EP3419618A1 - Récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et méthodes pour les utiliser - Google Patents

Récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et méthodes pour les utiliser

Info

Publication number
EP3419618A1
EP3419618A1 EP16891868.8A EP16891868A EP3419618A1 EP 3419618 A1 EP3419618 A1 EP 3419618A1 EP 16891868 A EP16891868 A EP 16891868A EP 3419618 A1 EP3419618 A1 EP 3419618A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cells
cell
engineered
chimeric antigen
polypeptide
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16891868.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3419618A4 (fr
Inventor
Yupo Ma
Kevin PINZ
Xun JIANG
Masayuki Wada
Kevin Chen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Icell Gene Therapeutics LLC
Original Assignee
Icell Gene Therapeutics LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/US2016/019953 external-priority patent/WO2016138491A1/fr
Application filed by Icell Gene Therapeutics LLC filed Critical Icell Gene Therapeutics LLC
Publication of EP3419618A1 publication Critical patent/EP3419618A1/fr
Publication of EP3419618A4 publication Critical patent/EP3419618A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
    • C07K14/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily
    • C07K14/7051—T-cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K39/39—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the immunostimulating additives, e.g. chemical adjuvants
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K39/46—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K39/461—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the cell type used
    • A61K39/4611—T-cells, e.g. tumor infiltrating lymphocytes [TIL], lymphokine-activated killer cells [LAK] or regulatory T cells [Treg]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K39/46—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K39/461—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the cell type used
    • A61K39/4613—Natural-killer cells [NK or NK-T]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K39/46—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K39/463—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by recombinant expression
    • A61K39/4631—Chimeric Antigen Receptors [CAR]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K39/46—Cellular immunotherapy
    • A61K39/464—Cellular immunotherapy characterised by the antigen targeted or presented
    • A61K39/4643—Vertebrate antigens
    • A61K39/4644—Cancer antigens
    • A61K39/464402—Receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • A61K39/464429—Molecules with a "CD" designation not provided for elsewhere
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K48/00—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
    • A61K48/005—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy characterised by an aspect of the 'active' part of the composition delivered, i.e. the nucleic acid delivered
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
    • C07K14/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily
    • C07K14/70521—CD28, CD152
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
    • C07K14/70578—NGF-receptor/TNF-receptor superfamily, e.g. CD27, CD30, CD40, CD95
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
    • C07K16/2806—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily against CD2
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
    • C07K16/2809—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily against the T-cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
    • C07K16/2812—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily against CD4
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • C07K16/2896—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against molecules with a "CD"-designation, not provided for elsewhere
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/11—DNA or RNA fragments; Modified forms thereof; Non-coding nucleic acids having a biological activity
    • C12N15/113—Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing
    • C12N15/1138—Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing against receptors or cell surface proteins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K39/46
    • A61K2239/31—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K39/46 characterized by the route of administration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K39/46
    • A61K2239/38—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K39/46 characterised by the dose, timing or administration schedule
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2239/00—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K39/46
    • A61K2239/46—Indexing codes associated with cellular immunotherapy of group A61K39/46 characterised by the cancer treated
    • A61K2239/48—Blood cells, e.g. leukemia or lymphoma
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/60—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by non-natural combinations of immunoglobulin fragments
    • C07K2317/62—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by non-natural combinations of immunoglobulin fragments comprising only variable region components
    • C07K2317/622—Single chain antibody (scFv)
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
    • C07K2319/01—Fusion polypeptide containing a localisation/targetting motif
    • C07K2319/03—Fusion polypeptide containing a localisation/targetting motif containing a transmembrane segment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
    • C07K2319/33—Fusion polypeptide fusions for targeting to specific cell types, e.g. tissue specific targeting, targeting of a bacterial subspecies
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2310/00—Structure or type of the nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/10—Type of nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/20—Type of nucleic acid involving clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats [CRISPRs]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2740/00—Reverse transcribing RNA viruses
    • C12N2740/00011—Details
    • C12N2740/10011—Retroviridae
    • C12N2740/16011—Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV
    • C12N2740/16041—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector
    • C12N2740/16043—Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vector

