Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
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Xu and Niu J Hematol Oncol (2020) 13:167 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-020-00996-x REVIEW Open Access Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia Jing Xu and Ting Niu* Abstract Despite considerable progress has been achieved in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia over the past decades, relapse remains a major problem. Novel therapeutic options aimed at attaining minimal residual disease-negative complete remission are expected to reduce the incidence of relapse and prolong survival. Natural killer cell-based immunotherapy is put forward as an option to tackle the unmet clinical needs. There have been an increasing num- ber of therapeutic dimensions ranging from adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-modifed NK cells, antibodies, cytokines to immunomodulatory drugs. In this review, we will summarize diferent forms of NK cell-based immunotherapy for AML based on preclinical investigations and clinical trials. Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia, Natural killer cells, Immunotherapy, Adoptive NK cell transfer, Chimeric antigen receptor-modifed NK cells, Antibodies, Cytokines Background cells and substances in the immune system play pivotal Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clinically and geneti- roles in detecting and destroying pathogen-infected or cally heterogeneous disease with unsatisfactory out- neoplastically transformed cells. But they become less comes. Over the last few years, considerable progress has potent in cancer elimination when malignant cells dis- been achieved in the treatment of AML with the devel- play the loss of antigenicity and/or immunogenicity and opment and implementation of new drugs [1, 2]. How- are surrounded by an immunosuppressive microenvi- ever, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) ronment [6]. Tus, immunotherapy with strategies of has been recognized as the only way to cure AML so far reboosting patients’ own immune system or initiating and relapse remains a major problem. Novel therapeu- new immune response to fght cancers has been demon- tic options aimed at attaining minimal residual disease strated with the capacity of producing sustainable clinical (MRD)-negative complete remission (CR) are expected benefts against both solid and hematological malignan- to reduce the incidence of relapse and prolong survival. cies [7–9]. Tus, immunotherapy becomes an option to tackle Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy rep- unmet clinical needs in AML [3, 4]. resents one of the novel immunotherapeutic strategies Immunotherapy has been recognized as an incredibly recently, unleashing immune suppression of NK cells promising therapeutic strategy for numerous cancers to attack various cancers [10–12]. With the progressive [5]. Te adoption of this treatment modality is based on elucidation of NK cell immunobiology and the develop- mechanisms of immune surveillance/response and can- ment of manipulative techniques, the feld of NK cell- cer escape [6]. Under physiological conditions, immune based immunotherapy in hematological malignancies has been expanding and accelerating over the past years, including adoptive NK cell transfer [13–16], chimeric *Correspondence: [email protected] antigen receptor (CAR)-modifed NK cells [17–22], anti- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, bodies [23–25], cytokines [26, 27] and drug treatment Chengdu 610041, China [28–31]. Despite remarkable progress has been made, © The Author(s) 2020. 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The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creat iveco mmons .org/publi cdoma in/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data. Xu and Niu J Hematol Oncol (2020) 13:167 Page 2 of 20 the application in AML is still at the initial stage. Firstly, (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/β and interleukin clinical trials with results showing the efcacy and safety (IL)-10 [35]. of these therapeutic approaches are limited, most of Te cytotoxic function of NK cells is fnely regulated which are currently still in progress. Secondly, preclinical by a complex array of surface inhibitory receptors [e.g., studies of NK cell-based immunotherapy are constantly inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), emerging, in the aspect of new methodologies to utilize leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIRs) and NK cells and strategies to enhance the response [32, 33]. CD94/natural killer group 2A (NKG2A)] and activating Herein, in this review, we provide an overview of NK receptors [e.g., activating KIRs, CD94/NKG2C, NKG2D cell biology, the pathology of NK cells in AML and the and natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs)] that deliver recent advances in NK cell-based immunotherapy for suppressive and stimulatory signals, respectively (Fig. 1) AML based on preclinical investigations and clinical [36, 37]. In line with the diversity of major histocompati- trials. bility complex (MHC) molecules in populations, KIRs are genetically determined and display a high level of poly- morphism. Tere are two main groups of KIR haplotypes, Biology of NK cells termed as “A” and “B”, as classifed by the distinct gene NK cells belong to innate lymphoid cells that contribute content. KIR A haplotypes mainly contain inhibitory to immune system’s frst-line defense against infections KIR genes and only one activating KIR gene KIR2DS4, and malignant diseases [34]. Tey can be categorized whereas KIR B haplotypes carry, besides inhibitory KIR into two subsets on the basis of surface expression lev- genes, various numbers and combinations of activating els of CD56 and CD16, as measured by the intensity of KIR genes [38, 39]. Te considerable diferences of both immunofuorescence. Te canonical CD56dimCD16+ allelic polymorphism and KIR gene content account for NK cell subset comprises around 90% of the total popu- the high variability of KIR gene family among diferent lation in peripheral blood and exerts strong cytolytic individuals. activity through releasing cytotoxic granules containing NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity is based on the notion perforin and granzymes. Te rest 10% of NK cell popu- of “missing self-recognition” and “induced self-recogni- lation, known as CD56brightCD16−, is a potent producer tion” [40]. During NK cell development, inhibitory KIR of immunoregulatory cytokines including interferon receptors encounter with MHC class I (MHC-I) ligands Inhibitory receptors Ligands for inhibitory LIR-1PD-1 receptors CD94/NKG2A CTLA-4 AML cells KIR3DL1/2/3 TIM-3 KIR2DL1/2/3/5 - TIGIT Ligands for Dysfunctional activating receptors NK cells KIR2DL4 + CD16 KIR2DS1/2/3/4/5 NKp30/44/46 KIR3DS1 CD94/NKG2C Treg cells DNAM-1 NKG2D MDSCs Activating receptors Cytokines Fig. 1 Mechanisms of immune escape from NK cell-mediated recognition in AML. Dysfunctional NK cells exhibit an imbalanced receptor expression with the overexpression of inhibitory receptors and the underexpression of activating receptors. AML cells display a defective expression of cognate ligands for NK cell activating and inhibitory receptors. The tumor microenvironment consisting of Treg cells and MDSCs can interfere with the function of NK cells through the secreting of cytokines. MDSC myeloid-derived suppressor cell, NK natural killer cell; Treg regulatory T cell Xu and Niu J Hematol Oncol (2020) 13:167 Page 3 of 20 on their own hematopoietic cells, leading to the acquisi- 58]. Whereas, upregulation of inhibitory immune check- tion of functional competence and self-tolerance [41, 42]. point molecules programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) Both the reduction/absence of MHC-I molecules and the and PD-L2 is observed in AML blasts [59]. upregulation/de novo expression of ligands for activat- Te tumor microenvironment, which possesses immu- ing receptors on tumor cells can elicit NK cell immune nosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), response against “non-self,” through releasing cytotoxic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-asso- granules, secreting cytokines and inducing death recep- ciated macrophages (TAMs) and tolerogenic DCs as tor-dependent apoptosis [36, 43]. Apart from the direct well as immunosuppressive factors such as transforming receptor-based recognition between NK cells and tumor growth factor (TGF)-β, IL-10 and indoleamine 2,3 dioxy- cells that potentiates the anti-tumor function of NK cells, genase (IDO), is another major limitation to the efective- they can kill tumor cells by antibody-dependent cell- ness of NK cells in AML [60, 61]. mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) as well, which is mediated It is worth noting that expressions of NK receptors by the IgG Fc receptor CD16 [44]. and their cognate ligands on leukemic