Introduction
Adoptive cell therapy of malignant diseases takes advantage of the cellular immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. This is impressively demonstrated by redirecting T cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) towards CD19, inducing complete and lasting remission of leukemia in patients in early phase trials.
Second-generation CARs with a CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory domain are currently entering clinical practice. T cells engineered with such CARs targeting CD19 showed robust clinical efficacy in the treatment of adult and childhood CD19+ acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia in independent trials. However, while CAR T-cell therapies have a curative potential, 30-60% patients relapse after treatment. The mechanisms of resistance to CAR T-cell therapy are only incompletely understood. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that underlie post-CAR relapse and establishing corresponding prevention and treatment strategies is important.
Moreover, there are some side effects which need clinical attention. A major issue of CAR-mediated toxicity is the so-called ‘on-target off-tumor’ toxicity which results from the engagement of the cognate target on healthy tissues. Such toxicity became obvious by depletion from healthy B cells upon leukemia treatment with CD19-specific CAR T cells. The next generation CAR T cells should exhibit superior safety and efficacy, as well as bring more hopes to patients with malignant tumors.
Our aims
- Replacement of second generation CARs by CARs of the next generation with improved efficiency and safety profile for the treatment of B cell malignancies
- Development of new strategies for the treatment of solid tumors, especially pancreatic carcinoma
- Generation of clinic-related B-cell lymphoma mouse models for testing CAR T cells
- Clinical implementation of next generation CAR products for the treatment of r/r CLL RT (Richter Transformation) and r/r DLBCL
Perspectives
We are going to investigate interactions between CAR T cells and tumor cells and identify inhibiting processes in order to offer improved CAR-T cell products for the treatment of DLBCL and high risk CLL. The mechanistic relationships to be investigated are universal and transferable to other tumor entities. The proposed studies are also intended to help overcome hurdles to the treatment of solid tumors with CAR T cells, as CAR T cells have not yet made a decisive breakthrough in this area. Finally, the pro-posed studies are aimed to be translated into early clinical trials.
Selected Publications
- Bunse, M., et al. CXCR5 CAR-T cells simultaneously target B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and tumor-supportive follicular T helper cells. Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 11;12(1):240.
- Oberbeck, S., et al. Noncanonical effector functions of the T-memory-like T-PLL cell are shaped by cooperative TCL1A and TCR signaling. Blood. 2020 Dec 10;136(24):2786-2802.
- Chmielewski, M. and Abken, H. CAR T Cells Releasing IL-18 Convert to T-Bet(high) FoxO1(low) Effectors that Exhibit Augmented Activity against Advanced Solid Tumors. Cell Rep. 2017. 21(11):3205-3219.
- Chmielewski, M., et al. T cells that target carcinoembryonic antigen eradicate orthotopic pancreatic carcinomas without inducing autoimmune colitis in mice. Gastroenterology. 2012. 143(4):1095-107.e2.
- Chmielewski, M., et al. IL-12 release by engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors can effectively Muster an antigen-independent macrophage response on tumor cells that have shut down tumor antigen expression. Cancer Res. 2011 Sep 1;71(17):5697-706.
Publications 2023
- Flumann R, Hansen J, Pelzer BW, Nieper P, Lohmann T, Kisis I, Riet T, Kohlhas V, Nguyen PH, Peifer M, Abedpour N, Bosco G, Thomas RK, Kochanek M, Knufer J, Jonigkeit L, Beleggia F, Holzem A, Buttner R, Lohneis P, Meinel J, Ortmann M, Persigehl T, Hallek M, Calado DP, Chmielewski M, Klein S, Gothert JR, Chapuy B, Zevnik B, Wunderlich FT, von Tresckow B, Jachimowicz RD, Melnick AM, Reinhardt HC, and Knittel G (2023). Distinct Genetically Determined Origins of Myd88/BCL2-Driven Aggressive Lymphoma Rationalize Targeted Therapeutic Intervention Strategies. Blood Cancer Discov 4, 78-97. doi:10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-22-0007.
Publications 2021
- Hombach A, Barden M, Hannappel L, Chmielewski M, Rappl G,Sachinidis A, and Abken H (2021). IL12 integrated into the CAR exodomain convertsCD8(+) T cells to poly-functional NK-like cells with superior killing of antigen-loss tumors. Mol Ther. doi:10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.10.011.
Publications 2020
- Oberbeck S, Schrader A, Warner K, Jungherz D, Crispatzu G, von Jan J, Chmielewski M, Ianevski A, Diebner HH, Mayer P, Kondo Ados A, Wahnschaffe L, Braun T, Muller TA, Wagle P, Bouska A, Neumann T, Putzer S, Varghese L, Pflug N, Thelen M, Makalowski J, Riet N, Gox HJM, Rappl G, Altmuller J, Kotrova M, Persigehl T, Hopfinger G, Hansmann ML, Schlosser H, Stilgenbauer S, Durig J, Mougiakakos D, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Roeder I, Hartmann S, Hallek M, Moriggl RH, Bruggemann M, Aittokallio T, Iqbal J, Newrzela S, Abken H, and Herling M (2020). Non-canonical effector functions of the T-memory-like T-PLL cell are shaped by cooperative TCL1A and TCR signaling. Blood. doi:10.1182/blood.2019003348.
PD Dr. Markus Chmielewski
Clinic I of Internal Medicine | Lab. for Tumor Genetics and Cellular Immunotherapy - TRIO Research Building
CMMC - PI - assoc. RG 30
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Clinic I of Internal Medicine | Lab. for Tumor Genetics and Cellular Immunotherapy - TRIO Research Building
Robert-Koch-Straße 21
50931 Cologne
Publications - Markus Chmielewski
Group Members
Tobias Riët (PostDoc)
Andreas Hombach (PostDoc)
Dario Buchholz (doctoral student)
Nora Erbay (doctoral student)
Fabian Prinz (doctoral student)
Gregor Uhl (doctoral student)
Daniel Neureuther (doctoral student)
Simon Lennartz (PhD student)
Danuta Chrobok (technician)
Petra Hofmann (technician)
Birgit Hops (technician)