Journal of immunotherapy
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Journal of immunotherapy · Jul 2020
BCMA-targeting Bispecific Antibody That Simultaneously Stimulates NKG2D-enhanced Efficacy Against Multiple Myeloma.
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a highly plasma cell-selective protein expressed on malignant plasma cells of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and it is a defined therapeutic target. Major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) is frequently expressed in lymphoproliferative malignancies including MM. MICA activates natural killer (NK) cells and costimulates T cells by interaction with its immunoreceptor NK cell receptor G2D (NKG2D). ⋯ In vitro, 2A9-MICA activated NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and induced NK cells to kill BCMA-positive human myeloma cells. Moreover, in BCMA-positive, MM-bearing nude mice, 2A9-MICA specifically targeted tumor tissue, where it effectively recruited immune cells and inhibited tumor tissue growth showed superior antitumor activity. Taken together, bispecific antibody 2A9-MICA provides a new approach for MM-targeting immunotherapy and has attractive potential for clinical applications.
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Journal of immunotherapy · Sep 2018
Case ReportsAutoimmune Myocarditis Caused by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Treated With Antithymocyte Globulin.
The immune checkpoint inhibitors have brought about a paradigm shift in the treatment of many cancers and are being used as the first line therapy in increasing number of aggressive malignancies, including metastatic melanoma. Their adverse effects, mostly mediated by an uncontrolled overactivation of the immune system, may compromise the therapeutic benefit. Combination immune checkpoint therapies in particular, have higher therapeutic efficacy, but have also been associated with a higher incidence of severe immune-related adverse effects including autoimmune lymphocytic myocarditis. ⋯ However, knowledge about the treatment approaches in immune-related myocarditis remains extremely scarce. Here we report a case of severe, steroid refractory, lymphocytic myocarditis that occurred after the first cycle of combination immunotherapy with the programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor, nivolumab, and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 blocker, ipilimumab, for metastatic melanoma. We discuss treatment approaches including the role for transvenous pacemaker, advanced heart failure support, and interdisciplinary decision making.
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Journal of immunotherapy · Jul 2018
Review Case ReportsDonor-derived CAR-T Cells Serve as a Reduced-intensity Conditioning Regimen for Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation in Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens with low tolerable toxicities have been used for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, the relapse rate by this treatment is high. Treatment of CD19 B-cell relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r ALL) with allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells is safe and effective. Use of allogeneic CD19-CAR-T cells as a part of RIC regimens for treatment of r/r ALL patients with haploidentical HSCT has not been investigated yet. ⋯ Treatment of r/r ALL with RIC including CD19-CAR-T cells followed by allo-HSCT was safe and effective, which suggest that CAR-T cells can be used as a part of RIC regimens in the treatment of r/r ALL in haploidentical HSCT.
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Journal of immunotherapy · Apr 2018
Brief Communication; A Heterologous Oncolytic Bacteria-Virus Prime-Boost Approach for Anticancer Vaccination in Mice.
Anticancer vaccination is becoming a popular therapeutic approach for patients with cancers expressing common tumor antigens. One variation on this strategy is a heterologous virus vaccine where 2 viruses encoding the same tumor antigen are administered sequentially to prime and boost antitumor immunity. ⋯ Importantly, the therapeutic benefits provided by our heterologous L. monocytogenes-MRB prime-boost strategy are superior to those conferred by the Ad-MRB combination. Our study provides proof of concept for the heterologous oncolytic bacteria-virus prime-boost approach for anticancer vaccination and merits its consideration for clinical testing.
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Journal of immunotherapy · Jan 2018
Development of Bell's Palsy After Treatment With Ipilimumab and Nivolumab for Metastatic Melanoma: A Case Report.
Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and it is FDA approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and endocrine origin are commonly seen, ranging between 18% and 44%, with immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1). Rare irAEs include neurological, renal, and hematologic toxicities. ⋯ After the resolution of symptoms, ipilimumab was permanently discontinued and single-agent nivolumab administered. The patient has remained free of neurological symptoms. This case suggests that Bell's palsy is an irAE induced by ipilimumab.