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Earland N, Zhang W, Usmani A, Nene A, Bacchiocchi A, Chen DY, Sznol M, Halaban R, Chaudhuri AA, Newman AM. CD4 T cells and toxicity from immune checkpoint blockade. Immunol Rev 2023; 318:96-109. [PMID: 37491734 PMCID: PMC10838135 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13248] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Immune-related toxicities, otherwise known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs), occur in a substantial fraction of cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening, ICI-induced irAEs can result in hospital admission, high-dose corticosteroid treatment, ICI discontinuation, and in some cases, death. A deeper understanding of the factors underpinning severe irAE development will be essential for improved irAE prediction and prevention, toward maximizing the benefits and safety profiles of ICIs. In recent work, we applied mass cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, single-cell V(D)J sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and bulk T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to identify pretreatment determinants of severe irAE development in patients with advanced melanoma. Across 71 patients separated into three cohorts, we found that two baseline features in circulation-elevated activated CD4 effector memory T-cell abundance and TCR diversity-are associated with severe irAE development, independent of the affected organ system within 3 months of ICI treatment initiation. Here, we provide an extended perspective on this work, synthesize and discuss related literature, and summarize practical considerations for clinical translation. Collectively, these findings lay a foundation for data-driven and mechanistic insights into irAE development, with the potential to reduce ICI morbidity and mortality in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Earland
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wubing Zhang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Abul Usmani
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Antonella Bacchiocchi
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David Y. Chen
- Division of Dermatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mario Sznol
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ruth Halaban
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Aadel A. Chaudhuri
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Aaron M. Newman
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Dougan M. Gastrointestinal mucosal toxicities from immune checkpoint inhibitors: Current understanding and future directions. Immunol Rev 2023; 318:11-21. [PMID: 37455375 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13239] [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: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized the field of oncology over the past decade, leading to durable remissions in some patients but also producing a wide spectrum of treatment-limiting inflammatory toxicities that are referred to as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although irAEs can involve any organ system in the body, they most commonly affect the barrier tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract with colitis and enterocolitis affecting a significant fraction of patients on ICIs. We are beginning to understand the mechanisms that drive ICI colitis, with early experiments indicating a role for CD8+ resident memory T cells (TRMs) in the gut, which become activated and differentiate into cytotoxic cells in response to ICI therapy. The risk factors that define who will develop ICI colitis are not understood and substantial efforts are underway to identify potential biomarkers for risk of this and other toxicities. Optimal management of ICI colitis is also an area of active investigation. Current standard treatments are based largely on small, retrospective analyses, and while drugs like systemic glucocorticoids or the TNFα inhibitor infliximab do appear to be highly active in ICI colitis, the impact of these therapies on antitumor responses is poorly understood. As discussed in this review, future work will have to define the immune mechanisms driving ICI colitis in more detail and in comparison to antitumor responses in order to identify candidate pathways that can be targeted to improve ICI colitis without interfering in antitumor immunity. Studying these interventions will require randomized, controlled trials with both tumor and colitis endpoints, a goal that will necessitate collaboration across institutions and funding agencies. We are at a point where such collaborative trials are feasible, and have the potential to greatly improve the care of patients with ICI colitis as well as other irAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Ozer M, Vegivinti CTR, Syed M, Ferrell ME, Gonzalez Gomez C, Cheng S, Holder-Murray J, Bruno T, Saeed A, Sahin IH. Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Patients with dMMR/MSI-High Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Changing Paradigm. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3833. [PMID: 37568648 PMCID: PMC10417711 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153833] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the management of mismatch repair-deficient (MMR-D)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. Cancers with the MMR-D/MSI-H genotype often carry a higher tumor mutation burden with frameshift alterations, leading to increased mutation-associated neoantigen (MANA) generation. The dramatic response seen with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which are orchestrated by MANA-primed effector T cells, resulted in the rapid development of these novel therapeutics within the landscape of MSI-H gastrointestinal cancers. Recently, several clinical trials have utilized ICIs as potential neoadjuvant therapies for MSI-H gastrointestinal cancers and demonstrated deep clinical and pathological responses, creating opportunities for organ preservation. However, there are potential challenges to the neoadjuvant use of ICIs for certain disease types due to the clinical risk of overtreatment for a disease that can be cured through a surgery-only approach. In this review article, we discuss neoadjuvant management approaches with ICI therapy for patients with MSI-H gastrointestinal cancers, including those with oligometastatic disease. We also elaborate on potential challenges and opportunities for the neoadjuvant utilization of ICIs and provide further insight into the changing treatment paradigm of MMR-D/MSI-H gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Ozer
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Masood Syed
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Morgan E. Ferrell
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Cyndi Gonzalez Gomez
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Svea Cheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jennifer Holder-Murray
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tullia Bruno
