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Chodon T, Comin-Anduix B, Chmielowski B, Koya RC, Wu Z, Auerbach M, Ng C, Avramis E, Seja E, Villanueva A, McCannel TA, Ishiyama A, Czernin J, Radu CG, Wang X, Gjertson DW, Cochran AJ, Cornetta K, Wong DJL, Kaplan-Lefko P, Hamid O, Samlowski W, Cohen PA, Daniels GA, Mukherji B, Yang L, Zack JA, Kohn DB, Heath JR, Glaspy JA, Witte ON, Baltimore D, Economou JS, Ribas A. Adoptive transfer of MART-1 T-cell receptor transgenic lymphocytes and dendritic cell vaccination in patients with metastatic melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:2457-65. [PMID: 24634374 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-3017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE It has been demonstrated that large numbers of tumor-specific T cells for adoptive cell transfer (ACT) can be manufactured by retroviral genetic engineering of autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes and expanding them over several weeks. In mouse models, this therapy is optimized when administered with dendritic cell (DC) vaccination. We developed a short 1-week manufacture protocol to determine the feasibility, safety, and antitumor efficacy of this double cell therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A clinical trial (NCT00910650) adoptively transferring MART-1 T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic lymphocytes together with MART-1 peptide-pulsed DC vaccination in HLA-A2.1 patients with metastatic melanoma. Autologous TCR transgenic cells were manufactured in 6 to 7 days using retroviral vector gene transfer, and reinfused with (n = 10) or without (n = 3) prior cryopreservation. RESULTS A total of 14 patients with metastatic melanoma were enrolled and 9 of 13 treated patients (69%) showed evidence of tumor regression. Peripheral blood reconstitution with MART-1-specific T cells peaked within 2 weeks of ACT, indicating rapid in vivo expansion. Administration of freshly manufactured TCR transgenic T cells resulted in a higher persistence of MART-1-specific T cells in the blood as compared with cryopreserved. Evidence that DC vaccination could cause further in vivo expansion was only observed with ACT using noncryopreserved T cells. CONCLUSION Double cell therapy with ACT of TCR-engineered T cells with a very short ex vivo manipulation and DC vaccines is feasible and results in antitumor activity, but improvements are needed to maintain tumor responses.
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Wong DJL, Rao A, Avramis E, Matsunaga DR, Komatsubara KM, Atefi MS, Escuin-Ordinas H, Chodon T, Koya RC, Ribas A, Comin-Anduix B. Exposure to a histone deacetylase inhibitor has detrimental effects on human lymphocyte viability and function. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:459-68. [PMID: 24795358 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-13-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been reported to increase tumor antigen expression, and have been successfully tested as adjuvants for melanoma immunotherapy in mouse models. In this work, we tested the effects of a pan-HDACi on human lymphocytes and melanoma cell lines. Effects of the pan-HDACi panobinostat (LBH589) on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA damage were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 2 healthy donors, 13 patients with metastatic melanoma, 2 bone marrow samples from patients with different malignances, and 12 human melanoma cell lines. Intracellular signaling in lymphocytes, with or without cytokine stimulation, was analyzed by phospho-flow cytometry in one of each type. The IC50 in PBMCs was <20 nmol/L compared with >600 nmol/L in melanoma cell lines; >40% apoptotic cell death in PBMCs versus <10% in melanoma cell lines was seen at the same concentration. Phospho-histone variant H2A.X (pH2A.X) increased 2-fold in healthy donor PBMCs at 1 nmol/L, whereas the same effect in the melanoma cell line M229 required 10 nmol/L. pH2A.X was inhibited slightly in the PBMCs of 3 patients with metastatic melanoma at 1 nmol/L and in the melanoma cell line M370 at 10 nmol/L. Panobinostat inhibited phospho-STAT1/3/5/6, -p38, -ERK, -p53, -cyclin D3, and -histone H3 in flow cytometry-gated healthy donor B and T cells, whereas it induced up to 6-fold activation in patients with metastatic melanoma and bone marrow samples. In human lymphocytes, panobinostat alters key lymphocyte activation signaling pathways and is cytotoxic at concentrations much lower than those required for melanoma antitumor activity, resulting in an adverse therapeutic window.
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Mok S, Koya RC, Tsui C, Xu J, Robert L, Wu L, Graeber T, West BL, Bollag G, Ribas A. Inhibition of CSF-1 receptor improves the antitumor efficacy of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2014; 74:153-161. [PMID: 24247719 PMCID: PMC3947337 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) recruits tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells (TIM) that suppress tumor immunity, including M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). The CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) is a tyrosine kinase that is targetable by small molecule inhibitors such as PLX3397. In this study, we used a syngeneic mouse model of BRAF(V600E)-driven melanoma to evaluate the ability of PLX3397 to improve the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy (ACT). In this model, we found that combined treatment produced superior antitumor responses compared with single treatments. In mice receiving the combined treatment, a dramatic reduction of TIMs and a skewing of MHCII(low) to MHCII(hi) macrophages were observed. Furthermore, mice receiving the combined treatment exhibited an increase in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and T cells, as revealed by real-time imaging in vivo. In support of these observations, TILs from these mice released higher levels of IFN-γ. In conclusion, CSF-1R blockade with PLX3397 improved the efficacy of ACT immunotherapy by inhibiting the intratumoral accumulation of immunosuppressive macrophages.
