 87). Another way to augment CD19/22-CAR T function is through epigenetic modification. Decitabine may enhance CAR-T function and reverse T-cell exhaustion by demethylating silenced genes, and may reverse antigen loss by upregulating antigen expression on lymphoma cells (88, 89). In a retrospective study, adding decitabine to lymphodepletion chemotherapy could improve response rate, DoR and survival in patients receiving CD19/22-CAR T (89).
CD20/CD22
CAR-T targeting both CD20 and CD22 is attractive for CD19-low or negative relapses. Off-the-shelf allogeneic CAR-T may avoid major hurdles in autologous CAR-T, such as T-cell exhaustion and length production time. Based on these premises, Aranda-Orgilles, et al., designed UCART20x22, an allogeneic, dual CD20 and CD22-targeting CAR-T (90). The allogenic T-cells underwent transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) mRNA-mediated CD52 and TRAC gene knockout. CD52-knockout was to allow the addition of alemtuzumab into lymphodepletion, to avoid rejection; TRAC-knockout prevents graft-versus-host disease (91). UCART20x22 is currently being evaluated in NatHaLi-01 (NCT05607420), a phase 1/2 clinical trial for R/R B-NHL. Preliminary results from three treated patients were reported recently. All received DL1. No ICANS or grade ≥ 3 CRS have been observed. At day 28, two achieved CR and one PR (92). NatHaLi-01 has a target sample size of 80 patients and is estimated to complete by November 2027.
Other targets
BAFF and BAFF receptor
B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is crucial for the survival of mature B-cells (93). BAFF has three receptors – BAFFR, TACI, and BCMA – with varying but ubiquitous expression on a variety of B-cell NHLs (94). Due to the importance of BAFF to B-cell survival, antigen escape to BAFF or BAFFR is less likely than CD19 (95). CAR Ts designed against BAFF or BAFFR have both been constructed (95, 96). BAFFR-CAR T demonstrated effective antitumor effect in CD19-negative B-NHL and B-ALL in both in vitro cell line and in vivo xenograft studies (95). Compared with BAFFR-CAR T, BAFF-CAR T may minimize antigen escape more effectively with the ability to bind to three different receptors (96). Currently, BAFFR-CAR T is being tested in B-ALL or LBL (NCT04690595) while BAFF-CAR T is being tested in B-NHL (NCT05312801).
CLL-specific targets - CD23, FCµR, Siglec-6
The treatment paradigm of CLL has shifted dramatically since the development of targeted therapies. However, patients with risk factors such as TP53 mutation, who are refractory to BTKi or BCL2 inhibitors, or those with Richter’s transformation (RT) still have a dismal prognosis. Two issues have hindered the development of CAR-T in CLL. One is the low efficacy of CD19-CAR T in CLL compared with other B-cell malignancies. Different studies reported a CR rate of 20-70% and 18-month PFS of 25% (97). It is suspected that autologous CAR-T suffers from intrinsic T-cell exhaustion, but similar poor response has also been observed in allogeneic CAR-T (98, 99). Other factors may contribute to CLL’s resistance to CAR-T therapy, such as high immune checkpoint protein expression, immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and high level of circulating inhibitory extracellular vesicles (100). The efficacy data of CD19-CAR T in RT remain scarce and conflicting (101). Some patients may even develop RT after CD19-CAR T, indicating the presence of intrinsic resistance mechanisms in RT to CD19-targeted therapy (102). The other issue with CAR-T development is the risk of B-cell aplasia and prolonged immunosuppression from the “on-target, off-tumor” effect of pan-B-cell targeting. Alternative targets to CD19 have been explored to spare the normal B-cell compartment. CD23, IgM Fc receptor (FCµR, other names include TOSO and Fas-inhibitory molecule 3), and Siglec-6 are proposed targets for CLL. CD23 is typically overexpressed in CLL but not in normal B-cells (103). Preclinical studies demonstrated the efficacy of CD23-CAR T in CLL, which could be enhanced by lenalidomide (104). Similar to CD23, FCµR is highly and consistently expressed by CLL cells but only marginally expressed by normal B-cells and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) (105). In preclinical models, FCµR-CAR T could eliminate CLL cells while maintaining the number of healthy B-cells (105). Siglec-6 is a CLL surface antigen that is highly restricted in other tissues (106). Anti-Siglec-6 antibody JML-1 has the strongest CLL surface reactivity among detected antibodies in patients with CLL cured by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) (107). Kovalovsky, et al., constructed Siglec-6-CAR T using JML-1-derived scFv, and showed selective cytotoxicity against CLL cells in in vitro and in vivo xenograft murine models (106). The efficacy and safety of CLL-specific CAR-T need further clarification by clinical trials.
