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Meyiah A, Elkord E. What is the relevance of FoxP3 in the tumor microenvironment and cancer outcomes? Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:803-809. [PMID: 38512803 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2334258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) transcription factor plays critical roles in controlling immune responses and cancer progression in different cancers. FoxP3 expression within the tumor microenvironment (TME) may influence clinical outcomes negatively or positively, and it could play dual roles in cancer, either by promoting or inhibiting tumor development and progression. Some studies reported that high levels of FoxP3 could be associated with tumor progression and worse prognosis, while others reported contradictory results. AREAS COVERED In this special report, we present a brief account on the role and function of FoxP3 in the TME, and its contribution to the clinical outcomes of cancer patients. Importantly, we give insights on the potential factors that could contribute to different clinical outcomes in cancer patients. EXPERT OPINION Different studies showed that FoxP3 expression can be associated with bad prognoses in cancer patients. However, FoxP3 could have opposing roles by enhancing cancer progression or regression. Location and expression of FoxP3 in T cells or tumor cells can have different impacts on cancer prognoses. Different factors should be considered to establish FoxP3 as a more robust prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for enhancing anti-tumor immunity and improving clinical outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdo Meyiah
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
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Serrano A, Casares N, Trocóniz IF, Lozano T, Lasarte JJ, Zalba S, Garrido MJ. Foxp3 inhibitory peptide encapsulated in a novel CD25-targeted nanoliposome promotes efficient tumor regression in mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01338-0. [PMID: 39075226 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01338-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
P60, a Foxp3 inhibitory peptide, can hinder the regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and impair tumor proliferation. However, low systemic stability and poor specificity have led to daily dosing to achieve therapeutic effect. Therefore, this study aims to improve P60 stability and specific delivery through its encapsulation in liposomes targeting CD25, constitutively expressed in Tregs. P60 liposomes formulated with DSPE-PEG750 or DSPE-PEG2000 were incubated with DSPE-PEG2000-Maleimide micelles conjugated to Fab' fragments of anti-CD25 to develop two targeted formulations or immunoliposomes (IL): IL-P602000 (DSPE-PEG2000 only) and IL-P60750 (combining DSPE-PEG750 and DSPE-PEG2000). P60 encapsulation efficiency was 50%-60% irrespective of PEG chain length. Treg uptake was 2.5 and 14 times higher for IL-PEG750 compared with IL-PEG2000 and non-targeted liposomes, respectively, in in-vitro assays. In fact, IL-P60750 allowed CD8+ T cells ex-vivo proliferation in presence of Treg at doses 10-20 times lower than for free P60. Antitumor response of P60 and IL-P60750 in monotherapy and combined with anti-PD-1 was evaluated in MC38 and LLCOVA tumor bearing mice. In MC38 model, IL-P60750 monotherapy induced total tumor regression in 40% of mice reaching 100% for anti-PD-1 combination. This effect was associated with a significant increase in activated CD8+ T cells in tumors. Notably, IL-P60750 also inhibited human Treg in ex-vivo assay, showing the translational capability of this formulation. In conclusion, IL-P60750 formulated with different PEG chain lengths, has demonstrated antitumor efficacy by selective inhibition of Treg activity and enhances the effect of anti-PD1. Altogether, this novel IL represents a promising nanoplatform for cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki F Trocóniz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Teresa Lozano
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan J Lasarte
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara Zalba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - María J Garrido
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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Mortezaee K. FOXP3 (in)stability and cancer immunotherapy. Cytokine 2024; 178:156589. [PMID: 38547750 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is described in the context of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is a transcription factor that its activity is an indicator of Treg identity. FOXP3 induces metabolic versatility in intra-tumoral Tregs, so that its deficiency mediates Treg instability or even gives rise to the acquisition of effector T cell phenotype. FOXP3 dysregulation and defectiveness occurs upon ubiquitination, methylation and presumably acetylation. Stimulators of PTEN, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), and nucleus accumbens-associated protein-1 (NAC1), and inhibitors of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1), Deltex1 (DTX1) and ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) are suggested to hamper FOXP3 stability, and to promote its downregulation and further Treg depletion. A point is that Treg subsets reveal different reliance on FOXP3, which indicates that not all Tregs are strictly dependent on FOXP3, and presumably Tregs with different origin rely on diverse regulators of FOXP3 stability. The focus of this review is over the current understanding toward FOXP3, its activity in Tregs and influence from different regulators within tumor microenvironment (TME). Implication of FOXP3 targeting in cancer immunotherapy is another focus of this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
