@article{GinzkeyEickerMargetetal.2013,
  author    = {Ginzkey, Christian and Eicker, Sven and Marget, Matthias and Krause, J{\"o}rg and Brecht, Stefan and Westphal, Manfred and Hugo, Heinz-Hermann and Mehdorn, Maximilian and Steinmann, J{\"o}rg and Hamel, Wolfgang},
  title     = {Incomplete tumour control following DNA vaccination against rat gliomas expressing a model antigen},
  series = {Acta Neurochirurgica},
  volume    = {155},
  journal   = {Acta Neurochirurgica},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00701-012-1526-7},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126775},
  pages     = {51-59},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Background Vaccination against tumour-associated antigens is one approach to elicit anti-tumour responses. We investigated the effect of polynucleotide (DNA) vaccination using a model antigen (E. coli lacZ) in a syngeneic gliosarcoma model (9L). Methods Fisher 344 rats were vaccinated thrice by intramuscular injection of a lacZ-encoding or a control plasmid in weekly intervals. One week after the last vaccination, lacZ-expressing 9L cells were implanted into the striatum. Results After 3 weeks, in lacZ-vaccinated animals the tumours were significantly smaller than in control-vaccinated animals. In cytotoxic T cell assays lysis rates of >50 \% could only be observed in a few of the lacZ-vaccinated animals. This response was directed against lacZ-expressing and parental 9L cells but not against syngeneic MADB 106 adenocarcinoma cells. In Elispot assays interferon-γ production was observed upon stimulation with 9LlacZ and 9L wild-type but not MADB 106 cells. This response was higher for lacZ-immunized animals. All animals revealed dense infiltrates with CD8+ lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, with NK cells. CD25-staining indicated cells possibly associated with the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to self-antigens. All tumours were densely infiltrated by microglia consisting mostly of ramified cells. Only focal accumulation of macrophage-like cells expressing ED1, a marker for phagocytic activity, was observed. Conclusion Prophylactic DNA vaccination resulted in effective but incomplete suppression of brain tumour formation. Mechanisms other than cytotoxic T cell responses as measured in the generally used in vitro assays appear to play a role in tumour suppression.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{EyrichRachorSchreiberetal.2013,
  author    = {Eyrich, Matthias and Rachor, Johannes and Schreiber, Susanne C. and W{\"o}lfl, Matthias and Schlegel, Paul G.},
  title     = {Dendritic cell vaccination in pediatric gliomas: lessons learnt and future perspectives},
  series = {Frontiers in Pediatrics},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Pediatrics},
  doi       = {10.3389/fped.2013.00012},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96937},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Immunotherapy of malignant gliomas with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) in addition to surgery and radiochemotherapy has been a focus of intense research during the past decade. Since both children and adults are affected by this highly aggressive brain tumor, 10-15\% of the several hundred vaccinated patients represent children, making pediatric glioma patients the largest uniform pediatric vaccination cohort so far. In general, DC vaccination in malignant gliomas has been shown to be safe and several studies with a non-vaccinated control group could clearly demonstrate a survival benefit for the vaccinated patients. Interestingly, children and adolescents below 21 years of age seem to benefit even more than adult patients. This review summarizes the findings of the 25 clinical trials published so far and gives a perspective how DC vaccination could be implemented as part of multimodal therapeutic strategies in the near future.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WilhelmSmetakSchaeferEckartetal.2014,
  author    = {Wilhelm, Martin and Smetak, Manfred and Schaefer-Eckart, Kerstin and Kimmel, Brigitte and Birkmann, Josef and Einsele, Hermann and Kunzmann, Volker},
  title     = {Successful adoptive transfer and in vivo expansion of haploidentical γδ T cells},
  series = {Journal of Translational Medicine},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Journal of Translational Medicine},
  number    = {45},
  doi       = {10.1186/1479-5876-12-45},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117290},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Background: The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility and safety of an adoptive transfer and in vivo expansion of human haploidentical gamma delta T lymphocytes. Methods: Patients with advanced haematological malignancies who are not eligible for allogeneic transplantation received peripheral blood mononuclear cells from half-matched family donors. For that, a single unstimulated leukapheresis product was incubated with both the anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies conjugated to paramagnetic particles. The depletion procedure was performed on a fully automated CliniMACS (R) device according to the manufacturer's instructions. On average, patients received 2.17 x 10(6)/kg (range 0.9-3.48) γδ T cells with <1\% CD4-or CD8-positive cells remaining in the product. All patients received prior lymphopenia-inducing chemotherapy (fludarabine 20-25 mg/m(2) day -6 until day -2 and cyclophosphamide 30-60 mg/kg day -6 and -5) and were treated with 4 mg