CD32B
CD32B is the predominant Fc receptor on B-cells and is expressed on a variety of B-cell malignancies (108). CD32B contributes to resistance development to targeted antibodies such as rituximab, by accelerating internalization of the antibodies (109). Therefore, CD32B is an attractive target for B-cell lymphoma not only from the abundance and specificity, but also for the potential reversal of CD20-resistance. In preclinical models, CAR-T targeting CD32B had effective cytotoxicity against CLL (110). Unlike CD23-CAR T, CD32B-CAR T may not avoid B-cell aplasia because CD32B expression is not limited to CLL. Of note, a small percentage of CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells also express CD32B, which is a T-cell activation suppressor (111). The implication of CD32B expression by T-cells on CD32B-CAR T is unclear.
CD70
The CD70-CD27 axis is involved in immune evasion and tumor progression. Aberrant co-expression of CD70 and CD27 has been observed in various B and T-NHL, and high CD70 expression but absence of CD27 has been seen in HL (112). Normal hematopoietic stem cells and most blood cells do not express CD70, making it a desirable CAR target (113). Meanwhile, CD70 contributes to T-cell exhaustion, therefore CD70-CAR T with CD70-knockout may have better performance than CD70-wildtype (114). CD70 is one of the targets of the aforementioned 4SCAR2.0 platform being studied in China (NCT05436496). Eight patients with heavily pretreated DLBCL have been treated with dual CD19 and CD70 targeting CAR T, with CR in 6 and ORR in 7 patients, and median PFS 10.5 months (115). One patient with R/R PCNSL enjoyed ongoing complete remission at 17-month post-4SCART19/70 (116). CD70 is also a viable CAR-NK target but requires CD70-knockout to prevent fratricide (117).
CD72
CD72 is a B-cell restricted, highly expressed surface antigen, and is upregulated in B-cell ALL and NHL. Down regulation or loss of CD19 do not impair CD72 expression (118). Different CD72-CAR Ts are undergoing preclinical testing in B-ALL and B-NHL models, showing promising efficacy and no off-target effect (119, 120).
CD79
CD79 is a B-cell restricted cell surface heterodimer (CD79a and CD79b, also known as Igα and Igβ) that participate in the B-cell receptor signaling pathway (121). CD79-targeting is an effective strategy in the treatment of B-NHL, exemplified by an anti-CD79b ADC polatuzumab-vedotin. CARs targeting either CD79a or CD79b are under development. JV213 is a CD79b-CAR T with a novel CD79 monoclonal antibody, a CD8α hinge/transmembrane domain, and an OX40 costimulatory domain. In preclinical testing, JV213 was superior to other CD79b-CAR Ts, and a phase 1 clinical trial using JV213 in R/R B-cell lymphomas was initiated (NCT05773040) (122). In a different group, Jiang, et al., introduced an inducible caspase-9 (iCas9) suicidal gene system into CD79b-CAR T to improve safety targets the B-cell receptor component Igβ to avoid antigen escape (123). The iCas9 CD79b-CAR T is undergoing early phase clinical trial in China (NCT05312476). bbT369 is a CD20 and CD79a dual-targeting CAR T which is current being evaluated a multicenter phase 1/2 clinical trial for R/R B-NHL (CRC-403, NCT05169489). In preclinical testing, bbT369 was more potent than CD19-CAR T and induced longer remission (124). Dual-targeting CAR T against CD19 and either CD79a or CD79b CARs are developed (125, 126). Leung, et al., demonstrated that CD19/79a(b)-CAR T induced longer tumor control than single-antigen targeting CAR T from preventing antigen-loss relapse, and targeting CD79a was more potent than C79b. However, bispecific CAR T with either tandem or bicistronic CAR structures had reduced activity against single-antigen positive cells due to compromised antigen binding and signaling, indicating the need to optimize structural design (126). Low-level aberrant CD79b expression monocytes, hematopoietic progenitor cells and T-cells could theoretically cause untoward hematologic toxicity, which will be elucidated by clinical trials (127).
ROR1
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a cell surface protein overexpressed on various solid and hematological malignancies and minimally expressed on most adult tissues, contributing to cancer stemness (128). To minimize toxicity on hematopoietic stem cells, different switchable CAR-ROR1 have been developed to allow tumor-restricted killing (129, 130). Early phase clinical trials are ongoing to study the efficacy and safety of ROR1-CAR T (ONCT-808) in patients with R/R BCL and/or advanced solid tumors, including those with RT (NCT05694364, NCT05588440) (130, 131). PRGN-3007 is a novel ROR1-CAR T that also includes membrane-bound IL15 for in vivo expansion and persistence, a kill switch for safety, and intrinsic PD-1 blockade to enhance cytotoxicity (132). PRGN-3007 is currently undergoing a phase 1/1b clinical trial for both R/R B-NHL and breast adenocarcinomas (NCT0569434) (130).
