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

X Zhang, M Luo, SR Dastagir, M Nixon… - Nature …, 2021 - nature.com
X Zhang, M Luo, SR Dastagir, M Nixon, A Khamhoung, A Schmidt, A Lee, N Subbiah…
Nature Communications, 2021nature.com
Checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell therapies have highlighted the critical role of T cells in anti-
cancer immunity. However, limitations associated with these treatments drive the need for
alternative approaches. Here, we engineer red blood cells into artificial antigen-presenting
cells (aAPCs) presenting a peptide bound to the major histocompatibility complex I, the
costimulatory ligand 4-1BBL, and interleukin (IL)-12. This leads to robust, antigen-specific T-
cell expansion, memory formation, additional immune activation, tumor control, and antigen …
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell therapies have highlighted the critical role of T cells in anti-cancer immunity. However, limitations associated with these treatments drive the need for alternative approaches. Here, we engineer red blood cells into artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) presenting a peptide bound to the major histocompatibility complex I, the costimulatory ligand 4-1BBL, and interleukin (IL)-12. This leads to robust, antigen-specific T-cell expansion, memory formation, additional immune activation, tumor control, and antigen spreading in tumor models in vivo. The presence of 4-1BBL and IL-12 induces minimal toxicities due to restriction to the vasculature and spleen. The allogeneic aAPC, RTX-321, comprised of human leukocyte antigen-A*02:01 presenting the human papilloma virus (HPV) peptide HPV16 E711-19, 4-1BBL, and IL-12 on the surface, activates HPV-specific T cells and promotes effector function in vitro. Thus, RTX-321 is a potential ‘off-the-shelf’ in vivo cellular immunotherapy for treating HPV + cancers, including cervical and head/neck cancers.
nature.com