
Not your father’s T cells: CAR T cells are genetically engineered immune cells that MSK scientists are developing to fight cancer. Shown here are mesothelin-specific CAR T cells attacking a cancer cell (Credit: Prasad Adusumilli).
Even as experts debate who deserves credit for developing CRISPR, progress using the powerful genome-editing technique is speeding ahead.
The latest advance involves using the technology to build chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, a type of immunotherapy for cancer. In a new study published today in the journal Nature, Michel Sadelain and colleagues show how CRISPR can be used to create CAR T cells with improved performance — packing more punch against tumors in mice.
“These CRISPR-engineered CAR T cells seem to have an optimal level of functioning,” says Dr. Sadelain, who directs the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering. “They retain their ability to kill tumor cells for much longer than conventional CAR T cells, which tend to burn out more quickly.”
CAR T cells have garnered acclaim over the past few years thanks to their stunning success in treating several types of advanced blood cancers, including acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The approach, which was pioneered at MSK, involves equipping a person’s own T cells with special receptors that can find cancer in the body and initiate an immune reaction against it.
To date, most CAR T cells are made using a retroviral technology that delivers the CAR gene to the immune cells. This delivery method results in the CAR gene being inserted at random into the genome of the recipient T cells. Because there can be unwanted genetic side effects that result from this somewhat scattershot approach, researchers are interested in developing more-precise delivery methods — FedEx for DNA.
In their new paper, Dr. Sadelain and colleagues — including two postdoctoral fellows from his lab, Justin Eyquem and Jorge Mansilla-Soto — show that they can use a popular version of the CRISPR technology called CRISPR/Cas9 to put the CAR gene right where they want it, producing cellular cancer fighters with improved killing power.
Location, Location, Location
The team initially tested a few different genome addresses before deciding upon a particular region called TRAC, which stands for “T cell receptor alpha constant.” This region contains the gene for a part of the immune cell’s main detector of foreign proteins: the T cell receptor for antigen. Using CRISPR, the team was able to slice open the DNA at this location then slip in their new gene — the one for the CAR.
CAR T cells made in this fashion have some remarkable properties. Not least, they are more effective at killing human tumor cells in a mouse model of cancer. Dr. Sadelain’s team found that the improved killing could be traced to the fact that the cells are less likely to become exhausted and so retain the ability to keep on fighting for longer. (“Exhaustion” is a term immunologists use to describe T cells that express molecules that tamp down their activity. PD-1, a common target of other immunotherapies, is one such molecule.)
“The TRAC locus works really well as a genome address,” Dr. Sadelain says. “You get the most out of your CAR when you express it from this location.”
Back to topTaming the Beast
The cells’ improved performance reflects the placement of the CAR under control of the regulatory machinery that normally governs the immune response to pathogens and cancer. Because of this precise positioning, the cells can turn the CAR on and off in a more natural fashion. In conventional CAR T cells, the CAR is on all the time, which can cause the cells to start out strong but then quickly lose steam.
“In a way, they’re tamer cells,” Dr. Sadelain says. “They don’t go wild and that’s why they last longer.” And, because they last longer, you ultimately need fewer of them, which should make manufacturing easier, he says.
A second promising attribute of these cells is the result of what Dr. Sadelain calls the “two-in-one strategy”: He and his colleagues used CRISPR to both add the CAR to the TRAC locus and, at the same time, interrupt the T cell receptor gene, making assembly of a functional T cell receptor impossible. Knocking out this receptor means that it may be feasible to make CAR T cells using cells from a genetically unrelated donor, without worrying about a serious immune complication called graft-versus-host disease — when the donor immune cells attack the recipient’s normal tissues as foreign.
Even off-the-shelf CAR T cells that could in principle work for anyone are a possibility with this approach, as discussed by Marcela Maus, Director of Cellular Immunotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, in an accompanying editorial in Nature.
Back to topLeading the Pack
Though these results are certainly exciting, Dr. Sadelain says the ultimate test of these CRISPR’d cells will be when they are infused into human patients. The next step in this line of research will be to conduct a clinical trial to compare the safety and efficacy of CRISPR-built cells with conventional CAR T models. Two such trials, for people with B cell malignancies, are currently being planned at MSK.