zoledronate on day 0 and 1.0x10(6) IU/m(2) IL-2 on day +1 until day +6 for the induction of gamma delta T cell proliferation in vivo. Results: This resulted in a marked in vivo expansion of donor γδ T cells and, to a lower extent, natural killer cells and double-negative αβ T cells (mean 68-fold, eight-fold, and eight-fold, respectively). Proliferation peaked by around day +8 and donor cells persisted up to 28 days. Although refractory to all prior therapies, three out of four patients achieved a complete remission, which lasted for 8 months in a patient with plasma cell leukaemia. One patient died from an infection 6 weeks after treatment. Conclusion: This pilot study shows that adoptive transfer and in vivo expansion of haploidentical γδ T lymphocytes is feasible and suggests a potential role of these cells in the treatment of haematological diseases.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchilbachAlkhaledWelkeretal.2015,
  author    = {Schilbach, Karin and Alkhaled, Mohammed and Welker, Christian and Eckert, Franziska and Blank, Gregor and Ziegler, Hendrik and Sterk, Marco and M{\"u}ller, Friederike and Sonntag, Katja and Wieder, Thomas and Braum{\"u}ller, Heidi and Schmitt, Julia and Eyrich, Matthias and Schleicher, Sabine and Seitz, Christian and Erbacher, Annika and Pichler, Bernd J. and M{\"u}ller, Hartmut and Tighe, Robert and Lim, Annick and Gillies, Stephen D. and Strittmatter, Wolfgang and R{\"o}cken, Martin and Handgretinger, Rupert},
  title     = {Cancer-targeted IL-12 controls human rhabdomyosarcoma by senescence induction and myogenic differentiation},
  series = {OncoImmunology},
  volume    = {4},
  journal   = {OncoImmunology},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1080/2162402X.2015.1014760},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-154579},
  pages     = {e1014760},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Stimulating the immune system to attack cancer is a promising approach, even for the control of advanced cancers. Several cytokines that promote interferon-γ-dominated immune responses show antitumor activity, with interleukin 12 (IL-12) being of major importance. Here, we used an antibody-IL-12 fusion protein (NHS-IL12) that binds histones of necrotic cells to treat human sarcoma in humanized mice. Following sarcoma engraftment, NHS-IL12 therapy was combined with either engineered IL-7 (FcIL-7) or IL-2 (IL-2MAB602) for continuous cytokine bioavailability. NHS-IL12 strongly induced innate and adaptive antitumor immunity when combined with IL-7 or IL-2. NHS-IL12 therapy significantly improved survival of sarcoma-bearing mice and caused long-term remissions when combined with IL-2. NHS-IL12 induced pronounced cancer cell senescence, as documented by strong expression of senescence-associated p16\(^{INK4a}\) and nuclear translocation of p-HP1γ, and permanent arrest of cancer cell proliferation. In addition, this cancer immunotherapy initiated the induction of myogenic differentiation, further promoting the hypothesis that efficient antitumor immunity includes mechanisms different from cytotoxicity for efficient cancer control in vivo.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ArdeltEbbingAdamsetal.2015,
  author    = {Ardelt, Peter U. and Ebbing, Jan and Adams, Fabian and Reiss, Cora and Arap, Wadih and Pasqualini, Renata and Bachmann, Alexander and Wetterauer, Ulrich and Riedmiller, Hubertus and Kneitz, Burkard},
  title     = {An anti-ubiquitin antibody response in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {3},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0118646},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143711},
  pages     = {e0118646},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Background To use combinatorial epitope mapping ("fingerprinting") of the antibody response to identify targets of the humoral immune response in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Methods A combinatorial random peptide library was screened on the circulating pool of immunoglobulins purified from an index patient with a high risk TCC (pTa high grade plus carcinoma in situ) to identify corresponding target antigens. A patient cohort was investigated for antibody titers against ubiquitin. Results We selected, isolated, and validated an immunogenic peptide motif from ubiquitin as a dominant epitope of the humoral response. Patients with TCC had significantly higher antibody titers against ubiquitin than healthy donors (p<0.007), prostate cancer patients (p<0.0007), and all patients without TCC taken together (p<0.0001). Titers from superficial tumors were not significantly different from muscle invasive tumors (p = 0.0929). For antibody response against ubiquitin, sensitivity for detection of TCC was 0.44, specificity 0.96, positive predictive value 0.96 and negative predictive value 0.41. No significant titer changes were observed during the standard BCG induction immunotherapy. Conclusions This is the first report to demonstrate an anti-ubiquitin antibody response in patients with TCC. Although sensitivity of antibody production was low, a high specificity and positive predictive value make ubiquitin an interesting candidate for further diagnostic and possibly immune modulating studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DraganovSantidrianMinevetal.2019,
  author    = {Draganov, Dobrin D. and Santidrian, Antonio F. and Minev, Ivelina and Duong, Nguyen and Kilinc, Mehmet Okyay and Petrov, Ivan and Vyalkova, Anna and Lander, Elliot and Berman, Mark and Minev, Boris and Szalay, Aladar A.},
  title     = {Delivery of oncolytic vaccinia virus by matched allogeneic stem cells overcomes critical innate and adaptive immune barriers},
  series = {Journal of Translational Medicine},
  volume    = {17},
  journal   = {Journal of Translational Medicine},
  issn      = {100},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12967-019-1829-z},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-226312},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Background Previous studies have identified IFNγ as an important early barrier to oncolytic viruses including vaccinia. The existing innate and adaptive immune barriers restricting oncolytic virotherapy, however, can be overcome using autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells as carrier cells with unique immunosuppressive properties. Methods To test the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to overcome innate and adaptive immune barriers and to successfully deliver oncolytic vaccinia virus to tumor cells, we performed flow cytometry and virus plaque assay analysis of ex vivo co-cultures of stem cells infected with vaccinia virus in the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Comparative analysis was performed to establish statistically significant correlations and to evaluate the effect of stem cells on the activity of key immune cell populations. Results Here, we demonstrate that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the potential to eradicate resistant tumor cells through a combination of potent virus amplification and sensitization of the tumor cells to virus infection. Moreover, the ADSCs demonstrate ability to function as a virus-amplifying Trojan horse in the presence of both autologous and allogeneic human PBMCs, which can be linked to the intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of stem cells and their unique potential to overcome innate and adaptive immune barriers. The clinical application of ready-to-use ex vivo expanded allogeneic stem cell lines, however, appears significantly restricted by patient-specific allogeneic differences associated with the induction of potent anti-stem cell cytotoxic and IFNγ responses. These allogeneic responses originate from both innate (NK)- and adaptive (T)- immune cells and might compromise therapeutic efficacy through direct elimination of the stem cells or the induction of an anti-viral state, which can block the potential of the Trojan horse to amplify and deliver vaccinia virus to the tumor. Conclusions Overall, our findings and data indicate the feasibility to establish simple and informative assays that capture critically important patient-specific differences in the immune responses to the virus and stem cells, which allows for proper patient-stem cell matching and enables the effective use of off-the-shelf allogeneic cell-based delivery platforms, thus providing a more practical and commercially viable alternative to the autologous stem cell approach.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RascheKortuemRaabetal.2019,
  author    = {Rasche, Leo and Kort{\"u}m, K. Martin and Raab, Marc S. and Weinhold, Niels},
  title     = {The impact of tumor heterogeneity on diagnostics and novel therapeutic strategies in multiple myeloma},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {20},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {5},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms20051248},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285402},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Myeloma is characterized by extensive inter-patient genomic heterogeneity due to multiple different initiating events. A recent multi-region sequencing study demonstrated spatial differences, with progression events, such as TP53 mutations, frequently being restricted to focal lesions. In this review article, we describe the clinical impact of these two types of tumor heterogeneity. Target mutations are often dominant at one site but absent at other sites, which poses a significant challenge to personalized therapy in myeloma. The same holds true for high-risk subclones, which can be locally restricted, and as such not detectable at the iliac crest, which is the usual sampling site. Imaging can improve current risk classifiers and monitoring of residual disease, but does not allow for deciphering the molecular characteristics of tumor clones. In the era of novel immunotherapies, the clinical impact of heterogeneity certainly needs to be re-defined. Yet, preliminary observations indicate an ongoing impact of spatial heterogeneity on the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies. In conclusion, we recommend combining molecular tests with imaging to improve risk prediction and monitoring of residual disease. Overcoming intra-tumor heterogeneity is the prerequisite for curing myeloma. Novel immunotherapies are promising but research addressing their impact on the spatial clonal architecture is highly warranted.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchaeferZernecke2020,
  author    = {Sch{\"a}fer, Sarah and Zernecke, Alma},
  title     = {CD8\(^+\) T cells in atherosclerosis},
  series = {Cells},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Cells},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {2073-4409},
  doi       = {10.3390/cells10010037},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220170},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Atherosclerotic lesions are populated by cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, including CD8\(^+\) T cells. The CD8\(^+\) T cell infiltrate has recently been characterized in mouse and human atherosclerosis and revealed activated, cytotoxic, and possibly dysfunctional and exhausted cell phenotypes. In mouse models of atherosclerosis, antibody-mediated depletion of CD8\(^+\) T cells ameliorates atherosclerosis. CD8\(^+\) T cells control monopoiesis and macrophage accumulation in early atherosclerosis. In addition, CD8\(^+\) T cells exert cytotoxic functions in atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to macrophage cell death and necrotic core formation. CD8\(^+\) T cell activation may be antigen-specific, and epitopes of atherosclerosis-relevant antigens may be targets of CD8\(^+\) T cells and their cytotoxic activity. CD8\(^+\) T cell functions are tightly controlled by costimulatory and coinhibitory immune checkpoints. Subsets of regulatory CD25\(^+\)CD8\(^+\) T cells with immunosuppressive functions can inhibit atherosclerosis. Importantly, local cytotoxic CD8\(^+\) T cell responses may trigger endothelial damage and plaque erosion in acute coronary syndromes. Understanding the complex role of CD8\(^+\) T cells in atherosclerosis may pave the way for defining novel treatment approaches in atherosclerosis. In this review article, we discuss these aspects, highlighting the emerging and critical role of CD8\(^+\) T cells in atherosclerosis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HenkeNandigamaErguen2020,
  author    = {Henke, Erik and Nandigama, Rajender and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman},
  title     = {Extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment and its impact on cancer therapy},
  series = {Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences},
  number    = {160},
  issn      = {2296-889X},
  doi       = {10.3389/fmolb.2019.00160},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199341},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises the larger part of the overall tumor mass. Like the other components of the TME, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs. Intratumoral signaling, transport mechanisms, metabolisms, oxygenation, and immunogenicity are strongly affected if not controlled by the ECM. Exerting this regulatory control, the ECM does not only influence malignancy and growth of the tumor but also its response toward therapy. Understanding the particularities of the ECM in solid tumor is necessary to develop approaches to interfere with its negative effect. In this review, we will also highlight the current understanding of the physical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the pathological tumor ECM affects the efficiency of radio-, chemo-, and immunotherapy. Finally, we will discuss the various strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM and how they could be utilized to improve response to therapy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LandwehrAltieriSchreineretal.2020,
  author    = {Landwehr, Laura-Sophie and Altieri, Barbara and Schreiner, Jochen and Sbiera, Iuliu and Weigand, Isabel and Kroiss, Matthias and Fassnacht, Martin and Sbiera, Silviu},
  title     = {Interplay between glucocorticoids and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes on the prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma},
  series = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer},
  doi       = {10.1136/jitc-2019-000469},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229893},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy. Tumor-related glucocorticoid excess is present in similar to 60\% of patients and associated with particularly poor prognosis. Results of first clinical trials using immune checkpoint inhibitors were heterogeneous. Here we characterize tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) in ACC in association with glucocorticoids as potential explanation for resistance to immunotherapy. Methods We performed immunofluorescence analysis to visualize tumor-infiltrating T cells (CD3\(^+\)), T helper cells (CD3\(^+\)CD4\(^+\)), cytotoxic T cells (CD3\(^+\)CD8\(^+\)) and regulatory T cells (Tregs; CD3\(^+\)CD4\(^+\)FoxP3\(^+\)) in 146 ACC tissue specimens (107 primary tumors, 16 local recurrences, 23 metastases). Quantitative data of immune cell infiltration were correlated with clinical data (including glucocorticoid excess). Results 86.3\% of ACC specimens showed tumor infiltrating T cells (7.7 cells/high power field (HPF)), including T helper (74.0\%, 6.7 cells/HPF), cytotoxic T cells (84.3\%, 5.7 cells/HPF) and Tregs (49.3\%, 0.8 cells/HPF). The number of TILs was associated with better overall survival (HR for death: 0.47, 95\% CI 0.25 to 0.87), which was true for CD4\(^+\)- and CD8\(^+\) subpopulations as well. In localized, non-metastatic ACC, the favorable impact of TILs on overall and recurrence-free survival was manifested even independently of ENSAT (European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors) stage, resection status and Ki67 index. T helper cells were negatively correlated with glucocorticoid excess (Phi=-0.290, p=0.009). Patients with glucocorticoid excess and low TILs had a particularly poor overall survival (27 vs. 121 months in patients with TILs without glucocorticoid excess). Conclusion Glucocorticoid excess is associated with T cell depletion and unfavorable prognosis. To reactivate the immune system in ACC by checkpoint inhibitors, an inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis might be pivotal and should be tested in prospective studies.},
  language  = {en}
}