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Bispecific ANXA2/CD147 CAR-T cell therapy for osteosarcoma
Hai-Jun Tang1, Wei Dai1, Dan-Ting Xiao1
1Department of Spine and Osteopathic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Current CAR-T cell therapies for osteosarcoma are predominantly designed with single targets, but their efficacy remains unsatisfactory. In this study, a novel bispecific CAR-T cell was developed to provide an experimental basis for improving the therapeutic outcome of osteosarcoma. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identified two antigens highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells, ANXA2 and CD147, whose expression was further validated at the tissue level by qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. Based on a second-generation CAR backbone, a bispecific ANXA2/CD147 CAR-T construct was generated using magnetic bead sorting, primary T-cell culture, and lentiviral transduction, achieving a transduction efficiency of 47.1%. LDH release assays demonstrated that bispecific CAR-T cells exhibited significantly greater cytotoxicity against tumor cells than single-target and control groups. ELISA confirmed that bispecific CAR-T cells released higher levels of effector molecules, including GZMB and TNFα. In a subcutaneous CDX model, bispecific CAR-T cells displayed superior antitumor activity and greater T-cell infiltration. In a paw pad xenograft model, mice treated with bispecific CAR-T cells exhibited the smallest tumor volumes, lowest tumor weights, and reduced rates of lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, PDX models confirmed that bispecific CAR-T cells effectively suppressed osteosarcoma growth. ScRNA-seq of tumors derived from CDX models and immunohistochemistry revealed markedly increased infiltration of M1 macrophages in the bispecific group. Collectively, this study successfully generated a bispecific ANXA2/CD147 CAR-T cell with robust antitumor activity, providing a promising new strategy for the immunotherapy of osteosarcoma.
Insights
A new bispecific CAR-T cell therapy targeting ANXA2 and CD147 shows enhanced efficacy against osteosarcoma. This novel approach offers improved antitumor activity and a promising new strategy for osteosarcoma immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer with poor prognosis.
- Current single-target CAR-T cell therapies for osteosarcoma have limited efficacy.
- There is a need for improved therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel bispecific CAR-T cell therapy for osteosarcoma.
- To identify and validate suitable antigens for bispecific targeting in osteosarcoma.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the bispecific CAR-T cells.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identified ANXA2 and CD147 as target antigens.
- Bispecific ANXA2/CD147 CAR-T constructs were generated via lentiviral transduction.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays (LDH release) and cytokine analysis (ELISA) were performed.
- In vivo efficacy was evaluated in subcutaneous CDX, xenograft, and PDX osteosarcoma models.
- Tumor immune microenvironment changes, including macrophage infiltration, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Bispecific CAR-T cells demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxicity compared to single-target CAR-T cells.
- Elevated levels of effector molecules (GZMB, TNFα) were released by bispecific CAR-T cells.
- In vivo models showed superior tumor suppression, reduced metastasis, and increased T-cell infiltration.
- Increased infiltration of M1 macrophages was observed in tumors treated with bispecific CAR-T cells.
Conclusions:
- A bispecific ANXA2/CD147 CAR-T cell therapy was successfully developed.
- This therapy exhibits robust in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against osteosarcoma.
- Bispecific CAR-T cells represent a promising new strategy for osteosarcoma immunotherapy.
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