Chimeric NKG2D receptor-bearing T cells as immunotherapy for ovarian cancer

Cancer Res. 2007 May 15;67(10):5003-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-4047.

Abstract

Despite advancements in the treatment of ovarian cancer, this disease continues to be a leading cause of cancer death in women. Adoptive transfer of tumor-reactive T cells is a promising antitumor therapy for many cancers. We designed a chimeric receptor linking NKG2D, a natural killer (NK) cell-activating receptor, to the CD3zeta chain of the T-cell receptor to target ovarian tumor cells. Engagement of chimeric NKG2D receptors (chNKG2D) with ligands for NKG2D, which are commonly expressed on tumor cells, leads to T-cell secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and tumor cytotoxicity. In this study, we show that >80% of primary human ovarian cancer samples expressed ligands for NKG2D on the cell surface. The tumor samples expressed MHC class I-related protein A, MICB, and UL-16 binding proteins 1 and 3. ChNKG2D-expressing T cells lysed ovarian cancer cell lines. We show that T cells from ovarian cancer patients that express chNKG2D secreted proinflammatory cytokines when cultured with autologous tumor cells. In addition, we show that chNKG2D T cells can be used therapeutically in a murine model of ovarian cancer. These data indicate that treatment with chNKG2D-expressing T cells is a potential immunotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Growth Processes / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins / immunology
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / immunology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • KLRK1 protein, human
  • Klrk1 protein, mouse
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins
  • RAE1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Interferon-gamma