Definitions

  • T cells a type of lymphocyte, play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They are distinguished from other lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells (NK cells), by the presence of a T-cell receptor (TCR) on the cell surface.
  • T helper cells also called CD4+ T or CD4 T cells, express CD4 glycoprotein on their surface. Helper T cells are activated when exposed to peptide antigens presented by MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class II molecules. Once activated, these cells proliferate rapidly and secrete cytokines that regulate immune response. Cytotoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells or CD8 T cells, express CD8 glycoprotein on the cell surface.
  • the CD8+ T cells are activated when exposed to peptide antigens presented by MHC class I molecules.
  • Memory T cells a subset of T cells, persist long term and respond to their cognate antigen, thus providing the immune system with "memory" against past infections and/or tumor cells.
  • CARs chimeric antigen receptors
  • CD19-specific CAR (CD19CAR) T-cell therapies have had remarkable results including long-term remissions in B-cell malignancies (Kochenderfer, Wilson et al. 2010, Kalos, Levine et al. 2011, Porter, Levine et al. 2011, Davila, Riviere et al. 2013, Grupp, Frey et al. 2013, Grupp, Kalos et al. 2013, Kalos, Vietnamesemuddin et al. 2013, Kochenderfer, Dudley et al. 2013, Kochenderfer, Dudley et al. 2013, Lee, Shah et al. 2013, Park, Riviere et al. 2013, Maude, Frey et al. 2014).
  • CAR therapy in this respect has the potential to further address a great clinical need.
  • CD5 is expressed in more than 80% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).
  • T-ALL T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • One treatment option is to treat patients with anti-CD5 antibodies as T-cell leukemias or T-cell lymphomas expressing the CD5 surface molecule.
  • attempts have met limited success.
  • the present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARS) targeting
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD2 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD3 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD4 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD5 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD7 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD8 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD52 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD2. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD3.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD4.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD5.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD7.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD8.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD52.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered cell expressing any of the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptides described above.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered cell expressing any of the chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotides described above.
  • the disclosure provides a method of producing an engineered cell expressing a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide or polynucleotide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52.
  • the method includes (i) providing peripheral blood cells or cord blood cells; (ii) introducing the
  • the disclosure provides a method of producing an engineered cell expressing a chimeric antigen polypeptide or polynucleotide having an antigen recognition domain selective for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52.
  • the method includes (i) providing placental cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells; (ii) introducing the aforementioned polynucleotide into the cells of step (i); (iii) expanding the cells of step (ii); and (iv) isolating the cells of step (iii) to provide said engineered cell.
  • the disclosure provides a method of conferring anti-leukemia or anti lymphoma immunity to CD4 positive T-cell leukemia or CD4 positive T-cell lymphoma in a patient in need thereof.
  • the method includes (i) administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for immunity to T-cell leukemia or T-cell lymphoma in the patient.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of CD4 positive T-cell leukemia cells or CD4 positive T-cell lymphoma cells.
  • the method includes (i) contacting CD4 positive T-cell leukemia cells or CD4 positive T-cell lymphoma cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for CD4 positive T-cell leukemia cells or CD4 positive T-cell lymphoma cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having a CD2 antigen.
  • the method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD2 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD3.
  • the method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD3 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD4. The method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD5.
  • the method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD5 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD7.
  • the method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD7 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having a CD8 antigen.
  • the method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD8 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD52.
  • the method includes (i) contacting said
  • immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD52 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells.
  • the disclosure provides a method of treating a cell proliferative disease.
  • the method includes (i) administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain.
  • the disclosure provides a method of treating an autoimmune disease.
  • the method includes (i) administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain.
  • the disclosure provides engineered cells expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain for use in the treatment of a cell proliferative disease.
  • the use includes administering said engineered cells to a patient in need thereof.
  • CARs typically include at least one of intracellular signaling, hinge and/or transmembrane domains.
  • First-generation CARs include CD3z as an intracellular signaling domain
  • second-generation CARs include a single co-stimulatory domain derived from, for example, without limitation, CD28 or 4- IBB.
  • Third generation CARs include two co- stimulatory domains, such as, without limitation, CD28, 4-lBB (also known CD137) and OX-40, and any other co- stimulatory molecules.
  • CAR having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain is part of an expression cassette.
  • the expressing gene or the cassette may include an accessory gene or a tag or a part thereof.
  • the accessory gene may be an inducible suicide gene or a part thereof, including, but not limited to, caspase 9 gene.
  • the "suicide gene” ablation approach improves safety of the gene therapy and kills cells only when activated by a specific compound or a molecule.
  • the epitope tag is a c-myc tag, streptavidin-binding peptide (SBP), truncated EGFR gene (EGFRt) or a part or a combination thereof.
  • FIGS 1A-1C CD4CAR expression.
  • (1A) Schematic representation of recombinant lentiviral vectors encoding CD4CAR.
  • CD4CAR expression is driven by a SFFV (spleen focus- forming virus) promoter.
  • SFFV single focus- forming virus
  • the third generation of CD4 CAR contains a leader sequence, the anti- CD4scFv, a hinge domain (H), a transmembrane domain (TM) and intracellular signaling domains as follows: CD28, 4-lBB (both co-stimulators), and CD3 zeta.
  • FIGS 2A-2D Production of CD4CAR T cells.
  • (2B), CB buffy coat cells were activated 2 days with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2.
  • Cells were transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant. After 7 days of incubation, cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with goat anti-mouse Fab2 or goat IgG antibodies conjugated with biotin and followed by streptavidin-PE. Non-transduced, labeled CB cells are shown on the left.
  • (2C) CD4CAR T cells deplete the CD4+ population during T cell expansion.
  • CB buffy coat cells were activated for 2 days with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2.
  • CD4CAR T cells eliminate T-cell leukemic cells in co-culture assays.
  • (3A) CD4CAR T cells eliminate KARPAS 299 T-cell leukemic cells in co-culture.
  • Activated human CB buffy coat cells transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant were incubated with KARPAS 299 cells at a ratio of 2: 1.
  • APC mouse- anti-human CD4
  • PerCp PerCp
  • CD4CAR T cells eliminate primary T- cell leukemic cells in co-culture.
  • Activated human CB buffy coat cells transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant were incubated with primary T-cell leukemia cells from Sezary syndrome (3B) and PTCLs (3C) at a ratio of 2: 1.
  • CD4CAR T cells were unable to lyse CD4-negative lymphoma cells (SP53, a B-cell lymphoma cell line).
  • SP53 a B-cell lymphoma cell line.
  • Activated human CB buffy coat cells transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant were incubated with SP53 mantle cell lymphoma cells which were pre- stained with the membrane dye CMTMR, at a ratio of 2: 1.
  • CMTMR membrane dye
  • CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs are highly enriched for CD8+ T and specifically kill CD4-expressing leukemic cell lines.
  • 4A CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs are highly enriched for CD8+ T cells.
  • PMBC buffy coat cells constituting T cells, CD8+ and CD4+ (left) were activated for 2 days with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2, then transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant. After 3 days of culture, cells were labeled and analyzed by flow cytometry for T cell subsets. Non-transduced PMBCs were also labeled (left).
  • CD4CAR T cells specifically kill KARPAS 299 cells.
  • PMBC T cells transduced with either GFP control or CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant were incubated with CFSE-stained KARPAS 299 at the ratios of 2: 1, 5: 1 and 10: 1, respectively. After overnight incubation at 37°C, dye 7AAD was added, and the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • Percent killing of target cells is measured by comparing survival of target cells relative to the survival of negative control cells (SP53 cells, a B-cell lymphoma cell line stained with CMTMR).
  • FIGS. 5A-5D CD4CAR T cells efficiently mediate anti-leukemic effects in vivo with different modes.
  • 5A a low dose of 2xl0 6 of CD4CAR T cells was injected on day 3 followed by a large dose, 8xl0 6 , of CD4CAR T cells on day 22 after upon observed acceleration of tumor growth.
  • 5B two large doses of CD4CAR T cells, 8 xlO 6 and 5.5 xlO 6 were injected on day 3 and 10 respectively.
  • 5C a repeat low dose (2.5 xlO 6 ) of CD4CAR T cells was injected every 5 days for a total of four
  • CD4CAR is expressed on the surface in HEK-293 cells.
  • HEK-293 cells were transduced for 6 hours with CD4CAR or GFP control viral supernatant. Following a 3 day incubation, cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • Figure 7. Comparison of cell growth between activated PMBC buffy coat cells transduced with lenti-GFP and CD4CAR viruses. The activated PMBC buffy coat cells were transduced with either GFP control or CD4-CAR lentiviral supernatant on Day 0. Cells were washed on Day 1, and media was added on days 3 and 5.
  • FIGS 8A-8C CD4CAR construct.
  • 8A Schematic representation of lentiviral vector encoding third generation CD4CAR, driven by spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) promoter. The construct contains a leader sequence, anti-CD4 scFv, hinge domain (H), transmembrane (TM) and signaling domains CD28, 4- IBB, and CD3 zeta.
  • 8B HEK293FT cells were transfected with GFP vector control (lane 1) and CD4CAR (lane 2) lentiviral plasmids. Forty- eight hours after transfection, cells were removed and subsequently used for Western blot analysis with mouse anti-human CD3z antibody.
  • 8C Illustration of third-generation CAR NK cells targeting CD4 expressing cells.
  • FIG. 9 CD4CAR NK cell production.
  • A upper panel
  • IOC Bar graph summarizing co-culture assay results for both 2: 1 and 5: 1 E:T ratios.
  • FIG. 11 Co-culture specificity and dose response killing curve.
  • CD4CAR NK cells lyse CD4-expressing leukemic cell lines in a dose dependent and specific manner.
  • CD4CAR NK and vector control cells were incubated with an equal ratio of CFSE-stained "on-target” (Karpas 299 or CCRF-CEM) cells and CMTMR-stained "off target” MOLT4 cells at 1:4, 1:2, and 1: 1 effector to target ratios. After 24 hours, 7-AAD dye was added and remaining live cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent killing of target cells was measured by comparing CD4 + Karpas 299 or CCRF-CEM cell survival in CD4CAR NK cell co-cultures relative to that in vector control NK cell co-cultures.
  • CD4CAR NK cells eliminate CD4 + T-cells isolated from human cord blood at an effector to target ratio of 2: 1, but do not affect hematopoietic stem cell/progenitor compartment output.
  • CD4CAR NK cells were incubated at co-culture effectontarget ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1 respectively with 500 CD34+ cord blood cells for 24 hours in NK cell media supplemented with IL-2.
  • Experimental controls used were CD34+ cells alone, and non-transduced NK cells were co-cultured at respective 2: 1 and 5: 1 effectontarget ratios with CD34+ CB cells.
  • Hematopoietic compartment output was assessed via formation of erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and number of granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units (CFU- GM) at Day 16.
  • CFU statistical analysis was performed via 2-way ANOVA with alpha set at 0.05.
  • FIGS 13A-13D CD4CAR NK cells demonstrate anti-leukemic effects in vivo.
  • NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and intradermally injected with luciferase-expressing Karpas 299 cells (Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD4CAR NK cells or vector control NK control cells.
  • 13A On days 7, 14, and 21, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging.
  • 13B Average light intensity measured for the CD4CAR NK injected mice was compared to that of vector control NK injected mice.
  • 13C On day 1, and every other day after, tumor size area was measured and the average tumor size between the two groups was compared.
  • 13D Percent survival of mice was measured and compared between the two groups.
  • CD4 CAR NK cells ablate CD4 positive leukemia and lymphoma cells in co- culture assays. All co-culture assays shown were performed at an effector to target ratio of 5: 1 for 24 hours, after which, cells were stained with mouse anti-human CD56 and CD4 antibodies. Each assay consists of NK cells transduced with either vector control (center) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant and incubated with target cells, as well as target cells incubated alone as a control (left).
  • CD4CAR NK cells eliminated Karpas 299 leukemic T-cells (14A), HL-60 T-cells (14B), and CCRF-CEM cells (14C).
  • CD4CAR NK cells eliminated primary T-cell leukemia cells from patients with CD4 expressing T-cell leukemia/ Sezary syndrome (14E) and CD4 expressing pediatric T-cell ALL (14F).
  • NK cells were transduced with either vector control or CDCAR lentiviral supernatant, or cultured for non-transduced control. After 7 days of incubation, cells were harvested and analyzed by flow cytometry with Biotin-labeled goat anti-mouse F(Ab')2 followed by streptavidin-PE. NK cells were >85% CD4CAR + after sorting.
  • FIGS 16A-16C CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse CD4 " , CD5 + MOLT4 negative control.
  • 16A MOLT4 cell immunophenotype was confirmed to be almost all CD4 " and CD5 + .
  • 16B CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse MOLT4 cells at a 5: 1 effector to target ratio at Oh, 4h, 8h, and 24h (lower panel) as assessed by comparison to vector control NK cell tumorlysis (upper panel).
  • FIGS 17A-17D Generation of CD5CAR.
  • 17 A and 17B The DNA gene construct and the translated protein construct for CD5CAR, and anchored CD5 scFv antibody and a cartoon demonstrating the creation and function of CD5CAR.
  • the DNA construct of the anchored CD5 scFv antibody is the same as the CD5CAR construct without the intracellular signaling domains, as is the translated protein product for anchored CD5 scFv antibody.
  • the translated protein constructs contain the anti-CD5 ScFv that will bind to the CD5 target, the hinge region that allows for appropriate positioning of the anti-CD5 ScFv to allow for optimal binding position, and the trans-membrane region.
  • the complete CD5CAR protein also contains the two co- stimulatory domains and an intracellular domain of CD3 zeta chain. This construct is considered as a 3rd generation CAR: CD28, 4-1BB, and CD3 ⁇ .
  • (17C) Western blot analysis demonstrates the CD5CAR expression in HEK293 cells.
  • HEK293 cells which had been transduced with GFP (as negative control) or CD5CAR lentiviruses for 48 h were used for Western blot analysis using CD3 ⁇ antibody to determine the expression of CD5CAR.
  • Left lane the GFP control HEK293 cells, with no band as expected.
  • the right lane showing a band at about 50kDa, the molecular weight that we expected based on the CD5CAR construct.
  • (17D) Flow cytometry analysis for CD5CAR expression on T cells surface for lentiviral transduced CD5CAR T cells. This analysis was performed on the double transduced CD5CAR T cells at day 8 after the second lentiviral transduction.
  • FIGS 18A-18C Study Schema of the transduction of CD5CAR T-cells.
  • FIGS 19A-19B Downregulation of CD5 expression on T-cells after lentiviral transduction of anchored CD5 scFv antibody after 7 days.
  • CD5CAR cells effectively lyse T -ALL cell lines that express CD5, and do not lyse a T leukemic cell line that does not express CD5.
  • (20A) Flow cytometry analysis of T-ALL cell lines alone (left column), in co-culture with GFP vector transduced T-cells (middle row) and in co-culture with CD5CAR transduced T-cells (right row). Each cell line is seen in each row, The CD5+ T-ALL cell lines in the top and middle rows (CCRF-CEM and Molt-4) with the CD5 negative cell line seen as the bottom row (KARPAS 299). KAEPAS 299 is a CD5 negative T cell lymphoma.
  • FIGS 21A-21D CD5CAR cells effectively lyse T- cell acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells from patient samples that express CD5.
  • 21A Flow cytometry analysis of T-ALL cells alone (left column), in co-culture with GFP T-cells (middle row) and in co-culture with
  • CD5CAR T-cells (right row). Each patient cells are given a row, and are numbered to maintain patient confidentiality. The incubation time for all co-cultures was 24hrs, with an effectontarget cell ratio of 5: 1. The cell lysis compared to GFP control was over 71.3% for the T-ALL -1 compared to control. The rest of the cell lines demonstrated positive cell lysis as well, but to a lesser degree, between 33-47%. This may be related to the CD5 expression for each leukemic sample, which is discussed below. (21B) This bar graph denotes the T cell lysis achieved by the CD5CAR T-cells when compared to the GFP T-cell co-culture described in Figure 21A. All experiments were done in duplicate.
  • (21C) Flow cytometry analysis data demonstrating CD3 and CD5 expression levels for patient T cell ALL samples analyzed in figure 21 A. We observe a different CD5 positivity for T-ALL 1 and T-ALL 3.
  • (21D) Flow cytometry analysis of the levels of CD5 expression on a panel of four patient sample T-ALL cell populations. The difference of mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) was determined by flow cytometry analysis (Fig. 21C).
  • FIG. 22 Analysis of CD5CAR T-cell killing ability for patient T-ALL cells (T-ALL-8) in details. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrating CD5CAR T-cell killing ability for patient's T- ALL cells. The control GFP-T cell and T-ALL-8 cell co-culture are seen on the left, and the CD5CAR co-culture with T-ALL 8 is seen on the right.
  • CD5CAR T cells When compared to GFP control, CD5CAR T cells lyse at minimum 93.1% of CD5 positive T-ALL-8 cells when compared to GFP control. Experiment was done in duplicate. In addition, CD5CAR T cells essentially eliminate the T cell population (CD5+CD34-, circled in green).
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively eliminate normal GFP labeled T cells.
  • 23 A CD5CAR T cells kill normal T cells in a dose dependent manner. CD5CAR T cells or CD123CAR T cells (control) were co-cultured with GFP labeled T cells at 0.25: 1, 0.5: 1 and 1: 1 effector to target ratios. After 24 hours, remaining live GFP T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent killing of target cells was measured by comparing GFP T cell survival in CD5 co-cultures relative to that in control CD123CAR T cells as T cells do not express CD 123.
  • 23B Co-culture killing curve based on the data from 23A.
  • FIGS. 24A-24B T cells maintained CD5 expression when they were co-cultured with CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv T cells.
  • 24A Steps for generation of CD5CAR T cells or anchored CD5 scFv T cells and CD 123 CAR T cells (control).
  • 24B CD5 expression levels on different CAR transduced T-cells (Day 3 after 2 nd transduction). Activated T cells were transduced with lentiviruses expressing CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv and CD123CAR. After 3 day transduction, CD5 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • FIGS 25A-25E Co-culture assays were performed to determine if normal T cells maintained CD5 expression when they were co-cultured with CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv T cells or CD123CAR (control) for 2 days ( Figures 25A and 25B) or 4 days ( Figures 25C and 25D) at a ratio of 1: 1.
  • CD5CAR T cells or anchored CD5 scFv T cells or CD123CAR T (control) cells were incubated with GFP labeled T cells and the co-cultured GFP labeled T cells were then analyzed for CD5 expression and live cells by flow cytometry.
  • CD5CAR- or anchored CD5 scFv transduced CCRF-CEM or Molt-4 T ALL cells showed downregulation of CD5 expression.
  • CCRF-CEM or Molt-4 T ALL cells were transduced with lentiviruses expressing CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv. After the second transduction, the transduced leukemic cells were analyzed for CD5 expression by flow cytometry.
  • FIGS 26A-26D CD5CAR T cells demonstrate profound anti-leukemic effects in vivo.
  • NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and, after 24 hours, intravenously injected with 1 x 10 6 luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM cells (Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD5CAR T cells or vector control T cells. These injections were repeated on Days 6 and 7, for a total of 2.0 x 10 cells per mouse.
  • 26A On days 5, 8, 10 and 13, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging.
  • mice Average light intensity measured for the CD5CAR T injected mice was compared to that of vector control T injected mice.
  • 26C Percentage of tumor cells killed in mice treated with CD5CAR T cells relative to control.
  • 26D Peripheral blood was drawn from mice on Day 15 and percentages of leukemic cells were determined and compared to that of vector control or normal injected mice.
  • FIGS 27A-27C The CD5 CAR NK cells (NK-92) effectively eliminate CCRF-CEM T- ALL cell line in vitro.
  • C CD5CAR NK cells eliminate CCRF-CEM cells in a dose-dependent manner. T- lymphoblast cell line, CCRF-CEM expressing CD5 was co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effectontarget) cell ratios with the lower bound of the E:T ratio reduced.
  • FIGS 28A-28B CD5CAR NK cells effectively lyse two CD5+T-ALL lines, MOLT-4 and Jurkat.
  • Figures 29A-29E CD5CAR NK cells effectively lyse two CD5+T-ALL lines, MOLT-4 and Jurkat.
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate aggressive CD5+ T-ALL cells using human samples.
  • T-ALL cells from patient, T-ALL #1 were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effector: target) cell ratios for 24 hours.
  • T-ALL cells from patient, T-ALL #2 were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effectontarget) cell ratios for 24 hours.
  • Target populations were gated and quantified with flow cytometry using cell cytotracker dye (CMTMR) to screen T-ALL patient samples. Data represents the average statistics for duplicate samples.
  • Target CD5+CD34+ cell populations were gated against an isotype control.
  • CD5CAR NK shows almost complete lysis of the highly expressing CD5+ target population with activity against the low CD5+CD34+ potential tumor stem cell population. Saturation is achieved at a ratio of 2: 1, signifying a need for dilution of E:T ratios.
  • effector: target cell ratios for 24 hours.
  • CD5NK-CAR specifically eliminates umbilical cord blood T-cells.
  • T cells are isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB) T-cells and co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effectontarget) cell ratios for 24 hours.
  • Target populations were quantified with flow cytometry using CD56 and CD5 to separate the NK-CAR and T-cell population respectively.
  • Cell survival is expressed relative to transduced vector control NK cells and each bar graph represents the average statistics for duplicate samples.
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate CD5+ mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
  • CD5CAR NK cells were co-cultured with Jeko cells (Fig. 31 A) and leukemic cells from patients with mantle cell lymphoma ( Figures 3 IB and 31C) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( Figure 3 ID).
  • Mantle cell line lymphoma derived cell line JeKo expressing a major subset of CD5 was co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effector: target) cell ratios for 6 hours.
  • E:T effector: target
  • CD5CAR NK cells specifically targets the CD5+CD19+ leukemia population and the CD5+CD19- T-cell population. Cell survival is expressed relative to transduced vector control NK cells and each bar graph represents the average statistics for duplicate samples.
  • Figure 32 Bars graph summarizing the CD5CAR NK cell co-cultures studies.
  • FIGS 33A-33B CD5CAR NK cells demonstrate potent anti-leukemic effects in vivo.
  • NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and, after 24 hours, intravenously injected with 1 x 10 6 luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM cells (Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD5CAR NK cells or vector control NK cells. These injections were repeated on Days 6 and 7, for a total of 2.0 x 10 cells per mouse.