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ibrahim Halil Sahin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Wang SJ, Dougan SK, Dougan M. Immune mechanisms of toxicity from checkpoint inhibitors. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:543-553. [PMID: 37117135 PMCID: PMC10330206 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape for cancer over the past decade. Inhibitors of the immune checkpoint proteins cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4, programmed death (PD)-1, and PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) can induce durable remissions in a subset of patients with metastatic disease. However, these treatments can be limited by inflammatory toxicities that can affect any organ system in the body and in some cases can be life threatening. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the drivers of these toxicities as well as effective management strategies. Further research into understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive toxicity will enable better prediction of toxicity and development of optimized therapies for these toxicities that avoid interfering with antitumor immunity. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the inflammatory toxicities from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and propose optimal treatment strategies for these toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jennifer Wang
- Department of Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Choi H, Kim Y, Jung YW. The Function of Memory CD8+ T Cells in Immunotherapy for Human Diseases. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e10. [PMID: 36911798 PMCID: PMC9995995 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e10] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Memory T (Tm) cells protect against Ags that they have previously contacted with a fast and robust response. Therefore, developing long-lived Tm cells is a prime goal for many vaccines and therapies to treat human diseases. The remarkable characteristics of Tm cells have led scientists and clinicians to devise methods to make Tm cells more useful. Recently, Tm cells have been highlighted for their role in coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines during the ongoing global pandemic. The importance of Tm cells in cancer has been emerging. However, the precise characteristics and functions of Tm cells in these diseases are not completely understood. In this review, we summarize the known characteristics of Tm cells and their implications in the development of vaccines and immunotherapies for human diseases. In addition, we propose to exploit the beneficial characteristics of Tm cells to develop strategies for effective vaccines and overcome the obstacles of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbyeul Choi
- Department of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Korea
| | - Yeaji Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Korea
| | - Yong Woo Jung
- Department of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Korea
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Lazarus HM, Pitts K, Wang T, Lee E, Buchbinder E, Dougan M, Armstrong DG, Paine R, Ragsdale CE, Boyd T, Rock EP, Gale RP. Recombinant GM-CSF for diseases of GM-CSF insufficiency: Correcting dysfunctional mononuclear phagocyte disorders. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1069444. [PMID: 36685591 PMCID: PMC9850113 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1069444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Endogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), identified by its ability to support differentiation of hematopoietic cells into several types of myeloid cells, is now known to support maturation and maintain the metabolic capacity of mononuclear phagocytes including monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. These cells sense and attack potential pathogens, present antigens to adaptive immune cells, and recruit other immune cells. Recombinant human (rhu) GM-CSF (e.g., sargramostim [glycosylated, yeast-derived rhu GM-CSF]) has immune modulating properties and can restore the normal function of mononuclear phagocytes rendered dysfunctional by deficient or insufficient endogenous GM-CSF. Methods We reviewed the emerging biologic and cellular effects of GM-CSF. Experts in clinical disease areas caused by deficient or insufficient endogenous GM-CSF examined the role of GM-CSF in mononuclear phagocyte disorders including autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP), diverse infections (including COVID-19), wound healing, and anti-cancer immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Results We discuss emerging data for GM-CSF biology including the positive effects on mitochondrial function and cell metabolism, augmentation of phagocytosis and efferocytosis, and immune cell modulation. We further address how giving exogenous rhu GM-CSF may control or treat mononuclear phagocyte dysfunction disorders caused or exacerbated by GM-CSF deficiency or insufficiency. We discuss how rhu GM-CSF may augment the anti-cancer effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy as well as ameliorate immune-related adverse events. Discussion We identify research gaps, opportunities, and the concept that rhu GM-CSF, by supporting and restoring the metabolic capacity and function of mononuclear phagocytes, can have significant therapeutic effects. rhu GM-CSF (e.g., sargramostim) might ameliorate multiple diseases of GM-CSF deficiency or insufficiency and address a high unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillard M. Lazarus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Katherine Pitts
- Medical Affairs, Partner Therapeutics, Inc., Lexington, MA, United States
| | - Tisha Wang
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Elinor Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Buchbinder
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael Dougan
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David G. Armstrong
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Robert Paine
- Division of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | | | - Timothy Boyd
- Clinical Development, Partner Therapeutics, Inc., Lexington, MA, United States
| | - Edwin P. Rock
- Clinical Development, Partner Therapeutics, Inc., Lexington, MA, United States
| | - Robert Peter Gale
- Hematology Centre, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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Kelly-Goss MR, Badran YR, Dougan M. Update on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Enterocolitis. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2022; 24:171-181. [PMID: 36264425 PMCID: PMC9583048 DOI: 10.1007/s11894-022-00852-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy revolutionized the treatment of multiple solid and hematologic malignancies. Yet, with it came profound inflammatory toxicities that mimic autoimmune diseases, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Prominent among these is gastrointestinal inflammation, including a spectrum of gastritis, enteritis, and colitis. Here we synthesize an approach to immune checkpoint related enterocolitis (irEC) - including diagnostics and therapeutics - underpinned by new insights into the mechanism behind these phenomena. RECENT FINDINGS This review presents updated insights on how to approach irEC, including novel approaches to selective immunosuppressive therapy, the role of fecal microbiota transplant, and the underlying cellular mechanisms of irEC. This review provides an update on irEC diagnosis and therapy, with considerations of new therapies and special patient populations. The field of gastrointestinal irAEs requires additional investigation, which will ultimately provide the tools required for patients to continue to receive life-saving ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly R. Kelly-Goss
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA ,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Yousef R. Badran
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA ,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
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