Immunoglobulin light chain CAR
Immunoglobulin is a part of the BCR and participates in BCR signaling upon biding to antigen. Normal B-cells have polyclonal surface immunoglobulin but malignant B-cells are monoclonal. Immunoglobulin light chain κ or λ-targeted CAR takes advantage of the light chain restriction of mature B-cell malignancies, and preserves humoral immunity by sparing normal B-cells with the reciprocal light chain (133). Circulating light chain could help improve CAR-T persistence (134). Dotti, et al, are conducting a phase 1 trial (NCT00881920) studying the safety of κ-CAR T in patients with R/R B-NHL/CLL or MM. Preliminary results on 16 treated patients (B-NHL/CLL = 9, MM = 7) demonstrated that κ-CAR T was well-tolerated without attributable toxicity. CR was achieved in two and PR in one in the B-NHL/CLL cohort (135). The group also constructed λ-CAR T, which in preclinical tests demonstrated light-chain restricted cytotoxicity (136).
B-cell maturation antigen
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is not only expressed on multiple myeloma but also on a subset of B-NHL and CLL (137). The manufacture of bispecific CD19/BCMA CAR-T and CAR-NK are both feasible (138, 139). Early phase clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of CD19/BCMA-CAR-T in multiple myeloma (138). The safety and utility of CD19/BCMA-CAR-T in aggressive B-NHL will be studied in a phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06097455).
Tri-specific CAR
CAR-T targeting CD19, CD20, and CD22 could potentially prevent relapse due to antigen loss or down-regulation more effectively. Zhou, et al., designed a tri-specific tandem CAR T that showed stronger cytolytic activity than mono- or bispecific CAR T in preclinical models (140). Schneider, et al., designed a tri-specific CAR T that contained a tandem CD20-CD19 CAR and a second CD22 CAR (141). Costimulatory domain derived from ICOS and OX40 or CD27 was more effective than CD28 or 4-1BB in tri-specific CAR, indicating the importance of optimizing costimulatory domains based on different single-chain variable fragment of the CAR. The tri-specific CAR T with OX40 costimulatory domain has been chosen for a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with R/R B-cell malignancies including NHL and CLL (NCT05418088) (142).
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is characterized by a small percentage of malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells that are of mature B-cell origin, embedded within a highly immunosuppressive, HRS-induced TME (143). Despite recent advances, patients with R/R cHL, especially those with prior exposure to CD30-ADC brentuximab vedotin and checkpoint inhibitors, still have a dismal prognosis. CAR-based therapy is a potential therapeutic option for these patients. The development of CAR in HL has been focused on targeting surface antigens of HRS cells and/or reversal of immune evasion (144). Active clinical trials of novel CAR-based therapy in cHL are listed in Table 2.
Table 2 Active clinical trials of novel CAR therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma.
CD30
CD30 is one of the most extensively studied targets on cHL due to its strong and restricted expression on HRS. CD30 expression is upregulated on activated B- and T-cells (145). CD30 plays an anti-apoptotic and immunosuppressive role in lymphoma and TME, and may trigger chromosome instability and mutations in lymphoma cells (146). The study of CD30-CAR T in cHL began in the late 1990s, but the clinical application has been plagued by suboptimal response rate and duration of response, albeit generally good tolerance Based on pre-clinical data of a CD30-CAR T construct using a mouse-derived anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody as scFv, Ramos, et al., conducted a phase 1 clinical trial enrolling nine patients with heavily pretreated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-, CD30+ lymphoma, including seven with cHL (NCT01316146) (147, 148). Lymphodepletion chemotherapy (LDC) was not given. CD30-CAR T was well tolerated. Two patients with cHL had durable CR, the rest had transient SD. Subsequently, two parallel phase 1/2 studies of CD30-CAR T in patients with R/R CD30+ lymphoma were conducted, enrolling 41 adult patients with heavily pretreated cHL (NCT02690545, NCT02917083) (149). LDC regimens included bendamustine ± fludarabine, and fludarabine/cyclophosphamide. Among evaluable patients, ORR was 72% and CR 59%, 1-year PFS was 41%. Cutaneous and hematological toxicities were notable after CD30-CAR T infusion. No ICANS was seen and all CRS cases were low grade. Bendamustine/fludarabine LDC conferred the lowest rate of CRS and best response, and was selected for an ongoing multicenter phase 2 CHARIOT study evaluating CD30-CAR T in R/R cHL who failed at least 3 prior lines of therapy including chemotherapy, brentuximab-vedotin and PD-1 inhibitor (NCT02259556) (150).