  • A on day 5, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging.
  • B Percentage of tumor cells killed in mice treated with CD5CAR NK cells relative to control.
  • FIGS 34A-34B Organization of CD3CAR and its expression.
  • 34A Schematic representation of the organization of CD3CAR in lentiviral vectors. CAR expression is driven by a SFFV (spleen focus-forming virus) promoter and as a 3 generation construct, contains a leader sequence, the anti-CD3scFv, a hinge domain (H), a transmembrane domain (TM), two co- stimulatory domains of CD28 and 4-BB and the intracellular signaling domain of CD3 zeta.
  • SFFV single focus-forming virus
  • HEK-293FT cells were transduced with lentiviral plasmids for GFP (lane 1) and CD3CAR (lane 2) for Western blot analysis at 48h post transduction and probed with mouse anti-human CD3zeta antibody.
  • FIGS 35A-35B CD3CAR NK cells eliminate CD3-expressing T-ALL cell lines in vitro.
  • 35A T-lymphoblast cell line Jurkat expressing approximately 80% CD3 was co-cultured with CD3CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effectontarget) cell ratios for 6 hours.
  • 35B Sorted (CCRF-CD3) or unsorted CCRF-CEM (CCRF-CEM) cells were co-cultured with CD3CAR NK cells for 24 hours.
  • Target populations were quantified with flow cytometry using CD56 and CD3 to separate the NK-CAR and target cell population respectively.
  • FIGS 36A-36B The CD3CAR NK cells display robust killing ability for primary CD3+ leukemic cells from patient samples.
  • SPT-1 Sudary syndrome patient cells were CD3 positive and were co-cultured with CD3CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effectontarget) cell ratios for 24 hours. Target populations were quantified with flow cytometry using CD56 and CD3 to separate the NK-CAR and target cell population respectively. While SPT-1 is a heterogenous cell population, the broad CD3+ expressing population is eliminated by the
  • CD3NK-CAR (36B), PT4 (unclassified PTCLs) patient cells were CD3+CD7-, and were co- cultured with CD3CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effectontarget) cell ratios for 24 hours. Target populations were gated and quantified as seen in figure. PT4 leukemia cells are typed CD3+CD7- and are effectively eliminated by the CD3CAR NK cells.
  • the broad CD3+CD3+CD7- CD3+CD7-
  • CD3CAR NK cells are also affected by the CD3CAR NK cells.
  • CD3CAR NK cells are able to lyse normal T cells as expected. Normal T cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and transduced with lentiviruses expressing GFP. The transduced GFP T cells were used to co-culture with CD3CAR NK cells. Co-culture conditions were carried out in NK cell media with 2.5% serum. Co-cultures were incubated for 24 hours and labeled for flow cytometry analysis. The ability of CD3CAR NK cells to lyse target T cells was evaluated by comparing the amount of residual CD3+ GFP T-cells after co-culture. Importantly, with an increased incubation period, target CD3+ GFP T-cells were shown to be lysed with over 80% efficiency at a dosage of 5: 1 effector to target cell ratio.
  • FIGS 38A-38C CD3CAR NK cells demonstrate profound anti-leukemic effects in vivo.
  • 38A NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and, after 24 hours, intravenously injected with 1 x 10 6 luciferase-expressing Jurkat cells (Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation. On day 3 and 4 mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD3CAR NK cells or vector control NK cells each day. These injections were repeated on Days 6 and 7, and again on Day 10, for a total of 2.5 x 10' cells per mouse.
  • 38A On days 4, 7, 9, and 13, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging.
  • 38B Average light intensity measured for the CD3CAR NK injected mice was compared to that of vector control NK cell injected mice.
  • C Percentage of tumor cells killed in mice treated with CD3CAR NK cells relative to control.
  • Figure 39 Steps for generation of CAR T or NK cell targeting T-cell lymphomas or T- cell leukemias.
  • Figure 40 Three pairs of sgRNA per gene are designed with CHOPCHOP to target CD2, CD3, CD5 and CD7. Three pairs of sgRNA were designed with CHOPCHOP to target the gene of interest. Gene-specific sgRNAs were then cloned into the lentiviral vector (Lenti U6-sgRNA- SFFV-Cas9-puro-wpre) expressing a human Cas9 and puromycin resistance genes linked with an E2A self-cleaving linker. The U6-sgRNA cassette is in front of the Cas9 element. The expression of sgRNA and Cas9puro is driven by the U6 promoter and SFFV promoter, respectively.
  • lentiviral vector Lienti U6-sgRNA- SFFV-Cas9-puro-wpre
  • FIGS 41A-41D Generation of stable CD5-deficient CCRF-CEM and MOLT-4 T cells using CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus system.
  • 41 A Flow cytometry analysis demonstrating the loss of CD5 expression in CCRF-CEM T-cells with CRISPR/Cas9 KD using two different sgRNAs, Lenti-U6-sgCD5a-SFFV-Cas9puro (sgCD5A) and Lenti-U6-sgCD5b-SFFV-Cas9puro
  • Figures 42A-42D Generation and cell sorting of stable CD7 loss in CCRF-CEM cells or NK-92 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus system.
  • the percentage of CD7 loss in CCRF-CEM (Fig. 42A and B) or NK-92( Figures 42C and 42D) using sgCD7A (Lenti-U6-sgCD7a-SFFV- Cas9-puro) and sgCD7B (Lenti-U6-sgCD7b-SFFV-Cas9-puro) was determined by flow cytometric analysis with CD45 and CD7 antibodies after puromycin treatment.
  • the values of insert in figures showed percentage of positive and negative expressing CD45 or CD7 among analysis.
  • FIGS 43A-43B CD7CAR NK 7" -92 cells effectively lyse T cell ALL cell line T cells that express CD7.To avoid self-killing, CD7 deficient NK-92 (NK " -92) cells were generated and transduced with CD7CAR. Two transduced preparations of CD7CAR NK 7" -92 cells, #A and #B were used to test their killing ability.
  • 43 A Flow cytometry analysis of CCRF-CEM cells alone (left column), in co-culture with GFP NK " -92 cells (middle column), and in co-culture with CD7CAR-NK-92-cells, #A and B# (right columns).
  • CD3 multimeric protein complex includes a protein complex and is composed of four distinct chains as described the figure above.
  • the complex includes a CD35 chain, a CD3y chain, and two CD3e chains. These chains associate with the T-ceil. receptor (TCR) composing of ⁇ chains.
  • TCR T-ceil. receptor
  • FIG 45 Expression of CD4CAR T cells.
  • PMBC buffy coat T cells were activated 3 days with anti-CD3 antibody.
  • Cells were transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant. After 3 days of incubation, cells were harvested and incubated with goat anti-mouse F(Ab') or goat IgG antibodies conjugated with biotin (1:250, Jackson
  • FIGS 46A-46D T cells expressing CD4CAR specifically kill CD4 expressing AML tumor cell lines.
  • Activated PMBC T cells transduced with either GFP control or CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant were incubated with CMTMR-stained THP-1, U937, MOLM13 and TALL104 cell lines at the ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1, effectontarget cells.
  • samples were washed and stained with anti-human CD4-APC and CD3-PerCp (both Tonbo). After 30 minutes incubation, cells were washed and suspended in 2% formalin, and analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • FIGS 47A-47C T cells expressing CD4CAR specifically kill AML patient tumor cells.
  • Activated PMBC T cells transduced with either GFP control or CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant were incubated with primary buffy coat cells from three different AML patients, pre-stained with CMTMR (Thermo Fisher) at the ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1, effectontarget cells. After 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, samples were washed and stained with anti-human CD4-APC and CD3- PerCp. After 30 minutes incubation, cells were washed and suspended in 2% formalin, and analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • CMTMR Thermo Fisher
  • PT3 AML23
  • CD4CAR T cells lyse CD4+ MOLM13 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
  • CD4CAR T cells were cocultured with MOLM13 cells pre-labeled with CMTMR in ratios of 0.25: 1, 0.5: 1, 1 : 1, 2: 1, and 5: 1, effectontarget cells. After 24 hours co-culture, cells were harvested and stained with mouse-anti-human CD3-PerCp and CD4-APC antibodies for 30 minutes. Cells were washed and suspended in 2% formalin, and analyzed by flow cytometry. ( -2)
  • FIGS. 49A-49D CD4CAR T cells demonstrate anti-leukemic effects in a xenographic mouse model.
  • NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and intravenously injected with 1.0 x 10 6 luciferase-expressing MOLM13 cells (Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation. Starting 3 days after injection of tumor cells, mice were intravenously injected with a course of 10 x 10 6 CD4CAR T cells or vector control T cells.
  • 49A On days 3, 6, 11, and 15, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging.
  • 49B Average light intensity measured for the CD4CAR T injected mice was compared to that of vector control T cell injected mice.
  • CD4CAR mice and between 20-25 days for control T-cell mice.
  • Figures 50A-50C NK-92 cells expressing CD4CAR specifically kill CD4 expressing AML tumor cell lines. Sorted NK-92 cells transduced with either GFP control or CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant were incubated with CMTMR- stained MOLM13 (50 A) THP-1 (50B),and U937 (50C), cell lines at the ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1, effectontarget cells. After 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, samples were washed and stained with anti-human CD4-APC (Tonbo). After 30 minutes incubation, cells were washed and suspended in 2% formalin, and analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • MOLM13 50 A
  • THP-1 50B
  • 50C U937
  • (50C) Co-culture of U937 cells with control (left) and CD4CAR NK cells (center). U937 cells labeled alone are shown on the upper right. Percent killing of target cells (lower right) is measured by comparing survival of target cells in CAR NK cocultures relative to the survival of target cells in GFP control cocultures. (N 2)
  • NK-92 cells expressing CD4CAR specifically kill AML patient tumor cells.
  • NK-92 cells transduced with either GFP control or CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant were incubated with primary buffy coat cells from an acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5) patient (PTl) pre-stained with CMTMR (Thermo Fisher) at the ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1, effectontarget cells.
  • AML-M5 acute monocytic leukemia
  • PTl patient
  • CMTMR Thermo Fisher
  • FIGS 52A-52C CD4CAR NK cells demonstrate anti-leukemic effects in vivo.
  • NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and intravenously injected with 1.0 x 10 6 luciferase-expressing MOLM13 cells (Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation. Starting 3 days after injection of tumor cells, mice were intravenously injected with a course of 10 x 10 6 CD4CAR NK cells or vector control NK cells.
  • mice On days 2, 6, and 8, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging.
  • CD2CAR NK cells eliminate T-cell leukemic cells in co-culture assays.
  • CD2CAR NK cells eliminate leukemic cells from T-ALL patient' s cells in co-culture.
  • APC mouse- anti-human CD2
  • NK-92 cells transduced with either GFP (top) or CD2CAR (bottom) lentiviral supernatant were incubated with CCRF cells at a ratio of 5: 1 (1 for 100,000 cells).
  • CCRF cells were pre-stained with cell tracker dye (CMTMR).
  • CTMR cell tracker dye
  • APC mouse-anti-human CD2
  • the disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) compositions, methods and making thereof, and methods of using the CAR compositions.
  • CAR chimeric antigen receptor
  • the disclosure provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)
  • polypeptide having a signal peptide, an antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a
  • transmembrane domain at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
  • a protein or peptide must contain at least two amino acids, and no limitation is placed on the maximum number of amino acids that can include a protein's or peptide's sequence.
  • Polypeptides include any peptide or protein having two or more amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds.
  • the term refers to both short chains, which also commonly are referred to in the art as peptides, oligopeptides, and oligomers, for example, and to longer chains, which generally are referred to in the art as proteins, of which there are many types.
  • Polypeptides include, for example, biologically active fragments, substantially homologous polypeptides, oligopeptides, homodimers, heterodimers, variants of polypeptides, modified polypeptides, derivatives, analogs, fusion proteins, among others.
  • the polypeptides include natural peptides, recombinant peptides, synthetic peptides, or a combination thereof.
  • a “signal peptide” includes a peptide sequence that directs the transport and localization of the peptide and any attached polypeptide within a cell, e.g. to a certain cell organelle (such as the endoplasmic reticulum) and/or the cell surface.
  • the signal peptide is a peptide of any secreted or transmembrane protein that directs the transport of the polypeptide of the disclosure to the cell membrane and cell surface, and provides correct localization of the polypeptide of the present disclosure.
  • the signal peptide of the present disclosure directs the polypeptide of the present disclosure to the cellular membrane, wherein the extracellular portion of the polypeptide is displayed on the cell surface, the transmembrane portion spans the plasma membrane, and the active domain is in the cytoplasmic portion, or interior of the cell.
  • the signal peptide is cleaved after passage through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), i.e. is a cleavable signal peptide.
  • the signal peptide is human protein of type I, II, III, or IV.
  • the signal peptide includes an immunoglobulin heavy chain signal peptide.
  • the "antigen recognition domain" includes a polypeptide that is selective for an antigen, receptor, peptide ligand, or protein ligand of the target; or a polypeptide of the target.
  • the target specific antigen recognition domain preferably includes an antigen binding domain derived from an antibody against an antigen of the target, or a peptide binding an antigen of the target, or a peptide or protein binding an antibody that binds an antigen of the target, or a peptide or protein ligand (including but not limited to a growth factor, a cytokine, or a hormone) binding a receptor on the target, or a domain derived from a receptor (including but not limited to a growth factor receptor, a cytokine receptor or a hormone receptor) binding a peptide or protein ligand on the target.
  • the target includes CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • the target includes any portion of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • the target includes surface exposed portions of the CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52 polypeptides.
  • the target is the extracellular domain of CD2 (SEQ ID NO. 19). In another embodiment, the target is the CD3 epsilon chain extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 20). In another embodiment, the target is the CD4 extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 21). In another embodiment, the target is the CD5 extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 22). In another embodiment, the target is the CD7 extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 23). In another
  • the target is the CD8 alpha chain extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 24). In another embodiment, the target is the CD8 beta chain extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 25). In another embodiment, the target is the CD52 CAMPATH- 1 antigen (SEQ ID NO. 26).
  • the antigen recognition domain includes the binding portion or variable region of a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody directed against (selective for) the target.
  • the antigen recognition domain includes fragment antigen-binding fragment (Fab).
  • the antigen recognition domain includes a single-chain variable fragment (scFV).
  • scFV is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light chains (VL) of immunoglobulins, connected with a short linker peptide.
  • the antigen recognition domain includes Camelid single domain antibody, or portions thereof.
  • Camelid single-domain antibodies include heavy-chain antibodies found in camelids, or VHH antibody.
  • a VHH antibody of camelid (for example camel, dromedary, llama, and alpaca) refers to a variable fragment of a camelid single- chain antibody (See Nguyen et al, 2001; Muyldermans, 2001), and also includes an isolated VHH antibody of camelid, a recombinant VHH antibody of camelid, or a synthetic VHH antibody of camelid.
  • the antigen recognition domain includes ligands that engage their cognate receptor. In another embodiment, the antigen recognition domain is humanized.
  • the antigen recognition domain may include some variability within its sequence and still be selective for the targets disclosed herein. Therefore, it is contemplated that the polypeptide of the antigen recognition domain may be at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 80%, or at least 70% identical to the antigen recognition domain polypeptide disclosed herein and still be selective for the targets described herein and be within the scope of the disclosure.
  • the antigen recognition domain is selective for SEQ ID NO. 19, SEQ ID NO. 20, SEQ ID NO. 21, SEQ ID NO. 22, SEQ ID NO. 23, SEQ ID NO. 24, SEQ ID NO. 25, or SEQ ID NO. 26.
  • the hinge region is a sequence positioned between for example, including, but not limited to, the chimeric antigen receptor, and at least one co- stimulatory domain and a signaling domain.
  • the hinge sequence may be obtained including, for example, from any suitable sequence from any genus, including human or a part thereof. Such hinge regions are known in the art.
  • the hinge region includes the hinge region of a human protein including CD-8 alpha, CD28, 4- IBB, OX40, CD3-zeta, T cell receptor a or ⁇ chain, a CD3 zeta chain, CD28, CD3s, CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, ICOS, CD154, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
  • a human protein including CD-8 alpha, CD28, 4- IBB, OX40, CD3-zeta, T cell receptor a or ⁇ chain, a CD3 zeta chain, CD28, CD3s, CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, ICOS, CD154, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
  • the hinge region includes the CD8 a hinge region.
  • the hinge region includes one selected from, but is not limited to, immunoglobulin (e.g. IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgD).
  • immunoglobulin e.g. IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgD.
  • the transmembrane domain includes a hydrophobic polypeptide that spans the cellular membrane.
  • the transmembrane domain spans from one side of a cell membrane (extracellular) through to the other side of the cell membrane (intracellular or cytoplasmic).
  • the transmembrane domain may be in the form of an alpha helix or a beta barrel, or combinations thereof.
  • the transmemebrane domain may include a polytopic protein, which has many transmembrane segments, each alpha-helical, beta sheets, or combinations thereof.
  • the transmembrane domain that naturally is associated with one of the domains in the CAR is used.
  • the transmembrane domain can be selected or modified by amino acid substitution to avoid binding of such domains to the transmembrane domains of the same or different surface membrane proteins to minimize interactions with other members of the receptor complex.
  • a transmembrane domain includes a transmembrane domain of a T-cell receptor a or ⁇ chain, a CD3 zeta chain, CD28, CD3s, CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, ICOS, CD154, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
  • the artificially designed transmembrane domain is a polypeptide mainly comprising hydrophobic residues such as leucine and valine.
  • hydrophobic residues such as leucine and valine.
  • a triplet of phenylalanine, tryptophan and valine is found at each end of the synthetic transmembrane domain.
  • the transmembrane domain is the CD8 transmembrane domain. In another embodiment, the transmembrane domain is the CD28 transmembrane domain. Such transmembrane domains are known in the art.
  • the signaling domain and co- stimulatory domain include polypeptides that provide activation of an immune cell to stimulate or activate at least some aspect of the immune cell signaling pathway.
  • the signaling domain includes the polypeptide of a functional signaling domain of CD3 zeta, common FcR gamma (FCER1G), Fc gamma Rlla, FcR beta (Fc Epsilon Rib), CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD3 epsilon, CD79a, CD79b, DNAX-activating protein 10 (DAP10), DNAX-activating protein 12 (DAP12), active fragments thereof, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
  • FCER1G common FcR gamma
  • Rlla Fc gamma Rlla
  • FcR beta Fc Epsilon Rib
  • CD3 gamma CD3 delta
  • CD3 epsilon CD79a
  • CD79b CD79b
  • DAP10 DNAX-activating protein 10
  • DAP12 DNAX-activating protein 12
  • the CAR polypeptide further includes one or more co-stimulatory domains.
  • the co- stimulatory domain is a functional signaling domain from a protein including OX40, CD27, CD28, CD30, CD40, PD-1, CD2, CD7, CD258, Natural killer Group 2 member C (NKG2C), Natural killer Group 2 member D (NKG2D), B7-H3, a ligand that binds to CD83, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD1 la/CD 18), ICOS and 4-1BB (CD137), active fragments thereof, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
  • the CAR polypeptide is CD2CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 10 or SEQ ID NO. 11. In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD3CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 12. In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD4CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 13 or SEQ ID NO. 14. In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD5CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 15. In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD7CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 17. In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD52CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 18.
  • the present disclosure further provides a polynucleotide encoding the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above.
  • the polynucleotide encoding the CAR is easily prepared from an amino acid sequence of the specified CAR by any conventional method.
  • a base sequence encoding an amino acid sequence can be obtained from the aforementioned NCBI RefSeq IDs or accession numbers of GenBenk for an amino acid sequence of each domain, and the nucleic acid of the present disclosure can be prepared using a standard molecular biological and/or chemical procedure.
  • a polynucleotide can be synthesized, and the polynucleotide of the present disclosure can be prepared by combining DNA fragments which are obtained from a cDNA library using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • the polynucleotide disclosed herein is part of a gene, or an expression or cloning cassette.
  • polynucleotide as used herein is defined as a chain of nucleotides.
  • Polynucleotide includes DNA and RNA.
  • nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides.
  • nucleic acids and polynucleotides as used herein are interchangeable.
  • nucleic acids are polynucleotides, which can be hydrolyzed into the monomeric "nucleotides.” The monomeric nucleotides can be hydrolyzed into nucleosides.
  • polynucleotides include, but are not limited to, all nucleic acid sequences which are obtained by any means available in the art, including, without limitation, recombinant means, i.e., the cloning of nucleic acid sequences from a recombinant library or a cell genome, using ordinary cloning technology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the like, and by synthetic means.
  • recombinant means i.e., the cloning of nucleic acid sequences from a recombinant library or a cell genome, using ordinary cloning technology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the like, and by synthetic means.
  • the polynucleotide includes the CD2CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 1 or SEQ ID NO. 2. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD3CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 3. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD4CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 4 or SEQ ID NO. 5. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD5CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 6. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD7CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 8. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD52CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 9.
  • a "vector” is a composition of matter which includes an isolated polynucleotide and which can be used to deliver the isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell.
  • vectors are known in the art including, but not limited to, linear polynucleotides, polynucleotides associated with ionic or amphiphilic compounds, plasmids, phagemid, cosmid, and viruses.
  • Viruses include phages, phage derivatives.
  • the term "vector” includes an autonomously replicating plasmid or a virus.
  • viral vectors include, but are not limited to, adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated virus vectors, retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors, and the like.
  • vectors include cloning vectors, expression vectors, replication vectors, probe generation vectors, integration vectors, and sequencing vectors.
  • the vector is a viral vector.
  • the viral vector is a retroviral vector or a lentiviral vector.
  • the engineered cell is virally transduced to express the polynucleotide sequence.
  • retroviruses provide a convenient platform for gene delivery systems.
  • a selected gene can be inserted into a vector and packaged in retroviral particles using techniques known in the art.
  • the recombinant virus can then be isolated and delivered to cells of the subject either in vivo or ex vivo.
  • retroviral systems are known in the art.
  • adenovirus vectors are used.
  • a number of adenovirus vectors are known in the art.
  • lentivirus vectors are used.
  • Viral vector technology is well known in the art and is described, for example, in
  • Viruses which are useful as vectors include, but are not limited to, retroviruses, adenoviruses, adeno- associated viruses, herpes viruses, and lentiviruses.