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Yang K, Zhang Y, Ding J, Li Z, Zhang H, Zou F. Autoimmune CD8+ T cells in type 1 diabetes: from single-cell RNA sequencing to T-cell receptor redirection. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1377322. [PMID: 38800484 PMCID: PMC11116783 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1377322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by pancreatic β cell destruction and mediated primarily by autoreactive CD8+ T cells. It has been shown that only a small number of stem cell-like β cell-specific CD8+ T cells are needed to convert normal mice into T1D mice; thus, it is likely that T1D can be cured or significantly improved by modulating or altering self-reactive CD8+ T cells. However, stem cell-type, effector and exhausted CD8+ T cells play intricate and important roles in T1D. The highly diverse T-cell receptors (TCRs) also make precise and stable targeted therapy more difficult. Therefore, this review will investigate the mechanisms of autoimmune CD8+ T cells and TCRs in T1D, as well as the related single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-Seq), CRISPR/Cas9, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and T-cell receptor-gene engineered T cells (TCR-T), for a detailed and clear overview. This review highlights that targeting CD8+ T cells and their TCRs may be a potential strategy for predicting or treating T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangping Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yihan Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiatong Ding
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zelin Li
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hejin Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fang Zou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Wang X, Dai Z, Lin X, Zou X, Wang R, Tasiheng Y, Yan Y, Ma M, Chen Y, Cheng H, Liu C, Yu X. Antigen/HLA-agnostic strategies for Characterizing Tumor-responsive T cell receptors in PDAC patients via single-cell sequencing and autologous organoid application. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216741. [PMID: 38395378 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Characterization of tumor-responsive T cell receptors (TCRs) is a critical step in personalized TCR-T cell therapy, and remains challenging for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here we report a proof-of-concept study to identify and validate antitumor TCRs in two representative PDAC patients using ultradeep single-cell TCR/RNA sequencing and autologous organoids, and reveal the phenotypic dynamics of TCR repertoire in different T cell expansions from the same patient. We first performed comparative sequencing on freshly harvested peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and uncultured tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), followed by reactivity tests of TIL-enriched TCRs with autologous organoids, in which two tumor-responsive TCRs were successfully characterized and the corresponding TILs were mostly tissue-resident memory-like T cells, and partially expressed both naïve and exhausted T cell markers. For the PDAC patient without high-quality TILs, PBMCs were cultured with neoantigen peptide (KRASG12D), organoids, or anti-CD3 antibody in presence, and experienced extensive clonal expansions within ten days. All derived PBMCs were sequenced in parallel (>82,000 cells), and TCRs enriched in both peptide- and organoid-experienced, but not anti-CD3-treated CD8 T cells, were assessed for their reactivity to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and organoids, in which three neoantigen-reactive TCRs were identified as tumor-responsive, and the corresponding T cells were characterized by mixed transcriptional signatures including but not limited to typical exhausted T cell markers. Together, our study revealed that the combination of ultradeep single-cell sequencing and organoid techniques enabled rapid characterization of tumor-responsive TCRs for developing practical personalized TCR-T therapy in an antigen/human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-agnostic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengjie Dai
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Lin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yesboli Tasiheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingjian Ma
