Abstract 2180: Genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) monocytes demonstrate targeted anti-tumor activity and differentiate into M1-polarized CAR macrophages
Authors: Gabrusiewicz Konrad , Schmierer Maggie , Best Andrew , Zeeman Martha , Ohtani Yumi , Gabitova Linara , Cushing Daniel , Gill Saar , Klichinsky Michael 
Published: September 2020

Despite rapid advances in cancer immunotherapy, clinical responses in metastatic solid tumors have been limited. Macrophages are the most abundant immune cell in the solid tumor microenvironment (TME) and are primarily recruited as monocytes by TME-derived chemokines. When not under the control of the TME, macrophages are potent immune effector cells capable of phagocytosis, T cell recruitment, and antigen presentation. We have previously demonstrated that CAR macrophages (CAR-M) have potent anti-tumor activity and overcome several of the barriers to success in solid tumor immunotherapy - trafficking, immunosuppression, and antigen heterogeneity.

Currently, CAR-M are generated via ex vivo differentiation of peripheral blood monocytes into macrophages prior to genetic manipulation. To more closely recapitulate normal biologic behavior, we attempted to create CAR monocytes that could traffic and differentiate into CAR macrophages upon tumor penetration. Toward that goal, we genetically engineered CD14+ human monocytes without ex vivo differentiation and with minimal cell culture. Using the chimeric adenoviral vector Ad5f35, we engineered human CAR-monocytes targeted against HER2. CAR expression and viability both exceeded 90%. Ad5f35 transduced CAR monocytes survived and maintained CAR expression ex vivo for at least 21 days. CAR monocytes efficiently differentiated into CAR-expressing macrophages when treated with GM-CSF as determined by FACS-based phenotypic characterization and Wright-Giemsa staining. Anti-HER2 CAR monocytes eradicated HER2 expressing tumor cells in a time and dose-dependent manner, and had comparable potency to anti-HER2 CAR-M. Additionally, the CAR monocyte manufacturing process offered the logistical advantage of a short manufacturing process (approximately two days).

We have previously demonstrated that CAR-M are polarized toward a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype after transduction with Ad5f35. Similarly, CAR monocytes demonstrated elevated expression of M1 markers, and intriguingly after differentiation into CAR-expressing macrophages, HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, and other M1 markers remained elevated - suggesting that transduction prior to differentiation does not impact the pro-inflammatory impact of adenoviral vectors on myeloid cells.

Taken together, this abstract describes the successful development of CAR-monocytes with the potential for a rapid manufacturing process. In addition to direct anti-tumor activity while in the monocyte phase, CAR monocytes have the capacity to differentiate into CAR macrophages in situ, which are in turn capable of phagocytosis, T cell recruitment, TME activation, and antigen presentation. Given the previously demonstrated pre-clinical efficacy of CT-0508 (an anti-HER2 CAR macrophage), the CAR monocyte platform described herein offers a shortened manufacturing process and a potential advantage in tumor penetration, which will be directly evaluated in upcoming studies.

Citation Format: Konrad Gabrusiewicz, Maggie Schmierer, Andrew Best, Martha Zeeman, Yumi Ohtani, Linara Gabitova, Daniel Cushing, Saar Gill, Michael Klichinsky. Genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) monocytes demonstrate targeted anti-tumor activity and differentiate into M1-polarized CAR macrophages [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2180.