  • a suitable vector contains an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, a promoter sequence, convenient restriction endomiclease sites, and one or more selectable markers, (e.g., WO 01/96584; WO 01/29058; and U.S, Pat. No. 6,326,193).
  • chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide may be achieved using, for example, expression vectors including, but not limited to, at least one of a SFFV or human elongation factor 11a (EF) promoter, CAG (chicken beta-actin promoter with CMV enhancer) promoter human elongation factor la (EF) promoter.
  • EF human elongation factor 11a
  • CAG chicken beta-actin promoter with CMV enhancer
  • EF human elongation factor la
  • Examples of less-strong/ lower-expressing promoters utilized may include, but is not limited to, the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter, cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter, Ubiquitin C (UBC) promoter, and the phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK) promoter, or a part thereof.
  • SV40 simian virus 40
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • UBC Ubiquitin C
  • Inducible expression of chimeric antigen receptor may be achieved using, for example, a tetracycline responsive promoter, including, but not limited to, TRE3GV (Tet-response element, including all generations and preferably, the 3rd generation), inducible promoter (Clontech Laboratories, Mountain View, CA) or a part or a combination thereof.
  • a tetracycline responsive promoter including, but not limited to, TRE3GV (Tet-response element, including all generations and preferably, the 3rd generation), inducible promoter (Clontech Laboratories, Mountain View, CA) or a part or a combination thereof.
  • a suitable promoter is the immediate early cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter sequence.
  • CMV immediate early cytomegalovirus
  • This promoter sequence is a strong constitutive promoter sequence capable of driving high levels of expression of any polynucleotide sequence operatively linked thereto.
  • Another example of a suitable promoter is Elongation Growth Factor - 1 a (EF- 1 a).
  • EF- 1 a Elongation Growth Factor - 1 a
  • other constitutive promoter sequences may also be used, including, but not limited to the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), human
  • immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter
  • MoMuLV promoter an avian leukemia virus promoter
  • Epstein-Barr virus immediate early promoter an Epstein-Barr virus immediate early promoter
  • Rous sarcoma virus promoter as well as human gene promoters such as, but not limited to, the actin promoter, the myosin promoter, the hemoglobin promoter, and the creatine kinase promoter.
  • human gene promoters such as, but not limited to, the actin promoter, the myosin promoter, the hemoglobin promoter, and the creatine kinase promoter.
  • constitutive promoters inducible promoters are also contemplated as part of the disclosure.
  • an inducible promoter provides a molecular switch capable of turning on expression of the polynucleotide sequence which it is operatively linked when such expression is desired, or turning off the expression when expression is not desired.
  • inducible promoters include, but are not limited to a metalothionein promoter, a glucocorticoid promoter, a progesterone promoter, and a tetracycline promoter.
  • “Expression vector” refers to a vector comprising a recombinant polynucleotide comprising expression control sequences operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence to be expressed.
  • An expression vector includes sufficient cis- acting elements for expression; other elements for expression can be supplied by the host cell or in an in vitro expression system.
  • Expression vectors include all those known in the art, such as cosmids, plasmids (e.g., naked or contained in liposomes) and viruses (e.g., lentiviruses, retroviruses, adenoviruses, and adeno- associated viruses) that incorporate the recombinant polynucleotide,
  • promoter elements e.g., enhancers
  • promoters regulate the frequency of transcriptional initiation.
  • these are located in the region 30-100 bp upstream of the start site, although a number of promoters have recently been shown to contain functional elements downstream of the start site as well.
  • the spacing between promoter elements frequently is flexible, so that promoter function is preserved when elements are inverted or moved relative to one another, in the thymidine kinase (tk) promoter, the spacing between promoter elements can be increased to 50 bp apart before activity begins to decline.
  • tk thymidine kinase
  • the expression vector to be introduced into a cell can also contain either a selectable marker gene or a reporter gene or both to facilitate identification and selection of expressing cells from the population of cells sought to be transfected or infected through viral vectors, in other aspects, the selectable marker may be carried on a separate piece of DNA and used in a co- transfection procedure. Both selectable markers and reporter genes may be flanked with appropriate regulatory sequences to enable expression in the host cells. Useful selectable markers include, for example, antibiotic -resistance genes, such as neo and the like.
  • Reporter genes are used for identifying potentially transfected cells and for evaluating the functionality of regulatory sequences.
  • a reporter gene is a gene that is not present in or expressed by the recipient organism or tissue and that encodes a polypeptide whose expression is manifested by some easily detectable property, e.g., enzymatic activity. Expression of the reporter gene is assayed at a suitable time after the DNA has been introduced into the recipient cells.
  • Suitable reporter genes may include genes encoding luciferase, beta-galactosidase, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, secreted alkaline phosphatase, or the green fluorescent protein gene (e.g., Ui-Tei et al., 2000 FEBS Letters 479: 79-82).
  • Suitable expression systems are well known and may be prepared using known techniques or obtained commercially.
  • the construct with the minimal 5' flanking region showing the highest level of expression of reporter gene is identified as the promoter.
  • Such promoter regions may be linked to a reporter gene and used to evaluate agents for the ability to modulate promoter- driven transcription.
  • the vector can be readily introduced into a host cell, e.g., mammalian, bacterial, yeast, or insect cell by any method in the art.
  • the expression vector can be transferred into a host cell by physical, chemical, or biological means.
  • a preferred method for the introduction of a polynucleotide into a host cell is calcium phosphate transfection.
  • Biological methods for introducing a polynucleotide of interest into a host cell include the use of DNA and RNA vectors.
  • Viral vectors, and especially retroviral vectors have become the most widely used method for inserting genes into mammalian, e.g., human cells.
  • Other viral vectors can be derived from lentivirus, poxviruses, herpes simplex virus I, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses, and the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat, Nos. 5,350,674 and 5,585,362.
  • Chemical means for introducing a polynucleotide into a host cell include colloidal dispersion systems, such as macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, and liposomes.
  • An exemplary colloidal system for use as a delivery vehicle in vitro and in vivo is a liposome (e.g., an artificial membrane vesicle).
  • an exemplary delivery vehicle is a liposome.
  • the use of lipid formulations is contemplated for the introduction of the nucleic acids into a host cell (in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo).
  • the nucleic acid may be associated with a lipid.
  • the nucleic acid associated with a lipid may be encapsulated in the aqueous interior of a liposome, interspersed within the lipid bilayer of a liposome, attached to a liposome via a linking molecule that is associated with both the liposome and the oligonucleotide, entrapped in a liposome, complexed with a liposome, dispersed in a solution containing a lipid, mixed with a lipid, combined with a lipid, contained as a suspension in a lipid, contained or complexed with a micelle, or otherwise associated with a lipid.
  • Lipid, lipid/DNA or lipid/expression vector associated compositions are not limited to any particular structure in solution. For example, they may be present in a bilayer structure, as micelles, or with a "collapsed" structure. They may also simply be interspersed in a solution, possibly forming aggregates that are not uniform in size or shape.
  • Lipids are fatty substances which may be naturally occurring or synthetic lipids.
  • lipids include the fatty droplets that naturally occur in the cytoplasm as well as the class of compounds which contain long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives, such as fatty acids, alcohols, amines, amino alcohols, and aldehydes.
  • Lipids suitable for use can be obtained from commercial sources.
  • DMPC dimyristyi phosphatidylcholine
  • DCP dicetyl phosphate
  • Choi cholesterol
  • DMPG dimyristyi phosphatidylglycerol
  • Stock solutions of lipids in chloroform or chloroform/methanol can be stored at about -20°C. Chloroform is used as the only solvent since it is more readily evaporated than methanol.
  • Liposome is a generic term encompassing a variety of single and multilamellar lipid vehicles formed by the generation of enclosed lipid bilayers or aggregates.
  • Liposomes can be characterized as having vesicular structures with a phospholipid bilayer membrane and an inner aqueous medium.
  • Multilamellar liposomes have multiple lipid layers separated by aqueous medium. They form spontaneously when phospholipids are suspended in an excess of aqueous solution. The lipid components undergo self -rearrangement before the formation of closed structures and entrap water and dissolved solutes between the lipid bilayers (Ghosh et al., 19 1 Glycobiology 5; 505- 10).
  • compositions that have different structures in solution than the normal vesicular structure are also encompassed.
  • the lipids may assume a micellar structure or merely exist as nonuniform aggregates of lipid molecules.
  • the lipids may assume a micellar structure or merely exist as
  • lipofectamine- nucleic acid complexes contemplated are lipofectamine- nucleic acid complexes.
  • assays include, for example, "molecular biological” assays well known to those of skill in the art, such as Southern and Northern blotting, RT-PCR and PCR; "biochemical” assays, such as detecting the presence or absence of a particular peptide, e.g., by immunological means (ELlSAs and Western blots) or by assays described herein to identify agents falling within the scope of the disclosure.
  • the disclosure provides an engineered cell expressing the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above or polynucleotide encoding for the same, and described above.
  • An “engineered cell” means any cell of any organism that is modified, transformed, or manipulated by addition or modification of a gene, a DNA or RNA sequence, or protein or polypeptide.
  • Isolated cells, host cells, and genetically engineered cells of the present disclosure include isolated immune cells, such as NK cells and T cells that contain the DNA or RNA sequences encoding a chimeric antigen receptor or chimeric antigen receptor complex and express the chimeric receptor on the cell surface.
  • Isolated host cells and engineered cells may be used, for example, for enhancing an NK cell activity or a T lymphocyte activity, treatment of cancer, and treatment of infectious diseases.
  • the engineered cell includes immunoregulatory cells.
  • Immunoregulatory cells include T-cells, such as CD4 T-cells (Helper T-cells), CD8 T-cells (Cytotoxic T-cells, CTLs), and memory T cells or memory stem cell T cells.
  • T-cells include Natural Killer T-cells (NK T-cells).
  • T cells comprise of CD4 and CD8 cells.
  • CD4 is a glycoprotein present on the surface of immune cells such as T helper cells, important in T cell activation and receptor for HIV. Some monocytes or macrophages also express CD4. CD4 is also called OKT4. Cytotoxic T cells are also known as CD8+ T cells or CD8 T cells expressing CD8 glycoprotein at their surfaces. These CD8+ T cells are activated once they are exposed to peptide antigens presented by MHC class I.
  • the engineered cell includes Natural Killer cells. Natural killer cells are well known in the art. In one embodiment, natural killer cells include cell lines, such as NK- 92 cells. Further examples of NK cell lines include NKG, YT, NK-YS, HANK-1, YTS cells, and NKL cells.
  • NK cells mediate anti-tumor effects without the risk of GvHD and are short-lived relative to T-cells. Accordingly, NK cells would be exhausted shortly after destroying cancer cells, decreasing the need for an inducible suicide gene on CAR constructs that would ablate the modified cells.
  • the engineered cell may include more than one type chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described herein.
  • the engineered cell includes at least two of a CD2CAR, CD3CAR, CD4CAR, CD5CAR, CD7CAR, CD8CAR, and CD52CAR have been contemplated.
  • the engineered cell may include a CD4 chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide (CD4CAR) and a CD5 chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide (CD5CAR).
  • CDXCAR refers to a chimeric antigen receptor having a CDX antigen recognition domain.
  • CDX may be any one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • TCR deficient T cells used to carry CAR
  • engineered cells in particular allogeneic T cells obtained from donors can be modified to inactivate components of TCR (T cell receptor) involved in MHC recognition.
  • TCR T cell receptor
  • T cell lymphomas or T cell leukemias express specific antigens, which may represent useful targets for these diseases.
  • T cell lymphomas or leukemias express CD7, CD2, CD3 and CD5.
  • CD7, CD2, CD3, and CD5 are also expressed in CAR T or NK cells (except for CD3 and CD5), which offset their ability of targeting these antigens.
  • the self-killing might occur in T cells or NK cells armed with CARs targeting any one of these antigens. This makes generation of CARs targeting these antigens difficult. Therefore, it may be necessary to inactivate an endogenous antigen in a T or NK cell when it is used as a target to arm CARs.
  • the engineered cell is further modified to inactivate cell surface polypeptide to prevent engineered cells from acting on other engineered cells.
  • one or more of the endogenous CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7 genes of the engineered cells may be knocked out or inactivated.
  • the engineered cell is a natural killer cell having at least one of the endogenous CD2 and CD7 genes knocked out or inactivated.
  • the engineered cell is a T-cell having at least one of the endogenous CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD8 genes knocked out or inactivated.
  • the engineered cell is a NK cell having at least one of the endogenous CD2 and CD7 genes knocked out or inactivated.
  • the engineered cell expressing a CAR having a particular antigen recognition domain will have the gene expressing that antigen inactivated or knocked out.
  • a T-cell having a CD2 CAR will have an inactivated or knocked out CD2 antigen gene.
  • an engineered cell (e.g. NK cell or T-cell) having a CAR with a CD4 antigen recognition domain will be modified so that the CD4 antigen is not expressed on its cell surface.
  • an engineered cell e.g.
  • NK cell or T-cell having one CAR with a CD2 antigen recognition domain and another CAR with a CD7 antigen recognition domain may have both the CD2 antigen gene and the CD7 antigen gene knocked out or inactivated.
  • Natural Killer cells T-cells T-cells
  • Table 1 cell surface antigens of Natural Killer cells and T-cells.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 zinc finger nuclease
  • ZFNs zinc finger nuclease
  • TALENs TALE nucleases
  • meganucleases may be used to knock out or inactivate the CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52 genes of the engineered cells.
  • the engineered cells may be obtained from peripheral blood, cord blood, bone marrow, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, lymph node tissue, or thymus tissue.
  • the host cells may include placental cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells.
  • the cells may be obtained from humans, monkeys, chimpanzees, dogs, cats, mice, rats, and transgenic species thereof.
  • the cells may be obtained from established cell lines.
  • the above cells may be obtained by any known means.
  • the cells may be autologous, syngeneic, allogeneic, or xenogeneic to the recipient of the engineered cells.
  • autologous refer to any material derived from the same individual to whom it is later to be re-introduced into the individual.
  • allogeneic refers to any material derived from a different animal of the same species as the individual to whom the material is introduced. Two or more individuals are said to be allogeneic to one another when the genes at one or more loci are not identical. In some aspects, allogeneic material from individuals of the same species may be sufficiently unlike genetically to interact antigenic ally.
  • xenogeneic refers to a graft derived from an animal of a different species.
  • synthetic refers to an extremely close genetic similarity or identity especially with respect to antigens or immunological reactions. Syngeneic systems include for example, models in which organs and cells (e.g. cancer cells and their non-cancerous counterparts) come from the same individual, and/or models in which the organs and cells come from different individual animals that are of the same inbred strain.
  • the engineered cells of the present disclosure may also include a suicide system.
  • Suicide systems provide a mechanism whereby the engineered cell, as described above, may be deactivated or destroyed. Such a feature allows precise therapeutic control of any treatments wherein the engineered cells are used.
  • a suicide system provides a mechanism by which the cell having the suicide system can be deactivated or destroyed. Suicide systems are well known in the art.
  • a suicide system includes a gene that can be pharmacologically activated to eliminate the containing cells as required.
  • the suicide gene is not immunogenic to the host harboring the polynucleotide or cell.
  • the suicide system includes a gene that causes CD20 to be expressed on the cell surface of the engineered cell.
  • rituximab may be used to destroy the engineered cell containing the gene.
  • the suicide system includes an epitope tag.
  • epitope tags include a c-myc tag, streptavidin-binding peptide (SBP), and truncated EGFR gene (EGFRt).
  • SBP streptavidin-binding peptide
  • EGFRt truncated EGFR gene
  • administration of an antibody against the epitope tag may be used to destroy the engineered cell containing the gene.
  • the suicide system includes a gene that causes truncated epidermal growth factor receptor to be expressed on the surface of the engineered cell.
  • cetuximab may be used to destroy the engineered cell containing the gene.
  • the suicide gene may include caspace 8 gene, caspase 9 gene, thymidine kinase, cytosine deaminase (CD), or cytochrome P450.
  • Examples of further suicide systems include those described by Jones et al. (Jones BS, Lamb LS, Goldman F and Di Stasi A (2014) Improving the safety of cell therapy products by suicide gene transfer. Front. Pharmacol. 5:254. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00254), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the CD2 adhesion molecule is a cell surface antigen expressed by all peripheral blood T cells and natural killer cells, but not on B lymphocytes.
  • the extracellular domain of CD2 contains immunoglobulin-like domains which can mediate homodimerization.
  • Ligation of CD2 by CD58 (LFA-3) or CD48 helps T cells adhere to antigen-presenting cells, and triggers signal transduction pathways that enhance signaling through the T cell receptor for antigen.
  • CD2 knockout mice exhibit normal immune function, and it is thought that CD2 is similar functionally with other T cell co- stimulatory receptors such as CD28.
  • CD2 is expressed in T-ALL, T cell lymphoma / leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia (microgranular variant), systemic mastocytosis, mast cell disease, thymoma and acute myeloid lymphoma (MO) and NK cell leukemia.
  • the disclosure provides a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain specific for a CD2 antigen, and engineered cells expressing the same.
  • the disclosure provides a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having a variant of the sequence of an antigen recognition domain specific for a CD2 antigen, and engineered cells expressing the same.
  • the CD2 CAR includes at least one co- stimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD2CAR includes at least two co- stimulatory domains.
  • the CD2CAR includes SEQ ID NO. 10 and SEQ ID NO. 11.
  • CD3 consists of a protein complex and is composed of four distinct chains as described the figure above.
  • the complex contains, a CD35 chain, a CD3y chain, and two CD3s chains. These chains associate with the T-cell receptor (TCR) composing of ⁇ chains.
  • TCR T-cell receptor
  • the TCR/CD3 complex is a unique marker for T lineage cells.
  • monoclonal antibodies against this complex There is a variety of monoclonal antibodies against this complex that have been developed.
  • One such monoclonal antibody is the murine monoclonal antibody OKT3 against the surface CD3.
  • CD3 is the common marker for T cells and T cell malignancies.
  • OKT3 against CD3 epsilon is the common antibody used for identifying T cells.
  • Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies as treatments include: (1) acute renal, cardiac or hepatic allograft rejection; (2) depletion of T cells from donor marrow prior to transplant; (3) new onset of type I diabetes.
  • CD3 against CD3 epsilon chain is the most specific T cell antibody used to identify T cells in benign and malignant disorders. CD3 is found in 86% of peripheral T cell lymphomas.
  • the disclosure includes a method for generation of CD3CAR.
  • CD3CAR includes a scFv antibody which specifically binds to the surface protein of CD3.
  • CD3CAR includes an scFv molecule, which specifically binds to the TCR/CD3 complexes.
  • the scFv in the CAR may be a molecule specifically binding to the extracellular domains of aPTCR associated with CD3.
  • chimeric antigen receptor of the present disclosure includes a CD4 antigen recognition domain, CD4CAR.
  • the CD4 CAR includes at least one co- stimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD4CAR includes at least two co- stimulatory domains.
  • CD4CAR includes SEQ ID NO. 13 and SEQ ID NO. 14.
  • the disclosure provides a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain specific for CD5, and engineered cells expressing the same.
  • the CD5CAR includes at least one-costimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD5CAR includes at least two co-stimulatory domains. CD7CAR
  • CD7 is a transmembrane protein which is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. This protein is expressed on the surface of mature T cells. It is the earliest surface antigen expressed on T cell lineage cells.
  • CD7 is a very good marker for T-ALL and more than 90% of T-ALL express CD7. CD7 is also expressed in NK lymphoma, T cell lymphoma/leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and lymphocyte rich thymoma
  • the disclosure provides a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain specific for a CD7 antigen, and engineered cells expressing the same.
  • the CD7CAR includes at least one co-stimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD7CAR includes at least two co- stimulatory domains
  • the disclosure also provides methods of making the engineered cells described above.
  • the cells described above are obtained or isolated.
  • the cells may be isolated by any known means.
  • the cells include peripheral blood cells or cord blood cells.
  • the cells are placental cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells.
  • the polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the peripheral blood cells or cord blood cells by any known means.
  • the polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the cell by way of viral vector.
  • the polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the placental cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells by any known means.
  • the polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the cell by way of viral vector.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide may be constructed as a transient RNA-modified "biodegradable derivatives".
  • the RNA-modified derivatives may be electroporated into a T cell or NK cell.
  • chimeric antigen receptor described herein may be constructed in a transponson system also called a "Sleeping Beauty", which integrates the chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide into the host genome without a viral vector.
  • the engineered cells are expanded.
  • the engineered cells containing the polynucleotide described above are expanded by any known means.
  • the expanded cells are isolated by any known means to provide isolated engineered cells according to the present disclosure.
  • the disclosure provides methods to kill, reduce the number of, or deplete
  • the disclosure provides a method to kill, reduce the number of, or deplete cells having at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • reduce the number of includes a reduction by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 99%, or 100%.
  • deplete includes a reduction by at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 99%, or 100%.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD2 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD2 antigen recognition domain.
  • immunoregulatory cells having CD2 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the immunoregulatory cells may be in a patient, in cell culture, or isolated.
  • patient includes mammals.
  • the mammal referred to herein can be any mammal.
  • the term “mammal” refers to any mammal, including, but not limited to, mammals of the order Rodentia, such as mice and hamsters, and mammals of the order Logomorpha, such as rabbits.
  • the mammals may be from the order Carnivora, including Felines (cats) and Canines (dogs).
  • the mammals may be from the order Artiodactyla, including Bovines (cows) and Swines (pigs) or of the order Perssodactyla, including Equines (horses).
  • the mammals may be of the order Primates, Ceboids, or Simoids (monkeys) or of the order
  • Anthropoids humans and apes.