Wang, et al., conducted a phase 1 clinical trial in China using a CD30-CAR T with different anti-CD30 scFv (NCT02259556) for patients with R/R CD30+ lymphoma (151). Eighteen patients were enrolled, including 17 with cHL and 1 with primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). Therapy was well tolerated however none of the patients achieved CR. PR rate was 39% and median PFS was 6 months (range, 3-14 months). Extranodal disease had poor response to CD30-CAR T. Another phase 1 study in China utilized a CD30-CAR T with dual CD28 and 4-1BB costimulatory domains and post-CAR anti-PD-1 consolidation (152). Among 6 patients with R/R cHL, 1 died due from early post-CAR-T pleural hemorrhage, 5 achieved CR, but only 1 enjoyed ongoing remission beyond 3 years, the rest relapsed within 10 weeks to 28 months. Although the sample size was small, it appeared that dual costimulatory domain improved CD30-CAR T persistence but did not lead to increased toxicity.
Major barriers to the success of CD30-CAR T include off-target elimination of other CD30-expressing cells such as other T-cells, inefficient homing to tumor, intrinsic resistance of the tumor cells, and CD30-downregulation (153, 154). Whether soluble CD30 affect CAR function remains controversial (147, 148). A Spanish group developed a CD30-CAR T that targets a proximal epitope of CD30 to avoid interaction with soluble CD30 and enriched the product in memory T-cells. Preliminary results showed a 100% overall response rate and 50% durable CR rate in 10 patients who received therapy (155). To improve homing to lymphoma and persistence of CAR-T, strategies include co-expression of CCR4 or dual costimulatory domain of CD28/4-1BB (156, 157). CCR4-expressing CD30-CAR T is being evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial (NCT03602157) (158). Preliminary data on 8 evaluable patients with cHL demonstrated 100% ORR with CR in 75%. Patient experienced no dose-limiting toxicity and the duration of response was prolonged – at a median follow up of 12.7 months, the median PFS was not reached and one CR was ongoing beyond 2.5 years. To reverse intrinsic immune suppression in HL, post-CD30-CAR T PD-1 blockade has been studied in multiple studies showing improved expansion of CD30-CAR T and duration of response (152, 159, 160). Autologous stem cell transplant may have synergistical effects with CD30-CAR T and could consolidate and prolong the remission post-CD30-CAR T (161).
As previously tested CD30 scFv were derived from murine antibodies, there is a concern of human anti-mouse antibody causing resistance to CD30-CAR T. Fully-humanized CD30-CAR T was developed and tested in a phase 1 clinical trial at the NIH but with disappointing results (162). Among 21 patients treated, 20 had cHL; ORR was 43% and CR only occurred in 1 patient. Median duration of response was 8.9 weeks. The study was stopped early due to prolonged cutaneous and hematological toxicities. It was speculated that high disease burden and poor penetration of CAR-T to lymphoma due to immunosuppressive microenvironment were the main reasons for low efficacy.
Other targets
Several cell surface markers in the cHL TME have been proposed as CAR targets to break the immunosuppressive cycle. CD19+ B-cells are part of the cHL TME and some CD19+ B-cells may be HRS stem cells, making CD19 a putative target for CAR-T in cHL (163). Svoboda, et al., conducted a pilot study using a nonviral messenger RNA-vector transduced CD19-CAR T in patients with R/R cHL (NCT02277522 and NCT02624258) (163). Nonviral vector transduced CAR was only expressed for a few days as opposed to the persistent expression of viral-transduced CAR, potentially reducing the toxicity. The treatment was well tolerated but response was limited and short-lived. Of 4 treated patients, only 1 achieved CR but relapsed within 3 months. cHL positive for both CD19 and CD30 account for about 5% of all cases, making lentiviral-transduced sequential CD19-CAR T and CD30-CAR T is another therapeutic strategy (164). In a case report, one patient with CD19+CD30+ cHL had PR with CD19-CAR T and further response after subsequent CD30-CAR T (164). CD20 expression is more common in cHL, comprising around 20% of all cases and the prevalence is higher in EBV+ cHL (165, 166). Anti-CD20 therapy with rituximab is effective in CD20+ cHL (167). it is plausible that CD20 can become a CAR target for patients with CD20+ cHL.
CD123 is the α-subunit of interleukin-3 receptor and is widely expressed both on HRS and on the tumor-associated macrophages in the TME (168). In a preclinical study by Ruella, et al., CD123-CAR T may target HRS directly and overcome the immunosuppressive TME, killing cHL both in vitro and in vivo, and establish long-term memory (169). Due to expression of CD123 on normal hematopoietic cells and endothelial cells, off-target toxicity such as bone marrow failure is a valid concern for clinical application.
