CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma: a practical toolkit for treatment in Brazil

ABSTRACT Introduction Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is an emerging treatment option for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) that is a multi-step process involving various stakeholders. Appropriate education on the practical logistics is therefore paramount to ensure treatment success. Methods A group of key opinion leaders met to explore the key elements of setting up and running a CAR-T center in Brazil. For each step in the CAR-T cell therapy process, the experts agreed on basic requirements, gave their key recommendations from practical experience, and considered any remaining unanswered questions. Results This paper presents best-practice recommendations and advice on how to overcome common challenges for each step in the CAR-T cell therapy process, with a focus on the current situation in Brazil. Key themes throughout the process are collaboration within the multidisciplinary team and with the referring physician, along with communication and education for patients and their caregivers. Conclusion We believe that the expert insights presented in this paper, in particular on optimal patient selection and timing of CAR-T cell therapy, will deepen understanding of the CAR-T process and aid implementation of this novel therapy for patients with RRMM in Brazil.

Construction of anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-BCMA) modified T cells and its cytotoxicity against tumor cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective： ：To explore a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell treatment to treat Multiple Myeloma (MM) via target B cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Methods： ：A CAR-BCMA molecular was constructed based on mouse originated BCMA scFv, and was packaged into lentiviral vector and transfected into T cells from healthy donors to construct CAR-BCMA-T cells. The BCMApositive cell lines A549-BCMA, A549-BCMAOFP and K562-BCMA were constructed as target cells. Then, the CAR-BCMA-T cells were co-incubated with the constructed target cells and human myeloma U266 cells, and the cytotoxic effects of CAR-BCMA-T cells were evaluated via CCK-8 and FACS. Finally, the CAR-BCMA-T cells originated from MM patients were constructed, and its cytotoxicity against A549-BCMA were examined; in addition, the IFN-γ release level in CAR-BCMA-T cells was evaluated by ELISA and FACS. Results: After 11 days’incubation, the CAR-BCMA-T cells originated from healthy donors amplified 300 times with a positive rate of 43%. The BCMApositive target cell lines were constructed successfully. Under an effector : target ratio of 5:1, the killing rates of CARBCMA-T cells against A549-BCMA, K562-BCMA and U266 were about 80%, 60%, and 80%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those against BCMA negative cells; and the cytotoxicity was related to the BCMA expression level in target cells. What’ s more, at the effector : target ratio of 20:1, the CAR-BCMA-T cells originated from MM patients were demonstrated to exhibit a killing rate of more than 95% againstA549-BCMApositive cells, and produced large amount of IFN-γ. Conclusion: CAR-BCMA-T cells originated from both healthy and MM donors were successfully constructed, and they can effectively and specifically kill BCMA positive tumor cells.

Papel de la citocina BAFF en las enfermedades autoinmunes: rol fisiopatológico y estrategias terapéuticas / Role of the cytokine BAFF in autoimmune diseases: physiopathology and therapeutic targets

El complejo BAFF (factor activador de células B) compuesto por la citocina BAFF, APRIL y sus receptores -BAFF-R (BR3), TACI y BCMA- influyen en la sobrevida periférica, en la maduración de los linfocitos B y en el cambio de clase de las inmunoglobulinas, con múltiples implicaciones clínicas potenciales. Las funciones biológicas de BAFF y su relevancia en varios desórdenes clínicos -autoinmunes, neoplásicos, infecciosos, incluyendo las terapias BAFF dirigidas- son revisadas y discutidas en el presente artículo. Los niveles séricos de BAFF/APRIL se encuentran incrementados en las enfermedades autoinmunes en las que sus concentraciones se relacionan con los títulos de anticuerpos, actividad, progresión de la enfermedad e incluso compromiso orgánico, haciendo de su inhibición un blanco terapéutico atractivo

The BAFF complex (B cell activator factor) composed by the BAFF cytokine, APRIL and their receptors -BAFF-R (BR3), TACI, BCMA- influences B-lymphocyte maturation, peripheral survival and immunoglobulins class isotype switching, with multiple potential clinical implications. In this review we discuss BAFF biologic functions and it relevance in several clinical disorders -autoimmune, neoplastic, infectious and BAFF therapies-. BAFF/APRIL

Prokaryotic Expression of eBCMA-Fc Fusion Protein, a Soluble BLyS Receptor, with Computer-aided Molecular Design in E. coli / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a receptor of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). Human IgG1Fc fusion proteins with the extracellular domain of BCMA(eBCMA), also called decoy receptors, have beenused as a potential BLyS antagonists to block BLyS activities. In order to design novel BLyS antagonistpeptides, computer-aided homologue modeling was used to construct an eBCMA-Fc fusion protein based on thecrystal structures of BCMA and Fc fragmant. To ensure the activity of eBCMA not to be interfered by Fcfusion, the root mean square distance (RMSD) for eBCMA and Fc were calculated to be 0.036 nm and 0.064nm, respectively, based on molecular docking modeling. An eBCMA-Fc fusion gene was constructed andintroduced into E. coli for expression. As expected, the purified 36 kD eBCMA-Fc fusion protein was able tobind BLyS in vitro at a dosage-dependent manner and demonstrated an anti-proliferative activity induced byBLyS in Daudi cells. The results have provided useful information on the evaluation of computer modeling andthe in vitro biological activity for the design of potential BLyS antagonist peptides.