  • the mammal is a human.
  • the patient is a human 0 to 6 months old, 6 to 12 months old, 1 to 5 years old, 5 to 10 years old, 5 to 12 years old, 10 to 15 years old, 15 to 20 years old, 13 to 19 years old, 20 to 25 years old, 25 to 30 years old, 20 to 65 years old, 30 to 35 years old, 35 to 40 years old, 40 to 45 years old, 45 to 50 years old, 50 to 55 years old, 55 to 60 years old, 60 to 65 years old, 65 to 70 years old, 70 to 75 years old, 75 to 80 years old, 80 to 85 years old, 85 to 90 years old, 90 to 95 years old or 95 to 100 years old.
  • an effective amount and “therapeutically effective amount” of an engineered cell as used herein mean a sufficient amount of the engineered cell to provide the desired therapeutic or physiological or effect or outcome. Such, an effect or outcome includes reduction or amelioration of the symptoms of cellular disease. Undesirable effects, e.g. side effects, are sometimes manifested along with the desired therapeutic effect; hence, a practitioner balances the potential benefits against the potential risks in determining what an appropriate “effective amount” is.
  • the exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age and general condition of the subject, mode of administration and the like. Thus, it may not be possible to specify an exact "effective amount”. However, an appropriate "effective amount” in any individual case may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation. Generally, the engineered cell or engineered cells is/are given in an amount and under conditions sufficient to reduce proliferation of target cells.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD2 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD2 antigen recognition domain.
  • the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD2 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD3 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD3 antigen recognition domain.
  • immunoregulatory cells having CD3 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD4 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain.
  • immunoregulatory cells having CD4 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD5 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD5 antigen recognition domain.
  • immunoregulatory cells having CD5 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD7 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD7 antigen recognition domain.
  • immunoregulatory cells having CD7 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having a CD8 antigen by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD8 antigen recognition domain.
  • the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD8 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the disclosure includes a method of reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD52 by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen receptor peptide having a CD52 antigen recognition domain.
  • the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD52 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the art.
  • the immunoregulatory cell to be deleted may include more than one cell surface antigen.
  • a CD4CAR may be specific for, and reduce the number of an immunoregulatory cell having CD4 and another antigen.
  • the second antigen may be CD5 or CD25.
  • the disclosure provides methods for the treatment of a cell proliferative disease.
  • the method includes administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the engineered cells described above to a patient in need thereof.
  • Cell proliferative disease is any one of cancer, neoplastic disease or any disease involving uncontrolled cell proliferation (e. g. formation of cell mass) without any differentiation of those cells into specialized and different cells.
  • Cell proliferative diseases as also include a malignancy, or a precancerous condition such as a myelodysplasia syndrome or a preleukemia, or prelymphoma.
  • the cancer can be any cancer, including any of acute lymphocytic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, bladder cancer (e.g., bladder carcinoma), bone cancer, brain cancer (e.g., medulloblastoma), breast cancer, cancer of the anus, anal canal, or anorectum, cancer of the eye, cancer of the intrahepatic bile duct, cancer of the joints, cancer of the neck, gallbladder, or pleura, cancer of the nose, nasal cavity, or middle ear, cancer of the oral cavity, cancer of the vulva, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer,
  • fibrosarcoma gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, head and neck cancer (e.g., head and neck squamous cell carcinoma), Hodgkin lymphoma, hypopharynx cancer, kidney cancer, larynx cancer, leukemia, liquid tumors, liver cancer, lung cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung carcinoma), lymphoma, malignant mesothelioma, mastocytoma, melanoma, multiple myeloma, nasopharynx cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, B -chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, and Burkitt's lymphoma, extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, NK cell leukemia/lymphoma, post-transplant
  • ALL acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Burkitt's lymphoma extran
  • the cancer is a hematological malignancy (e.g., leukemia or lymphoma, including but not limited to Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, B -chronic
  • lymphocytic leukemia hairy cell leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and Burkitt's lymphoma
  • thymic carcinoma diffuse large cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and chronic lymphoid leukemia(CLL)
  • T-cell lymphoma T-cell lymphoma
  • peripheral T-cell lymphoma T-cell lymphoma
  • the disclosure provides a method for the treatment of acute organ rejection by depletion of T and NK cells that are associated with CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • the disclosure incudes a method for the treatment of acute or chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) by depletion of T cells and NK cells that are associated with at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • GVHD graft versus host disease
  • the disclosure provides a method to prevent organ rejection by administering to a patient who has undergone organ transplant or will undergo an organ transplant an effective amount of an engineered cell having CD3CAR.
  • the disclosure provides a method to prevent or treat GVHD by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of an engineered cell having CD3CAR.
  • the disclosure incudes a method for the depletion or reduction of donor and host T or NK cells using CAR T or NK cells in vivo for stem cell transplant. This could be accomplished by administration of CAR T or NK cells to a patient immediately before the infusion of the bone marrow stem cell graft.
  • the disclosure provides a method of immunotherapy as a conditioning or bridge-to- transplant strategy or stand-alone for the treatment of cell proliferative diseases that are associated with at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • the disclosure provides a method for the treatment of cell proliferative diseases that are associated with at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • the disclosure provides a method for the treatment of non-cancer related diseases that are associated with the expression of at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
  • CAR having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain for use in the treatment of a cell proliferative disease is combined with a checkpoint blockade, such as CTLA-4 and PDl/PD-Ll. This may lead to enhanced tumor eradication.
  • CD4CAR with checkpoint blockade such as CTLA-4 and PDl/PD-Ll can lead to enhanced tumor eradication.
  • checkpoint blockade is being tested in clinical trials in combination with CAR T cells.
  • CARs having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain are used as a strategy to deepen, remove, reduce, resist and/or prolong responses to initial chemotherapy, or when combined with other adjunct therapies. All available adjunct therapies to treat or prevent the disease condition are considered to be part of this disclosure and are within the scope of the present disclosure
  • NK cell CARs having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain are administrated "off-the-shelf to any mammal with cancer and/or autoimmune disorders.
  • the NK cell bearing the CD3CAR exhibits an antitumor immunity and exerts the efficacy of killing leukemias/lymphomas expressing CD3.
  • CD3 positive malignancies may include, but is not limited to precursor T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, mature T cell lymphomas/leukemias, EBV-positive T-cell
  • T-cell leukemia/lymphoma adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome, primary cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, peripheral T- cell lymphoma (not otherwise specified), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
  • CD3CAR NK cells can be used to treat patients with T- leukemias/lymphomas, who are not eligible for stem cell therapy or never achieved a remission despite many intensive chemotherapy regimens.
  • CD3CAR NK cells may be used as a component of conditioning regimen for a bone marrow transplant or a bridge to the bone marrow transplant.
  • CD4 in CD4+ AML, CD4 expression tends to be uniform across all cells. It was also surprisingly found that CD4 could be an important CAR target for the treatment of AML.
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat leukemias expressing CD4 including, but are not limited to, dendritic / histiocytic neoplasms, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia, acute monocytic leukemia (M5), acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat leukemias expressing CD4 including, but are not limited to, dendritic / histiocytic neoplasms, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia, acute monocytic leukemia (M5), acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) juvenile myelomon
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat acute monocytic leukemia (AML-AML).
  • CD4CAR cells are sued to treat acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4).
  • AML-M4 acute myelomonocytic leukemia
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4)
  • CD4CAR cells are sued to treat chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) or juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. (JCMML).
  • CMML chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
  • JCMML juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
  • CD4CAR cells are sued to treat chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) or juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. (JCMML). In some embodiments, CD4CAR cells are sued to treat dendritic / histiocytic neoplasms.
  • CMML chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
  • JCMML juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
  • CD4CAR cells are sued to treat dendritic / histiocytic neoplasms.
  • CD4CAR cells are CD4CAR T or NK cells.
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat a myeloid leukemia expressing CD4 in patients not eligible for stem cell therapy or patients that have never achieved a remission despite many chemotherapy regimens.
  • the CD4CAR T cells can be expanded in the culture medium and the subpopulations such as central memory T cells or naive T cells, can be isolated. These cells are used to improved engraftment and anti-tumor activity, and would make them ideal candidates for long-term control of cancers
  • CD4CAR cells are used as a strategy to deepen, remove, reduce, resist and/or prolong responses to initial chemotherapy for myeloid leukemia, or when combined with other adjunct therapies. All available adjunct therapies to treat or prevent the disease condition are considered to be part of this disclosure and are within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • Chemotherapy for myeloid leukemia can include, but is not limited to, cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside or ara-C) and the anthracycline drugs (such as daunorubicin (daunomycin), idarubicin, and mitoxantrone).
  • the other chemo drugs that may be used to treat myeloid leukemia include: Cladribine.
  • CD4CAR cells are utilized for treating or preventing a residual myeloid disease after stem cell transplant and/or chemotherapy.
  • CD4CAR T or NK cell therapy can be combined with checkpoint blockades such as CTLA-4 and PD1/PD-L1, which lead to enhance myeloid leukemia eradication.
  • checkpoint blockades such as CTLA-4 and PD1/PD-L1
  • the presence of the immunosuppressive microenvironments can limit the full functions of CAR T/NK cells for myeloid leukemia treatment.
  • the engineered cell having the CD4CAR exhibits an antitumor immunity when the antigen recognition domain of the CAR binds to its corresponding antigen.
  • the CD8 T cell comprising the CAR exerts the efficacy of killing leukemias/lymphomas cells expressing CD4.
  • the present disclosure includes methods for deleting, reducing, treating, preventing or eliminating abnormal or malignant T cells found in, including, but not limited to, bone marrow, blood, and/or organs.
  • malignant CD4 expressing cells are present in patients with precursor T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, mature T-cell lymphomas/ leukemias cells such as, for example, T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, EBV-positive T cell lymphoproliferative disorders, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome, primary cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, peripheral T- cell lymphoma (not otherwise specified), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat T- leukemias/lymphomas cells in patients not eligible for stem cell therapy or patients that have never achieved a remission despite many chemotherapy regimens.
  • CD4CAR cells are used to treat CD4 expressing acute
  • myelomonocytic leukemia acute monoblastic leukemia, monocytic leukemia, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
  • CD4CAR cells are used to deplete or reduce the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs), also called suppressor T cells.
  • Tregs are a sub-population of T cells which regulate the immune system and maintain tolerance of self-antigens. Tregs constitute about 1-5% of total CD4+ T cells in blood with diverse clinical applications in transplantation, allergy, asthma, infectious diseases, graft versus host disease (GVHD), and autoimmunity.
  • the biomarkers for Tregs are CD4, Foxp3 and CD25. Tregs are considered to be derived from Naive CD4 cells.
  • the CD4CAR T cells can be expanded in the T cell culture medium and the subpopulations such central memory T cells or naive T cells can be isolated and used to improved engraftment. These cells may persist and support memory T cell functions, which would make them ideal candidates for long-term control of cancers
  • CD4CAR with checkpoint blockade such as CTLA-4 and PD1/PD-L1 can lead to enhanced tumor eradication.
  • CD4CAR cells are used as a strategy to deepen, remove, reduce, resist and/or prolong responses to initial chemotherapy, or when combined with other adjunct therapies. All available adjunct therapies to treat or prevent the disease condition are considered to be part of this disclosure and are within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • Chemotherapy includes, but is not limited to, CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristie, prednisone), EPOCH (etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone), or any other multidrug regimens.
  • CD4CAR cells are utilized for treating or preventing a residual disease after stem cell transplant and/or chemotherapy.
  • the cell including the CD4CAR exhibits depletion of
  • the cells including CD4CAR include, but are not limited to, at least one of CD8 T cell, NK cell, or NK-92 cell. Any other suitable cell having CD4CAR that exhibit and/or exerts the high efficacy of deletion of CD4 helper cells when encountering them, whereby organ transplant rejections can be prevented or autoimmune diseases can be controlled or relieved is considered to be part of this disclosure and within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • CD4CAR NK cells may be administrated to patients with autoimmune disorders in an acute or critical clinical setting to rapidly deplete immunoregulatory cells such as CD4 helper T cells, and thereby enable or allow new or non-memory CD4 helper T cells to regenerate.
  • CD4CAR is generated using T-cells.
  • CD4CAR is generated using NK cells or NK-92 cells, such that they are administered "off-the-shelf to any mammal with cancer and/or autoimmune disorders.
  • CD4CAR NK-92 or NK cells are able to kill cells, reduce, deplete, and/or prevent particular CD4+ T cells or cancer cells expressing CD4.
  • CD4CAR NK-92 cells can be generated having a high level of expression of CD4CAR by flow cytometry using goat-anti-mouse Fab antibodies or a part thereof. Any other type of antibody generated using any other genus is considered to be part of this disclosure and is within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • CD4CAR NK-92 cells can be utilized for one therapy at a time when there is minimal residual disease after a stem cell transplant or chemotherapy.
  • the CD4CAR is part of an expressing gene or a cassette.
  • the expressing gene or the cassette may include an accessory gene or a epitope tag or a part thereof, in addition to the CD4CAR.
  • the accessory gene may be an inducible suicide gene or a part thereof, including, but not limited to, caspase 9 gene, thymidine kinase, cytosine deaminase (CD) or cytochrome P45029.
  • the "suicide gene” ablation approaches improves safety of the gene therapy and kill cells only when activated by a specific compound or a molecule.
  • the suicide gene is inducible and is activated using a specific chemical inducer of dimerization (CID).
  • the accessory tag is a c-myc tag, truncated EGFR gene (EGFRt) or a part or a combination thereof.
  • the accessory tag may be used as a nonimmunogenic selection tool or for tracking markers.
  • the host cells expressing CD4CAR can be administrated with one or more additional therapeutic agents to a mammal (e.g., a human).
  • a mammal e.g., a human
  • composition including the host cells or the vector comprising CD4CAR can be administered first, and the one or more additional therapeutic agents can be administered second, or vice versa.
  • the present disclosure includes within its scope administering a typical amount of host cells expressing CD4CAR to a mammal, which for example may be in the range from about 0.5 million to about 1 billion cells. All sub-ranges and ranges outside the above-indicated range are considered to be part of the disclosure and is within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • a SFFV promoter is used to redirect CD8 T cells to target cells expressing CD4 and to drive CD4CAR expression.
  • the CAR includes functional characteristics such as, extracellular expression of scFv and exertion of a strong immune response when encountering with the CD4 expressing cells.
  • the cell comprising the CD4CAR is selected from a group including a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and a Natural Killer (NK) cell.
  • CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte
  • NK Natural Killer
  • the cells having the CAR include, but are not limited to, CD8 T cells, NK cells, and NK-92 cells.
  • CD4CAR may be used with drug conjugates, including
  • DNA/nucleic acid conjugates, peptides, chemical entities and/or small molecules to provide enhanced efficacy and safety.
  • Control of HIV-1 infection can be achieved in HIV patients using a combination of antiretroviral therapies, however, the viral load increases after discontinuation.
  • the source or reservoir of re-emergent HIV-1 is memory CD4 T cells.
  • the CD4CAR of the present disclosure is used to deplete memory CD4 T cells, whereby a sterilizing cure is accomplished for the HIV infection.
  • the CD4CAR assists in blocking HIV viral entrance, whereas CD4CAR binds to the CD4 protein, a protein essential for HIV entry.
  • the disclosure provides a method prevent organ transplant rejections by depleting CD4 T cells.
  • the method includes administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an engineered cell having a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain.
  • CD5CAR CD5 antigen recognition domain
  • BMT bone marrow transplantation therapy
  • CD5CAR may be used to modify of CD5 expression in treatment of autoimmune disorders and malignancies.
  • the disclosure of engineered cell having a chimeric antigen receptor selective for CD5 may act as a bridge to bone marrow transplant for those patients who are not longer responding to chemotherapy or have minimal residual diseases and are not eligible for bone marrow transplant.
  • CD5CAR can eliminate CD5 positive leukemic cells followed by bone marrow stem rescues to support lymphopenia.
  • CD5CAR a T or NK cell targets cells that express CD5.
  • Target cells may be, but is not limited to cancer cells, such as T-cell lymphoma or T-cell leukemia, precursor acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, CD5 positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and thymic carcinoma.
  • CD5CAR may be used for treating non-hematologic disorders including, but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, graft- versus-host-disease and autoimmune diseases.
  • the engineered or modified T cells may be expanded in the presence of IL-2 or/and both IL-7 and IL-15, or using other molecules.
  • CARs can be fulfilled before or after the inactivation of CD5 by expanding in vitro engineered T cells prior to administration to a patient.
  • the inactivation of CD5 can be achieved by one of the following means:
  • a scFv (single-chain antibody) against CD5 is derived from a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody binding to intracellular CD5 and blocks the transport of CD5 protein to the cell surface.
  • anti-CD5 scFv includes an ER
  • the anti-CD5 scFv entraps CD5 within the secretion pathway, which results in the prevention of CD5 proper cell surface location in a T cell.
  • CD5CAR T cells are co-administrated with immunomodulatory drugs, such as, but not limited to CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 blockades, or cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL12 or inhibitors of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R), such as FPA008, which lead to better therapeutic outcomes.
  • immunomodulatory drugs such as, but not limited to CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 blockades, or cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL12 or inhibitors of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R), such as FPA008, which lead to better therapeutic outcomes.
  • the disclosure provides a method of imparting, aiding, increasing, or boosting anti-leukemia or anti-lymphoma immunity.
  • the therapeutic agent including the engineered cell expressing the CAR as an active ingredient can be administered intradermally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intranasally, intraarterially, intravenously, intratumorally, or into an afferent lymph vessel, by parenteral administration, for example, by injection or infusion, although the administration route is not limited.
  • Any method of the disclosure may further includes the step of delivering to the individual an additional cancer therapy, such as surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination thereof.
  • an additional cancer therapy such as surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination thereof.
  • Chemotherapy includes, but is not limited to, CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristie, prednisone), EPOCH (etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone), or any other multidrug regimens.
  • CHOP cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristie, prednisone
  • EPOCH etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone
  • CD54CAR cells are utilized for treating or preventing a residual disease after stem cell transplant and/or
  • any method of the disclosure may further include antiviral therapy, cidofovir and interleukin-2, Cytarabine (also known as ARA-C) or natalizumab treatment for MS patients or efalizumab treatment for psoriasis patients or other treatments for PML patients.
  • antiviral therapy cidofovir and interleukin-2
  • Cytarabine also known as ARA-C
  • natalizumab treatment for MS patients
  • the T cells of the disclosure may be used in a treatment regimen in combination with chemotherapy, radiation, immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, and FK506, antibodies, or other immunoablative agents such as CAMPATH, anti-CD3 antibodies or other antibody therapies, cytoxin, fludarabine, cyclosporin, FK506, rapamycin, mycophenolic acid, steroids, FR901228, cytokines, and irradiation.
  • the cell compositions of the present disclosure are administered to a patient in conjunction with (e.g., before, simultaneously or following) bone marrow transplantation, T cell ablative therapy using either chemotherapy agents such as, fludarabine, external-beam radiation therapy (XRT), cyclophosphamide, or antibodies such as OKT3 or CAMPATH.
  • chemotherapy agents such as, fludarabine, external-beam radiation therapy (XRT), cyclophosphamide, or antibodies such as OKT3 or CAMPATH.
  • the cell compositions of the present disclosure are administered following B-cell ablative therapy such as agents that react with CD20, e.g., Rituxan.
  • subjects may undergo standard treatment with high dose chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
  • subjects receive an infusion of the expanded immune cells of the present disclosure.
  • expanded cells are administered before or following surgery.
  • autoimmune disease as used herein is defined as a disorder that results from an autoimmune response.
  • An autoimmune disease is the result of an inappropriate and excessive response to a self-antigen.
  • autoimmune diseases include but are not limited to, Addision's disease, alopecia greata, ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune parotitis, Crohn's disease, diabetes (Type 1), dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, epididymitis, glomerulonephritis, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barr syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus vulgaris, psoriasis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, spondyloarthropathies, thyroid
  • the efficacy of the therapeutic engineered cell can be assessed in various ways well known to the skilled practitioner. For instance, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a therapeutic engineered cell delivered in conjunction with the chemo-adjuvant is efficacious in treating or inhibiting a cancer in a subject by observing that the therapeutic engineered cell reduces the cancer cell load or prevents a further increase in cancer cell load.
