Preclinical proof of concept for VivoVec, a lentiviral-based platform for in vivo CAR T-cell engineering

• Published in: Journal for immunotherapy of cancer Vol. 11; no. 3; p. e006292
• Main Authors: Michels, Kathryn R, Sheih, Alyssa, Hernandez, Susana A, Brandes, Alissa H, Parrilla, Don, Irwin, Blythe, Perez, Anai M, Ting, Hung-An, Nicolai, Christopher J, Gervascio, Timothy, Shin, Seungjin, Pankau, Mark D, Muhonen, Mason, Freeman, Jessica, Gould, Sarah, Getto, Rich, Larson, Ryan P, Ryu, Byoung Y, Scharenberg, Andrew M, Sullivan, Alessandra M, Green, Shon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-03-2023; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Original research
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens; Biodistribution; Cancer; Cell Engineering; Cell Engineering - methods; Chemotherapy; Cytokines; Dogs; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Engineering; Flow cytometry; Glycoproteins; Humans; Immune Cell Therapies and Immune Cell Engineering; Immunotherapy; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lymphocytes; Manufacturing; Mice; Proteins; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen - genetics; T-Lymphocytes; Tissue Distribution; Translational Medical Research; United States > US; Massachusetts; California; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Cell Engineering; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Immunotherapy; Translational Medical Research
• ISSN: 2051-1426; 2051-1426
• DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006292

BackgroundChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have demonstrated transformational outcomes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, but their widespread use is hindered by technical and logistical challenges associated with ex vivo cell manufacturing. To overcome these challenges, we developed VivoVec, a lentiviral vector-based platform for in vivo engineering of T cells. UB-VV100, a VivoVec clinical candidate for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, displays an anti-CD3 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) on the surface and delivers a genetic payload that encodes a second-generation CD19-targeted CAR along with a rapamycin-activated cytokine receptor (RACR) system designed to overcome the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy in supporting successful CAR T-cell expansion and persistence. In the presence of exogenous rapamycin, non-transduced immune cells are suppressed, while the RACR system in transduced cells converts rapamycin binding to an interleukin (IL)-2/IL-15 signal to promote proliferation.MethodsUB-VV100 was administered to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and from patients with B-cell malignancy without additional stimulation. Cultures were assessed for CAR T-cell transduction and function. Biodistribution was evaluated in CD34-humanized mice and in canines. In vivo efficacy was evaluated against normal B cells in CD34-humanized mice and against systemic tumor xenografts in PBMC-humanized mice.ResultsIn vitro, administration of UB-VV100 resulted in dose-dependent and anti-CD3 scFv-dependent T-cell activation and CAR T-cell transduction. The resulting CAR T cells exhibited selective expansion in rapamycin and antigen-dependent activity against malignant B-cell targets. In humanized mouse and canine studies, UB-VV100 demonstrated a favorable biodistribution profile, with transduction events limited to the immune compartment after intranodal or intraperitoneal administration. Administration of UB-VV100 to humanized mice engrafted with B-cell tumors resulted in CAR T-cell transduction, expansion, and elimination of systemic malignancy.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that UB-VV100 generates functional CAR T cells in vivo, which could expand patient access to CAR T technology in both hematological and solid tumors without the need for ex vivo cell manufacturing.