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Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have improved cancer immunotherapy in recent years. Immune cells, such as Natural killer cells (NK-cells) or T cells, are used as effector cells in CAR-therapy. NK92-cells, a cell line with known cytotoxic activity, are of particular interest in CAR-therapy since culturing conditions are simple and anti-tumor efficacy combined with a manageable safety profile was proven in clinical trials. The major pathways of immune effector cells, including NK92-cells, to mediate cytotoxicity, are the perforin/granzyme and the death-receptor pathway. Detailed knowledge of CAR-effector cells' cytotoxic mechanisms is essential to unravel resistance mechanisms, which potentially arise by resistance against apoptosis-inducing signaling. Since mutations in apoptosis pathways are frequent in lymphoma, the impact on CAR-mediated cytotoxicity is of clinical interest. In this study, knockout models of CD19-CAR-NK92 cells were designed, to investigate cytotoxic pathways in vitro. Knockout of perforin 1 (Prf1) and subsequent abrogation of the perforin/granzyme pathway dramatically reduced the cytotoxicity of CD19-CAR-NK92 cells. In contrast, knockout of FasL and inhibition of TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligands) did not impair cytotoxicity in most conditions. In conclusion, these results indicate the perforin/granzyme pathway as the major pathway to mediate cytotoxicity in CD19-CAR-NK92 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with compromised immune function, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (CoVID-19) impose particular challenges. Especially in hematological malignancies, including lymphoma, the demands by this novel virus disease are further enhanced during sophisticated treatments, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Here, we present the first case of a patient with refractory diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma, who underwent CAR T-cell treatment in the context of SARS-CoV-2. Irrespective of prolonged and active SARS-CoV-2 infection, T cells were successfully isolated by apheresis and processed to anti-CD19 CAR T cells (axicabtagene-ciloleucel). In light of the aggressive lymphoma course, lymphodepleting chemotherapy and CAR-T cells were administered in early recovery after oxygen-dependent CoVID-19 pneumonia. Except for moderate cytokine release, this cellular immunotherapy was well tolerated. Notably, there is no deterioration of the SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, complete lymphoma response and full clinical recovery were observed. In conclusion, CAR T-cell treatment in aggressive lymphoma in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection is feasible and may offer significant therapeutic activity in refractory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myasthenia gravis (MG) and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) are autoimmune disorders affecting neuromuscular transmission. Their combined occurrence is rare, and treatment remains challenging. Two women diagnosed with concomitant MG/LEMS experienced severe, increasing disease activity despite multiple immunotherapies. Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown promise for treating autoimmune diseases. This report details the safe application of anti-CD19 CAR T cells for treating concomitant MG/LEMS. After CAR T cell therapy, both patients experienced rapid clinical recovery and regained full mobility. Deep B cell depletion and normalization of acetylcholine receptor and voltage-gated calcium channel N-type autoantibody levels paralleled major neurological responses. Within 2 months, both patients returned to everyday life, from wheelchair dependency to bicycling and mountain hiking, and remain stable at 6 and 4 months post-CAR T cell infusion, respectively. This report highlights the potential for anti-CD19 CAR T cells to achieve profound clinical effects in the treatment of neuroimmunological diseases. • Anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy led to clinical recovery in two cases of MG and LEMS • Patients regained full mobility, with ongoing recovery 4- and 6-months post infusion • Deep B cell depletion and normalization of pathogenic autoantibodies was observed • Application of anti-CD19 CAR T cells was safe, with manageable side effects Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome are autoimmune disorders affecting neuromuscular transmission, for which effective therapies are limited. Motte et al. demonstrate safe application of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for two patients with these concomitant conditions, resulting in profound recovery of clinical parameters and mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]