  • Cancer cell loads can be measured by methods that are known in the art, for example, using polymerase chain reaction assays to detect the presence of certain cancer cell nucleic acids or identification of certain cancer cell markers in the blood using, for example, an antibody assay to detect the presence of the markers in a sample (e.g., but not limited to, blood) from a subject or patient, or by measuring the level of circulating cancer cell antibody levels in the patient.
  • quantities are defined by ranges, and by lower and upper boundaries of ranges. Each lower boundary can be combined with each upper boundary to define a range. The lower and upper boundaries should each be taken as a separate element.
  • the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion.
  • a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, article, or apparatus.
  • a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
  • any examples or illustrations given herein are not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or express definitions of any term or terms with which they are utilized. Instead, these examples or illustrations are to be regarded as being described with respect to one particular embodiment and as being illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these examples or illustrations are utilized will encompass other embodiments which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of that term or terms. Language designating such nonlimiting examples and illustrations includes, but is not limited to: “for example,” “for instance,” “e.g.,” and “in one embodiment.”
  • each member may be combined with any one or more of the other members to make additional sub-groups.
  • additional sub-groups specifically contemplated include any one, two, three, or four of the members, e.g., a and c; a, d, and e; b, c, d, and e; etc.
  • CD4-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)- engineered T cells Targeting of human T cell malignancies using CD4-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)- engineered T cells
  • Human lymphoma cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from residual samples.
  • Umbilical cord blood cells were obtained from donors at Stony Brook
  • SP53 and KARPAS 299 lymphoma cell lines were obtained from ATCC (Manassas, VA).
  • 293FT cells were co-transfected with pMD2G and pSPAX viral packaging plasmids, and with either pRSC.CD4.3G or GFP Lentiviral vector, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) per manufacturer's protocol.
  • pMD2G and pSPAX viral packaging plasmids were co-transfected with either pRSC.CD4.3G or GFP Lentiviral vector, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) per manufacturer's protocol.
  • pRSC.CD4.3G or GFP Lentiviral vector Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) per manufacturer's protocol.
  • lentiviral transduction Prior to lentiviral transduction, umbilical cord or peripheral blood mononuclear buffy coat cells were activated for two days in the presence of 300 IU/mL IL-2 and 1 ⁇ g/mL anti-human CD3 (Miltenyi Bio tec, Germany).
  • CAR-transduced T cells were expanded for 7 days in T cell media (50% AIM-V, 40% RPMI 1640, 10% FBS and lx penicillin/streptomycin; all Gibco) supplemented with IL-2. Cells were counted every day and media was added every 2-3 days in order to maintain T cell counts below 2 x 10 6 cells/mL.
  • T cell media 50% AIM-V, 40% RPMI 1640, 10% FBS and lx penicillin/streptomycin; all Gibco
  • CD4CAR T cells and GFP control cells were stained with CD45RO, CD45RA, CD62L and CD8 (all from BD Biosciences) for flow cytometry analysis.
  • CD4CAR T cells or GFP T cells were incubated with target cells at ratios of 2: 1, 5: 1 and 10: 1 (200,000, 500,000 or 1 million effector cells to 100,000 target cells, respectively) in 1 mL T cell culture media, without IL-2 for 24h.
  • Target cells were KARPAS 299 cells
  • CD4CAR T cells and GFP T cells were also incubated with SP53 (mantle cell lymphoma) cells, which do not express CD4, in the same ratios in 1 mL separate reactions. After 24 hours of co-culture, cells were stained with mouse anti-human CD8 and CD4 antibodies.
  • SP53 cells were labeled with CMTMR (Life Technologies) prior to co-culture with T cells, and T cells were labeled with mouse anti-human CD3 (PerCp) after co-culture incubation.
  • mice (NOO.Cg-Prkdc scid Il2rg tmlw ISzi) from the Jackson Laboratory were used under a Stony Brook University IACUC-approved protocol. Mice were all male and between 8 and 12 weeks old. Three sets of in vivo experiments were performed with no blinding. For each set, 10 mice were irradiated with a sublethal (2.5 Gy) dose of gamma irradiation and assigned randomly to the treatment or control group. 24h later, mice were given one intradermal injection of 0.5 xlO 6 or 1.0 xlO 6 KARPAS 299 cells in order to form a measurable subcutaneous tumor within 7 days. Tumor size area was measured every other day.
  • mice In the first set, three days after the injection of 1 million KARPAS 299 cells, 2 million CD4CAR T (5 mice) or 2 million GFP T control cells (5 mice) were administered to the mice intravenously (by tail vein injection). A second dose of 8 million cells was injected intravenously on Day 22. In the second set, 10 NSG mice was irradiated and injected with 0.5 x 10 6 KARPAS 299 cells. On day 2, mice were injected intravenously with one course of 8 million CD4CAR T cells (5 mice) and 8 million GFP T control cells (5 mice). A second dose of 5.5 million cells was injected intravenously on Day 10.
  • mice were irradiated and injected with 0.5 xlO 6 KARPAS 299 cells.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 2.5 xlO 6 CD4CAR T cells or with GFP T control cells (5 mice per group). Intravenous injections were repeated every 5 days for a total of four courses.
  • the scFv (single-chain variable fragment) nucleotide sequence of the anti-CD4 molecule was derived from humanized monoclonal ibalizumab (also known as Hu5A8 or TNX-355). This monoclonal antibody has been used in a variety of Phase I or II clinical trials.
  • the intracellular domains of CD28 and 4- IBB co- stimulators were fused to the CD3 zeta signaling domain. Additionally, the leader sequence of CD8 was introduced for efficient expression of the CD4CAR molecule on the cell surface.
  • CD4CAR DNA molecule was sub-cloned into a lentiviral plasmid. Because of the presence of two co- stimulatory domains (CD28 and 4- IBB), CD4CAR is considered to be a third generation CAR. CD4CAR expression is controlled under a strong SFFV (spleen focus-forming virus) promoter and is well suited for hematological applications.
  • SFFV spleen focus-forming virus
  • Cord Blood-derived CD4CAR T cells are highly enriched for CD8+ T cells and most of them bear a central memory T cell like immunophenotype.
  • Human umbilical cord blood (CB) is an alternate source for allogeneic T cell therapy.
  • Human CB buffy coat cells were activated and transduced with either CD4CAR or control (GFP) lentiviruses.
  • CD4CAR T cells and GFP T cells were expanded for 7 days, with a 20-fold increase in cell count observed for both CD4CAR and GFP T cells (Figure 7).
  • Figure 7 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry for T-cell subsets ( Figure 2A). Flow cytometry analysis showed that -54% of T-cells expressed the CD4CAR ( Figure 2B).
  • FIG. 2A flow cytometry analysis showed that -54% of T-cells expressed the CD4CAR
  • CD4CAR T cells exhibit potent anti-CD4 activity in vitro during T cell expansion.
  • CD8+CD45RO+CD62L+ immunophenotype is consistent with the acquisition of a central memory-like phenotype, and low CD45RA+ expression confirms loss of naive T cell status.
  • CD4CAR T cells derived from Cord Blood specifically kill CD4-expressing leukemia/lymphoma including anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Sezary syndrome and unclassfified PTCL lymphoma.
  • CD4CAR T cells highly enriched for CD8+ T cells were generated (Figure 2C).
  • the cells were then tested in vitro for anti-leukemic functions using the KARPAS 299 cell line.
  • the KARPAS 299 cell line was initially established from the peripheral blood of a patient with anaplastic large T cell lymphoma expressing CD4. Cytogenetic analysis has previously shown that KARPAS 299 cells have many cytogenetic abnormalities.
  • CB-derived CD4CAR T cells were tested for their ability to ablate KARPAS 299 cells.
  • CD4CAR T cells were also tested for their ability to ablate CD4 negative lymphoma cells.
  • SP53 mantle cell lymphoma cell line is a human B-cell lymphoma cell line that does not express CD4. Flow cytometry analysis showed that CD4CAR T cells were unable to lyse or eliminate SP53 mantle cell lymphoma ( Figure 3D).
  • Patient 1 presented with an aggressive form of CD4+ T cell leukemia, Sezary syndrome, which did not respond to standard chemotherapy.
  • Patient 2 presented with an unspecified CD4+ PTCL lymphoma.
  • Flow cytometry analysis of both patient samples revealed strong and uniform CD4 expression, with almost all leukemic cells expressing CD4 ( Figure 3B and C).
  • co-culture of patient samples with CD4CAR for 24 hours resulted in rapid and definitive ablation of CD4+ malignancies, with, once again, approximately 98% ablation observed for both Sezary syndrome and PTCL co-cultures, consistent with the ablation of KARPAS previously shown ( Figure 3B and 3C).
  • CD4CAR T cells efficiently eliminate two different types of aggressive CD4+ lymphoma/leukemia cells directly from patient samples even at the low E:T ratio of 2: 1 ( Figure 3B and 3C).
  • CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs specifically kill CD4-expressing the tumor cell line.
  • CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
  • PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
  • the CD4 and CD8 sets were monitored by flow cytometry during cell expansion, and compared to that of cells transduced with control GFP.
  • the PBMCs derived CD4CAR T cells were highly enriched for CD8+ T cells as observed with CD4CAR T cells derived from CB ( Figure 4A), indicative of the role of CD4CAR in the depletion of CD4+.
  • PBMC derived CD4CAR cells were subsequently tested in their ability to ablate CD4 positive leukemia/lymphoma cells, using the KARPAS 299 cell line.
  • the ablation assay involved the co-culture of CD4CAR T cells or GFP T cells, with KARPAS 299 cells, and with the SP53 mantle cell lymphoma cell line negative control. Reactions were stopped after 24 hours: dead cells were stained with 7-AAD (7-aminoactinomycin D) and live cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • CD4CAR T cells exhibit significant anti-tumor activity in vivo.
  • CD4CAR anti-leukemia activity we administered two courses of relatively large doses of CD4CAR T cells. Similarly, two injections totaling 13.5 xlO 6 CD4CAR T cells caused more pronounced leukemia growth arrest as compared to a lower CD4CAR dose but eventually the leukemic cell population recovered (Figure 5B). Finally, we investigated the efficacy of multiple course injections of a low dose of CD4CAR T cells (each 2.5 x 10 6 cells). We treated the mice bearing subcutaneous leukemia with repeat intravenous injections of CD4CAR T cells, once every 4 or 5 days for total of 4 injections.
  • CD4CAR T cell-treated mice displayed more significant antileukemic effect compared to single dose ( Figure 5C and 5A). Moreover, treatment with
  • CD4CAR T cells significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing KARPAS 299 lymphoma as compared to treatment with the GFP-transduced control T cells (Figure 5D).
  • CD4CAR Anti-CD4 Chimeric Antigen Receptor
  • Human leukemia cells were obtained from residual samples on a protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board of Stony Brook University. Cord blood cells were also obtained under protocol from donors at Stony Brook University Hospital. Written, informed consent was obtained from all donors.
  • Karpas 299, HL-60, CCRF-CEM, MOLT4 and NK-92 cell lines were obtained from ATCC (Manassas, VA).
  • NK-92 cells were cultured in filtered NK cell media, defined as alpha-MEM without ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides with 2mM L- glutamine, 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate, 12.5% heat-inactivated horse serum, 12.5% heat- inactivated FBS, IX Pen/Strep, 0.2% inositol, 0.02% folic acid, and 50 ⁇ beta- mercaptoethanol, supplemented with IL-2 (300 IU/mL), unless otherwise specified.
  • Karpas 299, CCRF-CEM, and MOLT4 cell lines were cultured in RPMI, 10% FBS, lx Pen/Strep (Gibco, Waltham, MA, USA).
  • HL-60 cells were cultured in IMDM, 10% FBS, lx Pen/Strep (Gibco, Waltham, MA, USA).
  • the CD4-specific CAR (pRSC.SFFV.CD4.3G) was designed to contain an intracellular CD28 domain upstream of 4- IBB and CD3zeta domains, thereby making the construct a third- generation CAR.
  • NK cells were co-transfected with pMD2G and pSPAX viral packaging plasmids containing either pRSC.SFFV.CD4.3G or GFP lentiviral vector control, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) per manufacturer's protocol. NK cells were cultured for a minimum of 2 days in the presence of 300 IU/mL IL-2 prior to transduction with viral supernatant. Transfection and transduction procedures are further described in Supplemental Data.
  • NK cells were washed and suspended in FACs buffer (0.2% BSA in DPBS) 3 days after transduction.
  • FACs buffer (0.2% BSA in DPBS) 3 days after transduction.
  • Normal goat IgG (Jackson
  • NK cell sample was probed with Bio tin-labeled polyclonal goat anti-mouse F(Ab') (1:250, Jackson
  • CD4CAR or vector control NK cells were incubated with CD4 expressing Karpas 299 cells (anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma), HL-60 cells (acute promyelocytic leukemia), CCRF- CEM cells (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: T-ALL), CD4 + T-cells isolated from human cord blood, or CD4 expressing primary human leukemic cells (adult Sezary syndrome and pediatric T-ALL) at ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1 (200,000 and 500,000 effector cells to 100,000 target cells, respectively) in 1 mL of NK-cell culture media, without IL-2.
  • Karpas 299 cells anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma
  • HL-60 cells acute promyelocytic leukemia
  • CCRF- CEM cells T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: T-ALL
  • CD4 + T-cells isolated from human cord blood or CD4 expressing primary human leukemic cells (adult Sezary syndrome and pediatric T-ALL
  • NK cells single positive denoted NK cells
  • CD4 + single positive denoted target cells All cells were washed with FACs buffer, suspended in 2% formalin, and analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • CD4CAR or vector control NK cells were incubated with a 50:50 mix of on-target cells (CFSE-stained Karpas 299 cells and CMTMR- stained CCRF-CEM cells) and off-target CMTR- labelled MOLT4 cells at effector: target ratios of 1 : 1 , 1:2, and 1 :4 ratios in 1 mL of NK-cell culture media, without IL-2. After 24 hours, cells were stained with 7-AAD (BioLegend, San Diego, CA), washed with FACS buffer, and live 7-AAD negative cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • on-target cells CFSE-stained Karpas 299 cells and CMTMR- stained CCRF-CEM cells
  • CMTR-labelled MOLT4 cells at effector: target ratios of 1 : 1 , 1:2, and 1 :4 ratios in 1 mL of NK-cell culture media, without IL-2.
  • 7-AAD BioLegend, San Diego, CA
  • CFU Colony Forming Unit
  • CD4CAR NK cells were incubated at co-culture effector: target ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1 respectively with 500 CD34+ CB cells for 24 hours in NK cell media supplemented with IL-2. Controls used were CD34+ cells alone, and non-transduced NK cells co-cultured at 2: 1 and 5: 1 effectontarget ratios with CD34+ CB cells. Hematopoietic compartment output was assessed via formation of erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and number of granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units (CFU-GM) at Day 16. CFU statistical analysis was performed via 2-way ANOVA with alpha set at 0.05.
  • BFU-E erythroid burst-forming units
  • CFU-GM granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units
  • mice Male 12-week-old NSG mice (NOD.Cg-Prkdcsid I12rgtmlWjl/SzJ) were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME) and used under a Stony Brook University IACUC- approved protocol. NSG mice were irradiated with a sublethal (2.5 Gy) dose of gamma irradiation. Twenty-four hours later, mice were intradermally injected with 0.5 xlO 6 Karpas 299 cells that had been stably transduced to express luciferase, in order to cause a measurable subcutaneous tumor to form.
  • mice were injected subcutaneously with 100 ⁇ ⁇ RediJect D-Luciferin (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA) and subjected to IVIS imaging (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA). Images were analyzed using Caliper Life Sciences software (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA).
  • Xenogeneic model sample sizes were estimated using 2-sample, 2-sided equality power analysis (90% power and ⁇ 5% significance). Unpaired Student T tests were used to determine significance of tumor size area and light intensity. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and statistical analyses of survival was performed using a log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test with P ⁇ 0.05 considered significant. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 6 software. Variance was determined to be similar between the treatment and control group prior to unpaired student-test.
  • the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) nucleotide sequence of the anti-CD4 molecule was derived from the humanized monoclonal antibody ibalizumab (Hu5A8 or TNX-355)- the safety and efficacy of which have been well studied in clinical trials for HIV.
  • the CD4CAR was designed with CD28 and 4- IBB domains fused to the CD3zeta signaling domain, making it a third generation CAR.
  • CD19-targeting third generation CAR T- cells have previously been used in clinical trials, with great efficacy.
  • CD4CAR DNA molecule was subsequently sub-cloned into a lentiviral plasmid.
  • HEK293-FT cells were transfected with the CD4CAR lentiviral plasmid or vector control plasmid, and 48 hours later were harvested for Western blot analysis. Immunoblotting with an anti-CD3zeta monoclonal antibody showed bands of predicted size for the CD4CAR-CD3zeta fusion protein ( Figure 8B). As expected, no CD3zeta expression was observed for the GFP vector control protein ( Figure 8B).
  • CD4CAR NK transduction efficiency was determined to be 15.9%, as determined by flow cytometry ( Figure 9A upper panel).
  • FACS fluorescence-activated cell sorting
  • CD4CAR hlgh NK cells were confirmed to be more than 85% CD4CAR positive ( Figure 15).
  • CD4CAR expression levels remained consistently stable at 75- 90% on NK cells during expansion of up to 10 passages, and following cryopreservation. Indeed, at the onset of co-culture experiments, expanded CD4CAR lg NK cells expressed CAR at 85% ( Figure 9 A lower panel).
  • CD4CAR NK cells specifically lyse CD4 + blood cancer cells including anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma (Karpas 299), acute myeloid leukemia (HL-60) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF-CEM)
  • CD4CAR NK cells were tested for anti-lymphoma activity in vitro using the following CD4 + cell lines: Karpas 299, HL-60, and CCRF-CEM.
  • the Karpas 299 cell line was established from the peripheral blood of a 25-year-old patient with anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma.
  • the HL-60 cell line was established from the peripheral blood of a 36-year-old patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia.
  • the CCRF-CEM cell line was established from the peripheral blood of a 4-year-old patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).
  • CD4CAR NK cells showed profound killing of CD4 positive leukemia/lymphoma cells at the low effector cell to target cell ratio (E:T) of 2: 1 ( Figure 10A) and the standard 5: 1 ratio ( Figure IOC ).
  • E:T effector cell to target cell ratio
  • Figure IOC standard 5: 1 ratio
  • target tumor cells were identified by the CD4 + , CD56 " immunophenotype (labeled in blue on flow cytometry charts).
  • vector control NK cells showed some non-specific tumor cell killing ability that is innate to NK cells, but as expected, were far less effective against CD4 + tumor cells compared to CD4CAR NK cells.
  • CD4CAR NK cells specifically lyse CD4-expressing tumor cell lines in dose dependent manner.
  • CD4CAR NK cells specifically lyse CD4 + Karpas 299 and CCRF-CEM leukemic cell lines in vitro in a dose-dependent manner at effector: target ratios of 1:4, 1:2, and 1: 1 ( Figure 11).
  • CD4CAR NK effector cells or vector control NK effector cells were incubated with tumor cells that were comprised of equal numbers of on-target CD4 + cells, CFSE-stained Karpas 299 or CFSE-stained CCRF-CEM, and "off-target" CMTMR-stained CD4 " , CD5 + MOLT4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.
  • the MOLT4 cells were included to account for variation in the starting cell numbers and for spontaneous target cell death. After 24 hours, live cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent lysis of target cells was measured by comparing CD4 + target cell survival in CD4CAR NK co-culture to vector control NK co-culture. Karpas 299 cells were eliminated at rates of 67%, 95%, and 100%, at effector to target ratios of 1:4, 1:2, and 1: 1, respectively ( Figure 11). And CCRF-CEM cells were eliminated at rates of 39%, 58%, and 69% respectively at the same E:T ratios ( Figure 11).
  • CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse CMTMR-labeled MOLT4 cells, confirmed to be ⁇ 5% CD4 + by flow cytometry analysis ( Figure 16A). Additional co-culture experiments confirmed that CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse MOLT4 cells at Oh, 4h, 8h, and 24h ( Figure 16B), whereas CD4CAR NK cells lysed Karpas 299 cells as detected by flow cytometry as early as 4h ( Figure 16C). Combined, these data indicate that CD4CAR NK cell anti-tumor cytotoxicity is dose-dependent, rapid onset and highly specific to CD4 + cells.
  • CD4CAR NK cells completely depleted CD4 + T-cells at an effectontarget ratio of 2: 1 after 24 hours of co-culture, with remaining cells 0.0% CD4 + .
  • CD4 + cord blood cell co-culture with corresponding vector control NK cells CD56 + , CD4 "
  • the CD4 + population remained largely intact ( Figure 12A), further confirming specific and robust CD4CAR NK-mediated depletion of CD4 + populations on healthy tissue.
  • CD4CAR NK cells do not affect stem cell output in hematopoietic compartment.
  • CFU (Colony-Forming-Unit) assay analysis revealed that CD4CAR NK cells did not significantly affect the CD34+ cord blood stem cell output of the hematopoietic compartment.
  • Hematopoietic compartment output was assessed by the presence of erythroid progenitors and granulocyte/macrophage progenitors at Day 0, determined by number of erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and number of granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units (CFU-GM) at Day 16 ( Figure 12B). This finding is consistent with specific targeting of CD4, a mature T-cell marker, with limited impact on hematopoietic stem cells and early progenitors, and no evidence of lineage skewing, a measure of therapeutic safety.
  • CD4CAR NK cells exhibit significant anti-tumor activity in vivo
  • mice were sublethally irradiated and intradermally injected with luciferase-expressing Karpas 299 cells to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD4CAR NK cells or vector control NK control cells per administration.
  • mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and underwent IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (Figure 13A).
  • CD5CAR Anti-CD5 Chimeric Antigen Receptor
  • CD5CAR as well as anchored CD5 scFv antibody were designed to test the function and mechanism of CD5CAR T cells in terms of both the targeting and lysis of CD5 expressing cells and the ability of CD5CAR T cells to down-regulate CD5 expression within their own CD5CAR T-cell population (Fig. 17A).
  • the generated CD5CAR lentiviruses were transduced into HEK293 cells. After 48h treatment with CD5CAR or GFP-lentiviruses, the expression of CD5CAR in HEK293 cells was verified by Western blot analysis using CD3zeta antibody, which recognize C-terminal region of CD5CAR protein (Fig. 17B).
  • CD5CAR lentiviruses were transduced into activated human T cells.
  • the expression of CD5CAR on surface of T cells was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis using goat anti-mouse F(ab') antibody, which recognizes scFv region of CD5CAR protein.
  • flow cytometric analysis showed that about 20% of CD5CAR expression was observed on CD5CAR transduced T-cells compared to isotype control (Fig. 17C).
  • CD5CAR T cell co-culture and animal assays Prior to CD5CAR T cell co-culture and animal assays, the expression of CD5 on the surface of CD5CAR T cells is down regulated to avoid self -killing within the CD5CAR T population.
  • the down-regulation of CD5 will prevent the self-killing of CAR T cells within the CAR T cell population, and the down-regulation of CD5 is associated with an increased killing ability of T-cells.
  • a CAR that is produced within T-cells that has no CD5 expression could be a super-functional CAR, no matter the construct of the CAR itself.
  • Downregulation of CD5 expression on T-cells can be accomplished by transduction of anchored CD5CAR scFv lentiviruses.
  • a new construct was created entitled anchored CD5 scFv (SEQ ID NO. 7 (Fig. 17A).
  • This construct includes an anti-CD5 scFv lined to a transmembrane domain via a hinge region, which allows CD5 scFv to anchor on the T cell surface.
  • the anchored CD5 scFv polypeptide (SEQ ID NO. 16) binds to CD5 target without target cell lysis as observed with a functional CD5CAR.
  • a single transduction and flow data analysis is shown in Fig. 19A and 19B, with partial down-regulation of CD5 expression for T cells on day 7 of incubation. This is consistent with the partial down-regulation of CD5 expression seen for CD5CAR T-cells after a single transduction.
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively lyse T- cell ALL cell lines.
  • CD5CAR T cells The killing ability of CD5CAR T cells was first tested against T-cell ALL established cell lines CCRF-CEM and MOLT-4, and an anaplastic large cell leukemic cell line KARPAS 299 as shown in Fig. 20A and 20B. An avid killing ability was seen for the two CD5+ cell lines when compared to GFP control, with target cell lysis above 75% for both lines. 0% lysis was observed in an analplastic large cell line KARPAS 299, which is negative for CD5.