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - He Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Chew V, Chuang CH, Hsu C. Translational research on drug development and biomarker discovery for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:22. [PMID: 38368324 PMCID: PMC10874078 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Translational research plays a key role in drug development and biomarker discovery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, unique challenges exist in this field because of the limited availability of human tumor samples from surgery, the lack of homogenous oncogenic driver mutations, and the paucity of adequate experimental models. In this review, we provide insights into these challenges and review recent advancements, with a particular focus on the two main agents currently used as mainstream therapies for HCC: anti-angiogenic agents and immunotherapy. First, we examine the pre-clinical and clinical studies to highlight the challenges of determining the optimal therapeutic combinations with biologically effective dosage for HCC. Second, we discuss biomarker studies focusing on anti-PD1/anti-PD-L1-based combination therapy. Finally, we discuss the progress made in our collective understanding of tumor immunology and in multi-omics analysis technology, which enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying immunotherapy, characterize different patient subgroups, and facilitate the development of novel combination approaches to improve treatment efficacy. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of efforts in translational research aiming at advancing our understanding of and improving the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Chew
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chien-Huai Chuang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiun Hsu
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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7
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Weiss J, Gibbons K, Ehyaee V, Perez-Silos V, Zevallos A, Maienschein-Cline M, Brister E, Sverdlov M, Shah E, Balakrishna J, Symes E, Frederiksen JK, Gann PH, Post R, Lopez-Hisijos N, Reneau J, Venkataraman G, Bailey N, Brown NA, Xu ML, Wilcox RA, Inamdar K, Murga-Zamalloa C. Specific Polo-Like Kinase 1 Expression in Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma Suggests an Intact Immune Surveillance Program. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:165-178. [PMID: 37923249 PMCID: PMC10768536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare and relatively indolent B-cell lymphoma. Characteristically, the [lymphocyte-predominant (LP)] tumor cells are embedded in a microenvironment enriched in lymphocytes. More aggressive variants of mature B-cell and peripheral T-cell lymphomas exhibit nuclear expression of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) protein, stabilizing MYC (alias c-myc) and associated with worse clinical outcomes. This study demonstrated expression of PLK1 in the LP cells in 100% of NLPHL cases (n = 76). In contrast, <5% of classic Hodgkin lymphoma cases (n = 70) showed PLK1 expression within the tumor cells. Loss-of-function approaches demonstrated that the expression of PLK1 promoted cell proliferation and increased MYC stability in NLPHL cell lines. Correlation with clinical parameters revealed that the increased expression of PLK1 was associated with advanced-stage disease in patients with NLPHL. A multiplex immunofluorescence panel coupled with artificial intelligence algorithms was used to correlate the composition of the tumor microenvironment with the proliferative stage of LP cells. The results showed that LP cells with PLK1 (high) expression were associated with increased numbers of cytotoxic and T-regulatory T cells. Overall, the findings demonstrate that PLK1 signaling increases NLPHL proliferation and constitutes a potential vulnerability that can be targeted with PLK1 inhibitors. An active immune surveillance program in NLPHL may be a critical mechanism limiting PLK1-dependent tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kathryn Gibbons
- Department of Pathology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Vida Ehyaee
- Department of Pathology, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Vanessa Perez-Silos
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alejandro Zevallos
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Eileen Brister
- Research Tissue Imaging Core and Research Histology Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maria Sverdlov
- Research Tissue Imaging Core and Research Histology Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Eshana Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Emily Symes
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John K Frederiksen
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Peter H Gann
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert Post
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - John Reneau
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Nathanael Bailey
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Noah A Brown
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Mina L Xu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ryan A Wilcox
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kedar Inamdar
- Department of Pathology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