T-cell lymphoma
Development of CAR T-cell therapy in T-cell malignancies have been limited by fratricide, i.e., killing of sibling CAR and normal T-cells, leading to reduced efficacy and profound immune suppression (170). Identification of malignancy-specific T-cell surface antigen, such as C-C motif chemokine receptor 9, may circumvent fratricide (171). Some antigens are shared between B and T-cell lymphomas, such as CD37 and CD38, and no significant fratricide has been seen with CAR-T targeting CD37 or CD38 in preclinical experiments (172). Another hurdle in CAR T development is the risk of contamination by malignant T-cells in autologous products (173). Further, functional T-cells may be absent in patients with advanced T-NHL, leading to poor autologous T-cell quality (174). AlloCAR, on the other hand, may introduce GvHD. T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC)-knockout can prevent GvHD and is often employed in the construction of alloCAR (175). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors dasatinib and ibrutinib may suppress fratricide, enhance anti-tumor activity, and promote expansion (176, 177). Another promising development is CAR-NK which are non-GvHD inducing, off-the-shelf, and can be modified to prevent fratricide (174, 178). Active clinical trials of novel CAR-based therapy in TCL are listed in Table 2.
CD5
CD5 is present on at least 80% of T-cell malignancies, thymocytes, peripheral T-cells, and a small proportion of B-cells. Mamonkin, et al., constructed CD5-CAR T with CD28 costimulatory domain had attractive features in preclinical experiments, namely limited and transient fratricide and preserved immune response to viral antigens, but the cells failed to eliminate malignant T-cells in vivo and animals developed CD5+ relapse (179). CD5-CAR T with 4-1BB costimulatory domain exhibited better antitumor activity but with increased fratricide. To overcome fratricide, Mamonkin et al., designed reversible CAR expression system that could be suppressed with small molecules during in vitro cell culture, and restore CAR expression in vivo after drug withdrawal (180). Based on promising pre-clinical studies, Hill and Mamonkin, et al., conducted a phase 1 clinical trial applying autologous CD5-CAR T with CD28 costimulatory domain to patients with R/R T-cell malignancies (NCT0308190) (181). Among 17 enrolled patients with heavily pretreated TCL, 2 died before cell manufacture and 2 died prior to infusion, 2 received alternative therapy, I failed eligibility, and 1 production failed, rendering a total of 9 patients who received cell infusion. Therapy was well tolerated, with toxicity profile similar to commercial CD19-CAR T. Response was observed in 4 patients, including two CRs that lasted 6.4 and 7.2 months in the absence of consolidative alloHSCT (181). The study highlighted the challenges in timely manufacture of CAR-T in this heavily pre-treated population. Off-the-shelf alloCAR and CAR-NK may be more readily available for patients. Donor-derived CD5-knockout CD5-CAR T has been evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with R/R T-ALL (182). All patients were previously treated with CART7 and had CD7-negative relapse. MRD-negative CR was achieved in all patients but the follow up was limited. Most of the side effects were hematological, but 1 patient developed lethal EBV infection with HLH at 2.7 months post therapy. NK-92 cells transduced with CD5-CAR have demonstrated effective antitumor activity in murine T-ALL/TCL xenograft models (183, 184).
CD7
Autologous and allogeneic CD7-CAR Ts (autoCD7 and alloCD7, respectively) have both been developed. Most of the CD7-CAR T clinical trials have focused on T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma. An off-the-shelf alloCD7 product, WU-CART-007, utilized CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of CD7 and TRAC to minimize fratricide and GvHD (185). WU-CART-007 is undergoing a global phase 1/2 clinical trial in T-ALL/LBL (NCT04984356) (186). Pan, et al., conducted a phase 1 clinical trial in China focusing on T-ALL/LBL with post-alloHSCT relapse (187). T-cells were harvested from original donor (n = 12) or new donor (n = 8). The lentiviral vector had a CD7 binding domain to retain CD7 intracellularly and prevent fratricide. CRS and GvHD were common but mostly low grade. ICANS occurred in 15%, all < grade 3. All patients had grade 3-4 cytopenia likely related to the nature of disease. CR was seen in 90% of patients and 83% of the CR were durable at a median follow up of 6.3 months. New donor-derived CD7-CAR T did not cause higher rate of GvHD due to mixed chimerism. The authors also observed T-cell immune reconstitution from CD7-negative T-cells.
Another phase 1 study from China compared the outcomes of patients with T-cell malignancies, including 8 T-ALL/LBL and 2 PTCL, who received autoCD7 (n = 5) or alloCD7 (n = 5)(NCT04823091) (188). Notable toxicities included CRS in 8 patients, grade 3 CRS in 1, and HLH in 2. No ICANS was observed. Two patients experienced mild GvHD. Majority of patients had significant pancytopenia and/or infection complications. Unfortunately the two patients with PTCL did not respond. AlloCD7 was more readily available and did not require washout between chemotherapy and leukapheresis, benefiting patients with rapidly progressing refractory disease. Compared with autoCD7, alloCD7 was associated with higher response rate, less relapse, and better CAR T persistence (188). For patients with T-ALL/LBL Allogeneic stem cell transplantation post-alloCD7 was shown to be safe, and patients with CD7-positive relapse post-transplant could achieve remission again with alloCD7 re-treatment (186, 189).