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively lyse T- cell ALL cells from human samples.
  • the CD5CAR ability to lyse patient sample T-ALL cells was also assessed using multiple patient samples and CD5CAR cell co-cultures were shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22. While there was an avid cell killing noted for the T-ALL 1 patient leukemic cells that was similar to the CD5 target cell lysis seen when CD5CAR cells targeted T cell ALL cell lines, three other patient leukemic cells showed comparatively weaker lysis of target cells (Fig. 21A. and Fig. 21B.).
  • the ability of killing by CD5CAR on the patient leukemic cells correlated with the intensity of CD5 expression as shown in Fig. 21A, 21B, and 21D.
  • the CD5 expression for T-ALL- 1, T-ALL 3, T-ALL 6 and T-ALL 7 through flow cytometry analysis was observed.
  • the CD5 expression was significantly lower for the T-ALL patient samples, except for T-ALL- 1 sample.
  • CD5CAR T cells exhibit the specificity and potent target cell killing.
  • CD5CAR T cells were also tested for their ability to ablate CD5 negative leukemic T cells.
  • Anaplastic large T cell lymphoma line is the cell line that does not express CD5.
  • Flow cytometry analysis showed that CD5CAR T cells were unable to lyse or eliminate KARPAS 299 cells, as shown in Figure 21A, lower panel.
  • T-ALL-8 A patient sample (T-ALL-8) with a high level of CD5 expression was obtained from a patient with a minimal disease of T-ALL.
  • Co-culture was performed with CD5CAR and analyzed in detail as shown in Figure 22.
  • Three population cells including CD5+ normal T cells, CD5+CD34+ T-ALL cells and CD5-CD34+ T-ALL cells were assessed by flow cytometry after co-culture.
  • CD5CAR exhibited the specificity and potent target cell lysis ability with >93% of CD5 positive cell lysis for all CD5+ cell populations when compared to GFP control.
  • the CD5CAR killed leukemic cells as efficiently as CD5 normal T cells. Killing was not observed in the CD5 negative population.
  • CD5CAR T cells essentially eliminated the T cell population (CD5+CD34-).
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively eliminate normal T cells.
  • CD5CAR T cells demonstrated effective elimination of normal T cells in a dose dependent manner in a co-culture assay at low ratios (effector: target) of 0.25: 1, 0.5: 1 and 1: 1 (Fig. 23).
  • CD5CAR T cells or CD123CAR T (control) effector cells were incubated with GFP labeled T cells. Percent killing of target cells was measured by comparing GFP T cell survival in CD5CAR T co-culture relative to that in CD123CAR T control co-culture. Normal GFP T cells were eliminated in a dose-response fashion for CD5CAR T cells.
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively eliminated all GFP T cells at effector to target ratio of 1: 1 (Fig. 23).
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively eliminated all normal T cells, the feasibility of CD5CAR T therapy should depend on the ability to provide transient rather than permanent.
  • CD5CAR T cells could be used as a novel conditioning regimen or a "bridge" for hematopoietic cell transplantation.
  • T cells maintained CD5 expression when they were co-cultured with CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv T cells.
  • CD5 CAR or anchored CD5 scFv T cells affect the CD5 expression on CD5 positive T or leukemic cells using a co-culture assay. Steps for generation of CD5CAR T cells or anchored CD5 scFv T cells and CD 123 CAR T cells (control) were shown in Fig. 24A.
  • transduced T cells were analyzed with the expression of CD5 by flow cytometry.
  • T cells transduced either CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv lentiviruses displayed essentially complete downregulation of the surface CD5 protein (Fig. 24B).
  • the CD 123 CAR transduced-T cell control maintained the CD5 expression.
  • transduced CD5CAR or CD5 anchored scFv and CD123CAR T cells with GFP-labeled T cells at the ratio of 1: 1 (E:T) for 2 or 4 days.
  • CD5CAR T cells effectively eliminated all GFP- T cells.
  • transduced CD5 anchored scFv or CD123CAR T cells were unable to lyse GFP T cells.
  • GFP T cells still expressed CD5 when co-cultured with transduced CD5 anchored scFv or CD123CAR T cells.
  • CD5CAR- or anchored CD5CAR lentiviruses results in the downregulation of CD5 expression.
  • CCRF-CEM and MOLT-4 T-ALL cells were transduced with CD5CAR- or anchored CD5 scFv lentiviruses.
  • CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv significantly down-regulated or reduced the quantity of surface CD5 expression on these leukemic cells (Fig. 25C).
  • the T cells maintained CD5 expression when these cells were used to co-culture with transduced anchored CD5 scFv T cells (Fig. 24A and B).
  • CD5CAR T cells exhibit profound anti-tumor activity in vivo.
  • mice were sublethally (2.0 Gy) irradiated and intravenously injected with 1.0 x 10 6 firefly luciferase- expressing CCRF-CEM cells (CD5+) to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • CCRF-CEM-Luc+ cell injection mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD5CAR T cells or vector control T cells. These injections were repeated on Day 4, Day 6, and Day 7, for a total of 20 x 10 6 T cells per mouse.
  • mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin (Perkin-Elmer) and subjected to IVIS imaging (Caliper LifeSciences) to measure tumor burden (Fig. 26A). Average light intensity measured for the CD5CAR T cell injected mice was compared to that of vector control T injected mice (Fig. 26B). Paired T test analysis revealed a very highly significant difference between the two groups by day 13 with less light intensity and thus less tumor burden in the CD5CAR T injected group compared to control (p ⁇ 0.0012). Further analysis showed that by Day 5, mice treated with CD5CAR T cells only 3 days previously had 53% lower tumor burden compared to control mice, and that percentage improved to 95% by Day 8 (Fig.
  • the anti-CD5 molecule is a modular design, comprising of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) in conjunction with CD28 and 4- IBB domains fused to the CD3zeta signaling domain to improve signal transduction making it a third generation CAR.
  • scFv single-chain variable fragment
  • a strong spleen focus forming virus promoter (SFFV) was used for efficient expression of the CD5CAR molecule on the NK cell surface and the CD8 leader sequence was incorporated into the construct.
  • the anti- CD5 scFv is attached to the intracellular signaling domains via a CD8-derived hinge (H) and transmembrane (TM) regions. This CD5CAR construct was then cloned into a lentiviral plasmid
  • the transduction efficiency of the CD5CAR was determined by flow cytometry analysis. To enrich for CD5CAR+ NK cells, the highest expressing NK cells were harvested using flow cytometry. Following sorting, the expression of the CD5CAR hlgh NK was expanded for efficacy studies in vitro and vivo.
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate human T-cell acute lymphomblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines
  • CD5CAR NK cells were tested for anti-T-ALL activity in vitro using CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4 and Jurkat cell lines. All these T-ALL cell lines highly expressed CD5.
  • CD5CAR NK cells demonstrated profound killing of CCRF-CEM at the low effector cell to target cell ratio (E:T) of 2: 1 and 5: 1. At these ratios, CD5CAR NK cells virtually eliminated CCRF-CEM cells (Fig. 27A).
  • CD5CAR NK cells lysed CCRF-CEM leukemic cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner at effector: target ratios of 0.25: 1, 0.5: 1, 1: 1, 2: 1 and 5: 1 (Fig. 27B and 27C).
  • Additional two T-ALL cells, MOLT-4 and Jurkat were used to test the anti-leukemic activity for CD5NK cells. Co-culture studies of these two cell lines were conducted with CD5CAR NK cells.
  • CD5CAR NK cells essentially eliminated MOLT-4 and Jurkat cells at a low effector: target ratio of 2: 1 (Fig. 28A and B).
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate aggressive CD5+ T-ALL cells using human samples
  • T-ALL #1 had a small subset of T-ALL cells positive for CD5.
  • Leukemic cells from this patient were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells.
  • Target populations were gated and quantified with flow cytometry using cell cytotracker dye (CMTMR) to label patient's cells.
  • CTMR cell cytotracker dye
  • Target CD5+CD34+ cell populations were gated against an isotype control.
  • CD5CAR NK cells lysed about 60% of CD34+CD5+ leukemic cells at an E:T ratio of 5: 1.
  • CD5CAR NK cells showed no any activity against CD5- cell populations, implying specific and directed activity against (selective for) target antigen epitopes.
  • Patient 2 had a T-ALL population, which was virtually positive for CD5, and co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells.
  • CD5CAR NK cells showed almost complete lysis of the highly expressing CD5+ target population with potent activity against the dim CD5+CD34+ population (Fig. 29B).
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate aggressive CD5+ peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) cells using human samples.
  • PTCL peripheral T cell lymphoma
  • Patient 3 presented a CD4+ PTCL (unclassified type) and patient 4 presented with Sezary syndrome, an aggressive form of PTCLs that did not respond to a standard chemotherapy.
  • Lymphoma cells from patient 3 were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells for 24 hours.
  • Leukemic cells were CD5+CD7- positive and the CD5+CD7- population was gated and quantified by flow cytometry.
  • Target CD5+CD7- population was analyzed and cell survival was expressed relative to transduced vector control NK cells.
  • CD5CAR NK displayed almost complete lysis of the leukemic CD5+CD7- target population, with complete lysis across the entire CD5+ population including normal T cells expressing CD5 (Fig. 29C).
  • CD5CAR NK cells demonstrated a potent anti-leukemic acidity with over 90% lysis of Sezary syndrome cells (Fig. 29D). Saturation was achieved at 2: 1 E:T ratio where leukemic cells were virtually eliminated.
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively deplete normal T cells.
  • T cells were isolated from cord blood and used to co-culture with CD5CAR NK cells.
  • CD5CAR NK cells completely depleted T cells at a low effectontarget ratio of 2: 1 after 24 hours of co-culture (Fig. 30).
  • the T cell population remained largely intact.
  • CD5CAR NK cells effectively lyse CD5+ B-cell malignancies including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL).
  • MCL mantle cell lymphoma
  • CLL chronic lymphocytic lymphoma
  • CD5CAR NK cells virtually eliminated both populations, which were CD5+CD19+ leukemia population and CD5+CD19- T-cell population (Fig.3 IB) .
  • Cells from a patient with B- cell CLL were also co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells.
  • CD 19 was used to gate the leukemic population with flow cytometry.
  • CD5+ CD 19+ CLL cells were virtually eliminated by
  • CD5CAR NK cells include a biologcal property of profound anti-tumor activity in leukemic cell lines and patient leukemic samples (Fig. 32) including for T-ALL, PTCLs and B-cell lymphomas expressing CD5.
  • CD5CAR NK cells demonstrate a potent anti-leukemic activity in vivo.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 1.0 x 10 6 firefly luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM cells to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • 3 days following CCRF-CEM-Luc+ cell injection mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD5CAR NK cells or vector control T cells. These injections were repeated on Day 4 for a total of 10 x 10 6 T cells per mouse.
  • mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (Fig. 33A).
  • CD3CAR Anti-CD3 Chimeric Antigen Receptor
  • the anti-CD3 molecule is a modular design, comprising of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) in conjunction with CD28 and 4- IBB domains fused to the CD3zeta signaling domain to improve signal transduction making it a third generation CAR.
  • a strong spleen focus forming virus promoter (SFFV) was used for efficient expression of the CD3CAR molecule on the NK cell (NK-92) surface and the CD8 leader sequence was incorporated into the construct.
  • the anti-CD3 scFv is attached to the intracellular signaling domains via a CD8-derived hinge (H) and transmembrane (TM) regions (Fig. 34A). This CD3CAR construct was then cloned into a lentiviral plasmid.
  • the transduction efficiency of the CD3CAR was determined by flow cytometry analysis.
  • CD3CAR NK cells effectively lyse human T-ALL cell lines
  • CD3 positive cells in Jurkat and CCRF-CEM cells are approximately 80% and 10% positive for CD3, respectively.
  • CD3+ cells from the CCRF-CEM cell line were then sorted for highly expressed CD3 cells, and CD3 expression in sorted CCRF-CEM cells were about 50%.
  • CD3CAR NK cells demonstrated profound leukemic cell killing abilities (Fig. 35). At 6 hour incubation and at a low E:T ratio of 2: 1, CD3CAR NK cells effectively lysed over 60% of Jurkat cells (Fig.
  • CD3CAR NK cells effectively eliminate CD3+ leukemic cells from human samples
  • CD3CAR NK cells The killing ability of CD3CAR NK cells was also tested using patient samples. Flow cytometry analysis of both patient samples revealed strong and uniform CD3 expression. As analyzed by flow cytometry, co-culture of Sezary syndrome patient sample with CD3CAR T cells effectively resulted in lysis of approximately 80% of leukemic cells at a low E:T ratio of 2: 1 (Fig. 36A). Co-culture of patient sample, unclassified PTCLs with CD3CAR NK cells for 24 hours resulted in virtual ablation of CD3+ malignant cells (Fig. 36B). The CD3CAR NK cells also affected the broad CD3+ population.
  • CD3CAR NK cells are able to deplete normal T cells.
  • GFP transduced normal T cells were used to co-culture CD3CAR NK cells.
  • CD3CAR NK cells depleted a substantial portion of normal T cells after 4 or 24-hour incubation.
  • CD3CAR NK cells exhibit profound anti-leukemic activity in vivo
  • mice sublethally irradiated NSG mice were intravenously injected with 1.0 x 10 6 firefly luciferase-expressing Jurkat cells, which are CD3 positive (-80%), and measurable tumor formation was detected by Day 3 or 4.
  • mice were intravenously injected with 5 x 10 6 CD3CAR NK cells or vector control NK cells per mouse, 6 per group. These injections were repeated on Day 3, 6, 7 and 10 for a total of 25 x 10 6 T cells per mouse.
  • days 4, 7, 9 and 13 mice were subjected to IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (Fig. 38A).
  • CRISPR/Cas nucleases target to CD2, CD3, CD5 and CD7 expressed on T or NK cells.
  • T or NK cells appear to share some of surface antigens, such as CD2, CD3, CD5 and CD7 with leukemia or lymphoma.
  • CD2, CD3, CD5, and CD7 could be good targets for T and NK cells as they are expressed in most of T cell leukemia/lymphoma.
  • this antigen is needed to delete or down-regulate in T or NK cells used to generate CAR if they share this antigen, to avoid self-killing within the CAR T or NK cell population.
  • Steps for generation of CAR T or NK cell targeting T-cell lymphomas or T-cell leukemia are described in Figure 39.
  • Three pairs of sgRNA were designed with CHOPCHOP to target CD2, CD3, CD5, and CD7.
  • Gene-specific sgRNAs (Fig. 40) were then cloned into the lentiviral vector (Lenti U6-sgRNA-SFFV-Cas9-puro-wpre) expressing a human Cas9 and puromycin resistance genes linked with an E2A self-cleaving linker.
  • the U6-sgRNA cassette is in front of the Cas9 element.
  • the expression of sgRNA and Cas9puro is driven by the U6 promoter and SFFV promoter, respectively.
  • CRISPR/Cas nucleases target to CD5 on T cell lines.
  • Lentiviruses carried gene-specific sgRNAs were used to transduce CCRF-CEM and MOLT cells. Initially, the loss of CD5 expression was observed in both of these T cell lines using two different two CDISPR/Cas9 sgRNA sequences (Fig. 41A and 41C). The most successful population in terms of the loss of CD5 expression was chosen for each cell line, and these cells were sorted, expanded normally and found to be of >99% purity CD45+ and CD5- (Fig. 41B and 41D).
  • CRISPR/Cas nucleases target to CD7 on T cell lines and NK cells.
  • Lentiviruses carried gene-specific sgRNAs were used to transduce CCRF-CEM, MOLT cells and NK cells (Fig. 42).
  • Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated the loss of CD7 expression in CCRF-CEM and NK-92 cells with CRISPR/Cas9 approach using two different sgRNAs (Fig. 42A and 42B).
  • the population (denoted by the blue circle and arrow) was selected for sorting, expansion and analysis in figure 42B.
  • the loss of CD5 expression by flow cytometry analysis was also seen in NK-92 cells using a similar approach described above with CRISPR/Cas nucleases targeting to CD7 (Fig. 42C and 42D)
  • the sorted CD7 negative NK-92 cells (Fig. 42D) were expanded and used to generate CD7CAR NK cells to eliminate CD7 positive leukemic cells.
  • CD7CAR NK " -92 cells have a robust anti-leukemic activity
  • CD7 is expressed in both NK and T-ALL leukemic cells.
  • CD7 expression first needs to be inactivated.
  • CD7 deficient NK- 92 cells (NK " -92 cells) were generated as described in (Fig. 42D) and expanded. The expanded NK ' ⁇ -92 cells were transduced with lentivirus expressing a CD7CAR.
  • CD7CAR includes an anti-CD7 scFV in conjunction with CD28 and 4-BB domains fused to CD3zeta signaling domain making it a third generation CAR.
  • CD7CAR NK " -92 cells were used to test their lysis ability of leukemic cells expressing CD7. As shown in Fig.
  • CD7CAR NK " -92 cells displayed a potent anti-leukemic activity against a T-ALL cell line, CCRF-CEM.
  • CCRF-CEM T-ALL cell line
  • CD3 multimeric protein complex is elucidated in Fig. 44.
  • the complex includes a CD35 chain, a CD3y chain, and two CD3s chains. These chains associate with the T-cell receptor (TCR) composing of ⁇ chains.
  • TCR T-cell receptor
  • CD3CAR is used for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).
  • GvHD graft-versus-host disease
  • CD3CAR is administered to a patient prior to or after a stem cell transplant. The patient is tested for elevated levels of white blood cells.
  • CD3CAR is administered to a patient prior to or after a bone marrow transplant.
  • the patient is tested for elevated levels of white blood cells.
  • CD3CAR is administered to a patient prior to or after a tissue graft.
  • the patient is tested for elevated levels of white blood cells.
  • CD3CAR is administered to an organ transplant patient before organ transplant surgery.
  • the patient is tested for organ rejection.
  • the following histological signs are determined: (1) infiltrating T cells, in some cases accompanied by infiltrating eosinophils, plasma cells, and neutrophils, particularly in telltale ratios, (2) structural compromise of tissue anatomy, varying by tissue type transplanted, and (3) injury to blood vessels.
  • CD3CAR is administered to an organ transplant patient after organ transplant surgery.
  • the patient is tested for organ rejection.
  • the following histological signs are determined: (1) infiltrating T cells, in some cases accompanied by infiltrating eosinophils, plasma cells, and neutrophils, particularly in telltale ratios, (2) structural compromise of tissue anatomy, varying by tissue type transplanted, and (3) injury to blood vessels.
  • Peripheral blood mononuclear buffy coat cells were activated for three days in the presence of 300 units/mL IL-2 (Peprotech) and 1 ⁇ g/mL anti-human CD3 (Miltenyi).
  • a non- tissue culture treated 6-well plate was precoated with retronectin (Clontech) at 15 ⁇ g/mL for 4 hours at room temperature, or overnight at 4°C.
  • Wells were blocked with 2% BSA in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature, then washed once with DPBS.
  • Viral supernatant (CD4CAR or GFP) was diluted 1: 1 with DMEM (Gibco) containing 10% FBS (Atlanta Biologicals) and added to the washed wells by centrifugation at 2000g for 2 hours at 32°C. Wells were washed once with T-cell media, and activated T cells were added at an amount of 0.5 x 10 6 , in 4 mL per well with IL-2. Plates were centrifuged at lOOOg for 10 minutes and incubated at 37° in the presence of 5% C02. The following morning, the process was repeated for a second transduction, identical to the first, using fresh 6 well plates pretreated with retronectin and virus.
  • Figure 45 shows that 46% of cells transduced with the CD4CAR virus were positive for both anti-F(Ab')2 and CD3 antibodies (left) as determined by flow cytometry, while the goat anti-mouse F(Ab')2 antibodies (middle) did not bind to non-transduced cells or cells transduced with Mock GFP control (right).
  • CD4CAR T cells specifically target CD4-expressing tumor cell lines
  • T cell coculture killing assays were performed to determine the ability of CD4CAR T cells to effectively lyse three CD4+ AML (acute myeloid leukemia) cell lines: THP-1, U937, and MOLM13.
  • THP-1 and MOLM14 are monocytic cell lines isolated from acute monocytic leukemia patients.
  • the U-937 cell line was derived from malignant cells obtained from the pleural effusion of a patient with histiocytic lymphoma/sarcoma. All these lines are strongly positive for CD4.
  • each target cell line was pre-labeled with CMTMR membrane dye, and then cocultured with either GFP control or CD4CAR T cells at ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1 effector: target cells (200,000 or 500,000 effector cells to 100,000 target cells, in 1 mL T cell media with 3% FBS). After 24 hours incubation, cells were labeled with anti-human CD3-PerCp and CD4-APC for 30 minutes, washed, and suspended in 2% formalin for analysis by flow cytometry.
  • the CD4CAR T cells demonstrated highly robust lysis of tumor cells, at both ratios ( Figures 46A,B,C), with over 95% of the THP-1 and U937 cells lysed at 2: 1.
  • the cell line TALL104 which is CD4 negative, was cocultured with GFP control and CD4CAR T cells in the same manner ( Figure 46D). In this case, no significant killing of
  • TALL 104 cells was detected at the lower or higher ratio.
  • CD4CAR T-cells efficiently lyse or eliminate CD4 positive populations in primary patient acute myeloid leukemia samples
  • CD4CAR T cells exhibit significant anti-tumor activity in xenogeneic mouse model
  • mice were intravenously injected with a course of 10 x 10 6 CD4CAR T cells or vector control T control cells. On Days 3 (the day before treatment), 6, 11, and 15, mice were subjected to IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (Figure 49A).
  • CD4CAR T cells appeared to fail to completely eradicate established human leukemic cells, and leukemic cells ultimately relapsed. Relapsed leukemic cells may rise from some leukemic reservoirs, where CD4CAR T cells have limited access, or lack of human T cell persistence, as mice may not be able to provide optimal niches for human T cell homing and persistence. This phenomenon is also commonly seen in other CAR-treated mouse models. Targeting AML using CD4CAR NK cells CD4CAR NK cells eliminate CD4-expressing tumor cell lines in vitro
  • Sorted CD4CAR NK-92 cells were tested in co-culture killing assays to determine their ability to effectively lyse three CD4+ AML cell lines: THP-1 (established from the peripheral blood of a 1-year-old boy with AML at relapse), U937 (established from the pleural effusion of a 37-year-old man with generalized diffuse histiocytic lymphoma), and MOLM13 (established from the peripheral blood of a 20-year-old man with AML at relapse after initial myelodysplastic syndromes).
  • THP-1 established from the peripheral blood of a 1-year-old boy with AML at relapse
  • U937 established from the pleural effusion of a 37-year-old man with generalized diffuse histiocytic lymphoma
  • MOLM13 established from the peripheral blood of a 20-year-old man with AML at relapse after initial myelodysplastic syndromes.
  • each target cell line was pre-labeled with CMTMR membrane dye, and then co-cultured with either GFP control or CD4CAR NK cells at ratios of 2: 1 and 5: 1 effector: target cells (200,000 or 500,000 effector cells to 100,000 target cells, in 1 mL NK cell media with 1.25% FBS and 1.25% horse serum. After 24 hours incubation, cells were labeled with anti- human CD4-APC for 30 minutes, washed, and suspended in 2% formalin for analysis by flow cytometry. Results showed that both U937 and THP-1 cells were nearly completely eliminated at the 2: 1 ratio, while nearly 80% of the MOLM13 cells were depleted at 2: 1 and nearly eliminated at 5: 1 ratio ( Figures 50A-50C).
  • CD4CAR NK cells efficiently lyse or eliminate CD4 positive populations in the primary patient acute monocytic leukemia sample
  • CD4CAR NK cells exhibit significant anti-tumor activity in vivo
  • mice intravenously injected with 10 x 10 6 luciferase-expressing MOLM13 cells to induce measurable tumor formation.
  • mice were intravenously injected with a course of 10 x 10 6 CD4CAR NK cells or vector control NK control cells.
  • days 2 the day before treatment
  • 6, and 8 mice were subjected to IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (Figure 52A).
  • Average light intensity measured for the CD4CAR NK injected mice was compared to that of vector control NK injected mice to determine percent lysis of MOLM13 cells ( Figure 52B).
  • mice injected with CD4CAR NK cells had 90% less tumor burden than control mice; this rose to 98% on Day 8 ( Figure 52B).
  • Unpaired T test analysis revealed an extremely significant difference (P ⁇ 0.0001) between the two groups by Day 6.
  • CD4CAR NK cells robustly reduce AML burden and significantly prolong survival in MOLM13-injected NSG mice when compared to vector control NK cells.
  • CD2CAR consists of an anti-CD2 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) region, CD8-derived hinge (H) and transmembrane (TM) regions, and tandem CD28 and 4- IBB co-activation domains linked to the CD3 ⁇ signaling domain.
  • scFv single-chain variable fragment
  • H CD8-derived hinge
  • TM transmembrane
  • SFFV strong spleen focus forming virus promoter
  • CD8 leader sequence were used.
  • NK-92 cells response to the CD2 antigen in leukemic cells as NK-92 cells only bear a low number of cells expressing CD2 antigen.
  • the NK-92 cells were transduced with lentiviruses expressing CD2CAR and resulting CD2CAR NK-92 cells were used to test their anti-leukemic activity.
  • CD2CAR NK -92 NK cells especially lyse CD2+ T-ALL (T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia) cells
  • CD2CAR NK92 anti-leukemic activity we conducted co-culture assays using a T-ALL cell line, CCRF-CEM and a T-ALL primary human patient sample. We demonstrated that CD2CAR NK-92 cells consistently displayed robust lysis of leukemic cells. Following hour incubation at a low effective to target cell (E:T ratio 5: 1), CD2CAR NK-92 cells effectively lysed more than 60% of CCRF-CEM and human primary T-ALL sample (PTl)( Figures 53A -53C ).