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Shi H, Hong A, Kong X, Koya RC, Song C, Moriceau G, Hugo W, Yu CC, Ng C, Chodon T, Scolyer RA, Kefford RF, Ribas A, Long GV, Lo RS. A novel AKT1 mutant amplifies an adaptive melanoma response to BRAF inhibition. Cancer Discov 2013; 4:69-79. [PMID: 24265152 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-13-0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) therapy leads to remarkable anti melanoma responses, but the initial tumor shrinkage is commonly incomplete, providing a nidus for subsequent disease progression. Adaptive signaling may underlie early BRAFi resistance and influence the selection pattern for genetic variants, causing late, acquired resistance. We show here that BRAFi (or BRAFi + MEKi) therapy in patients frequently led to rebound phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) levels in their melanomas early on-treatment. In cell lines, BRAFi treatment led to rebound levels of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK; including PDGFRβ), phosphatidyl (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3), pleckstrin homology domain recruitment, and p-AKT. PTEN expression limited this BRAFi-elicited PI3K-AKT signaling, which could be rescued by the introduction of a mutant AKT1 (Q79K) known to confer acquired BRAFi resistance. Functionally, AKT1(Q79K) conferred BRAFi resistance via amplification of BRAFi-elicited PI3K-AKT signaling. In addition, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibition enhanced clonogenic growth dependency on PI3K or AKT. Thus, adaptive or genetic upregulation of AKT critically participates in melanoma survival during BRAFi therapy.
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Shi H, Hugo W, Kong X, Hong A, Koya RC, Moriceau G, Chodon T, Guo R, Johnson DB, Dahlman KB, Kelley MC, Kefford RF, Chmielowski B, Glaspy JA, Sosman JA, van Baren N, Long GV, Ribas A, Lo RS. Acquired resistance and clonal evolution in melanoma during BRAF inhibitor therapy. Cancer Discov 2013; 4:80-93. [PMID: 24265155 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-13-0642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 750] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors elicit rapid antitumor responses in the majority of patients with BRAF(V600)-mutant melanoma, but acquired drug resistance is almost universal. We sought to identify the core resistance pathways and the extent of tumor heterogeneity during disease progression. We show that mitogen-activated protein kinase reactivation mechanisms were detected among 70% of disease-progressive tissues, with RAS mutations, mutant BRAF amplification, and alternative splicing being most common. We also detected PI3K-PTEN-AKT-upregulating genetic alterations among 22% of progressive melanomas. Distinct molecular lesions in both core drug escape pathways were commonly detected concurrently in the same tumor or among multiple tumors from the same patient. Beyond harboring extensively heterogeneous resistance mechanisms, melanoma regrowth emerging from BRAF inhibitor selection displayed branched evolution marked by altered mutational spectra/signatures and increased fitness. Thus, melanoma genomic heterogeneity contributes significantly to BRAF inhibitor treatment failure, implying upfront, cotargeting of two core pathways as an essential strategy for durable responses.
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Ibarrondo FJ, Yang OO, Chodon T, Avramis E, Lee Y, Sazegar H, Jalil J, Chmielowski B, Koya RC, Schmid I, Gomez-Navarro J, Jamieson BD, Ribas A, Comin-Anduix B. Natural killer T cells in advanced melanoma patients treated with tremelimumab. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76829. [PMID: 24167550 PMCID: PMC3805549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant barrier to effective immune clearance of cancer is loss of antitumor cytotoxic T cell activity. Antibodies to block pro-apoptotic/downmodulatory signals to T cells are currently being tested. Because invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) can regulate the balance of Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses, we characterized the frequencies of circulating iNKT cell subsets in 21 patients with melanoma who received the anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody tremelimumab alone and 8 patients who received the antibody in combination with MART-126–35 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (MART-1/DC). Blood T cell phenotypes and functionality were characterized by flow cytometry before and after treatment. iNKT cells exhibited the central memory phenotype and showed polyfunctional cytokine production. In the combination treatment group, high frequencies of pro-inflammatory Th1 iNKT CD8+ cells correlated with positive clinical responses. These results indicate that iNKT cells play a critical role in regulating effective antitumor T cell activity.
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Knight DA, Ngiow SF, Li M, Parmenter T, Mok S, Cass A, Haynes NM, Kinross K, Yagita H, Koya RC, Graeber TG, Ribas A, McArthur GA, Smyth MJ. Host immunity contributes to the anti-melanoma activity of BRAF inhibitors. J Clin Invest 2013. [DOI: 10.1172/jci70645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Mok S, Tsui C, Xu J, Comin-Anduix B, Chodon T, Ribas A, Koya RC. Abstract 3969: Blocking colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) improves anti-tumor effects of adoptive T cell transfer therapy. Cancer Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2013-3969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Tumors can escape immune responses by creating an inflammatory milieu that supports and recruits tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells (TIMs) with immune suppressive functions, such as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and M2-polarized macrophages. Therapies that block recruitment of suppressor TIMs have the potential to enhance adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of T cell based-immunotherapies.
We originally established a BRAFV600E mutant murine melanoma cell line (SM1) for which ACT of melanoma-targeted T cells induced anti-tumor responses, but not complete eradication in vivo. By gene expression profiling and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, we found that, out of 108 cytokines produced by SM1, colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) was highly expressed. CSF1 induces proliferation of immune suppressors Gr-1(+) CD11b(+) MDSC and F4/80(+) CD11b(+) macrophages. In order to block the recruitment of TIMs, we tested a potent CSF1R inhibitor, PLX3397. Cultured primary murine T cells exposed to PLX3397 with a broad range of concentrations (0.1 to 50 μM) showed no evidence of cytotoxicity by MTS assay. We then tested the combination of PLX3397 and ACT in vivo using two models. In the first one, SM1 cells stably expressing the chicken ovalbumin (OVA) antigen were implanted in C57BL/6 mice. Daily oral gavage with PLX3397 (50mg/kg) combined with ACT of OVA-specific TCR transgenic cells (OT-1) demonstrated superior effects of the combined treatment (tumor size on day 14_vehicle: 1611.2±22.5 mm2, PLX3397: 1028.0±24.0 mm2, OT-1: 1112.5±35.7 mm2, combined PLX3397+OT-1: 347.3±15.5 mm2, p<0.001). We have observed a dramatic reduction of the number of macrophages in the tumor tissue (vehicle: 10.3±1.6%, PLX3397: 1.35±0.5%, OT-1: 12.0±0.6%, combined: 2.33±0.3%, p<0.001) and a skewing of type M2 to type M1 macrophages. In vivo real-time T cell tracking by luciferase bioluminescence imaging demonstrated an increased number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the combined therapy group (photon counts/pixel on day 5 post ACT: OT-1: 4424.5±412, combined: 9176±1780, p<0.001). The second in vivo model was based on pmel-1 transgenic T cells, which targeted the endogenous melanoma antigen (gp100) expressed by SM1. The combined treatment of PLX3397 and ACT of pmel-1 also resulted in significant tumor shrinkage, reduction of M2 macrophages, and increased number of TILs. TILs were also collected and analyzed for function by intracellular staining of IFNγ. TILs from the combined treatment group released significantly higher levels of IFNγ (ACT: 48.2±8.7%, combined: 78.8±3.5%, p<0.001).
In conclusion, our data derived from two independent in vivo models demonstrated dramatic potentiation of anti-tumor effects with the combination of CSF1R blockade and ACT immunotherapy, supporting the rationale for further testing in patients with metastatic melanoma.
Citation Format: Stephen Mok, Christopher Tsui, Jingying Xu, Begonya Comin-Anduix, Thinle Chodon, Antoni Ribas, Richard C. Koya. Blocking colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) improves anti-tumor effects of adoptive T cell transfer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3969. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3969
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Ma C, Cheung AF, Chodon T, Koya RC, Wu Z, Ng C, Avramis E, Cochran AJ, Witte ON, Baltimore D, Chmielowski B, Economou JS, Comin-Anduix B, Ribas A, Heath JR. Multifunctional T-cell analyses to study response and progression in adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy. Cancer Discov 2013; 3:418-29. [PMID: 23519018 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-12-0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of genetically engineered T cells expressing cancer-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) is a promising cancer treatment. Here, we investigate the in vivo functional activity and dynamics of the transferred cells by analyzing samples from 3 representative patients with melanoma enrolled in a clinical trial of ACT with TCR transgenic T cells targeted against the melanosomal antigen MART-1. The analyses included evaluating 19 secreted proteins from individual cells from phenotypically defined T-cell subpopulations, as well as the enumeration of T cells with TCR antigen specificity for 36 melanoma antigens. These analyses revealed the coordinated functional dynamics of the adoptively transferred, as well as endogenous, T cells, and the importance of highly functional T cells in dominating the antitumor immune response. This study highlights the need to develop approaches to maintaining antitumor T-cell functionality with the aim of increasing the long-term efficacy of TCR-engineered ACT immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE A longitudinal functional study of adoptively transferred TCR–engineered lymphocytes yielded revealing snapshots for understanding the changes of antitumor responses over time in ACT immunotherapy of patients with advanced melanoma.
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Knight DA, Ngiow SF, Li M, Parmenter T, Mok S, Cass A, Haynes NM, Kinross K, Yagita H, Koya RC, Graeber TG, Ribas A, McArthur GA, Smyth MJ. Host immunity contributes to the anti-melanoma activity of BRAF inhibitors. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:1371-81. [PMID: 23454771 DOI: 10.1172/jci66236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The BRAF mutant, BRAF(V600E), is expressed in nearly half of melanomas, and oral BRAF inhibitors induce substantial tumor regression in patients with BRAF(V600E) metastatic melanoma. The inhibitors are believed to work primarily by inhibiting BRAF(V600E)-induced oncogenic MAPK signaling; however, some patients treated with BRAF inhibitors exhibit increased tumor immune infiltration, suggesting that a combination of BRAF inhibitors and immunotherapy may be beneficial. We used two relatively resistant variants of Braf(V600E)-driven mouse melanoma (SM1 and SM1WT1) and melanoma-prone mice to determine the role of host immunity in type I BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 antitumor activity. We found that PLX4720 treatment downregulated tumor Ccl2 gene expression and decreased tumor CCL2 expression in both Braf(V600E) mouse melanoma transplants and in de novo melanomas in a manner that was coincident with reduced tumor growth. While PLX4720 did not directly increase tumor immunogenicity, analysis of SM1 tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in PLX4720-treated mice demonstrated a robust increase in CD8(+) T/FoxP3(+)CD4(+) T cell ratio and NK cells. Combination therapy with PLX4720 and anti-CCL2 or agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies demonstrated significant antitumor activity in mouse transplant and de novo tumorigenesis models. These data elucidate a role for host CCR2 in the mechanism of action of type I BRAF inhibitors and support the therapeutic potential of combining BRAF inhibitors with immunotherapy.
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Quatromoni JG, Wang Y, Vo DD, Morris LF, Jazirehi AR, McBride W, Chatila T, Koya RC, Economou JS. T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic CD8 lymphocytes rendered insensitive to transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling mediate superior tumor regression in an animal model of adoptive cell therapy. J Transl Med 2012; 10:127. [PMID: 22713761 PMCID: PMC3507675 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor antigen-reactive T cells must enter into an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, continue to produce cytokine and deliver apoptotic death signals to affect tumor regression. Many tumors produce transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), which inhibits T cell activation, proliferation and cytotoxicity. In a murine model of adoptive cell therapy, we demonstrate that transgenic Pmel-1 CD8 T cells, rendered insensitive to TGFβ by transduction with a TGFβ dominant negative receptor II (DN), were more effective in mediating regression of established B16 melanoma. Smaller numbers of DN Pmel-1 T cells effectively mediated tumor regression and retained the ability to produce interferon-γ in the tumor microenvironment. These results support efforts to incorporate this DN receptor in clinical trials of adoptive cell therapy for cancer.
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Koya RC, Mok S, Otte N, Blacketor KJ, Comin-Anduix B, Tumeh PC, Minasyan A, Graham NA, Graeber TG, Chodon T, Ribas A. BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib improves the antitumor activity of adoptive cell immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2012; 72:3928-37. [PMID: 22693252 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-2837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Combining immunotherapy with targeted therapy blocking oncogenic BRAFV600 may result in improved treatments for advanced melanoma. In this study, we developed a BRAFV600E-driven murine model of melanoma, SM1, which is syngeneic to fully immunocompetent mice. SM1 cells exposed to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX4032) showed partial in vitro and in vivo sensitivity resulting from the inhibition of MAPK pathway signaling. Combined treatment of vemurafenib plus adoptive cell transfer therapy with lymphocytes genetically modified with a T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing chicken ovalbumin (OVA) expressed by SM1-OVA tumors or pmel-1 TCR transgenic lymphocytes recognizing gp100 endogenously expressed by SM1 resulted in superior antitumor responses compared with either therapy alone. T-cell analysis showed that vemurafenib did not significantly alter the expansion, distribution, or tumor accumulation of the adoptively transferred cells. However, vemurafenib paradoxically increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, in vivo cytotoxic activity, and intratumoral cytokine secretion by adoptively transferred cells. Taken together, our findings, derived from 2 independent models combining BRAF-targeted therapy with immunotherapy, support the testing of this therapeutic combination in patients with BRAFV600 mutant metastatic melanoma.
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Birkhäuser FD, Koya RC, Neufeld C, Lu X, Micewicz ED, Chodon T, Atefi M, Kroeger N, Rampersaud EN, Chandramouli GV, Li G, Said JW, Ribas A, McBride WH, Kabbinavar FF, Pantuck AJ, Belldegrun AS, Riss J. Safety and efficacy of dendritic cell immunotherapy with ad-GMCAIX in an immunocompetent preclinical tumor model of renal cell carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 2012. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e13045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
e13045 Background: We have previously reported the successful ex vivo generation of hCAIX-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by adenoviral (Ad) transduction of the GMCAIX fusion protein in dendritic cells (DC). We then produced GMP-grade material (NIH-RAID program, NSC 740833). Now we test, for the first time, the in vivo anti-tumor activity of DC-Ad-GMCAIX against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a unique immunocompetent mouse tumor model. Methods: Tumor growth inhibition and specificity were studied in BALB/c mice s.c. transplanted with either syngeneic RENCA cells transduced with hCAIX (URCAIX) or with non-hCAIX-expressing RENCA cells (RENCA). In a tumor prevention model, cohorts of mice were first immunized s.c. twice with DC-Ad-GMCAIX, DC-Ad-null, or no DCs, followed by tumor challenge with s.c. transplantation of URCAIX or RENCA cells. In an intervention model, tumors were first established and then immunotherapy was employed. Tumor volume and body weight were regularly assessed. Partial necropsy, immunohistochemistry of harvested tumors, and complete blood count were performed at termination of each study. Results: In the prevention model, URCAIX tumor growth was specifically and significantly inhibited for 15 days (p<0.0001). At termination, median growth inhibition reached 79% (113 vs. 531 mm3) and half of the mice remained tumor-free. In the intervention model, DC-Ad-GMCAIX-treated mice showed specific and significant growth inhibition of URCAIX tumors for 8 days (p<0.0018) with a median growth inhibition reaching 60% (487 vs. 1,205 mm3). The threshold of 15% weight loss was delayed in the therapeutic groups of both models (p<0.0167). No treatment-related weight loss or organ toxicity was observed. hCAIX staining was absent or minimally present in URCAIX-tumors that evaded DC-Ad-GMCAIX therapy. Conclusions: DC-Ad-GMCAIX therapy in a novel immunocompetent mouse model demonstrated, for the first time, both tumor prevention and growth inhibition of established RCC tumors without evidence of systemic toxicity. These studies form the basis for first-in-human clinical trial in patients with advanced RCC.
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von Euw E, Atefi M, Attar N, Chu C, Zachariah S, Burgess BL, Mok S, Ng C, Wong DJ, Chmielowski B, Lichter DI, Koya RC, McCannel TA, Izmailova E, Ribas A. Antitumor effects of the investigational selective MEK inhibitor TAK733 against cutaneous and uveal melanoma cell lines. Mol Cancer 2012; 11:22. [PMID: 22515704 PMCID: PMC3444881 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-11-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND TAK733 is a novel allosteric, non-ATP-binding, inhibitor of the BRAF substrates MEK-1/2. METHODS The growth inhibitory effects of TAK733 were assessed in a panel of 27 cutaneous and five uveal melanoma cell lines genotyped for driver oncogenic mutations. Flow cytometry, Western blots and metabolic tracer uptake assays were used to characterize the changes induced by exposure to TAK733. RESULTS Fourteen cutaneous melanoma cell lines with different driver mutations were sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of TAK733, with a higher proportion of BRAFV600E mutant cell lines being highly sensitive with IC50s below 1 nM. The five uveal melanoma cell lines had GNAQ or GNA11 mutations and were either moderately or highly sensitive to TAK733. The tested cell lines wild type for NRAS, BRAF, GNAQ and GNA11 driver mutations were moderately to highly resistant to TAK733. TAK733 led to a decrease in pERK and G1 arrest in most of these melanoma cell lines regardless of their origin, driver oncogenic mutations and in vitro sensitivity to TAK733. MEK inhibition resulted in increase in pMEK more prominently in NRASQ61L mutant and GNAQ mutant cell lines than in BRAFV600E mutant cell lines. Uptake of the metabolic tracers FDG and FLT was inhibited by TAK733 in a manner that closely paralleled the in vitro sensitivity assays. CONCLUSIONS The MEK inhibitor TAK733 has antitumor properties in melanoma cell lines with different oncogenic mutations and these effects could be detectable by differential metabolic tracer uptake.
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Koya RC, Mok S, Otte N, Chodon T, Comin-Anduix B, Blacketor K, Tumeh PC, Ribas A. Abstract 3510: Paradoxical MAPK activation and beneficial effects of vemurafenib on T-cell phenotype resulting in improved functionality in vivo. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-3510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) based immunotherapy for melanoma can induce remarkable and highly durable tumor responses, which may last many years. Vemurafenib (Vmf) is a potent inhibitor of BRAF mutated at V600E with response rates of up to 80% in patients with metastatic melanoma. However, drug resistance develops in most of patients leading to response durations of only several months. We previously showed that the combined approach of BRAF inhibition with adoptive cell immunotherapy leads to an improved outcome in vivo. Here we show that Vmf also directly and independently affects T lymphocytes, resulting in favorable anti-tumoral phenotypic changes. We had created a transplantable murine melanoma cell-line driven by V600E BRAF oncogene (SM1) derived from a spontaneously arising melanoma in transgenic mice harboring the V600E BRAF mutation under the control of tyrosinase promoter. SM1 cells stably expressing the ovalbumin (OVA) model antigen were implanted in C57BL6 mice. Daily i.p. Vmf combined with ACT of OVA-specific TCR transgenic cells generated by retroviral transduction demonstrated superior tumor control of the combined treatment in comparison to each treatment alone. We also confirmed better outcomes with this combination in the pmel-1 model, which is based on the ACT of TCR transgenic cells against the endogenously expressed and relevant melanoma antigen, gp100. We then cultured primary T cells in the presence of Vmf with a broad range of concentration (0.1 to up to 100 uM). There was no evidence of cytotoxicity, but interestingly, T cells differentiated into a phenotype resembling T central memory (CM) cells (CD44+, CD62L+) in a dose dependent manner as assessed by flow-cytometry. CM T cells were shown to induce superior anti-tumoral responses in comparison to ACT of Effector T cells in murine models. As expected for CM T cells, further analysis of 24 h collection supernatants from in vitro cognate peptide stimulated T cells showed dose-dependent lower interferon-gamma secretion with Vmf as analyzed by ELISA. Pmel-1 T cells were then analyzed by Immunoblotting for phosphorylation status (activation) of protein kinases at 1, 5, 15, 30 min and at 24h after Vmf treatment (concentrations from 1 to 15 uM). Vmf induced increased levels of pERK and pMEK. Co-immunoprecipitation studies and kinase assays further demonstrated a role of C-Raf in this paradoxical activation of the MAPK pathway in T cells induced by Vmf. Furthermore, in vivo studies in C57BL6 mice treated with Vmf daily or vehicle control for 3 weeks demonstrated skewing of CD3+ cells towards a phenotype resembling central memory T cells (CD44+, CD62L+, LY-6C+). Taken all our data together, we provide further support for the rationale of combining BRAF targeted therapy and adoptive T cell immunotherapy and the testing of such combinations in patients with V600E BRAF mutant metastatic melanoma.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3510. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3510
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Birkhäuser FD, Koya RC, Neufeld C, Lu X, Micewicz ED, Chodon T, Atefi M, Kroeger N, Rampersaud EN, Chandramouli GVR, Li G, Said JW, Ribas A, McBride WH, Kabbinavar FF, Pantuck AJ, Belldegrun AS, Riss J. Abstract 1563: In vivo safety and efficacy of a novel dendritic cell based Ad-GMCAIX vaccine with activity against renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-1563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) expression is constitutively up-regulated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) due to loss of the VHL gene. Its up-regulation in ccRCC and low expression levels in normal tissues led us to develop an immunotherapeutic approach targeting the CAIX tumor antigen. We previously reported the successful generation and ex vivo priming of CAIX-specific, MHC restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by adenoviral (Ad) transduction of the GM-CAIX fusion protein in dendritic cells (DCs). Our current study tests, for the first time, the in vivo anti-tumor activity of DC-Ad-GMCAIX in preventing and intervening in the growth of RCC in immunocompetent mouse models. Tumor growth was studied in BALB/c mice transplanted s.c. with either the syngeneic CAIX-expressing RCC cell line RENCA-CAIX (PRCAIX) or the non-CAIX-expressing parental RENCA line. In the preventative model, cohorts of mice were s.c. immunized twice 6 days apart with either DC-Ad-GMCAIX, DC-Ad-null, or no DC transplantation, followed by s.c. challenge with PRCAIX or RENCA lines 12 days later. In the interventional model, tumors were first established and then immunotherapy was employed. At the end of each study, tumors were harvested, and partial necropsy, immunohistochemistry, and complete blood count were performed. DC-Ad-GMCAIX expressed in vivo the hCAIX protein that primed CTLs to specifically target hCAIX expressed by the PRCAIX line. In the preventative model, PRCAIX tumor growth was specifically and significantly inhibited by DC-Ad-GMCAIX for 15 days (all p<0.0001), reaching 79% median growth inhibition at termination (113 vs. 531 mm3). In the therapeutic cohort, time to 15% weight loss was significantly delayed (log-rank test p<0.001). Half of the mice in the treatment cohort did not develop tumors. The results were confirmed by a repeated study (inhibition for 15 days; all p<0.0001; 7/8 mice without tumor). In the interventional model, DC-Ad-GMCAIX-vaccinated mice demonstrated a specific and significant growth inhibition of PRCAIX-tumors for 8 days, with 60% median growth inhibition at termination (all p<0.0018; 487 vs. 1,205 mm3). In the therapeutic cohort, time to 15% weight loss was significantly delayed (log-rank test p<0.0167). No vaccine-related weight loss or organ toxicity was observed. hCAIX staining was absent or only minimally present in PRCAIX-tumors that grew despite therapy with DC-Ad-GMCAIX, compared to strong staining in the negative control groups. In conclusion, DC-Ad-GMCAIX therapy is capable of in vivo generation of CAIX specific CTLs in immunocompetent mice, leading to a significant inhibition of RCC tumor growth without systemic toxicity. Additional studies are being done to analyze the immune response, and the differential global gene and miRNA expression of tumor cells resistant to CAIX-based therapy. NCI RAID Initiative NSC 740833. § co-corresponding.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1563. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1563
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Santiskulvong C, Eng C, Wang DT, Lung WY, Zabih S, Koya RC, Dorigo O. Abstract 836: Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) dowregulation in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cells. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of the gynecological malignancies and the 5th leading cause of cancer related deaths amongst women in the US. It is a chemotherapy-sensitive disease, and about 85% of patients respond to first line treatment with platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents. However, 15% of all patients present with primary platinum-resistant disease, and those with recurrent ovarian cancer develop resistance. Resistance to platinum-based drugs is a major obstacle in ovarian cancer treatment, and mechanisms of platinum resistance are not well understood. Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling has not only been implicated in ovarian cancer development, but has also been suggested to mediate platinum-resistance. The IGF-1R has been proposed as a potential molecular target for ovarian cancer, and clinical trials evaluating the use of small molecule kinase inhibitors or humanized monoclonal antibodies against the IGF-1R are currently under way. This study examines the role of IGF-1R in cisplatin resistance in human ovarian carcinoma. Experimental Procedures: Differential gene expression in two pairs of cisplatin-resistant cell lines (SKOV3-CisR and OVCAR-CisR) and their syngeneic cisplatin-sensitive counterpart (SKOV3 and OVCAR5, respectively) was analyzed using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. IGF-1R mRNA transcripts and protein levels were verified via qRT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Protein expression levels of IGF-1Rα and IGF-1Rα (immunoblotting) were correlated with cisplatin IC50 (XTT cell viability) in a panel of 12 ovarian cancer cell lines. IGF-1R was overexpressed (stable transfection) in SKOV3-CisR cells and the effect on cisplatin sensitivity evaluated. The effect of short-term cisplatin treatment on IGF-1Rα and IGF-1Rα protein levels was studied in SKOV3 and OVCAR5 cells. Results: Cisplatin-resistant SKOV3-CisR and OVCAR5-CisR cells exhibited 2-3 fold lower levels of IGF-1R mRNA transcripts compared to cisplatin-sensitive SKOV3 and OVCAR5 cells in the DNA microarray and via qRT-PCR. Correspondingly, decreased levels of IGF-1Rα and IGF-1Rα protein were found in immunoblot analyses. IGF-1Rα (r = −0.6118; p = 0.0345) and IGF-1Rα (r = −0.5839; p = 0.0462) protein levels and cisplatin IC50were negatively correlated. IGF-1R overexpression in SKOV3-CisR cells sensitized the cells to cisplatin, from 5 μg/ml (SKOV3-CisR) to 10-12 μg/ml (SKOV3-CisR-IGF-1R). Cisplatin induced a decrease in IGF-1Rα and IGF-1Rα levels after 24 and 48 hours treatment. Conclusions: Cisplatin treatment of ovarian cancer cells results in IGF-1R downregulation, which in turn decreases cisplatin sensitivity. Our results have important implications in the design of IGF-1R targeting strategies in clinical trials for ovarian cancer.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 836. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-836
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Wong DL, Rao A., Avramis E., Matsunaga DR, Komatsubara KM, Chodon T., Koya RC, Antoni R., Comin-Anduix B.. Abstract 4713: Detrimental effects of a histone deacetylase inhibitor on human lymphocytes. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-4713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background:Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been shown to increase cancer-testing and melanomasomal tumor antigen expression, which may allow their use as adjuvants to immunotherapy for melanoma. For this use, a key question is to test the effects of HDACi on lymphocytes compared to melanoma cells. Methods: We tested the effects on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis and DNA damage of the pan-HDACi LBH589 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a healthy donor (HD), four patients with metastatic melanoma (MM), two previously established human melanoma cell lines (M229 and M370), and two bone marrow samples of patients with multiple myeloma previously treated with GM-CSF. In addition, phospho-flow cytometry was used to study the effects of the HDACi on intracellular signalling in lymphocytes with or without pulsing with IL2 (400IU) or IFNα (10,000). For some experiments, HD PBMC were genetically modified to express the T cell receptor (TCR) for the melanoma antigen MART-1 using retroviral transduction for testing in in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Results. In replicate experiments the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of LBH589 for PBMC was low (< 20 nM) in comparison to the melanoma cells (> 600 nM). LBH589 induced > 20% (10 nM) and > 40% (1-10 mM) apoptotic cell death demonstrated by double presence of a sub-G0/G1 peak and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in PBMC samples, while it was < 10% in melanoma cell lines at these same concentrations. In a DNA damage assay, there was around 2-fold increase in the phosphorylation of the histone variant H2A.X in HD PBMC at 1 nM, while it required 10 nM for the similar effect in the melanoma cell line M229. However, the phosphorylation of H2A.X in PBMCs of three patients with MM (1 nM LBH589) was slightly inhibited. The pH2A.X of the other cell line and one of the MM patients was a 1.5- fold increase. The maximal effects on signaling pathways were seen after 30 minutes of treatment. LBH589 slightly inhibited phosphorylation of STATs 1, 3, 5 and 6 and MAPK proteins (p38, ERK), p53, cyclin D3 and histone H3 in flow gated B and T cells from the HD. On the contrary, the same phosphoproteins were activated up to six times higher in the MM patient samples and in a bone marrow sample. Conclusions. The HDACi LBH589 induced cytotoxic effects at nanomolar concentrations on human lymphocytes and altered key signaling pathways involved in lymphocyte activation. These effects are at lower concentrations than the antitumor activity in melanoma in vitro, resulting in an adverse therapeutic window. Therefore, LBH589 should be used with caution if intended to sensitize melanoma to immunotherapy.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4713. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4713
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Shi H, Moriceau G, Kong X, Koya RC, Nazarian R, Pupo GM, Bacchiocchi A, Dahlman KB, Chmielowski B, Sosman JA, Halaban R, Kefford RF, Long GV, Ribas A, Lo RS. Preexisting MEK1 exon 3 mutations in V600E/KBRAF melanomas do not confer resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Cancer Discov 2012; 2:414-24. [PMID: 22588879 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-12-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) induce antitumor responses in nearly 60% of patients with advanced V600E/KBRAF melanomas. Somatic activating MEK1 mutations are thought to be rare in melanomas, but their potential concurrence with V600E/KBRAF may be selected for by BRAFi. We sequenced MEK1/2 exon 3 in melanomas at baseline and upon disease progression. Of 31 baseline V600E/KBRAF melanomas, 5 (16%) carried concurrent somatic BRAF/MEK1 activating mutations. Three of 5 patients with BRAF/MEK1 double-mutant baseline melanomas showed objective tumor responses, consistent with the overall 60% frequency. No MEK1 mutation was found in disease progression melanomas, except when it was already identified at baseline. MEK1-mutant expression in V600E/KBRAF melanoma cell lines resulted in no significant alterations in p-ERK1/2 levels or growth-inhibitory sensitivities to BRAFi, MEK1/2 inhibitor (MEKi), or their combination. Thus, activating MEK1 exon 3 mutations identified herein and concurrent with V600E/KBRAF do not cause BRAFi resistance in melanoma. SIGNIFICANCE As BRAF inhibitors gain widespread use for treatment of advanced melanoma, biomarkers for drug sensitivity or resistance are urgently needed. We identify here concurrent activating mutations in BRAF and MEK1 in melanomas and show that the presence of a downstream mutation in MEK1 does not necessarily make BRAF–mutant melanomas resistant to BRAF inhibitors.
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Birkhäuser FD, Koya RC, Neufeld C, Lu X, Micewicz ED, Chodon T, Atefi M, Kroeger N, Rampersaud EN, Chandramouli GV, Li G, Said JW, Ribas A, McBride WH, Kabbinavar FF, Pantuck AJ, Belldegrun§ AS, Riss§ J. 304 DC-AD-GMCAIX BASED VACCINE THERAPY IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN IMMUNOCOMPETENT MURINE KIDNEY CANCER TUMOR MODELS. J Urol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Su F, Viros A, Milagre C, Trunzer K, Bollag G, Spleiss O, Reis-Filho JS, Kong X, Koya RC, Flaherty KT, Chapman PB, Kim MJ, Hayward R, Martin M, Yang H, Wang Q, Hilton H, Hang JS, Noe J, Lambros M, Geyer F, Dhomen N, Niculescu-Duvaz I, Zambon A, Niculescu-Duvaz D, Preece N, Robert L, Otte NJ, Mok S, Kee D, Ma Y, Zhang C, Habets G, Burton EA, Wong B, Nguyen H, Kockx M, Andries L, Lestini B, Nolop KB, Lee RJ, Joe AK, Troy JL, Gonzalez R, Hutson TE, Puzanov I, Chmielowski B, Springer CJ, McArthur GA, Sosman JA, Lo RS, Ribas A, Marais R. RAS mutations in cutaneous squamous-cell carcinomas in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. N Engl J Med 2012; 366:207-15. [PMID: 22256804 PMCID: PMC3724537 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1105358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 799] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinomas and keratoacanthomas are common findings in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. METHODS We performed a molecular analysis to identify oncogenic mutations (HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, CDKN2A, and TP53) in the lesions from patients treated with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. An analysis of an independent validation set and functional studies with BRAF inhibitors in the presence of the prevalent RAS mutation was also performed. RESULTS Among 21 tumor samples, 13 had RAS mutations (12 in HRAS). In a validation set of 14 samples, 8 had RAS mutations (4 in HRAS). Thus, 60% (21 of 35) of the specimens harbored RAS mutations, the most prevalent being HRAS Q61L. Increased proliferation of HRAS Q61L-mutant cell lines exposed to vemurafenib was associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-pathway signaling and activation of ERK-mediated transcription. In a mouse model of HRAS Q61L-mediated skin carcinogenesis, the vemurafenib analogue PLX4720 was not an initiator or a promoter of carcinogenesis but accelerated growth of the lesions harboring HRAS mutations, and this growth was blocked by concomitant treatment with a MEK inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS Mutations in RAS, particularly HRAS, are frequent in cutaneous squamous-cell carcinomas and keratoacanthomas that develop in patients treated with vemurafenib. The molecular mechanism is consistent with the paradoxical activation of MAPK signaling and leads to accelerated growth of these lesions. (Funded by Hoffmann-La Roche and others; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00405587, NCT00949702, NCT01001299, and NCT01006980.).
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Konkankit VV, Kim W, Koya RC, Eskin A, Dam MA, Nelson S, Ribas A, Liau LM, Prins RM. Decitabine immunosensitizes human gliomas to NY-ESO-1 specific T lymphocyte targeting through the Fas/Fas ligand pathway. J Transl Med 2011; 9:192. [PMID: 22060015 PMCID: PMC3229551 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The lack of effective treatments for gliomas makes them a significant health problem and highlights the need for the development of novel and innovative treatment approaches. Immunotherapy is an appealing strategy because of the potential ability for immune cells to traffic to and destroy infiltrating tumor cells. However, the absence of well-characterized, highly immunogenic tumor-rejection antigens (TRA) in gliomas has limited the implementation of targeted immune-based therapies. Methods We hypothesized that treatment with the demethylating agent, decitabine, would upregulate the expression of TRA on tumor cells, thereby facilitating enhanced surveillance by TRA-specific T cells. Results and Discussion Treatment of human glioma cells with decitabine increased the expression of NY-ESO-1 and other well characterized cancer testes antigens. The upregulation of NY-ESO-1 made these tumors susceptible to NY-ESO-1-specific T-cell recognition and lysis. Interestingly, decitabine treatment of T98 glioma cells also sensitized them to Fas-dependent apoptosis with an agonistic antibody, while a Fas blocking antibody could largely prevent the enhanced functional recognition by NY-ESO-1 specific T cells. Thus, decitabine treatment transformed a non-immunogenic glioma cell into an immunogenic target that was efficiently recognized by NY-ESO-1--specific T cells. Conclusions Such data supports the hypothesis that agents which alter epigenetic cellular processes may "immunosensitize" tumor cells to tumor-specific T cell-mediated lysis.
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Koya RC, Mok S, Otte N, Chodon T, Comin-Anduix B, Ribas A. Abstract A65: Improved immunological responses against melanoma in vivo with T lymphocyte adoptive cell therapy coupled with targeted inhibition of mutated and activated BRAF. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.fbcr11-a65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Vemurafenib blocks activated BRAF with V600E driver mutation and induces unprecedented high response rates in patients with metastatic melanoma. However, most patients have response durations limited to only several months. Conversely, immunotherapy based on adoptive transfer of T cells has induced low frequency, but highly durable tumor responses. We previously reported (Clin Cancer Res. 16(24), 2010) that T lymphocytes exposed to high concentrations of vemurafenib had preserved viability and function, providing a compelling rationale for a combined targeted drug/immunotherapy approach.
We first established an implantable murine melanoma cell line driven by the V600E BRAF oncogene (SM1) from a spontaneously arising melanoma in transgenic mice harboring the V600E BRAF mutation under the control of tyrosinase promoter. SM1 cells exposed to vemurafenib had partial in vitro sensitivity (IC50 of 14 uM) resulting from inhibition of MAPK pathway signaling (as demonstrated by Immunoblotting), while murine lymphocytes were spared. In vitro assays indicated that SM1 cells undergo apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in the presence of vemurafenib. Mice implanted with SM1 tumors responded significantly with daily i.p. injection of vemurafenib, confirming its efficacy in vivo. We then tested the combination of vemurafenib and immunotherapy in vivo using two models of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapy. OT-1 T cell receptor-expressing lymphocytes targeting ovalbumin (OVA) present in SM1-OVA tumors or pmel-1 lymphocytes targeting the melanoma-associated-antigen gp100 (endogenously expressed by SM1) combined with daily i.p. injections of vemurafenib resulted in superior antitumor responses compared to either therapy alone. We then quantified the adoptively transferred T cells in spleen and tumor biopsies by tissue immunostaining. There were no significant differences in numbers of T cells infiltrating the tumors with or without vemurafenib. Further analysis with two different molecular imaging-based in vivo T cell tracking (1-Luciferin bioluminescence and 2-Positron Emission Tomography with dFAC tracer) confirmed that vemurafenib did not significantly alter the expansion, distribution or tumor accumulation of the adoptively transferred T cells. Also, vemurafenib did not alter SM1 antigen presentation as demonstrated by lack of significant differences in gp100 expression and MHC-I levels in SM1, as well as, in vivo cytotoxic activity of adoptively transferred cells against their cognate antigen. We then performed immunophenotypic analysis of transferred T cells. Vemurafenib skewed these cells towards a phenotype resembling central memory T cells, a favorable characteristic for superior and prolonged tumor control. Further functional analysis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes indicated increased interferon-gamma secretion as assayed by intracellular staining and FACS.
In conclusion, our data derived from two independent models combining BRAF targeted therapy and immunotherapy indicated favorable changes in T cell function/immunophenotype and support the testing of such combination in patients with BRAFV600 mutant metastatic melanoma.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr A65.
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Ma C, Fan R, Ahmad H, Shi Q, Comin-Anduix B, Chodon T, Koya RC, Liu CC, Kwong GA, Radu CG, Ribas A, Heath JR. A clinical microchip for evaluation of single immune cells reveals high functional heterogeneity in phenotypically similar T cells. Nat Med 2011; 17:738-43. [PMID: 21602800 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cellular immunity has an inherent high level of functional heterogeneity. Capturing the full spectrum of these functions requires analysis of large numbers of effector molecules from single cells. We report a microfluidic platform designed for highly multiplexed (more than ten proteins), reliable, sample-efficient (∼1 × 10(4) cells) and quantitative measurements of secreted proteins from single cells. We validated the platform by assessment of multiple inflammatory cytokines from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human macrophages and comparison to standard immunotechnologies. We applied the platform toward the ex vivo quantification of T cell polyfunctional diversity via the simultaneous measurement of a dozen effector molecules secreted from tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that were actively responding to tumor and compared against a cohort of healthy donor controls. We observed profound, yet focused, functional heterogeneity in active tumor antigen-specific CTLs, with the major functional phenotypes quantitatively identified. The platform represents a new and informative tool for immune monitoring and clinical assessment.
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Huang RR, Jalil J, Economou JS, Chmielowski B, Koya RC, Mok S, Sazegar H, Seja E, Villanueva A, Gomez-Navarro J, Glaspy JA, Cochran AJ, Ribas A. CTLA4 blockade induces frequent tumor infiltration by activated lymphocytes regardless of clinical responses in humans. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:4101-9. [PMID: 21558401 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CTLA4 blocking monoclonal antibodies provide durable clinical benefit in a subset of patients with advanced melanoma mediated by intratumoral lymphocytic infiltrates. A key question is defining whether the intratumoral infiltration (ITI) is a differentiating factor between patients with and without tumor responses. METHODS Paired baseline and postdosing tumor biopsy specimens were prospectively collected from 19 patients with metastatic melanoma, including 3 patients with an objective tumor response, receiving the anti-CTLA4 antibody tremelimumab within a clinical trial with primary endpoint of quantitating CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration in tumors. Samples were analyzed for cell density by automated imaging capture and further characterized for functional lymphocyte properties by assessing the cell activation markers HLA-DR and CD45RO, the cell proliferation marker Ki67, and the regulatory T-cell marker FOXP3. RESULTS There was a highly significant increase in ITI by CD8(+) cells in biopsy samples taken after tremelimumab treatment. This included increases between 1-fold and 100-fold changes in 14 of 18 evaluable cases regardless of clinical tumor response or progression. There was no difference between the absolute number, location, or cell density of infiltrating cells between clinical responders and patients with nonresponding lesions that showed acquired intratumoral infiltrates. There were similar levels of expression of T-cell activation markers (CD45RO, HLA-DR) in both groups and no difference in markers for cell replication (Ki67) or the suppressor cell marker FOXP3. CONCLUSION CTLA4 blockade induces frequent increases in ITI by T cells despite which only a minority of patients have objective tumor responses.
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