Fratricide resistant CD7-CAR T may also be produced through natural selection of minimal CD7 epitope expressing T-cells from bulk T-cells either in vitro or in vivo (177, 190). Dasatinib and ibrutinib can temporarily inhibit fratricide and facilitate ex vivo expansion (177). CD7 is a viable target for CAR-NK and different NK-92-based CD7-CAR NKs have been developed in the lab pending clinical verification (191, 192).
Relapse after CD7-CAR T is usually from antigen escape which may be prevented by dual CD5/CD7 targeting (187, 193). In a preclinical study, Dai, et al., transduced CD5, CD7 or tandem CD5/CD7 scFv to CD5/CD7 knockout T-cells. CD5 and CD7 knockout did not change TCR structure and prevented fratricide. Tandem CD5/CD7 CAR-T had the best in vivo antitumor activity and prolonged the survival of mice bearing xenograft in murine xenograft models (193).
CD2
Costimulatory receptor CD2 is commonly expressed on T- and NK-cell surface and is involved in T-cell development and function (194). CD2 is expressed in about 90% adult peripheral T-cell lymphoma and about 70% in pediatric T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL/LBL) and PTCL, higher than CD7 (40-50%) (195). The development of CAR2 is potentially limited by fratricide, necessitating CD2-knockout in CAR-T. Recently, Angelos et al., tested CD2-knockout autologous CD2-CAR T in preclinical models, showing high antitumor activity even in post-CAR5 relapsed T-ALL xenograft mice (195). Xiang et al., developed a CD2 and TCR alpha subunit knockout allogeneic CAR T against CD2 (UCART2) to minimize fratricide and GvHD. CD2-knockout led to reduced CAR-T function, which could be overcome by coadministration of IL-7. Preclinical study demonstrated that the combination of UCART2 and IL-7 could effectively prolong the survival of xenograft mouse model with T-cell malignancy (196).
CD147
CD147 is highly expressed in several types of solid tumor and T-cell malignancies. Aside from promoting invasion and metastasis, CD147 is indispensable for T-cell differentiation at the thymus level (197). Several CD147-CAR Ts of various designs are undergoing different stages of clinical development in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer (198–200). CD147-CAR T exhibited potent efficacy and absent off-target effect in cell-line and xenograft models (201). An early phase clinical trial (NCT05013372) is being conducted in China to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CD147-CAR T in CD147-positive R/R T-NHL.
T-cell receptor-based therapy
T cell receptor β-chain constant domains 1 and 2 (TRBC1 and TRBC2) expression are mutually exclusive on T-cell surface. TRBC1 is expressed by around 40% of normal T-cells, and the incidence of TRBC1 positivity in T-cell malignancies is similar (202, 203). TRBC-targeting can eliminate the cancer and normal T-cells that express the specific TRBC but spare the other group of normal T-cells, thereby limiting fratricide, and rescuing patients from intolerable immunosuppression (204). An ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT03590574) demonstrated that autologous TRBC1-CAR T was well-tolerated, and at a higher dose could induce response in patients with R/R TRBC1-positive PTCL (203). Initially, duration of response was short, with a lack of circulating CAR T expansion. The manufacturing process was modified to produce a more naïve phenotype, improving the duration of response (205). Another method that may improve TRBC1-CAR T function is to only transduce pre-selecting TRBC1-negative T-cells, to prevent fratricide and contamination of the product by TRBC1-positive malignant cells (202). Updated results from clinical trials are eagerly anticipated to further elucidate the utility of autologous TRBC1-CAR T.
TCR receptor variable region have also been proposed as potential CAR targets. T-cell malignancy typically exhibit TCR variable β-chain (Vβ) clonality, therefore targeting malignancy-specific Vβ may achieve cancer-specific cytotoxicity while sparing other normal T-cells. Vβ-targeting CAR-T and CAR-NK have both been generated, with proof-of-concept preclinical results (174, 206). TCR mutation or down-regulation may confer resistance to TCR-targeting therapy. Some T-NHLs do not have αβ TCR but have γδ TCR, and those would not respond to therapy against TRBC or Vβ.
Other targets
Pan-T antigen CD3 is a target of interest in T-cell malignancies but antibody-based therapies have been unsuccessful (207). Gene-edited T-cells with disrupted CD3 expression can be made into CD3 CAR-T that are resistant to fratricide. CD3 is also an appealing target for CAR-NK as NK-cells do not express CD3. Several pre-clinical studies have demonstrated strong antitumor activity of CD3-targeted, CD3-knockout CAR-T or CAR-NK in preclinical studies (208–210).
