CAR memory-like NK cells targeting the membrane proximal domain of mesothelin demonstrate promising activity in ovarian cancer

Sci Adv. 2024 Jul 12;10(28):eadn0881. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adn0881. Epub 2024 Jul 12.

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains one of the most lethal gynecological cancers. Cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cells have shown promising results in preclinical and early-phase clinical trials. In the current study, CIML NK cells demonstrated superior antitumor responses against a panel of EOC cell lines, increased expression of activation receptors, and up-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle/proliferation and down-regulation of inhibitory/suppressive genes. CIML NK cells transduced with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the membrane-proximal domain of mesothelin (MSLN) further improved the antitumor responses against MSLN-expressing EOC cells and patient-derived xenograft tumor cells. CAR arming of the CIML NK cells subtanstially reduced their dysfunction in patient-derived ascites fluid with transcriptomic changes related to altered metabolism and tonic signaling as potential mechanisms. Lastly, the adoptive transfer of MSLN-CAR CIML NK cells demonstrated remarkable inhibition of tumor growth and prevented metastatic spread in xenograft mice, supporting their potential as an effective therapeutic strategy in EOC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / therapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural* / metabolism
  • Mesothelin*
  • Mice
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Protein Domains
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / genetics
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / immunology
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Mesothelin
  • MSLN protein, human
  • Msln protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen