Intracranial Cannula Implantation for Serial Locoregional Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Infusions in Mice

Summary

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children, and locoregional immune-based therapies are increasingly being tested for patients in clinical trials. This protocol describes methods for locoregional cannula implantation in mice for the preclinical evaluation of immunotherapeutic infusions targeting CNS tumors.

Abstract

Pediatric CNS tumors are responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths in children and have poor prognoses, despite advancements in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As many tumors lack efficacious treatments, there is a crucial need to develop more promising therapeutic options, such as immunotherapies; the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy directed against CNS tumors is of particular interest. Cell surface targets such as B7-H3, IL13RA2, and the disialoganglioside GD2 are highly expressed on the surface of several pediatric and adult CNS tumors, raising the opportunity to use CAR T cell therapy against these and other surface targets. To evaluate the repeated locoregional delivery of CAR T cells in preclinical murine models, an indwelling catheter system that recapitulates indwelling catheters currently being used in human clinical trials was established. Unlike stereotactic delivery, the indwelling catheter system allows for repeated dosing without the use of multiple surgeries. This protocol describes the intratumoral placement of a fixed guide cannula that has been used to successfully test serial CAR T cell infusions in orthotopic murine models of pediatric brain tumors. Following orthotopic injection and engraftment of the tumor cells in mice, intratumoral placement of a fixed guide cannula is completed on a stereotactic apparatus and secured with screws and acrylic resin. Treatment cannulas are then inserted through the fixed guide cannula for repeated CAR T cell delivery. Stereotactic placement of the guide cannula can be adjusted to deliver CAR T cells directly into the lateral ventricle or other locations in the brain. This platform offers a reliable mechanism for the preclinical testing of repeated intracranial infusions of CAR T cells and other novel therapeutics for these devastating pediatric tumors.

Introduction

Despite improvements in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the deadliest malignancy in pediatrics¹, underscoring an important need for new approaches with more successful outcomes. With significant advances in the field of immunotherapy, adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) approaches have shown promising results in various cancers, especially hematological malignancies². Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, a specific type of ACT, takes advantage of the immune system's natural ability to recognize and kill harmful cells by redirecting the specificity of T cells to generate tumor-targeting T cells³. CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated substantial success in the treatment of leukemias and lymphomas⁴, making it a promising immunotherapeutic approach and encouraging its investigation in solid tumors. However, thus far, CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors has achieved little clinical success and faces many challenges, such as inefficient tumor penetration, limited targetable antigens, and the suppressive tumor microenvironment⁵.

Recent clinical trials have begun evaluating CAR T cell therapy for pediatric CNS tumors, providing proof of concept and early evidence of T cell activity in preliminary reports^6,7,8. While most initial preclinical data focused on intravenous delivery of the CAR T cells, recent preclinical evidence has suggested the superiority of locoregional delivery in the CNS^9,10, which has also been utilized successfully in several clinical trials^6,7,8,11. Preclinical studies to date that have incorporated the locoregional delivery of CAR T cells in the CNS have relied on a single intracranial dose of CAR T cells delivered stereotactically^9,10. However, clinical trials in humans have required repeated infusions of CAR T cells in the CNS^6,7,8,11, underscoring a need to evaluate multiple repeated infusions in preclinical development. The goal of this procedure is to successfully test serial CAR T cell infusions using a catheter in orthotopic murine models of pediatric brain tumors. The advantage of this technique is the avoidance of multiple surgical procedures to provide repeated intra-CNS treatments. Cannulas have primarily been used for microdialysis sampling of neurotransmitters and the delivery of neuroactive substances in neuroscience and behavioral research in rodents¹², with limited reports of their use for the delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics. Building on the prior reports, this protocol uses a stereotactically placed indwelling cannula system to deliver CAR T cells in xenograft murine models of CNS tumors. The protocol can be utilized to test additional therapeutics in murine models of neurological or neuro-oncologic disorders, and may be helpful to test novel therapeutics where bypassing the blood-brain barrier is critical for efficacy.

Protocol

All protocol procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (IAC 19-000907), which is accredited by the AAALAC. This study used 6-12-week-old NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice with orthotopic xenograft tumors; however, the protocol can be utilized on any mouse strain. NSG mice were housed in sterile barrier conditions and surgery performed under sterile biosafety cabinets. When human material such as tumor cells or T cells are being used, procedures and handling must be completed in ABSL-2 biosafety cabinets.

1. Preparing the mouse for surgery

1. Anesthetize the mouse in an induction chamber with isoflurane (2-4%) at an oxygen flow rate of 1 L/min until an adequate plane of anesthesia is reached (approximately 5 min).
2. Weigh the mouse using a scale to the nearest 0.1 g and administer subcutaneous slow-release (SR) buprenorphine (1 mg/kg) or other analgesic.
   NOTE: SR buprenorphine provides analgesia for 72 h.
3. Shave the fur on the top of the mouse's head using electric clippers or depilatory agents.
4. Use a spatula to gently open the bottom of the stereotactic arm and insert the guide cannula using forceps. Tighten the screw on the arm to secure the cannula so that approximately 1/2 to 2/3 of the white plastic portion of the cannula is protruding from the bottom of the opening, along with the entire 5 mm metal length of the cannula.
5. Insert and secure the mouse's top teeth in the bite bar of the stereotaxic apparatus. Pull the nose cone forward and tighten it, ensuring the mouse is inhaling isoflurane.
6. Mount the mouse on the warmed stereotaxic apparatus using ear cuffs or ear bars, avoiding excessive pressure.
   NOTE: Warmed tray should have a rectal thermometer inserted, and the warming tray should adjust to maintain a normal body temperature of the mouse during the procedure.
7. Apply sterile ophthalmic ointment to both eyes using a cotton-tipped applicator.
8. Wipe the surgical site with povidone-iodine on a pad or applicator, followed by an alcohol pad. Perform this step three times in total.
9. Before beginning the procedure, perform a toe pinch with forceps to assess for adequate sedation.

2. Surgical procedure

NOTE: All aspects of the surgical procedure utilize sterilized instruments and aseptic techniques. The mice continue under anesthesia with isoflurane (2-4%) throughout the duration of the procedure, approximately 10-20 min.

1. Gently pick up the scalp between the ears with forceps. Using sterile scissors, cut the lifted scalp parallel to the skull and remove an oval flap of skin (0.75-1 cm in length) to expose the skull.
   NOTE: Scissors are preferred over a scalpel to provide a clean, oval-shaped opening and to prevent unnecessary damage to surrounding skin and tissue. 
2. Push away fascia using a scalpel or cotton-tipped swabs and a hemostatic cotton pellet to help slow excessive bleeding as needed.
   NOTE: Using the wooden side of a sterile cotton tip can also push away fascia and help avoid excessive bleeding.
3. Identify the landmarks bregma and lambda, the respective anterior and posterior marks on the skull where the cranial plates meet¹³.
   NOTE: Identification can be augmented by wiping the top of the exposed skull with hydrogen peroxide.
4. Gently score the skull using a scalpel to create a surface for the acrylic to attach. Scoring should include multiple linear lines approximately 0.5-1 cm in length at 90° angles to each other.
5. Using the stereotaxic arm, localize the cannula to the landmark of interest (bregma or lambda). Once localized, raise the cannula tip 1-2 mm above the skull surface and move to the desired coordinates. For intratumoral injections, this uses the same A/P and M/L coordinates as the tumor placement.
6. On the exposed skull, away from the area where the cannula will enter, make two screw holes with an 18 G needle or a surgical drill. Ensure that the holes are spaced out to include enough room for the cannula. Using a drill bit, twist through the screw holes until they catch on the skull. Insert and fasten two screws into the holes using a flat-tipped screwdriver. Then, gently pull the screws up to ensure they are secured.
   NOTE: Do not insert the screws until they are flush with the skull, or they may damage the mouse brain underneath. Leave at least a 1-2 mm gap between the screw and the skull.
7. Using an 18 G needle or surgical drill, drill through the skull at the identified coordinates to create a hole for the cannula to be inserted.
8. Using the stereotactic arm, lower the cannula to the desired D/V coordinate.
   NOTE: The D/V coordinate of cannula implantation needs to account for the projection length of the dummy and treatment cannulas, and may be more superficial than the orthotopic injection of tumor cells (Figure 1).
9. In a porcelain 12-well plate, fill one well with acrylic resin powder (approximately 0.3 g) and 10-15 drops (approximately 0.5-0.75 mL) of acrylic resin liquid. This produces a viscous white-colored material. Draw up the mixture into a 1 mL syringe and use it to coat and cover the skull, filling in the spaces around the cannula and screws.
   NOTE: The viscous material hardens into cement over time, so this step should be completed promptly after mixing.
10. While the cement is still pliable, loosen the screw on the stereotactic arm and use a spatula in the opening at the bottom to gently release the cannula from the holder and slowly retract the stereotactic arm upward away from the mouse.
11. Once the cement is completely dry, insert the dummy cannula into the guide cannula and tightly secure it by turning clockwise.
12. Once the procedure is complete, place the mouse back in its warmed home cage to carefully monitor, ensuring adequate recovery and recording any post-procedure observations, including that the mouse has fully regained consciousness, before returning to the colony.
    NOTE: It is generally recommended to place only half of the cage on a heating pad to allow for the animal to move to the cooler side to avoid overheating.
13. Administer additional analgesics as needed if the mice display behaviors indicative of pain post-operatively, such as meloxicam 5 mg/kg subcutaneously delivered once daily for up to 3 days.

3. Preparing CAR T cells

1. Measure the pre-transfected CAR T cell concentration using a cell counter.
2. Centrifuge pre-transfected T cells at 200 x g for 5 min at room temperature (RT).
3. Aspirate the supernatant using a sterile Pasteur pipet on a vacuum aspiration system and resuspend the pellet in phosphatae buffered saline (PBS) to a desired concentration. Typical delivery volumes are 2-5 µL. Typical cell doses are 0.5-5 x 10⁶ cells.

4. CAR T cell infusions

1. Prepare the treatment cannula by feeding the top through a small piece of PKG tubing.
2. Fill the treatment syringe with the CAR T cell suspension and insert it through the other end of the PKG tubing, enough to cover the top of the treatment cannula.
3. Anesthetize the mouse with isoflurane (2-4%) at an oxygen flow rate of 1 L/min.
4. Stabilize the guide cannula using forceps at the base, and then carefully unscrew and remove the dummy cannula, allowing for access into the guide cannula.
   NOTE: A stereotaxic setup is not necessary, but can be used to stabilize the head for treatment.
5. Infuse the CAR T cells for 1 min and hold the treatment cannula in place for an additional 1 min following the cessation of infusion.
6. Remove the treatment cannula and screw the dummy cannula tightly back in place.
7. Administer subcutaneous meloxicam (5 mg/kg) for optional pain control.

Results

Successful cannula implantation into the mouse CNS
Mice with successful cannulation have a secure guide cannula in place, that does not interfere with activities of daily living (Figure 2A) and that can easily pass a treatment cannula and deliver fluid without resistance (Figure 2B). In our experience, the majority of cannulas remain in place for over 4 weeks, although 0-25% can be dislodged over time. Verification of correct placement can be confirmed with Evans blue dye injected into the cannula. For example, a cannula inserted into the lateral ventricle shows Evans blue dye throughout the ventricular system as it travels through the cerebral spinal fluid, confirming correct placement (Figure 2C). Cannulas inserted into the tumor show Evans blue dye at the site of tumor implantation.

Effective delivery of CAR T cells into the CNS for treatment of xenograft tumors.
The efficacy of the intracranial cannula system and the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells in murine models can be measured through a variety of mechanisms, including bioluminescent imaging and overall survival. GPC2-directed CAR T cells were tested against murine medulloblastoma and diffuse midline glioma models, 7316-4509 and 7316-3058, respectively, using repeated CAR T cell dosing via the stated intracranial cannula system¹⁴. Orthotopic tumor placement and engraftment were confirmed by bioluminescent imaging, and cannulas were placed into the tumor bed using the same coordinates as the orthotopic tumor placement. The treatments consisted of GPC2 CAR T cell infusions once to twice a week for 2-4 weeks, totaling four to six doses. Following treatment, GPC2-directed CAR T cell therapy induced significant tumor regression in the medulloblastoma model 7316-4509 (p < 0.01) (Figure 3A) and significantly prolonged survival in thalamic diffuse midline glioma 7316-3058 (p < 0.05) (Figure 3B)¹⁴.

Figure 1: Guide cannula with projection dummy and treatment cannulas. (A) Guide cannula with 0.5 mm projection and 2 mm projection dummy cannulas in place. (B) Guide cannula with 0.5 mm projection and 2 mm projection treatment cannulas in place. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 2: Treatment cannula delivery system for repeated doses of CAR T cells. (A) Cannula implanted in a mouse skull with a cap in place when not in use. (B) Infusion of CAR T cells into a pontine tumor via the treatment cannula while the mouse is under anesthesia. (C) Verification of cannula placement in the lateral ventricle using Evans blue dye. Dye was inserted through the cannula, followed by euthanasia and brain excision, with dye present throughout the ventricles. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 3: GPC2-directed CAR T cells mediate antitumor responses and prolong survival in pediatric brain tumors in vivo. (A) Quantification of bioluminescence of the orthotopic group 4 medulloblastoma xenograft 7316-4509 treated with either GPC2- or CD19-directed mRNA CAR T cells. Doses are indicated by arrows on the graph. Data displayed as mean with SD, n = 9-11 mice per arm. (B) Overall survival of mice implanted with thalamic DMG xenograft 7316-3058 treated with six repeated doses of 2 x 10⁶ CAR T cells. Doses are indicated by arrows on the graph. n = 7 mice per arm. **p < 0.01; *p < 0.05; ns = not significant. This figure has been reproduced with permission from Foster et al.¹⁴. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Discussion

CAR T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological cancers and shows promising value in treating solid brain tumors^6,7,8. This protocol was designed to enable the preclinical evaluation of locoregional CAR T cell delivery for the treatment of pediatric CNS tumors. The cannula system replicates an Ommaya or Rickham reservoir, an intraventricular catheter system currently being used in ongoing clinical trials of CAR T cell therapy in pediatric CNS tumors^6,7,8, underscoring the relevance and translational potential of these methods. This system allows for the repeated delivery of CAR T cells that bypass the blood-brain barrier, again similar to methods being employed in ongoing clinical trials. Locoregional delivery can provide maximal efficacy in the CNS⁹ and may also reduce the risk of systemic toxicities associated with trafficking from circulation¹⁵. While stereotactic delivery can provide a single dose into the CNS, the advantage of this system is the opportunity to provide multiple repeated doses into a specified location in the CNS without the need for multiple surgeries. The limitations of this procedure include a fixed delivery site without the ability to change location or make adjustments once the cannula is in place, and the potential for dislodgement of the cannula.

A critical step in this protocol is the implantation of the fixed guide cannula at a D/V coordinate that takes into consideration the projection of the treatment cannulas. The treatment cannula will protrude beyond the tip of the guide cannula, and so care must be taken to ensure the placement will result in the delivery of CAR T cells to the region of interest. Projection lengths of the treatment cannula can be customized, and in the author's experience, 0.5 mm is a useful projection length. This length ensures that the therapeutic does not remain in the guide cannula upon dispensing, but also does not require significant adjustment of the D/V coordinates for the guide cannula to the region of interest. An additional important step in this protocol is the time the treatment cannula is left in place following CAR T cell infusion. The treatment cannula should be held in place for at least 1 min following the end of infusion, to prevent leaks and the loss of locoregional delivery of CAR T cell therapy.

Troubleshooting this method is straightforward, with most complications involving difficulty removing the dummy cannula or inserting the treatment cannula into the fixed guide cannula, likely due to dried blood on the interior of the guide cannula. This can be easily resolved by gently passing the dummy cannula through the guide cannula until there is less resistance and the debris has been cleared. The acrylic resin can occasionally dislodge from the skull, resulting in the loss of the cannula system. In our experience, this is generally limited by scoring the skull with a scalpel and the placement of two screws. In addition, any items from the cage that may accidentally apply force to the cannula while the mouse is moving around are removed, such as particular mouse enrichment huts with small openings.

In conclusion, described here is a protocol for the insertion of a cannula system in murine models of CNS tumors for the repeated delivery of CAR T cells. Cannula placement can be adjusted to multiple locoregional delivery locations, testing the efficacy of different delivery sites. In addition, this system can be used for additional therapeutics beyond CAR T cells to evaluate efficacy when bypassing the blood-brain barrier, and may also be useful for the evaluation of therapeutics in murine models of non-oncologic disorders.

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
18 G needles	BD	511097	1 1/2 inch metal hub
Acrylic resin liquid	Lang Dental	B1323
Acrylic resin powder	Lang Dental	B1323
Alcohol wipes	BD	326895
Centrifuge 5240	Eppendorf	5420000040	Centrifuge
Cotton tipped swabs	Puritan	826-WC	Handle Width = 2.11 mm (0.083), Head Width = 1.27 mm (0.050), Handle Length = 147.62 mm (5.812), Overall Length = 152.4 mm (6), Head Length = 12.7 mm (0.500)
Drill bit holder	P1 Technologies	DH-1	Drill bit holder for D56-D70
Drill bit	P1 Technologies	D58	1.07 mm
Dummy cannula	P1 Technologies	C315DCS-5/SPC	Configuration: Small cap;  Length: Cut 5.00 mm below pedestal; Projection: 0.50 mm
Flat tip screwdriver	P1 Technologies	SD-80	Screwdriver
Graefe forceps	Fine Science Tools	11051-10	Forceps
Guide cannula	P1 Technologies	C315GS-5/SPC	Configuration: 5.00 mm pedestal height; Length: Cut 5.00 mm below pedestal
Hemostatic cotton pellets with racemic epinephrine	Pascal	1151602
MOXI Z Mini automated cell counter Kit	Moxi	MXZ001	Cell counter
NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice	Jackson Laboratory	5557	6 to 12-week-old males and females
Pasteur pipet	VWR	14673-043
PKG tubing	P1 Technologies	C313CT	Diameter: 0.58 mm x 1.27 mm
Porcelain 12 well plate	Flinn Scientific	AP6064
Povidone iodine	Medline	MDS093943
Scalpel	World Precision Instrument	50-822-457	Disposable Scalpel, no.10, sterile, 10/box, Plastic Handle with 6" Ruler
Screws	P1 Technologies	0-80 X 3/32	2.4 mm
Stereotaxic Frame	David Kopf Instruments	940	Model 940 Small Animal Stereotaxic Instrument with Digital Display Console
Student fine scissors	Fine Science Tools	91460-12	Scissors
Treatment cannula	P1 Technologies	C315IS-5/SPC	33GA; Configuration: Standard internal; Length: Cut 5.00 mm below pedestal; Projection: 0.50 mm
Treatment syringes	Hamilton	87908	5 µL, Model 75 Cemented Needle Special (SN) Syringe, 75SN/22/0.5"/PT3
Vactrap XL	Foxx Life Sciences	305-4401-FLS	Vacuum System