Pre-clinical Evaluation of Chimeric Antigen Receptors Targeting CD70-Expressing Cancers

Abstract

Purpose

CD70 expression in normal tissues is restricted to activated lymphoid tissues. Targeting CD70 on CD70-expressing tumors could mediate “on-target, off-tumor” toxicity. This study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using anti-human CD70 CARs to treat cancer patients whose tumors express CD70.

Experimental Design

Seven anti-human CD70 CARs with binding moieties from human CD27 combined with CD3-zeta and different co-stimulatory domains from CD28 and/or 41BB were constructed. In vitro functionality of these receptors was compared and in vivo treatment efficacy was evaluated in a xenograft mouse model. A homologous, all murine anti-CD70 CAR model was also used to assess treatment-related toxicities.

Results

The CAR consisting of the extracellular binding portion of CD27 fused with 41BB and CD3-zeta (trCD27-41BB-zeta) conferred the highest IFN-γ production against CD70-expressing tumors in vitro, and NSG mice bearing established CD70-expressing human tumors could be cured by human lymphocytes transduced with this CAR. In the murine CD27-CD3-zeta CAR model, significant reduction of established tumors and prolonged survival were achieved using CAR-transduced splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Host pre-irradiation enhanced treatment efficacy but increased treatment-related toxicities such as transient weight loss and hematopoetic suppression. The treatment did not appear to block adaptive host immune responses.

Conclusions

Pre-clinical testing supports the safety and efficacy of a CD27-containing CAR targeting CD70-expressing tumors.