CD4 is a ubiquitous marker of mature T-cells. CD4-targeting CAR T with an alemtuzumab safety switch is currently in clinical trial for CD4-positive R/R T-cell NHL and ALL. Preliminary results demonstrated the efficacy and safety of CD4-CAR T (211). CD4 is also a potential CAR-NK target (212).
CD30 is ubiquitously expressed in systemic ALCL and variably expressed in other PTCL (213). Although CD30-CAR T is mainly studied in cHL, several patients with ALCL were enrolled in different trials, with good tolerance, minimal fratricide, and some patients enjoyed durable CR (147, 151, 152). Aside from ALCL, Voorhees, et al., reported durable CR after CD30-CAR T in a patient with heavily pre-treated CD30+ enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (214). Of note, the patient previously received alloHSCT so the CD30-CAR T was of allogeneic origin.
NKG2D-ligand is highly expressed on cancer cells and rarely on healthy tissue. The NKG2D/NKG2D-ligand interaction is important for NK-cell mediated immune surveillance, but contributes to NK-cell exhaustion in cancer (215). T-cells transduced with NKG2D has become an exciting tumor-agnostic treatment for cancer. In NKG2D-ligand deficient tumor, NKG2D-T may also induce tumor-specific immunity by enhancing immune surveillance and modifying TME (216). Preclinical study demonstrated efficacy of NKG2D-T in T-NHL cell lines (216). Currently, several clinical trials are actively testing the efficacy and safety of NKG2D-T in solid tumors and AML/MDS (217).
CCR4 is a chemokine receptor expressed mainly in Tregs. Anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody mogamulizumab has proven efficacy in T-reg-derived malignancies such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and CTCL. Perera, et al., demonstrated preclinical in vitro and in vivo efficacy of CCR4-CAR T in ATLL and other CCR4-positive TCL (218). Contrary to other CAR T, fratricide can improve the quality of CCR4-CAR T by eliminating Treg and type-2 helper T-cells, while sparing cytotoxic CD8+ and type-1 helper T-cells, enhancing antitumor efficacy (219).
Tumor-agnostic CAR
Certain molecules are expressed in different types of lymphoma and can become tumor-agnostic targets for lymphomas sharing the same marker. Besides CD30, which is shared by both cHL and TCL, other molecules of interest include CD37, CD38, and EBV-associated protein.
CD37 is highly expressed on universally all B-NHL and some cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), while absent on hematopoietic stem cells, making it a potentially feasible CAR target (172). Clinical trials utilizing anti-CD37 monoclonal or bispecific antibodies and ADC in R/R B-NHL have been disappointing in general, likely due to the close association between CD20 and CD37 (220). In CD20-down regulated B-NHL, CD37 expression is also decreased, impairing the function of antibody-based therapy. Although CAR T typically requires high antigen expression, CD37 down-regulation do not seem to affect the function of CD37-CAR T (220). Preclinical study demonstrated potent cytotoxicity of CD37-CAR T against various CD37-expressing B- and T-NHL, without T-cell fratricide or detectable toxicity to other immune cells such as NK-cells and monocytes (29, 172). Structural modification, such as dual-costimulatory domain and novel linker design, may further improve CD37-CAR T function (221). A phase 1 clinical trial (NCT04136275) treated four heavily pre-treated patients (2 HGBCL, 1 CTCL, 1 HL) with CD37-CAR T, and achieved prolonged CR in three. However, two patients developed bone marrow failure unexpectedly, likely due to high T-cell dose (222). Bispecific CD19/37-CAR Ts were developed by several independent groups, yet to be tested in clinical trials (172, 223, 224).
CD38 signals multiple immunoregulatory pathways and is expressed by various hematological malignancies including MCL, LPL, Burkitt lymphoma, CTCL and NK/T-cell lymphoma (225–228). Lymphoma cells highly expressing CD38 respond well to CD38-CAR T, and those dimly expressing CD38 could be re-sensitized to CD38-targeted therapy by all-trans retinoic acid or panobinostat (228–230). Single targeting CD38-CAR T and dual targeting tandem CD38/latent membrane protein-1-CAR T all showed promising cytotoxicity against NK/T-cell lymphoma in in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical experiments (178). CD38-CAR NK has also been explored. Due to high CD38 expression on NK-cells, CD38-CAR NK needs simultaneous CD38-knockout to avoid fratricide (229, 231). CD38-CAR NK is effective against various CD38-expressing hematological malignancies in preclinical testing (229, 231).
Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with various solid and hematologic malignancies. It is estimated that about 8% of lymphomas are EBV-positive, with the highest rate in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, close to 50%, followed by about 30-40% in cHL; in immunocompromised hosts, lymphomas are almost universally positive for EBV (232–234). EBV contributes to pathogenesis and generation of immunosuppressive TME, and can be a marker of relapse (233, 235). Latent membrane proteins (LMP1 and LMP2A) are proteins encoded by EBV and participate in oncogenesis (236). A series of clinical trials were conducted using LMP1/2-specific cytotoxicity T-lymphocytes for cHL, demonstrating an ORR around 30-60% (237). CAR-T targeting LMP showed preclinical efficacy in LMP-positive solid and hematological malignancies, such as ENKL (178, 238, 239). Gp350, an abundant EBV envelop glycoprotein, is another potential target to treat EBV lymphoproliferative disease (240).
Other strategies of tumor-agnostic CAR design pertain to improving cell trafficking to tumor and recognition of tumor antigen. For example, tumoral injection of a substance followed by administration of CAR-T specific to the substance can facilitate CAR-T homing (241). This strategy is more applicable to limited number of solitary lesions especially in solid tumor. Such substance could be small molecules that can be inserted into cell membrane by liposomal vector, or CD19 that can be transduced via oncolytic virus (241, 242). Another strategy is to improve T-cell function, to enhance host immunity against malignancy. Lai, et al., designed a CAR-T that secrets dendritic cell growth factor Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) that can recruit host dendritic cells, increase T-cell activation, and induce epitope spreading towards otherwise unexposed tumor antigens (243).
CD16-expressing T-cells replaces the directly antigen-recognizing scFv with the extracellular portion of the Fc gamma receptor CD16, adding NK-cell like function to T-cells. When co-administered with tumor-specific antibody, the CD16-T recognizes the opsonized tumor cells and exerts cytotoxicity via antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (244). When toxicity occurs, treatment can be aborted by withdrawal of antibody (245). While the presence of tumor antigen and respective monoclonal antibody are still required, CD16-T may overcome resistance mechanisms such as NK-cell exhaustion or lack of NK-cell infiltration in the TME (246). ATTCK-20-03 (NCT03189836) is a phase 1 clinical trial evaluated the combination of CD16-T and rituximab for R/R B-NHL (247). Among the 25 subjects treated, 14 (56%) responded, including 10 (40%) CR, with the longest duration of CR 586 days (range, 85-586). Treatment was well tolerated, resulting in no DLT, 1 case of grade 3 neutropenia, and 1 case of grade 2 CRS. ATTCK-20-03 demonstrated that antibody/CD16-T coupling is a feasible approach towards cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Identification of novel tumor antigens opens new therapeutic avenues for B-cell NHL beyond approved CD19-CAR T, and extends the application of CAR-based therapy to HL and TCL. Dual or multi-targeted CAR may lower the risk of antigen escape-mediated relapse. Tumor agnostic CAR may broaden the indication of adoptive cellular therapy across tumors of different cellular origin. Yet, finding new targets is not the only way to improve the feasibility and efficacy of CAR-based therapy. Modification of the non-antigen biding domains on a CAR may improve cell persistence and reduce toxicity (248). Genetic modification outside of the CAR molecule, such as adding Toll-like receptor, IL-18 expression, adding IL-7 and CCL19 expression, or administration of cytokines in vivo, may improve the activity of cells and prolong persistence (249–252). Vaccination combined with viral-specific CAR-T, immune checkpoint modification, pre-selection of memory- and naïve T-cells and elimination of Tregs, may reduce T-cell exhaustion and immunosuppression (63, 253–256). Advanced cell engineering enables the incorporation of inducible CAR expression switches to reduce toxicity (257). New manufacturing platforms reduce the cost and vein-to-vein time, improving the accessibility of CAR-T (258, 259). The rapidly evolving field of CAR-based therapy should hopefully deliver products with better efficacy, tolerability and accessibility, broader indication, and less physical and financial toxicity to patients with lymphoma.
Author contributions
YP: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. NG: Writing – review & editing.
Funding
The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. We thank the Leon Levine Foundation and the Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation.
Conflict of interest
NG has received research funding from Genentech, Pharmacyclics, Bristol Myers Squibb, AbbVie, Morphosys, Gilead/Kite Pharma; served as a consultant/advisor for AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Genentech, Beigene, Janssen, Lilly, Gilead/Kite Pharma, ADC Therapeutics, Novartis, Lava Therapeutics, Incyte.
The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
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Keywords: chimeric antigen receptor, B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, adoptive cellular immunotherapy
Citation: Pang Y and Ghosh N (2024) Novel and multiple targets for chimeric antigen receptor-based therapies in lymphoma. Front. Oncol. 14:1396395. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1396395
Received: 05 March 2024; Accepted: 08 April 2024;
Published: 22 April 2024.
Edited by:
Satoshi Yoshihara, Hyogo Medical University, JapanReviewed by:
Shinichi Makita, National Cancer Center Hospital, JapanCopyright © 2024 Pang and Ghosh. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Yifan Pang, eWlmYW4ucGFuZ0BhdHJpdW1oZWFsdGgub3Jn