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Conde E, Casares N, Mancheño U, Elizalde E, Vercher E, Capozzi R, Santamaria E, Rodriguez-Madoz JR, Prosper F, Lasarte JJ, Lozano T, Hervas-Stubbs S. FOXP3 expression diversifies the metabolic capacity and enhances the efficacy of CD8 T cells in adoptive immunotherapy of melanoma. Mol Ther 2023; 31:48-65. [PMID: 36045586 PMCID: PMC9840123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells overwhelm conventional T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) thanks to a FOXP3-driven metabolic program that allows them to engage different metabolic pathways. Using a melanoma model of adoptive T cell therapy (ACT), we show that FOXP3 overexpression in mature CD8 T cells improved their antitumor efficacy, favoring their tumor recruitment, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. FOXP3-overexpressing (Foxp3UP) CD8 T cells exhibited features of tissue-resident memory-like and effector T cells, but not suppressor activity. Transcriptomic analysis of tumor-infiltrating Foxp3UP CD8 T cells showed positive enrichment in a wide variety of metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, fatty acid (FA) metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Intratumoral Foxp3UP CD8 T cells exhibited an enhanced capacity for glucose and FA uptake as well as accumulation of intracellular lipids. Interestingly, Foxp3UP CD8 T cells compensated for the loss of mitochondrial respiration-driven ATP production by activating aerobic glycolysis. Moreover, in limiting nutrient conditions these cells engaged FA oxidation to drive OXPHOS for their energy demands. Importantly, their ability to couple glycolysis and OXPHOS allowed them to sustain proliferation under glucose restriction. Our findings demonstrate a hitherto unknown role for FOXP3 in the adaptation of CD8 T cells to TME that may enhance their efficacy in ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Conde
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Uxua Mancheño
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Edurne Elizalde
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Enric Vercher
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Roberto Capozzi
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Eva Santamaria
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan R Rodriguez-Madoz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Hemat-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Hemat-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Juan J Lasarte
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Teresa Lozano
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain.
| | - Sandra Hervas-Stubbs
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Avenida Pio XII 55, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain; CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Revenko A, Carnevalli LS, Sinclair C, Johnson B, Peter A, Taylor M, Hettrick L, Chapman M, Klein S, Solanki A, Gattis D, Watt A, Hughes AM, Magiera L, Kar G, Ireland L, Mele DA, Sah V, Singh M, Walton J, Mairesse M, King M, Edbrooke M, Lyne P, Barry ST, Fawell S, Goldberg FW, MacLeod AR. Direct targeting of FOXP3 in Tregs with AZD8701, a novel antisense oligonucleotide to relieve immunosuppression in cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003892. [PMID: 35387780 PMCID: PMC8987763 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Regulatory T cell (Treg) lineage is defined by the transcription factor FOXP3, which controls immune-suppressive gene expression profiles. Tregs are often recruited in high frequencies to the tumor microenvironment where they can suppress antitumor immunity. We hypothesized that pharmacological inhibition of FOXP3 by systemically delivered, unformulated constrained ethyl-modified antisense oligonucleotides could modulate the activity of Tregs and augment antitumor immunity providing therapeutic benefit in cancer models and potentially in man. METHODS We have identified murine Foxp3 antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and clinical candidate human FOXP3 ASO AZD8701. Pharmacology and biological effects of FOXP3 inhibitors on Treg function and antitumor immunity were tested in cultured Tregs and mouse syngeneic tumor models. Experiments were controlled by vehicle and non-targeting control ASO groups as well as by use of multiple independent FOXP3 ASOs. Statistical significance of biological effects was evaluated by one or two-way analysis of variance with multiple comparisons. RESULTS AZD8701 demonstrated a dose-dependent knockdown of FOXP3 in primary Tregs, reduction of suppressive function and efficient target downregulation in humanized mice at clinically relevant doses. Surrogate murine FOXP3 ASO, which efficiently downregulated Foxp3 messenger RNA and protein levels in primary Tregs, reduced Treg suppressive function in immune suppression assays in vitro. FOXP3 ASO promoted more than 70% reduction in FOXP3 levels in Tregs in vitro and in vivo, strongly modulated Treg effector molecules (eg, ICOS, CTLA-4, CD25 and 4-1BB), and augmented CD8+ T cell activation and produced antitumor activity in syngeneic tumor models. The combination of FOXP3 ASOs with immune checkpoint blockade further enhanced antitumor efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Antisense inhibitors of FOXP3 offer a promising novel cancer immunotherapy approach. AZD8701 is being developed clinically as a first-in-class FOXP3 inhibitor for the treatment of cancer currently in Ph1a/b clinical trial (NCT04504669).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ben Johnson
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Melissa Chapman
- Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Watt
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | - Gozde Kar
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Vasu Sah
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Lyne
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
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