Validation of CD98hc as a Therapeutic Target for a Combination of Radiation and Immunotherapies in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ayse Sedef Köseer - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Liliana R. Loureiro - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Justyna Jureczek - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Nicola Mitwasi - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Karla Elizabeth González Soto - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Julia Aepler - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Tabea Bartsch - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Anja Feldmann - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Leoni A. Kunz-Schughart - , OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Annett Linge - , Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), TUD Dresden University of Technology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Mechthild Krause - , Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), TUD Dresden University of Technology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Michael Bachmann - , Institute for Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute for Immunology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Claudia Arndt - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Anna Dubrovska - , OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)

Abstract

Most patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage and show heterogeneous treatment responses. Low SLC3A2 (solute carrier family 3 member 2) mRNA and protein (CD98hc) expression levels are associated with higher locoregional control in HNSCC patients treated with primary radiochemotherapy or postoperative radiochemotherapy, suggesting that CD98hc could be a target for HNSCC radiosensitization. One of the targeted strategies for tumor radiosensitization is precision immunotherapy, e.g., the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. This study aimed to define the potential clinical value of new treatment approaches combining conventional radiotherapy with CD98hc-targeted immunotherapy. To address this question, we analyzed the antitumor activity of the combination of fractionated irradiation and switchable universal CAR (UniCAR) system against radioresistant HNSCC cells in 3D culture. CD98hc-redirected UniCAR T cells showed the ability to destroy radioresistant HNSCC spheroids. Also, the infiltration rate of the UniCAR T cells was enhanced in the presence of the CD98hc target module. Furthermore, sequential treatment with fractionated irradiation followed by CD98hc-redirected UniCAR T treatment showed a synergistic effect. Taken together, our obtained data underline the improved antitumor effect of the combination of radiotherapy with CD98hc-targeted immunotherapy. Such a combination presents an attractive approach for the treatment of high-risk HNSCC patients.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1677
JournalCancers
Volume14
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-1776-9556/work/171065780

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • biomarker, CD98hc, chimeric antigen receptor, combination therapy, HNSCC, immunotherapy, radioimmunotherapy, radiotherapy, SLC3A2