The use of CRISPR-modified cells in people would represent a true milestone in biotechnology, one that could serve to prod the entire field of genetic engineering forward. “The CAR field is likely to serve as a major testing ground for this emerging genome-editing technology,” Dr. Sadelain says.
Back to topComments
Max
Feb 23, 2017 • 3:52 PM
Dear Max, MSK already has two clinical trials using CAR T cells on certain thoracic cancers — lung cancer, mesothelioma, and breast cancer that has spread to the chest. You can learn more here: https://www.mskcc.org/announcements/combination-immunotherapy-boosts-ca…. Trials with additional solid tumors are being planned. Thank you for your comment.
Matthew Thomas
Feb 25, 2017 • 12:31 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Feb 27, 2017 • 10:37 AM
In reply to I have left a couple voice… by Matthew Thomas
Dear Matthew,
The clinical trials mentioned in this article are still in the planning stages, so it’s too soon to provide a date of when they will be enrolling patients, or what the precise eligibility requirements will be. You can keep track of open trials at MSK by visiting our clinical trials finder at: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials/search
Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you.
Adrienne
Mar 28, 2017 • 11:50 AM
BETTY KUCK
Mar 28, 2017 • 2:54 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Mar 28, 2017 • 3:19 PM
In reply to Recently in the WSJ there… by BETTY KUCK
Dear Betty, there are a number of companies that are developing gene editing technologies. Many labs at MSK use these technologies, including CRISPR, to advance our work.
To read more about some other recent studies at MSK that have used CRISPR you can go here:
https://www.mskcc.org/blog/connecting-dots-stem-cells-provide-valuable-…
https://www.mskcc.org/blog/step-step-stem-cell-approach-provides-new-mo…
Thank you for your comment.
Charles Costello
Apr 18, 2017 • 2:06 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 18, 2017 • 4:27 PM
In reply to General question, my psa was… by Charles Costello
Charles, thank you for reaching out. We recommend you consult with your physician on this particular question as every individual case is affected by many factors.
If you would like to make an appointment with a Memorial Sloan Kettering physician, please call our Physician Referral Service at
800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment
For additional questions about prostate cancer treatment, you also can call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237). To learn more about the CIS, including Live Chat help and how to send them an email message, go to http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/cis/page3.
Thanks for your comment.
Mark Ashwell
Jun 27, 2017 • 7:24 PM
Hi
I have heard a lot about the progress of CRISP, but so far have only heard about it treating Leukemia.
Are there any trials for it anywhere in the world on other sorts of Cancer? More specifically my lovely sister in law has TNBC and I was wondering if it could be used to treat that (as a non medic I don't see why it can't be used on all cancers)?
We are in the UK, but could come to the US or anywhere else if it would help cure her.
I look forward to hearing from you
Thanks
Mark
Dear Mark, we’re very sorry to hear about your sister-in-law’s diagnosis. CRISPR is a laboratory technique that is used in many kinds of biological research, including cancer research. In this study, we are reporting on using CRISPR to potentially improve the effectiveness of an immunotherapy called CAR T cell therapy. We do currently have trials evaluating CAR T cell therapy for certain types of breast cancer. You can learn more here: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials/16-040 and here; https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials/15-007
If your sister-in-law is interested in coming to New York for treatment as MSK, she can email international@mskcc.org or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/international-patients for more information on becoming an international patient. Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you and your family.
John Sloan
Oct 24, 2017 • 11:41 PM
I have Jak2 Mutation after bone marrow biopsy.
White Blood Cells went to 22,000 but down to 13,200 after the Cancer on ear was removed. Platelets were 1900 but now down to 291. After Cancer was removed from ear. Do blood work every week. I believe I still have cancer. I am on Jakafi 10 mg which is real expensive but being a former biology/science teacher I think Jakafi is masking my problem. Is there anything you can help me with after seeing your amazing Cancer treatment genetics. Waiting to hear from you..thanks. John Sloan
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 25, 2017 • 8:52 AM
In reply to I have Jak2 Mutation after… by John Sloan
Dear John, we’re sorry to hear about your diagnosis. If you would like to have a consultation at MSK to discuss your treatment, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you.
Most of the CAR-T progress seems to have happened in the domain of liquid tumors. How far are we from CAR-T clinical trials on solid tumors like sarcomas? What types of solid tumors are likely to be the first ones?