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Cell Biology (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Mycology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plant Pathology (AREA)
  • Oncology (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des polypeptides de récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques contenant des domaines de reconnaissance de l'antigène pour les antigènes CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8 et CD52, et des polynucléotides codant pour ceux-ci. La présente invention concerne également des cellules modifiées par génie génétique exprimant le polynucléotide ou les polypeptides. Dans certains modes de réalisation, l'invention concerne des méthodes pour le traitement de maladies associées aux antigènes CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8 et CD52.
EP16891868.8A 2016-02-26 2016-07-15 Récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et méthodes pour les utiliser Withdrawn EP3419618A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2016/019953 WO2016138491A1 (fr) 2015-02-27 2016-02-26 Récepteurs d'antigène chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et procédés pour les utiliser
PCT/US2016/042591 WO2017146767A1 (fr) 2015-02-27 2016-07-15 Récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et méthodes pour les utiliser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3419618A1 true EP3419618A1 (fr) 2019-01-02
EP3419618A4 EP3419618A4 (fr) 2019-11-06

Family

ID=64565015

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16891868.8A Withdrawn EP3419618A4 (fr) 2016-02-26 2016-07-15 Récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et méthodes pour les utiliser

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3419618A4 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6764681B2 (en) * 1991-10-07 2004-07-20 Biogen, Inc. Method of prophylaxis or treatment of antigen presenting cell driven skin conditions using inhibitors of the CD2/LFA-3 interaction
WO2004022097A1 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2004-03-18 Medimmune, Inc. Methodes de prevention ou de traitement de malignites cellulaires par administration d'antagonistes de cd2
US9206440B2 (en) * 2009-01-23 2015-12-08 Roger Williams Hospital Viral vectors encoding multiple highly homologus non-viral polypeptides and the use of same
EP2814846B1 (fr) * 2012-02-13 2020-01-08 Seattle Children's Hospital d/b/a Seattle Children's Research Institute Récepteurs d'antigène chimères bispécifiques et utilisations thérapeutiques de ceux-ci
SG11201706774WA (en) * 2015-02-27 2017-09-28 Icell Gene Therapeutics Llc Chimeric antigen receptors (cars) targeting hematologic malignancies, compositions and methods of use thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3419618A4 (fr) 2019-11-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20240124547A1 (en) CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS (CARs) TARGETING HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
US20230340113A1 (en) CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS (CARs), COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS THEREOF
US11655452B2 (en) Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), compositions and methods of use thereof
CA3070578A1 (fr) Recepteurs d'antigenes chimeriques (car), compositions et methodes associees
US20180371052A1 (en) Chimeric antigen receptors and enhancement of anti-tumor activity
CA3047999A1 (fr) Lymphocytes t modifies pour le traitement du cancer
US20230302051A1 (en) CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS (CARs), TARGETING HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
EP3419618A1 (fr) Récepteurs d'antigènes chimériques (car) ciblant des tumeurs malignes hématologiques, compositions et méthodes pour les utiliser
KR102678631B1 (ko) 혈액 악성종양을 표적으로 하는 키메라 항원 수용체(car), 조성물 및 이의 용도
US20230277622A1 (en) CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS (CARs) COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS THEREOF

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20180926

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20191009

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: C07K 16/28 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61K 39/00 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61P 35/00 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61K 38/00 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61K 31/519 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61K 39/39 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61K 31/405 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: C07K 14/705 20060101AFI20191002BHEP

Ipc: C07K 16/46 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: A61K 48/00 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

Ipc: C07K 14/725 20060101ALI20191002BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20200603